Youngsters Compete In Wrangler Junior Rodeo

By LACEY SPROUL-TOM

The Progress

Cade Stewart of Logandale competes in flag racing at the Wrangler Junior Rodeo Association event held last month in Alamo, Nevada. PHOTO BY DAMON JACKSON/The Progress

Over 100 young cowboys and cowgirls tried their luck at their first Wrangler Junior Rodeo Association (WJRA) rodeo, held September 17-18 in Alamo, Nevada. These competitors came to compete from as far away as Lamoille, Nevada, Sandy Valley and even from Enterprise, Utah.

This youth rodeo association has grown by leaps and bounds this year with the number of young people. The WJRA is open to contestants ages 3 through 18 with a total of 12 rodeos held throughout the year.
The wind was blowing hard in Alamo but it didn’t stop any young people from giving it their all.

The fastest barrel race time of the weekend was run by Rylee Necus of Las Vegas with a time of 18.208 seconds.

Blakey Young participates in a roping contest. She came to Alamo, NV from Utah last month to compete in the WJRA event.

But this wasn’t the only fast event that happened over the course of two days. Competitors participated in several timed events such as breakaway roping, flag racing, goat tying, steer stopping, team roping and pole bending.

At the end of the rodeo there were a lot of highs and lows for the competitors. All Around and Reserve All Around Cowboy and Cowgirl were awarded for each age division in respective order.

PeeWee (age 3-7) division all around winner was Stetson Steele of Lamoille. Bradley Topol of Logandale was the reserve all around winner.

The Peewee Girl all around winner was Bethany Rose Snyder of Sandy Valley. Hadlee Steele took the division reserve.

Shelby Fry of Alamo blazes around the barrel racing course during the WJRA rodeo event last month. PHOTO BY DAMON JACKSON/The Progress

In the junior age (8-12) division the boys all around winner was Kash Jepson. Rylan Sproul of Overton won the reserve.

The Junior Girls all around winner was Shelby Fry of Alamo. Kylie Cox of Panaca took the reserve.
In the senior age (13-18) division the boy all around winner was Hunter Fry of Alamo. Carlos Baspoli, also of Alamo was the reserve winner.

The Senior Girl all around winner was Evie Davis of Alamo. Madison Solis of Las Vegas won the reserve.
There are many hands that make these rodeos work and run smoothly. Chassy Sleppy of Alamo, who is the WJRA Treasurer, had her own thoughts about how the rodeo went.
“We had such a great turn out for our season’s kick off rodeo!” she said. “I’m excited to watch all the new and old members succeed and grow!”

The next rodeo in the series will take place in Alamo, Nevada on October 15-16.