New Season, Familiar Grit – Cauy Schmidt Steps Up Early

AIRDRIE, Alta. – Cauy Schmidt claimed his second career PBR event win last weekend, topping the field at the Canadian Touring Pro Division’s 14th annual Marwayne PBR.

Schmidt was the only rider to double enter and his gamble paid off, though that wasn’t instantly apparent from the start. 

The Coronation, Alberta’s first bull didn’t go his way. But he’s not one to be beaten twice in a day. The 21-year-old capitalized on his second draw, matching up with World Wide for 86 points, tying for first in Round 1.

That performance gave him a high pick heading into the championship round, where he selected standout bovine Pyper. The decision proved dividends, and he delivered an 89-point ride to win the event.

“It was definitely long awaited,” Schmidt said of the win. “I don’t want to say I’ve been in a slump, but I’ve definitely had some tough luck since last fall. There were a lot of rides in that short round before me, so there was definitely some pressure, but it felt pretty good.”

Pyper, a 6-year-old rising star, has been consistently making headlines.

In addition to earning the YETI “Built for the Wild” Bull of the PBR Canada National Finals last November, the Foley Bucking Bulls’ athlete carried John Crimber to a win during the regular season in Saskatoon, Garrett Green to the pay window in Edmonton, and Tyler Craig to a victory a the Touring Pro Division event in Lloydminster in late November.

For Schmidt, the choice was an easy one.

“He’s one of those bulls that’s been really on top of his game lately, so it was pretty hard not to pick him,” Schmidt explained. “It was actually a rematch, too—I got on him in Coronation last summer, and he got me down at like seven seconds.”

With 14 qualified rides in the long round and three riders scoring ahead of him in the championship round, the pressure was on, but Schmidt said the atmosphere worked in his favour.

“It definitely puts a little pressure on you, but it also sets the tone and gets things going,” Schmidt said. “I think it was something like 81 points wouldn’t even get you back to the short round with 10 guys coming back. That doesn’t happen too often.”

Now a staple on the PBR Canada calendar, the Touring Pro Division event in Marwayne —produced by Justin Volz, Slim Needham, and Denton Edge—marks the transition from winter events to the full-fledged spring and summer schedule.

For Schmidt, winning in Marwayne was especially meaningful, having attended the event even before his PBR days.

“It still feels like the start of the season, even though it’s not quite,” he said. “It felt really good to get a win there. That event’s been great over the years. I’ve been going since junior bull riding and even placed there once back then.”

“It’s been four or five years I’ve been going without winning, so I’m thankful to get it done this time. It’s a huge boost of confidence. It just goes to show the things I’ve been struggling with, I’ve pushed through. I worked hard, changed up some routines, and to see it pay off proves to myself I can keep riding with the best in Canada.”

So what changed for Schmidt during the off-season?

“I’ve been lucky that every year since I started, I’ve felt like I’ve improved, except last year. I didn’t feel like it was a step forward. I knew I could do better.

“I’ve always enjoyed the gym, but now I’m really focused on my diet, too,” Schmidt continued. “I’m not a big guy, but I like to have a good amount of weight—just managed the right way. It’s about feeling good all around. Feel good, ride good, right?”

Schmidt, who competes across both PBR Canada and the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA), says consistency is his biggest focus for the year ahead.

“I’d say I’m shooting for more bulls, and more consistency,” Schmidt said. “Even though I’m going hard at pro rodeos, I’m going to take advantage of double entries like I did in Marwayne. I just want to ride more, focus on each bull, and not get ahead of myself.”

As for what he’s most looking forward to this season, it was an easy responde.

“I’ve always liked that stretch at the end of July, those big rodeo weekends, then out to Kelowna and Czar Lake,” Schmidt concluded. “That’s a pretty cool weekend. And the Czar Lake Bullarama did something really cool with that teams deal last year. I’m definitely looking forward to that.”