STOUGHTON, Sask. — Kaden Piper has had a great summer while competing at rodeos throughout the Prairie provinces, as he continues to grow as a bull rider.
The Stoughton-area athlete has been to more than 40 rodeos this year, and has won events in Midale and Swift Current in Saskatchewan, Lamont and Innisfail in Alberta, and Waskada, Man. The Midale win came at the town’s annual Bull Bash during the Saskatchewan Day long weekend. Events have been through the Bull Riders
The events are through the Bull Riders Canada circuit, and Piper currently sits third in the standings with 7,435 points and $34,661 in earnings. He attributed his success to having fun not over-thinking.
The Midale event was particularly special because it’s less than an hour from Stoughton. A large crowd once again attended the event.
“It felt good to win a bull riding [competition] close to home, especially because I had a bunch of family and friends there to support me and witness it, and was able to celebrate it with them,” said Piper.
Piper said he took an interest in bull riding because he used to watch it on TV when he was young.
“Then my brothers found a rodeo close to us when I was around eight. We entered the steer riding, had fun and I’ve just been doing it ever since,” said Piper, who hopes to one day ride bulls for his full-time job.
The people are his favourite part of the sport. His competitors are also his friends, and they support each other regardless of the result.
“Win or lose, you’re happy for yourself or your friends,” said Piper.
The risks of the sport are always there, so Piper said he has to block them out.
