Lakota Bird CFR 2025
Lakota Bird has qualified for her fifth Canadian Finals Rodeo this year, roping in tenth position after entering 46 rodeos, placing at 12, winning one, and raking in $15,150.15. Her brother, Logan Bird will be competing in the Tie-down Roping in the number one position.
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; when and where you found him/her, and what was it about this horse that you knew it was destined for great things/what makes them so special?
I rode two different horses this year, Fifty and Rambo. Fifty has been my main mount for the last three years. I bought him at a sale about five years ago and made him into a breakaway horse with the help of my brother and my Dad. He is very strong and an "all there" type of horse. He came through for me when I needed him on the north run and at High River and got me back in the CFR race.
Rambo is seven years old and had never been to a rodeo at this time last year. My Dad bought him as a five year old and started him as a calf horse. He was very watchy and nervous when they would get off of him in the calf roping. My brother, Logan asked me to ride him at a colt roping jackpot in the breakaway because he didn't think he was ready to be calf roped on at the jackpot. After I ran one calf on him I decided I needed to own him. I bought him from my Dad that winter and took him very slow as a six year old and only started jackpotting on him last fall. This summer he was still very green but things weren't going good on Fifty so I decided to start riding Rambo just to change something. He was did great for me and went from green and nervous in the corner to a solid in just a few weeks. I even ended up riding him at Armstrong in the wild card and the finals and he handled it like a verteran and helped me sneak into the top 12 at the last minute!
What was your most memorable run this season, and what made it memorable?
I had a few memorable runs this season!
- La Crete - I really hadn't made a really good run all year. I drew a great calf and was very nervous backing in the corner just wanting to finally make a decent run. When I saw the rope go around the neck and knew I got out I felt like a weight lifter off my shoulders. I feel like that run tuned my year around.
- High River - I won High River, which is close to my home town, after riding in the grand entry to honor a close family friend Cody Sietz. Cody had breakaway at the High River Pro Rodeo before it was a CPRA event and was a big influence in getting breakaway getting started at the Pro Rodeos in Canada.
- The Finals at Armstrong - I was first out and backed in the corner knowing if I placed I would make the CFR and if I didn't place I wouldn't make it. I was 2.6 and ended up winning second and getting into the finals!
What was different about your rodeo season this year compared to last year?
This is the fifth time I have qualified to the finals and this year was way different than any other year. I have always done decent in June and July. The last few years I have not won much in August but went into the last few rodeos in a comfortable spot for a CFR qualification. Well not this year! I had won $4,000 the beginning of August and I was pretty much distraught about how bad I was roping. I had written myself off for a CFR qualification. August rolled around and things started to get better, I had some luck at the Tour Finals and got into the top 12.
What challenges did you face this year, and how did you overcome them?
I roped terrible in June and July. I missed, broke the barrier, wasn't fast enough - everything that could go wrong did. I was practicing as hard as ever but it just didn't seem like it would turn around. I kept thinking I should just write this year off and stay home. My fiance Chase, my Mom and my traveling partner Reata all encouraged me to keep going. Reata kept entering me in rodeos when I was threatening to give up.
How do you keep confidence when things aren't going as planned, or you are in a slump?
This is something I need to get better at because when I wasn't winning I had no confidence. The best advice I can give is keep going and keep working at it. It will turn around eventually! I just kept entering and kept practicing and trying to fix what I was doing wrong. For me my slump lasted two months but eventually it did turn around.
Tell readers something good that happened to you this season, other than winning or placing at a rodeo?
I am about to get married! My wedding is Sept 20th!
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 (without factoring in truck/trailer cost) to make a run at the CFR?
I only take my horse to the Vet if they are sore or have an issue. I don't inject or do any maintenance vet work on either of my horses. I think that it costs me around $10,000 to rodeo this summer. I am fortunate because I go to every rodeo with Reata Schlosser and lots of the far ones with my brother Logan, and sister in law Tori as well. This really helps with fuel costs.
What was the best restaurant you stopped at all year? Any hidden gems to mention?
The cafe with crepes in La Crete is amazing!
What is your least favourite part of being on the rodeo road, and what is your favourite?
My least favorite is being gone from work and away from home. My favourite is spending time with great rodeo friends and of course getting to rope!
What therapies are a must have for your horse?
I use Weaver Equine tack to keep them protected while they are performing.
How do you manage to balance life at home/work with life on the road?
My Mom/Boss, Shawna Bird 100% makes it possible for me to be on the road. I am able to do a lot of work while I am gone from my computer but my Mom picks up the slack at work and at home. She works almost every weekend while my brother, Dad and I are all gone. Plus she looks after all of the dogs, horses and cattle that are left at home. My Mom keeps us all going. We couldn't do it without her!
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 traveled with my Cousin Reata Schlosser. She is great to travel with because we are both pulling for each other and roping/ looking after our horses are both of our number one priorities. This year was tough because June and July she was winning lots and in the top 12 while I was doing terrible and was grumpy. She has been battling through a back injury and I was very happy to see her succeed. When August came and I started doing better she started having tough luck. I know how hard she works and how hard she has battled through injury and I really wanted to see her make the finals. Even though her year didn't end up how she wanted she was very supportive and cheered me on at the end. She is a big reason I didn;t quit and I am very lucky to have her as a traveling partner!
I also traveled with my brother Logan, his wife Tori, and my other cousins, Cole and Janae. It is great to travel with family because everyone is cheering for and encouraging each other!
How are you preparing for the Canadian Finals Rodeo practise wise? What is your routine like to be ready for Edmonton?
I practice almost every day. I rope on both my horses and try to focus on quality over quantity - not running too many on my horses when they are working good!
If your horse was an actor/actress in a movie, who would play them, or if your horse was a character from a movie, which character do they remind you of and why?
I have said before that if Fifty was a human we would be Weston Hughes. He is at absolute max go at all times.
Rambo is a little jumpy but all business when it counts - who would that be I am not sure? Brad Pitt?
If you could swing a leg over another qualifier's horse, who would it be and why?
Teacher of Bradi Whitsides! He is awesome!
Are you a type A or type B breakaway roper?
I just googled what is type A vs type B. It said Type A: competitive, time urgent, hostile and aggressive --- yep sign me up for Type A.
How many breakaway horses do you currently have in your string?
I have the two I have mentioned plus my old 23 year Dynamite - but he is basically retired. I also have a 5 year old named Jag that I didn't have much time for this summer, but I am hoping to get back to work on him this fall.
What is your advice for someone who wants to take a shot at making the Canadian Finals Rodeo?
Get a good horse and work hard.
I would like to thank my Sponsors Weaver Equine, Kailani Sports and Cowboy Country!
I would also like to thank all of the committees, and sponsors of the breakaway as well at Denny Phipps and the CPRA! Breakaway has grown so much in the last few years it is amazing and the CPRA and all of the committees that host breakaway are to thank!
