Young Ponoka cowboys and cowgirls are doing well in the world of high school rodeo.
Macy Auclair (14) and Couy McBride (14), as well as Clay Guthrie had strong performances at the Canadian Junior and Senior High School Rodeo Finals recently.
Auclair won the buckle in breakaway roping in the senior group. She’s competed in junior for a few years but graduated up to senior. “This is my rookie year (in senior),” said Auclair, adding that she’s in Grade 9 and competing with rodeo athletes up to Grade 12.
She was pleased with her six-year-old horse called Pistol, who did well. Pistol was won from a $5 raffle.
“We just had good, consistent runs and it paid off,” said Auclair.
For her, the joy of rodeo comes from the challenge and the adrenaline rush when competing. Practise, says Auclair, is key to doing well.
This year she’s been taking in a lot of amateur rodeos and is part of the Wildrose Rodeo Association. She’s had a busy season and is gunning for the high point, which will earn her a saddle.
For McBride, practice is also important.
The young rodeo athlete is in his rookie year of competing in the junior group. Next year he’s in the senior category.
McBride competed in Lebanon, TN for the National Junior High School Rodeo Association finals and placed in the second go-round, ending up fourth overall in team roping. He also competed in ribbon roping and breakaway.
“It was amazing,” said McBride of the experience.
It rained the whole day, which made for a challenging time but he kept his concentration up.
“You just had to stay positive and go and do what you are supposed to,” he added.
“Being able to compete there just made me feel confident.”
For the Canadian High School Rodeo Finals, McBride did even better, earning the championship in ribbon and team roping.
Leading up to both finals McBride said he practiced once or twice a day. McBride is in the Central Alberta Rodeo Association and he has been taking in the competitions as much as possible.
He added his gratitude to all those who have helped him along the way.
Clay Guthrie also won the Canadian steer wrestling championship, however, Ponoka News was unable to reach out for an interview by press time.
