The White Pine High School Rodeo Team athletes have completed their journey to Rock Springs, Wyoming for the High School World Finals Rodeo and have returned home safely. The rodeo was held July 14th through the 20th at the Clearwater Event Complex. The event hosted over 2,000 of the top rodeo athletes from the US, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Australia, and over 1,800 of their equine partners. Many of those horses arrived via plane or boat from Australia and New Zealand weeks in advance for the event. The top contestants all arrived to compete in every area of the high school rodeo association events; cutting, reining, barrels, poles, rough stock riding, all the roping events, tying events and shooting sports; trap and light rifle; each ready to prove they are the best in the world.
The event hosted a full rodeo each morning and evening (called performances, twelve performances and one short round) with upwards of thirty contestants competing in their respective events in each performance. Every contestant would compete in two of the twelve performances (two Gos) in hopes to be in the top 20 in the world in the average after the completion of the performances and get one last chance to better the other contestants in the short go, where the world champions are crowned.
In addition to this busy rodeo schedule, the contestants also had access to career fairs, scholarship opportunities, quiz bowl contests, meetings, speakers and special guests, talent shows, volleyball games by state/providence/country, nightly dances, scavenger hunts, field days, tradeshow shopping, event practices and so much more to do off-site. What an experience these contestants got to gain! Something many will only ever dream of, and White Pine had representation right in the thick of it.
Travis Rimington of Lund qualified to attend the World Finals in bull riding. Travis really excelled at the Nevada State Finals this year, placing second in the state, claiming the reserve state champion title. He was on an upswing going into the Finals and had aspirations of continuing to ride that wave through the conclusion of the event.
Travis drew performances 6 and 7, meaning he would ride his first go bull Wednesday morning and his second go bull Wednesday night. This draw is highly debated as to whether it is a blessing or a curse. Does the morning go warm you up and shake out the nerves to create a more confident second go that night? Or is it too much in one day and maybe will further a prior injury or land on a moment you just aren’t excelling? Regardless, this was Travis’ draw and he strapped in both goes with hopes for greatness. Unfortunately, his hopes were dashed when he was not able to make the eight second whistle on either of his rides. A tough pill to swallow, but one many of the riders experienced that week. Travis wasn’t alone in his disappointment, but this did not distract from the gains he also made during the week.
Travis may not have had a shot at the short go or the chance of earning one of those top title spots, but he admittedly had one heck of an experience attending the finals; one he won’t soon forget, one he’s proud he was a part of, and one he expressed great gratitude for being able to attend. Travis noted the inspiration he felt while 4-time PRCA World Champion steer wrestler, Tyler Waguespack, addressed the collective group of athletes. Impressing on them the pride they should already feel in their accomplishment, no matter how the week goes, and that the important parts aren’t the wins, it’s being a good person and having integrity.
As a graduating senior of the White Pine Club, this was a wonderful way to cap off his high school rodeo experience. We know Travis will go on to greatness in many ways as he moves forward in life. The White Pine Rodeo Team wishes Travis the very best!
Brooklynn Sena of Ely qualified for the World Finals in barrel racing. Brooklynn had a storybook entrance into the finals this year, qualifying against all odds and probability. As a high school freshman, this is Brooklynn’s first year in high school rodeo, but she handled the situation like a seasoned pro. Her prior experience in junior high rodeo did lend a hand, but the transition is, nonetheless, like going from the minors to the majors.
Brooklynn drew performances 3 and 10. She ran first go Monday night and second go Friday morning. First go, Brooklynn made a businessman run of 17.748, landing her well placed in the perf and in the go. She ended the first go 28th in the world, the top ten percent. This was a placing she could easily work with to get her into one of those coveted top 20 average placing spots and a run in the short go round, especially knowing there was still meat on the bone and time to be shaved from first go. She was excited and hopeful. Friday morning brought some feeling of being “off”. Being in good timing and feeling in sync with your teammate is critical in rodeo if you are going to perform your best. Despite that, the time had come to put together that second go run. They came in really strong and bettered the first turn by quite a bit, but they had a hard time staying together and carrying that momentum to the second barrel, they tipped it as they left for the third. This tiny margin cost them a five second penalty and their chances at getting to make a short go run with the best in the world. They coasted through the rest of the run for a 17.742, plus 5, 153 in the round and 125th in the world.
Who knows what would have been had that run went right, but that isn’t how their story went. They will find meaning in this end moving forward, there will be growth in this; resilience and resolve to achieve isn’t built during the good times. Brooklynn’s high school rodeo career is just beginning, she has so much opportunity and possibility ahead of her. There is no doubt we will get to cheer her on at the World Finals once again.
The magnitude of the impact this event had on these athletes is immense. They will be forever shaped by these experiences; they will be embedded in who they are as people and influence who they become. Managing the highs, the lows, the injuries to both themselves and their horses, navigating the emotions, the interactions with other athletes, both positive and negative, will give them tools to use in everything they encounter in life moving forward. We look forward to the upcoming rodeo season that will be upon us August 16th in Eureka. White Pine is proud of you both.
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