High school rodeo at Agriplex

On Oct. 5, Shylo Boucher, left, of High Prairie, and Amanda Yuill, of Sexsmith, tried to lasso this calf in team roping, but they failed to record a time.

Mac Olsen
South Peace News

The Alberta High School Rodeo Association held a rodeo at the Agriplex Oct. 4-5. Approximately 100 students competed, coming from around Alberta and as far west as Fort St. John, B.C. The local competitors were Jesslyn Alguire, Shylo Boucher, Kerri Carter, Jade Head, Kelsey Marquardt and Molly Marquardt. There was bareback riding, barrel racing, breakaway roping, bull riding, goat tying, header team roping, heeler team roping, pole bending and tie down roping. Barrel racing is Alguire’s favourite event. “You get to go really, really fast and I like the speed of it. Running home and hearing everyone cheer is the best part,” says Alguire. This is her first season on the rodeo circuit and she may make it a career. She reads many books about the sport and practices a lot. Brian Stewart, president of the High Prairie Indoor Rodeo, says this event went well but he would like more people to attend. “It would be nice to have more local spectators. It’s a really good show,” says Stewart. Chris Williscroft was an announcer for this rodeo. He was also on the circuit last season and made it to Drayton Valley, Manning, Medicine Lodge where he was “completely destroyed,” Thorsby, Wetaskiwin, Whitecourt and Valleyview among others. He also competed in the novice event on the second day of the Calgary Stampede, although he didn’t last the full ride. “But it was a really good experience (knowing) how powerful those horses are at the professional stage,” says Williscroft. “I’m definitely going back next year.” He wants to make the rodeo circuit his profession. Another high school rodeo will be held at the Agriplex Oct. 25-26 and admission is free.

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