An Innisfail teen will get a chance to compete with the best at the world's largest rodeo.
Riley Gagnon, a sixteen-year-old student at Innisfail High School will be competing in the 68th annual National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) in Wyoming July 17 to 23.
“It should be a good experience. I'm just hoping for the best,” said Gagnon.
The local teen will be competing in the bull riding competition against other teens between 15 and 18 years of age. Gagnon has been bull riding and participating in rodeos for just two and a half years.
The National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) will feature more than 1,650 contestants from 43 states in the U.S., five Canadian provinces and Australia.
“Going in there, you're going to have to have your game face on. It's the best in high school rodeo,” he said. “I'm going in there confident.”
Gagnon has had a successful season this year, sitting in top spot going into the provincial high school finals and qualified for the international rodeo after finishing in fourth place at the Alberta High School Finals Rodeo in early June in Grande Prairie.
The top four in each category from that event move on to compete at the finals in Wyoming.
“Coming into the Alberta High School Finals Rodeo I was the season leader,” he said, noting he rode three bulls for the competition. “Coming in there as season leader and having the most points over everybody helped me out quite a bit.
“At the finals I ended up fourth overall,” said Gagnon, noting he competed against 29 other bull riders.
It is Gagnon's first international competition, but he said he is prepared to do his best, using techniques and training that he learned over the past couple of years.
“Every guy has a different riding style,” he said. “When it comes down to the nationals, everyone is going there expecting to win and everyone is working to win. The competition is going to be about as tough as I've ever had to compete against to this date,” Gagnon added.
In addition to earning prize money, competitors will also be vying for more than $350,000 in college scholarships and the chance to be named an NHSFR world champion.
Gagnon's family has a history of participating in rodeos for many years but he is the first to venture into this particular category. “I'm the first guy in the family to ever ride bulls,” said Gagnon, noting the thrill and the danger that comes with the sport. “It can be very dangerous. You get your battle wounds here and there, but you got to look past that and keep riding and having fun while you're doing it.”
Gagnon said he is looking forward to the international rodeo event and the challenge ahead.
“It's going to be really big. The best in the world are going to be there,” said Gagnon. “I only have one thing on my mind and that's to win it all.”
For more information visit www.NHSRA.org
Riley Gagnon, bull rider
"When it comes down to the nationals, everyone is going there expecting to win and everyone is working to win. The competition is going to be about as tough as I've ever had to compete against to this date."
