His last ride turned out to me more than just ceremonial for a champion bull rider.
Black Diamond’s Tyler ‘TNT’ Thomson rode Moe to an 87.25 to give him a second-place finish in the final go-round of the Canadian Finals Rodeo Sunday in Edmonton and within less than $5,000 of winning his second Canadian title.
“On the way up here, I told my wife Sheena I didn’t want to show up on Sunday just to retire,’” Thomson said. “I wanted to have a chance to win Canada and I had a chance.”
The 34-year old Thomson sent a sold-out Rexall Place into a tizzy with his 87.25. Unfortunately, for Black Diamond rodeo fans, Dakota Buttar rode the very next bull to an 87.50 to defend his championship. Thomson ended the Canadian pro rodeo season in third place with $69,217. Buttar defended his championship with $72,266.
Thomson’s ride ended an illustrious 15-year career, which included a CFR title in 2008 and the 2011 Canadian Professional Bull Riders title. He found out it’s difficult getting ready to go into the well of a bull, when your eyes are close to welling up.
“It was tough, a lot of emotion. I never did —or never will — get on a bull feeling like I did yesterday,” said Thomson on Monday. “It was tough in the chutes, but it was great to go out the way I did… Some bull riders and I were talking last night and we couldn’t remember anybody who, when they announced their retirement, actually got the bull rode… that was a cool way to go out.”
He also went out with some money in his bank account as he starts his new career.
Thomson was the aggregate champion at the CFR with $47,342 for his five days of work — and coming oh so close to winning the title.
“I got bucked off on the first bull of the week and that is what cost me,” he said.
Thomson’s third-place finish overall gave him an automatic trip to the 2016 Calgary Stampede.
However, he is saying ‘no’ to the Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth.
It’s just time.
“I’m retired, that’s it,” Thomson said. “I’m going to go on and raise more bulls. That was another very exciting thing this year. The bull that won Bucking Bull of Canada (Seven Dust out of Big Stone Rodeo) was one that Sheena and I raised back home… It’s a dangerous sport and I’m able to walk away and look back on my career.
“I will definitely have some sore spots for the rest of my life, but I wouldn’t trade any of it to not hurt.”
Tyler and Sheena will also focus on raising their 2 year-old daughter Harlow.
“I don’t know what it is going to be like having him around 24/7,” Sheena said with a chuckle. “I got emotional on the opening ceremonies on Sunday. Then I looked over at his mom (Heather) and I started to well up.”
Okotoks’ Cody Snyder, who won the World championship in 1983 and the Canadian title in 1986, said the Black Diamond bull rider will be missed.
“Tyler tore up his knees really bad when he was young and he got healthy, did the extra work and has had a great career,” Snyder said. “He’s also as good as ambassador as there is for the sport.
“If you are a young bull rider, emulate what Tyler did. He rode really well and outside the arena, he took care of business and the fans. He’ll be missed.”
Local finishes
Final 2016 placements for other Foothills area competitors at the 2016 CFR:
Bull riding: 3. Tyler Thomson, Black Diamond, $69,217; 7. Jordan Hansen, Okotoks, $35,828; 10. Adam Jamison, Okotoks, $30,978. (Champion — Dakota Buttar).
Bareback: 9. Matt Lait, Cayley, $26,861. (Champion — Jake Vold).
Ladies barrel racing: 3. Deb Guelly, Gladys Ridge, $51,016; 5. Toni Dixon, Millarville, $31,843; 8. Kendra Edey, Longview, $28,736 (Champion — Nancy Csabay).
Steer wrestling — 9. Coleman Kohorst, Okotoks, $33,409 (Champion — Cody Cassidy).
Saddle Bronc — 7. Sam Kelts, Millarville, $36,099 (Champion — Cody DeMoss).
Team Roping: 8. Steele DePaoli and Kasper Roy, Longview/Mossleigh, $22,465; 11. Clint Buhler and Trent Tunke, Okotoks/Medicine Hat, $14,337 (Champion — Roland McFadden and Tyler Flewelling).
Tie-down roping: (Champion — Shane Hanchey).
