The National Junior High Rodeo Finals were held in Des Moines, Iowa over the week of June 22nd. Iowa is known for its corn-growing capabilities, and it is always knee high by the 4th of July. Once knee high, but now in junior high, and competing for the state of Colorado was Slade Lord of Lamar. Lord went to the finals qualifying in the tie down roping, ribbon roping, chute dogging, and the team roping with partner Easton Zeldenthuis. His best showing came in the team roping as he made it to the coveted short go round of the top 20. He and Zeldenthuis came into the short round in the #11 spot, mainly due to a leg in the first round. With the leg that comes with a 5 second penalty, they were 15.45 seconds. In the second round, they came back with a great run of 8.61 seconds that got them into the short go round. An even better run in the short round of 8.38 seconds catapulted them from 11th to 4th in the nation. Fourth in the nation is pretty noteworthy in one’s rookie year. Lord had a good run in the tie down roping of 14.46 seconds in round two but failed to make the short go round.
The National Little Britches Finals are going on in Guthrie, OK at the Lazy E Arena June 29th-July 5th. Preslee and Fancy Seufer of Holly are competing in the junior girls and little wrangler categories, respectively. Garrett and Colt Hainer of Eads are also entered in the event. The first go round is in progress. Preslee Seufer roped her calf quickly and clean but got a speeding ticket at the barrier for 12.98 seconds with the plus 10. Branton Brown of Lamar had the same fate in the breakaway roping 3.00 + 10 for 13.00 seconds. Rhody and Rhett Bond from Wiley are also entered. Rhett and Colt went back-to-back in the flag race with a time of 12.7 seconds and 12.8, respectively. Treston Brown of Lamar had his personal best goat tying run in 11.43 seconds. There is still lots of rodeo action to take place.
Several area barrel racers made the trek south to the 13th Annual Summer Da$h Race in Amarillo June 28-29. Those entered included Tracy Housholder (Syracuse), Tori Hawks (Wiley), Braya Ferris (Eads), Julie Dorenkamp (Lamar), Shonee Allsworth, Stephanie Spitz (La Junta), and Kim Patton (Ordway). The Saturday open featured 298 racers and Sunday had 328 runners in the open. The only one falling into the money was Braya Ferris in the 18 and under category that had 40 racers. Ferris was 2nd in the 2D with a time of 16.438 and $115. With so many riders vying for the money holes we barrel racers call it “Barrel Racing Keno” of whether you fall in the money or not, unless you are the top runner of the 1D. Angie Moore of CBT Barrel Racing always puts on a top-notch production at the Amarillo National Center. Sponsors included Coyote Bluff Café, Robinson’s Family Feed, Classic Equine, Ashley Little Insurance Agency, Confidence EQ, MVP, and Ranchers Supply. Added money was kicked in by Green Chile Willy’s Grill, Bunkhouse Blessings Photography, KoolSpeed, Palo Duro Glamping, Rustic Furniture Warehouse, 707 Formula, and HFandC Feed and Supply. The local barrel race of the Southeast Colorado Can Chasers was held Tuesday, July 1st in Las Animas. Taking the number one spot in the 1D, on her birthday, was Talara Coen with a run of 18.483 seconds. Mid-year awards were given to high points in each division and combination points. Dwana Salisbury was the 1D award winner, Tori Hawks was the 2D, Dawni O’Bryan was the 3D, and Jailin Parker was the 4D. The highest combination points was Jaelin Parker and reserve was Talara Coen. The youth division winner was Braya Ferris. The peewee riders were also recognized as Sedona Hawks and Baylor Hawks were top two.
So, as has been proven, one can hear the corn grow, it seems one can literally see these young cowboys and cowgirls grow and become even better rodeo athletes.
Happy Trails.
