Over the last week, athletes from around the state gathered in Fort Pierre for the 2026 High School State Rodeo Competitions and local contestants faired well including a state championship.
Talon Ping of Highmore would win the bareback riding state championship with a score of 84.5 points, five points ahead of second place. Ping would also be top ten in bull riding finishing in ninth place. Myclane Sheppick would have the highest finish from any Pierre contestant finishing in sixth in girl’s cutting with a score of 61 points. Sheppick was also 24th in barrel racing and 31st in breakaway roping. Walker West competed in five different categories getting tenth in boy’s cutting, 17th in reined cow horse, 19th in steer wrestling, 52nd in team roping and 16th in tie down. West will be heading to Eastern Wyoming College for rodeo. Kierstan Spencer and Clair Chesley each competed in two events as Spencer was 22nd in goat tying and 60th in breakaway roping while Chesley was 62nd in breakaway roping and 51st in pole bending to round out Pierre’s athletes. Fort Pierre saw Aubrie Norman finish in 46th in goat tying and 66th in pole bending. Coy Ludemann was 51st in team roping. Jack Saienga of Miller would get a tenth place finish in tiedown.
Those who finished in the top four qualify for the National High School Rodeo Finals. Ping of Highmore can head to Lincoln, Nebraska next month for the National High School Rodeo Finals. You can see the full list of the results below.
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