Keely Pugh CFR 2025

At just sixteen years old, after entering forty-two rodeos, winning four, and placing at ten, Keely Pugh has qualified for her first Canadian Finals Rodeo, on her mare Smart Miss Chex (Smarter Image x Miss Chex Special), aka MissPiggy. Together they cashed in $13,424.29 in their 2025 season.

Her father, Trygve Pugh competed in the steer wrestling at the CFR in 2014. Eleven years later, the Pugh family is looking forward to heading back to Edmonton to watch Keely compete under the bright lights of Rogers Place.

Breakaway interviews are presented by, Crown + Crow Coffee. Good things come to crows who wait. But first, coffee.

What is your main mounts back story?
I was just looking for a step up from my older horse Bubba. My dad talked to a friend of his, and he had a mare for sale. I tried her out, and we just got along and worked good together. We got her from Clark Hughson. MissPiggy is just so laid back and an easy keeper. She is such a good horse to have on the road.  

This is your first CFR, tell readers how it feels to have qualified to the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton, and what are you most excited for?
This is my first CFR qualification and it's the best feeling knowing that all the time and hard work you put into this is now paying off. Watching my dad in the steering wrestling at the CFR, I have always dreamed of when this day would come. I think I am most excited to go rope a calf at the Rogers Place in Edmonton!

What was your most memorable run this season, and what made it memorable?
I think my most memorable run this season would be in Lethbridge, because I was kinda stuck in a slump and wasn't feeling very confident, but I had good practices throughout the week and knew I just had to go out and do my job. This run had a lot riding on it; I had to place better than fifth to make it to the tour finals. MissPiggy and I did it we were a 2.4 and placed fourth!

What was different about your rodeo season this year compared to last year? 
Last year I didn't go to many rodeos. This rodeo season my focus was making it to all of the rodeos and making the pro rodeos a priority over the high school rodeos. 

What challenges did you face this year, and how did you overcome them? How do you keep confidence when things aren't going as planned, or you are in a slump? 
One of the challenges I faced this year was going through a slump just like everyone does, but this one was a little frustrating; it started at the beginning of the north run, and ended after Cranbrook weekend. I felt like the CFR was out of reach for me, and I was too far behind and couldn't reach my goal, but then I did good at Lethbridge and it felt so reassuring I got into the tour finals in Armstrong.

One way I keep my confidence is going back to the basics, and also trying to focus on one thing in the practice pen instead of trying to fix a whole bunch of different things at once. This year I started to learn how big of an impact the mental game can have on your performance, and I tried to stay as positive as I possibly can. 

Tell readers something good that happened to you this season, other than winning or placing at a rodeo? 
My family has put up an indoor arena up this spring, and can't wait to use it this coming winter!

What would be your rough estimate of vet work annually to get to the Canadian Finals Rodeo? Do you know a rough estimate of what it cost
At this time MissPiggy doesn't get any vet work done. 

What was the best restaurant you stopped at all year? Any hidden gems to mention?
Crooked Creek Donuts (Crooked Creek General Store) and Route 97 Diner in Westwold, BC. 

What is your least favourite part of being on the rodeo road, and what is your favourite?
I would say my least favourite would have be leaving home for so long sometimes. I am more of a homebody, so when we are gone for almost a week I really start to get homesick. But, I would say my favourite part would be the people you get to meet, the places you get to see, the things you learn, and the memories you make. 

What therapies are a must have for your horse? 
I usually have my Back On Tracks on MissPiggy when we are on the road. I just recently started to use the Magna Wave Therapy on her. Triple A Therapy does a really great job (Anna Butterfield). I will also give her electrolytes and Zesterra. 

How do you manage to balance life at home/work with life on the road?  
It depends on what's going on at home, but if there is farming and ranching needed to be done dad will stay home and mom will be the one taking me. Or if the rodeos are close we will go as a family with my Mom, Dad and brother Tryp. 

Who did you travel with this year? Do you have a funny or heart warming story you could share about your time together, or anything you would like to share about them?
I was lucky enough to travel with Aubrey Ross, and her Mom Christine. It was nice to travel with our Mom's as they would do most of the driving, sure was pretty handy.  A huge thank you to Aubrey and Christine for letting my mom and I jump in with them for most of the rodeo season. When I wasn't traveling with the Ross family, we also jumped in with some of our family friends (the bulldoggers) or they jumped in with Dad and I.  I also went to a couple rodeos with Brooke Pomeranz, and Lawrie Neal. As a family we did hit up a couple as well. 

How are you preparing for the Canadian Finals Rodeo practise wise? What is your routine like to be ready for Edmonton?
Roping calves as much as I can and roping the dummy everyday. 

If you could swing a leg over another qualifier's horse, who would it be and why?
Bobbie Henderson's Popcorn, because she has a rank stop and scores good. 

Are you a type A or type B breakaway roper?
Type A

How many breakaway horses do you currently have in your string?
I have two main horses MissPiggy and Jackson, then i have two young ones that am furturiting on 

What is your advice for someone who wants to take a shot at making the Canadian Finals Rodeo?
My advice would be to never give up or quit even though things aren't going well. Rodeo is definitely one of the most humbling sports, but you never know when things will turn around. So my advice would be to just keep pushing though with your head held high. My dad always tells me there is always another rodeo, and some days are diamonds and some days are dust.  

I would like to say a huge thank you to my sponsors Wood River Ranches Ltd, Up In Stitches, Jones Boys Western Wear, J9 Equine, and Good On Industries for supporting me all year long and getting us down the road!

The biggest thanks goes out to my family and friends you all know who you are and your support never goes unnoticed and I could never do it without my Grandpa Keith, Mimi & Bumpie, The Robertson's, The Griffith's and The Poitras Family for coming out and cheering me on. Last but certainly not least, my Mom and Dad for driving the long hours, videos, hugs and talks when things got tough, and for being the best coach I could ask for. I wouldn't be where I am today without you two, and I am so grateful I get to call you MY Mom and Dad. I can't forget about my brother Tryp for always getting in the chute to push my calves. THANK YOU SO MUCH!