Overcast weather and maybe some rain looked to be the conditions for Tuesday morning’s Idaho State High School Rodeo Finals. After the “tribute to the greatest country on Earth,” the sun came through and brought forth a hot day for the cowboys and cowgirls to compete at the Bannock County Fairgrounds.
In many of the events, the targeted stock were rather uncooperative and created challenges for the competing riders. This was most noticeable in steer wrestling, as only three out of 13 cowboys were able to have a chance in wrestling their steers down.
Ryan Kesl of District One and Rylie Clemens of District Four were two riders who were able to wrestle their steers quickly. Kesl had his steer down in 7.51 seconds and Clemens followed with a time of 8 seconds.
District Eight’s Nels Jensen kept himself in contention by not giving up on his go. Like many others, his steer hitched up right after leaving the gate, causing Jensen and his horse to gallop on passed it. He made a second pass at the steer, dismounted his horse and wrestled the steer down in nearly one motion. His time of 18.5 seconds keeps him alive for the finals.
“The steers weren’t getting a good start out of the gate,” Clemens said, a sophomore from Firth. “They were just walking out, stopping for most cowboys. Most of the riders now will be prepared for that now. Mine went out pretty good.”
Clemens’ older brother, Cooper, was the 2012 steer wrestling state champion. Clemens said he learned from his brother how to persevere through all the ups and downs during his career.
“He just picked himself up after everything,” he said. “Even if does not do good, he picks himself up and keeps going. That’s what I try to do.”
The heat can affect the performances of the horses, some riders noted. District Four’s Hailey Driscoll, a freshman from American Falls, and her horse, Gus, ran a 16.992, putting her at the top of the charts in that event. The first-year state rider was happy with her time, but feels her and Gus can go faster.
“It was a good time,” she said, “but I know we could have ran it better because it is hot. The heat makes him a little more tired.”
She continued to say that the cool of the night suits her horse better. She will be looking to ride more aggressively in her second go tonight.
In the bareback bronc riding, District Seven’s Cache Hill rode out the full eight seconds and was given a score of 69, tying him with the fellow District Seven rider Tristan Hansen’s efforts the day before.
Pole bending is showing to be a very competitive event in this year’s state finals.
Five riders raced to times of 22 seconds or faster, adding to the eight yesterday with such times. District Five’s Cheyenne Logan became the new leader with a time of 20.533. This bumps Cheyenne Sherwood of District Eight, who ran Monday night, to the second fastest time of 21.084. Newcomer Aubry Batista of District Four had a strong run of 22.945, putting her in the top half of competitors so far.
Idaho’s three-time defending all-around cowboy Garrett Smith of District Seven scored a 67 in the saddle bronc event, putting him in second place.
Jaret Angell, also of District Seven, is in third place with a score of 55. This score came after his first two attempts were allowed a re-ride from the judges as the broncos refused to buck.
In his first run, the bronco stood completely still. Angell earned three points with the option for a re-ride for riding out a still-standing bronco. The second attempts gave him 39 points with the re-ride option again. His third attempt proved to be a real challenge, but he rode the full eight seconds and was awarded his 55 points.
District Five’s Kourtney McReynolds had the fast time in goat tying with a time of 8.73. This placed her into fourth place. District Eight’s Darcey Maddock’s lead of 7.78 seconds was nearly beaten by Regan Timothy of District Four. She had her goat tied up in 7.63 seconds, but the animal was able to kick off the ropes and run free, negating the time.
Breakaway roping was also highly competitive, with seven riders posting times of six seconds or better Tuesday morning. The group was led by Jorgee Shiner of District One, who became the new leader with a time of 2.66. District Four’s Jessica Partner, of Pocatello, had a time of 5.12 seconds.
The team roping duo of Timmi Hutchings and Cassidy Quinn, out of District Four, had one of the better times of the morning at 14.63, penalty included. This put them in fourth place.
Jake Nelson became the new leader in tie down roping. The District Six representative had a time of 11.05.
In bull riding, Hansen controlled his bull and scored a 68, placing him in fourth place overall. District Four’s River Stephenson earned 58 points.
The rodeo action continues today at 10 a.m. at the Bannock County Fairgrounds. The evening session is at 7 p.m.