Local kids qualify for rodeo finals

Five kids are representing Crook County in rodeo this summer, with three of them set to compete during the seven days of the 75th National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) in Gillette.

Two meanwhile headed for the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, GA this weekend for the week-long National Junior High Finals Rodeo (NJHFR).

High School

Standings for the NHSFR are calculated using the points accumulated during each competitor’s top 12 rodeos throughout the season. In individual events, the top four qualify for the national finals.

This year, Chaz Dewey of Carlile qualified in third place for Bareback Riding with 184 points.

Tessa Sanderson of Sundance qualified in joint fourth place for Pole Bending with 146 points.

Austin Pixley of Sundance qualified for Tie Down Calf Roping in fifth place with 128.5 points.

The finals are coming back to Gillette this year, scheduled to take place from July 16 to 23 at the Cam-Plex. The world’s largest rodeo, NHSFR features 1700 contestants from 44 states, five Canadian provinces, Australia, Mexico and New Zealand.

Contestants will compete for $150,000 in prizes, $150,000 in added money and $375,000 in college scholarships, as well as for the title of world champion. To earn that title, they must finish in the top 20 (based on their combined times or scores in the first two rounds) to advance to the final round on the Saturday evening, where the world champions will be determined based on their third-round combined times or scores.

The championship performance will be televised as part of the Cinch Highschool Rodeo Tour telecast series on RFD-TV and can be watched at http://www.thecowboychannel.com.

Performances begin at 7 p.m. on July 16 and continue daily at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. through July 22.

For those wishing to attend the event in person, special celebrations of the 75th Anniversary are planned this year both on and off the Cam-Plex grounds. The finals will kick off on July 16 at 8:30 p.m. with a performance from former Crook County rodeo cowboy Chancey Williams, who will be joined by third-generation bull rider and fellow musician Colton Jesse.

Junior High

NJHFR is touted as the world’s largest junior high rodeo, featuring around 1200 contestants from 43 states, five Canadian provinces, Australia and Mexico. Contestants compete for more than $80,000 in prizes and $200,000 in college scholarships – as well, of course, as the chance to be named a world champion.

Jake Krell of Sundance qualified in fourth place with 94 points in Boys’ Breakaway.

Wyatt Fenner of Moorcroft qualified joint first in Ribbon Roping with 147 points, joint third in Team Roping with 115 points and fourth in Tie Down Calf Roping with 95 points.

As well as competing in rodeo events at the finals in Georgia, competitors had the chance to enjoy shooting sports, volleyball, dances, family activities, church services and a tradeshow.