Schiffner saddles up for 16th CFR

Tyler Lowey
Times Reporter

 

One of Canada’s greatest bull riders looks to brand his name deeper into the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) record books.
Scott Schiffner captured the CFR championship in 2001 and 2012. Another win in Edmonton Nov. 9-13 at the Northlands Coliseum would elevate him to a class with six other cowboys.
“Winning the CFR means you are the best that year, and that’s what I set out for,” said Schiffner.
A third title would move him into a three-way tie for third all-time with Rob Bell and Greg Schlosser.
Fitting, seeing that it will be Schiffner’s 16th trip to the CFR, the most appearances in its history.
“It’s just one of them things, I’ve always wanted to do it. I’m proud of what I do, withstanding the test of time,” said Schiffner. “You always want to win these events.”
Now 36, Schiffner approaches the CFR a little different than he used to in his twenties.
“Just like any athlete, when you get older, you have to work harder,” he said. “My metabolism isn’t what it used to be like; I have to work on being fit and limber, not big and strong. My life is also a lot different now with having a family and a ranch. That has helped me out because I don’t think about bull riding as much, it’s more of a second nature now.”
Schiffner has been paying attention to more than just his diet lately. Just over two weeks ago, he was bucked off a bull in Saskatoon and landed solidly on his left shoulder, separating it in the process.
“I’ve been visiting my sports med doctors in Calgary and Red Deer, trying to get better,” said Schiffner. “If I didn’t think I was able to compete at the highest level, I wouldn’t go.”
With the end presumably closer than the beginning, Schiffner has been asked about how long he plans to keep competing.
“I don’t think about it too much. I realize that I’m on borrowed time. But for me, it comes down to three things: if I’m having fun competing and not embarrassing myself, if I’m still healthy enough to compete and if I can still make money in it, then I’ll keep competing,” said Schiffner. “Who knows, I might come back from Edmonton and think it’s time to quit, or I might come back from an event in two years and think it’s time then.”
“But for now, I’m just gonna keep putting my hand in the rope and see what happens.”