No. 14 | $119,938
- Age: 31
- Hometown: Barrhead, Alberta
- Career earnings: $755,076
- Major Rodeos: NFR, Canadian Finals Rodeo, Ponoka Stampede (Ponoka, Alberta), San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo (San Angelo, Texas), Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo (Vernal, Utah),
- Major Ropings: Bob Fiest Invitational (2021)
- NFR Qualifications: 3 (2016, 2020, 2025)
- Star Horsepower: Tuffys Badger Chex (Badger)
- Rope Choice: Powerline S
After a four-year absence from the Thomas & Mack, Canadian header Kolton Schmidt is headed back to Las Vegas for the 2025 National Finals Rodeo (NFR).
Schmidt, 31, of Barrhead, Alberta, is a third-generation team roper who was raised with every opportunity it takes to win.
“My grandpa, Leonard Schmidt, gives our family endless opportunities to live this life we have,” Schmidt told The Team Roping Journal’s Kendra Santos in 2015. “He had an indoor arena that just burned down. He’s so willing to put our futures first that we’ve already started the process of building a new indoor arena. Our family can’t say enough good things about my grandpa.”
Schmidt’s breakout moment came when Tyrel Flewelling asked him to rodeo up in Canada at just 17 years old.
“I was real young and green,” Schmidt said. “He still gave me a chance. I’ll always be grateful for him and what he did for my career.”
That year, in 2011, Schmidt and Flewelling captured the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) average title during Schmidt’s rookie season—a feat they repeated in 2013.
In 2015, while attending Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Schmidt spun his final steer in Casper at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in 6.2 seconds to earn the college national championship.
The following year, Schmidt qualified for his first NFR with partner Shay Carroll, winning the ninth round and finishing the season with $189,185.
That 2016 season also marked the rise of Schmidt’s standout head horse, Tuf Country Chex, known as “Badger”. The 2004 black gelding was named AQHA/PRCA Head Horse of the Year, Canadian ProRodeo Head Horse of the Year, and earned the Top Horse Award at the Spicer Gripp Memorial.
Badger became a cornerstone of Schmidt’s success until his sudden passing in August 2023.
“Badger was everything,” Schmidt told The Team Roping Journal following the gelding’s death. “He’s the reason I got to start having a career. The one I’ve had so far was all because of him. We grew up together. We learned everything together. Having my peers vote him Horse of the Year in 2016 was something I’m most proud of—it really meant a lot to me.”
Schmidt returned to the NFR in 2020 with Hunter Koch, finishing No. 15 in the world with $76,676 won.
His 2025 season featured wins in Bakersfield, California; San Angelo, Texas; and a special victory at Ponoka, Alberta—one that hit close to home.
“My favorite win would be this year’s Ponoka Stampede,” he said. “I won it back-to-back in 2015 and 2016 but haven’t had much luck since. I was young and thought they happened all the time. That being said, I’m old now and this one felt special; I cherished it.”
This year, Schmidt will back into the heading box at the NFR for the third time—this time with Jonathan Torres, part of a major partner reshuffle heading into Vegas.
“We are very excited to head back to Vegas,” Schmidt said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity and ready to give Jonathan as many chances as I can.”
