Bowden's West Central High School Rodeo Club was host to hundreds of high school cowboys and cowgirls during its annual High School Rodeo on the weekend of Aug. 30 to Sept. 1.
More than 170 students competed from all over Alberta at the Bowden Rodeo grounds on Saturday, Aug. 30 for students in grades 6 to 8, and on Sunday and Monday for students in grades 9 to12 during the 2014-15 school year.
Two local club members were crowned champions at the rodeo with Maria Robinson claiming breakaway roping, and Shane Smith winning tie down roping. Other local winners were Kyla Kelly, Jason Smith, Amy and Ryan Shuckbugh, Conner Sharp and Cassidy Smith.
“The rodeo season starts at the beginning of the school year and ends in May,” said Darlene Robinson, Bowden rodeo organizer of the Alberta High School Rodeo Association. “Each year there are several rodeos the kids can compete in, such as Nanton, Stettler, Grande Prairie, Valleyview, DeBolt, Manning, Fairview, Ponoka, Rocky Mountain House, Carstairs, St. Paul, Pincher Creek and Cardston. In each event, the students gather points to qualify for higher competition.”
The organizer noted that provincials take place in Grande Prairie and nationals in Nanton this year, with an international event running in Wyoming.
“The kids really work hard to get to nationals, and hopefully to the international show in the States,” added Robinson. “Every year Alberta sends their four top riders in each category and Canadians have won top spot in the past.”
Robinson added that students wanting to qualify for the events have to attend school regularly, have a regular review of school marks, use no alcohol or drugs, and are guided by a rulebook with specific stipulations.
“While the requirements for high school rodeoers is high,” said Robinson. “The association wants to make sure their athletes are not sacrificing their school for rodeo, and that they can be good role models. We have had rodeo ground cleaning staff comment that our kids keep the grounds cleaner than adults do.”
The Bowden organizer noted that one of the cores of the high school rodeo program is teaching accountability, noting that students must help with setup and the takedown of the events.
Further information on the high school rodeo program can be found at albertahsrodeo.com.
