Cereal Kids Rodeo Round-Up
Submitted
The day kicked off with a delicious breakfast from Oyen Daycare, keeping everyone satisfied and energized throughout the event! A big thank you to our lunch sponsors listed above for their generous support. The grounds were in top shape thanks to Kevin Barr from the Cereal Fire Department, who ran the fire truck, and Rocky Miller, who kept everything running smoothly.
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We had an impressive turnout this year with around 104 contestants aged 3 to 18. It’s always a thrill to see these young competitors developing their passion for rodeo. Each event saw a fantastic number of participants vying for the High Point Buckle and first-place prize money! All entry fees were redistributed as payouts to 6th place, with additional support from Brandon and Michelle Hutton for intermediate and senior payouts.
In the Peewee category, 32 kids competed for the fastest times (with their ponies taking excellent care of them!). In Peewee Barrels, Grant Fletcher achieved the fastest time with 20.14 seconds, while Paislee Harper took second with 23.83 seconds. Grant Fletcher also dominated Peewee Thread the Needle with an 11.32-second run, and Paislee Harper followed with 13.02 seconds. For Goat Undecorating, Rory Greiger took first with 11.99 seconds and Jenner Long was second with 12.69 seconds. In Pole Bending, Grant Fletcher claimed first with 23.56 seconds, and Paislee Harper was close behind in second with 25.53 seconds.
Congratulations to Grant Fletcher, our Peewee High Point Buckle Winner, for his impressive and clean runs!
Steer riding saw 15 entries, with 13 riders competing. Steers were provided by Trevor Whitmack and brought down by Savanna and Riley Tye. We also had two girls participating—great job, Abby and Lexi! Our youngest rider, Grant Fletcher, made a valiant effort with a 1.09-second ride. Keller Tye topped the ranks with a 75-point ride, earning first place and the high point buckle sponsored by the Helfrich Brothers. Lexie MacEachern came in second with a 72-point ride, followed by Ribber Griffith with 65 points for third. Excellent job, kids—your performances were impressive!
The Wild Pony Race, featuring Natalia Laughlin’s spirited ponies (check out 4l Wild Ponies on Facebook for booking), had 16 teams. Despite the ponies' feistiness, Team Unstoppables (Tenley and Jorja Griffith and Kyrwin Roes) clinched first place, with Team Triple D’s Ponies (Keaton Duque, Doug Westerlund, and Dylan Woods) taking second.
Mutton Busting was a blast, with 28 kids enjoying the experience. Thanks to Marlene Anderson, who provided the sheep and goats (and her hardworking stock dog). Each participant received a dollar and a freezie!
The Junior, Intermediate, and Senior events wrapped up the day, starting with Barrels. Juniors had 24 registered but 21 competed. Brylee Harper secured first place with a 17.37-second run, followed by Ribber Griffith in second with 20.36 seconds. In Intermediate Barrels, 16 registered but only 13 competed. Hayley Kelts took first with 18.63 seconds, and Teagann Finkbeiner was second with 19.93 seconds. The Senior Barrels had 5 entries, with all running. Emersyn Tabler achieved the fastest time with 18.62 seconds, and Abby Cowie took second with 20.89 seconds.
Next was Thread the Needle. Juniors had 25 entries with 19 competing. Brylee Harper claimed first with 8.16 seconds, and Ribber Griffith was second with 9.09 seconds. In Intermediate, 17 registered but only 12 competed. Jorja Griffith achieved first place with 8.06 seconds, and Lakoda Miller was second with 8.6 seconds. Senior Thread the Needle had 5 entries, with all competing. Evy Miller secured first place with 8.6 seconds, and Emersyn Tabler was second with 9.0 seconds.
Goat Tying followed. Juniors had 14 entries but only 10 competed. Brylee Harper took first with 21.23 seconds, and Ribber Griffith was second with 28.98 seconds. In Intermediate, 12 registered but only 8 competed. Jorja Griffith placed first with 15.03 seconds, and Teagann Finkbeiner was second with 15.60 seconds. Seniors had 3 entries, with Abby Cowie winning first place with 36.61 seconds and Emersyn Tabler second with 21.00 seconds.
Pole Bending was up next. Juniors had 26 registered but only 20 competed. Maddie Finkbeiner achieved first place with 27.816 seconds, and Jensyn Duque was second with 29.770 seconds. In Intermediate, 18 were registered but only 13 competed. Jorja Griffith claimed first place with 24.947 seconds, followed by Hayley Kelts in second with 25.119 seconds. Seniors had 4 entries, with all competing. Evy Miller took first with 24.490 seconds, and Emersyn Tabler was second with 24.879 seconds in a close race.
Breakaway Roping was the final event. The Juniors had 3 competitors, none of whom recorded a time. In Intermediate, 10 were registered but only 9 competed. Huck Watson won first place with 10.16 seconds, and Tenley Griffith was second with 14.68 seconds. Seniors had 2 competitors, with Abby Cowie being the only one placing with 8.66 seconds.
A heartfelt thank you to all our sponsors for making this event possible. Special thanks to our medic, Carter Link from Dryland EMS Association; our amazing photographer, Crowbait Creative; the Cereal Athletic Association; stock contractors; Oyen Daycare for their fantastic meals; and everyone who pitched in to help, from the Cereal Fire Department to all the volunteers and parents.
Thank you all for contributing to another fantastic event and a memorable end to the 2024 rodeo season!