High School Rodeo Season | Video

Alexander Gorney | 8/28/2012

The North Dakota High School Rodeo Association 2012-13 season opened last weekend at Dacotah Centennial Park arena in Mandan. Around 150 student cowboys and cowgirls were out for the start of the high school rodeo season.

Rodeo is a fall and spring sport, with the state finals held on Father`s Day every year. These athletes can compete in a variety of events.

"There`s bull riding, bareback, saddle bronc, roping events, pole bending, barrels, goat tying," said Mandan High School sophomore Cainen Fredericks.

"It`s a sport that`s not sanctioned by the North Dakota High School Activities Association but it`s by the North Dakota Rodeo Association affiliated with the National High School Rodeo Association," said Mandan High School Rodeo Committee Chair Ellen Huber.

Students from all across North Dakota travel around the state to compete in high school rodeos.

"It`s just a huge adrenaline rush, it`s you with yourself, it`s not you with a team. It`s kind of you against the animal," said Kindred High School sophomore Jordan Staton.

It`s a sport in which riders have to fully believe in their horses.

"Every run you make you could fall or get hurt but I guess you`ve got to have trust in your horse. And stuff. Work a a team. Trust him and everyday just ride him," said Napoleon High School junior Chantel Fettig.

To find out more about the the high school rodeo season you can go to ndhsra.org or mandanhorseandsaddle.com.

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