Ben Andersen capped off a storybook week in Edmonton, winning his first Canadian championship at the 52nd Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR).

The Rocky Mountain House product was named weekend and aggregate saddle bronc champion following an Oct. 11 ride at Rogers Place.

Andersen entered the week ranked fourth in the Canadian standings, with $55,937.61 in season earnings.

He then opened the finals with a second-place finish in Round 1, earning $8,551.85, before winning the next two rounds and collecting a combined $23,000.

Andersen added another second-place finish in Round 4, worth $8,551.65, before closing out the five-round competition with a third-place finish and $5,602.81.

He earned a total of $62,957.86 at the CFR, boosting his season earnings to $118,895.47 and securing his first Canadian saddle bronc championship.

Memorable season

Andersen’s championship run followed a strong performance at his hometown Rocky Pro Rodeo in June.

He earned nearly $4,800 at the North Saskatchewan River Park event, helping the five-time CFR qualifier climb from 10th to the top five in the Canadian standings.