For youth who grow up around horses and cattle, a natural want is to eventually participate in rodeo events. Working on their roping skills, creating a close bond with their horse, and braving rough stock the sport of rodeo developed from skills needed on the ranch.
On Saturday, Sept. 14, and Sunday, Sept. 15, the town of Kennedy found many Junior High and Senior High students interested in the sport of rodeo. This was the last stop of the year before youth head on to compete at Agribition in Regina on Nov. 11, then for some onto Canadians and Nationals.
With 58 Senior High School competitors and 21 Junior High School competitors there was much action for everyone to enjoy.
Competition included Jr. High School chute dogging, breakaway roping, ribbon roping, bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, goat tying, and pole bending.
Held in the morning of both days there was much excitement as the young participants showed the crowd what they had.
Local youth Zach Eaton of Arcola and Brianna Gibson of Alameda were amongst the competitors.
Zach participated in breakaway roping, team roping, and goat tying.
This was Gibson's first year of competition and she took on barrel racing, goat tying, and pole bending.
Senior events included bareback, saddle bronc, barrel racing, tie down roping, breakaway roping, steer wrestling, goat tying, bull riding, team roping, and pole bending; with many contestants wow'ing the crowd during their events.
Local riders in the senior event included Celina Cummins of Kennedy and Cassie Eaton of Arcola.
This was Cummins' first year to compete in the senior category. Taking on goat tying, barrel racing, and pole bending, the hometown cowgirl was cheered on by those in the crowd.
Cassie was not only a participant at the Kennedy High School Rodeo, but has taken on much responsibility within the Saskatchewan High School Rodeo Association (SHSRA) this year after winning the title of SHSRA Princess in June.
"It's up to me to find the flag carriers, someone to sing the national anthem, and someone else to say the Cowboy Prayer," Cassie explained. "I promote the SHSRA and am a person the other competitors can come and talk to, someone they can look up to a role model."
The competition which saw Cassie crowned princess was in itself somewhat gruelling as Cassie was judged on her Grand Entry, answering an impromptu question, a speech, her personality, modeling, and horsemanship through performing a pattern with her horse.
Though the competition was difficult, Cassie found inspiration in the reason why she wanted to run.
"We went up to Agribition last year and the queen was there," Cassie stated. "My little cousins just adored her and I wanted to do that, I wanted to kind of just make their day."
Lisa Eaton, Cassie's mom, has found that the competition helped her daughter grow as a person and is very proud of her daughter's accomplishments.
Though Cassie's forte is cutting which is an event held only at certain venues, she also competes in barrel racing, breakaway roping, goat tying, and pole bending.
Overall, the local competitors are excited to continue with rodeo and look forward to the future, some of which will be heading off to Canadians and possibly Nationals.
