Schiffner prepares for rodeo finals

Tyler Lowey
Times Reporter

 

Scott Schiffner still loves bull riding and he especially loves riding close to home – even if he gets bucked off.
Schniffer was bucked off Platinum Back at stop number four of the Pro Bull Riding Monster Energy Canada Tour on Saturday night (Sept. 24) at the Agrium Western Events Centre at Stampede Park in Calgary.
“Yeah I got bucked off around the three and a half, four second mark,” said Schiffner. “He was a really good bull. He came out and turned right. Normally that’s my strong side, but it slipped out of my hands.”
Schiffner entered the weekend in 22nd place in the Canadian National Standings with 436.3 points. He split the SK PBR Classic with Dakota Buttar with a score of 170 back on July 28, in North Battleford, Sask. He has competed in 19 events this year, placing in the top-five three times, with four other top-10 finishes.
Schiffner has seen it all during his remarkable career: former Calgary Stampede champion, PBR Canadian Finals champion, Canadian Cowboy of the Year, and he even taught Prince William and Kate Middleton a lesson in bull riding.
After all that, his goals entering each season remain the same.
“For me, it’s all about qualifying for the CFR. That’s why we ride bulls and that is always my goal,” said Schiffner.
In a year where he has been dealing with sore ribs from getting stomped on by a bull, Schiffer is off to his 16th CFR and will also be headed to his 11th PBR finals.
“I’ve been struggling with some injuries this year,” said Schiffner. “My right hand was worn out and I couldn’t compete at a higher level, but that’s all part of the game.”
Like an aging point guard in the NBA, Schiffner was a little more selective this year when choosing rodeos to compete in in order to preserve his body.
“I’m not young like some of these 21-year-olds now, and I got a family and a ranch that need my attention, too,” said Schiffner.
While on tour, one of the young riders Schiffner likes to watch is Maple Creek native Jared Parsonage. He thinks Parsonage has a lot of potential and is impressed by his mental toughness for a 21-year-old.
Parsonage put up 83 points on Indian Turtle (Vold Rodeo) but was bucked off Buck Wild (Bailey Pro Rodeo) in the finals in Calgary.
Up next for Schiffner is Cinch Pro Rodeo Canada Series Final Friday, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 back at the Agrium Western Events Centre as he prepares for the CFR and PBR finals.
The PBR finals are set for Oct. 14-15 in Saskatoon and the CFR finals run Nov. 9-13 in Edmonton.
But until then, Schiffner is busy chasing bulls and his young daughters at his ranch just northeast of Strathmore where he and his wife run a cow-calf ranch.