Suzanne DePaoli, 74, will compete at the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton this week, making her fifth appearance and her first in 18 years. The barrel racer from a ranch near Longview is travelling with her horse Red Tag. The CFR runs from Oct. 7 to 10 at Rogers Place.

DePaoli was moving cattle on her ranch Thursday morning before preparing for the competition. She said her last CFR appearance was in 2008. “2008 was the last time I made it,” she said. “I’m so excited just to get there one more time. My first pro rodeo was when I was 19 years old, and this year I’m 74.”

She believes she may be the oldest competitor at this year’s CFR, though she said there are no statistics to confirm it. “They don’t have statistics, and that’s too bad,” she said. “But I have a feeling that I’m probably the oldest that’s made it.”

DePaoli had a strong year, earning just over $37,000 and qualifying for the finals. She said she hopes her continued participation encourages others to stay active and hold on to their interests. “People just need to keep moving and keep active and keep a passion,” she said. “I think that’s the biggest thing as you age. You really keep that passion going, whatever it is.”

She has ridden horses since childhood and wants to keep competing in barrel racing for as long as she can. Although she has never competed at the Calgary Stampede, qualifying for it remains a goal. “Hopefully, I can qualify for the Stampede because you have to be top four in Canada, so that’s still the goal,” she said. “That’s still the goal, and you always have to have those things, don’t you?”

She added: “Absolutely have goals and keep going for them and do the best you can do. That’s all you can do.”

Based on reporting by CTV News Calgary.