Central Alberta’s Ben Anderson wins national saddle bronc riding title

Central Alberta’s Ben Anderson wins national saddle bronc riding title

Published 1:56 pm Friday, October 16, 2026

Eckville-area cowboy Ben Anderson shocked the rodeo world to become the 2026 Saddle Bronc Riding Champion of Canada.

Heading into the Canadian Finals Rodeo, six-time Canadian champion and four-time world title holder Zeke Thurston led the standings. But he relinquished that edge to Anderson, who had overcome a $17,000 deficit to enter the final round with the lead in both money earned and the CFR aggregate standings.

Thurston, riding the Calgary Stampede’s D-19 Dandy Delight, stood ready in the chute. The gate swung open and Thurston rode the ten year-old mare to 91.5 points.

With the pressure back on Andersen, he climbed over the back of the chute and onto Macza Pro Rodeo’s 6 Squash Blossom Steely Dan, which was the horse Thurston partnered with a year prior to clinch his 2025 Canadian title.

Andersen earned 88.75 points, which was good for third in the round. That preserved Andersen’s lead in the aggregate and gave the second-generation bronc rider his first Canadian championship. The margin was $3,700, with Andersen earning $118,895 to Thurston’s $115,136.

“That guy (Zeke Thurston) has been helping me on since I was this big, and he’s always been one of my biggest supporters,” said Anderson.

“It’s pretty cool to ride head-to-head with him and finally beat him. I’m happy about that, you know? But there’s no better camaraderie than in the bronc riding and we’re just blessed to do it.”

Here’s the full list of Canadian champions:

— Men’s All Around winner: Braden Brost
— Ladies All Around winner: Bradi Whiteside
— Bareback: Orin Larsen, of Inglis, Man. (champion and aggregate winner)
— Steer Wrestling: Scott Guenthner, of Provost, Alta.
— Steer Wrestling aggregate winner: Landon Beardsworth, of Innisfail, Alta.
— Ladies Breakaway Roping: Bradi Whiteside, of Longview, Alta. (champion and aggregate winner)
— Ladies Barrel Racing: Karli Cowie, of Mankota, Sask. (champion and aggregate winner)
— Saddle Bronc: Ben Andersen, of Eckville, Alta. (champion and Aggregate winner)
— Team Roping Heading: Kavis Drake, of Moose Jaw, Sask.
— Team Roping Heeling: Denim Ross, of Botha, Alta.
— Tie Down Roping: Austin Hines, of Marwayne, Alta. (champion and aggregate winner)
— Bull Riding: Grady Young, of Leader, Sask.
— Bull Riding aggregate winner: Jordan Hansen, of Amisk, Alta.
— Novice Bareback: Quaide Skjonsberg, of Bluffton, Alta.
— Novice Saddlebronc: Sawyer Hutchinson, og Grasmere, B.C.
— Junior Steer Riding: Ryder Topolinski, of Grande Prairie, Alta.