Several area athletes will be in Rock Springs, Wyoming this weekend as the National High School Rodeo Finals will run from Sunday, July 14 through Saturday, July 20.
The top four finishers in each category can attend the National Championships which the state championships took place in Fort Pierre last month in the middle of June. In the bareback riding, Highmore’s Talon Ping and Blunt’s Talon Yellow Hawk will compete at the national championships. Pierre’s Makenzee Wheelhouse will be one of the four South Dakotans competing in barrel racing. Pierre’s Ryen Sheppick will compete in the breakaway roping category while also competing in Girl’s Cutting and reined cow horse. Hazin Schmidt of White River will be competing in bull riding. Tommie Martin of Hayes was a state champion in pole bending and will be competing at the National Championships. Ethan Johnson of Hoven will compete in the Saddle Bronc category. Paden Belkham of Blunt, who also won the state title in Tiedown, will compete at the national level.
Events get rolling Sunday afternoon in Rock Springs with days beginning around 8:00 AM Monday through Saturday for the National Championships. You can see a full schedule of the events along with each categories local participants below.
Bareback Riding
Talon Ping – Highmore
Talon Yellow Hawk – Blunt
Barrel Racing
Makenzee Wheelhouse – Pierre
Breakaway Roping
Ryen Sheppick – Pierre
Girl’s Cutting
Ryen Sheppick – Pierre
Pole Bending
Tommie Martin – Hayes
Reined Cow Horse
Ryen Sheppick – Pierre
Saddle Bronc
Ethan Johnson – Hoven
Tiedown
Paden Belkham – Blunt
Schedule
