A memorable ride ensured Bowden cowboy Ky Marshall's first trip to the Canadian Finals Rodeo was unforgettable.Marshall, 19, emerged victorious in the novice bareback competition after five rides Nov. 9-13 in front of the Rexall Place faithful in Edmonton. Marshall rode five different horses during the competition, including the Calgary Stampede's legendary mare, Coconut Roll. Coconut Roll was retired after the competition.ìThat was the most special ride,î Marshall said of his time aboard Coconut Roll. ìIt was the funnest.îTop-ranked rider Clint Laye of Cadogan, Alta., narrowly edged Marshall on the first ride Nov. 9, but Marshall responded by winning three of the final four rides. He tied third-ranked Cole Goodine on the second-last ride on the afternoon of Nov. 12, en route to the title in his first appearance at the CFR.ìIt's one of my biggest highlights,î Marshall, a four-year veteran of the sport, explained. ìThe CFR is one of the biggest rodeos I've ever been to ñ to leave there as the champion is pretty special.îDespite his win, Marshall said the competition between himself, Laye and Goodine was extremely tough.ìClint beat me the one night and Cole tied with me the other night,î he said. ìWe were all pretty close within each other.îNow in his fourth season of bareback riding, Marshall received his semi-pro designation with the win. He said he plans to enter the open bareback competitions in the rodeo circuit next spring ìjust to see if I can place in the open and see how I'm doing. If I can place in that, I'll keep going. If I can't Ö I don't really know.îAlso at the CFR, Penhold's Todd Herzog placed eighth in the saddle bronc riding competition. After a slow start, Herzog saved his best for last, finished third on his second-last ride of the competition and tied for third with Gilette, Wyoming's Chet Johnson in his final ride.
