AIRDRIE, Alta. – The race to qualify for the 2023 PBR Canada National Finals is on and is as intense as ever. With two international invites qualifying via PBR Australia, as well as a World Champion provisional entry, the magic position is the No. 17 rank in the national standings after this weekend's regular-season finale for the PBR Canada Cup Series, presented by Wrangler, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

And some very talented bull riders on the outside looking in, including reigning PBR Canada Rookie of the Year Cauy Schmidt, who is 54.17 points behind No. 17 Brock Radford.

Winning the 2022 PBR Canada Rookie of the Year title off the back of an event win and an overall strong season, Schmidt’s 2023 has been about as expected for the 20-year-old.

After his rookie season came to an end in a hospital room as he recovered from major injuries sustained in competition that kept him out until this past May, Schmidt is happy with this 2023 campaign having hit a lot of the goals he set for himself this season.

“I didn’t know what to expect this year coming off of my injury,” Schmidt began. “I did however set some goals and I have been achieving them this year, so hopefully I can close out and make those PBR Canada National Finals.”

“It really just made me realize how much I appreciate bull riding as a sport. It's a solo sport, and it takes a lot of brain power that is for sure. Coming back from something like that is surely not easy, but it makes it worth it.”

Schmidt finished third at his first PBR event back on May 6 in Brooks, Alberta, covering his first draw, an 84.5-point ride atop Shine Like Justice.

His season has also been highlighted by runner-up finishes in Tofield, Alberta, and North Battleford, Saskatchewan, as well as placing inside the Top 10 at six additional events.

Travelling with a friend from Arizona throughout 2023, Schmidt says having friend Jake Dunham in his corner has made it a memorable one, no matter the outcome in the national standings.

“Everyone has something to say and it is good to take all that advice when you are getting it, but I have my buddy from Arizona, Jake Dunham up here who has been a bit helpful this year,” Schmidt said.

“I would say we both goof around a little bit too much, and that might actually be a detriment. But he keeps the competition high between us, so that makes it good.”

With just a handful of bulls between Schmidt and his second qualification to the PBR Canada National Finals, he is keeping it simple in both his preparation and how he attacks each event.

“I am just making sure to be putting in the work when we aren’t riding bulls, and to be making sure I am having fun while I am there. That is really it for me,” Schmidt said.

“I will take what I can get in those long rounds, and you just pick the best one in the short round, because that is how you are going to win these deals. Heart and dedication is what I would say gets me to the Finals.”

Photo courtesy of Covy Moore/CovyMoore.com