White Pine Jr/High School Rodeo compete at Battle Mountain

By Jamie McIntosh Noyes

The Battle Mountain Jr/High School Rodeo was held September 22-24, 2023, in Battle Mountain, Nevada. The White Pine Team arrived to try their hand at claiming the top spots in their respective events. With 30 points up for grabs each rodeo, not to mention money and prizes, these athletes must put on their game faces and fiercely compete to inch their way closer to the world finals that caps the end of each season.

Lainey Barney had two solid barrel racing runs, getting her back towards the top ten, placing 11th in the first go and 11th in the second go, finishing 11th in the average. That’s consistency. She had some hard luck in her other events (team roping, breakaway roping, goat tying), struggling to log any qualified times. Just some bumps in the road on her journey. She will be back even stronger next time.

Travis and Heston Rimington each came in on a high note from their home rodeo, after they both covered their bulls and placed first in a go. This weekend, the two gave their best effort in both gos, but ended up brushing off the dust and blood after the tough stock got the better of them. No doubt they’ll be back, hungrier than ever.

Brooklynn Sena is getting the bugs worked out a little at a time in barrel racing, placing 31st first go, 37th second go and 27th average. In team roping they had mixed luck, placing 6th first go, but with a no time second go they ended a bit long in the average, placing 15th. She had two quick goat tying runs, but only one stayed tied. She placed 10th first go and received a no time second go for 25th in the average. She was able to shake the breakaway roping funk and get one roped, placing 22nd.

Jessica Young was unable to get a flag to drop on either team roping gos, but she was able to put together two nice barrel racing runs, placing 30th and 8th for 18th in the average, gaining some points and some confidence in her equine partner. She made two respectable pole bending runs, placing 22nd first go, 12th second go and 8th in the average. She caught one, missed one in breakaway roping, placing 14th second go and 25th in the average.

Kiala Reynolds had improvements in her breakaway roping, catching both gos for 10th in the first go, 6th in the second go and 6th in the average. She also clocked one of her personal best times in pole bending, placing 18th the first go and 11th the second go for 14th in the average. She was steady in barrel racing pacing 8th first go, 3rd second go, and 5th in the average, retaining her 2nd overall position in the state and marking some personal growth as well.

Sawyer Bliss struggled in his strongest event, team roping, turning in a no time first go and a long 11th place second go for 15th in the average. He caught a barrier first go in breakaway roping for 8th and was 3rd second go, placing him 7th in the average. Goat tying was a bit long first go placing 11th, 7th second go for 9th in the average and in ribbon roping, they were consistent for 4th place both gos and 2nd in the average.

Lia Lawson continues to better her times each rodeo and always has a smile while doing it. She placed 21st in the first go, 17th in the second go and 17th in the average in barrel racing and 16th first go, 21st second go and 18th in the average in the pole bending. Lia also received the “Did Something Cool” award for coming home from her pole pattern with no reins, which she was asked not to do again.

Asher Perkins took a rough dismount in the first go of bull riding, soaring him up pretty good for the second go, but he climbed back on nonetheless. Unfortunately, he was not able to make the eight seconds in the second go either, but he will take some days to recoup and be back at it for the next one. He has so much determination.

White Pine can always be proud when their athletes show up to these events and well represent our home community. They not only compete well against the other two hundred athletes, but they do it with many compliments of sportsmanship, kindness, grit, and steadfast determination. These kids find individual drive each week to press on, practicing independently and striving for their dreams. We wish them all luck at the next one! Great job team!