Local claims CFR championship

It was a “surreal” night for barrel racer Jayden Wilson, after claiming the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) championship at Rogers Place earlier this month. 

The 27-year-old barrel racer from Gleichen says the win was the culmination of years of hard work, long hours, and deep trust in her horse, Whiskey.

“It was very exciting,” Wilson said. “It was kind of surreal the whole night, really.”

Wilson isn’t new to the national stage; she first qualified for the Canadian Finals Rodeo last year. 

“I had competed in the Canadian Finals last year; that was the first time I’d qualified,” she said. “I won a little money and got a lot of experience out of it. I wanted to have a chance to go back.”

This year, she not only returned – she won.

Wilson’s passion for rodeo runs in the family. 

“My dad rode saddle broncs for years, and my mom showed quarter horses and rodeoed herself,” she explained. “So, they’re also very rodeo involved. It’s always something that’s kind of been in our family.”

Her success, she says, is shared with her horse, Whiskey, an eight-year-old gelding her family raised. 

“It’s cool cause my family raised him. We owned his mom, so I’ve had him right from Day 1,” Wilson said. “I’ve been riding him since he was three and competing since he was five. It’s cool seeing how much he’s matured the last couple of years.”

Consistency, she believes, was the key to victory. “The horse that I’m on is huge – he’s just so amazing, and he tries so hard,” she said. “He’s so consistent. I kind of just always know what he’s going to do, so I run him confident every run, and that makes such a difference.”

Wilson’s season has been a busy one – she competed in 49 rodeos across Canada this year while also holding down a full-time job. 

“I have a degree in finance from the University of Calgary,” she said. 

Looking ahead, Wilson won’t have much of a break before her next competition. “We have what we call the Maple Leaf Circuit Finals in Regina at the end of November,” she said. “So not a huge break and we’re back at it.”

Perhaps most exciting, she’s earned a coveted spot at the Calgary Stampede next summer, her first time competing there. 

“That’s the one I’m most excited about going to,” Wilson said. “It’s probably the one I’ve dreamed of the most.”

For young riders hoping to follow in her footsteps, Wilson offered simple but heartfelt advice: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. People are usually very open to giving advice if you just aren’t afraid to reach out.”

At just 27, with a national title under her belt and her sights set on Calgary, Jayden Wilson’s barrel racing journey is only getting started.