Scott Byrne – Athlete

Prince Albert raised Scott Byrne is one of the best bullfighters in the history of the sport of rodeo. A key part of bull riding is the bull fighter who assists the bull riders in their dismounts after an 8 second ride or more importantly is there if they get in trouble trying to ride a 1,500 pound bull. Scott Byrne saved many cowboys with his skill, athletic ability and knowledge of the animal involved.

Scott’s family moved to Prince Albert when he was two. He did all his school in the city, graduating from Carlton Comprehensive High School. He started riding bulls in High School Rodeos and won the Spiritwood Silver buckle in 1989. In 1995 Scott changed his focus following his uncle, Ryan Byrne, to become a bullfighter. He would go on to fight bulls across Western Canada until his retirement from the sport in 2016.

Working rodeos as a bullfighter throughout the spring and summer for many years, bull riders would select who they wanted protecting them at Championship events-the most important of their season. Scott Byrne was selected many times to be the bullfighter at championships including the Calgary Stampede 16 years in a row, Professional Bull Riders (PBR) 10 years in a row, Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) 14 years in a row, the Canadian Cowboys Association for 8 years in a row and the Manitoba Cowboys Association 3 years in a row. He received the Glen Keely Memorial Award in 2015 and was chosen Canadian Cowboy of the Year in 2016. One highlight of his career when he was asked, along with sons Brayden and Dylan, to give a private showing of Bull and Sheep fighting to Prince William and Princess Kate at the Calgary Stampede.

After retirement Byrne continued to work in the sport of rodeo, hosting bullfighting schools in the West, helping in a program to set up protocols for Concussion and Mental Health Awareness as a result of head injuries in rodeo, and working as a colour commentator for TSN covering the PBR Canada tour.