May 8, 2008
Cowboy/Cowgirl Up!

Photo by Anna Perkins The best seat in the arena for 8 seconds.

By Tyra Lytle, Staff Writer

April 25th and 26th the Lincoln County High School Rodeo Club took their turn as host to the schools in the Nevada High School Rodeo Association. The weekend was punctuated with great rides, fast times and the enthusiasm these young athletes bring to competing in events they love.

There are seven boy’s events: bareback bronc, saddle bronc, bulls, calf roping, dogging, team roping and cutting. The girl’s events include barrels, poles, breakaway roping, goat tying, team roping and cutting. Contestants choose the events they compete in. Points are totaled by the number of times they place during the year in their event or events. All around points are based upon the number of different events a contestant enters and places in.

The high school rodeo trail can be grueling and challenging. The events require athletic ability, not only from the contestants, but from the animals involved. Practice, the time on the road, the physical and mental aspects of competing over the full schedule of events builds, as well as maintaining the scholastic standards required builds stamina and character in these young students. Dedication and ability is the key combination. Support from family and friends eases the strain, but the effort has to come from the youth.

There are 16 rodeos in the 2007 – 08 season. After the season points are totaled the State Finals will be held in Winnemucca to determine who will represent Nevada at the National High School Rodeo Finals in Farmington, New Mexico. According to the unofficial state results Lincoln County has two contestants in the top ten in the state, Kelbee Cheeney of Lincoln County High School and Shelby Scott of Pahranagat Valley High School.