By Dingi Berglund

Kennedy rodeo grounds was a very busy place on the first weekend in May. It looked like a small village of horse trailers and campers had sprung up over night. The Saskatchewan High School Rodeo had come to town.

Thirty three Wranglers, from grades 6 to 8, and 68 High Schoolers from all over Saskatchewan were there to compete in rough stock events like bull riding, junior steer riding, saddle bronc and bareback, and timed events like roping, chute dogging, barrels, pole bending and goat tying. There were 129 event entries in the Wrangler division and 139 entries in the high school section. All the competitors competed both days. It was like going to two separate rodeos, without having to drive anywhere, a real gas saver. Judges for both days were a couple of former bullriders, Dale Claypool of Regina and Jason Keeley of Whitewood. Rocky Martell of Pilot Butte handled the announcing chores. The young people are trying to make the top ten to qualify to go to the High School Finals held in New Mexico in July. They have two rodeos every weekend until June. The rodeo was put on by the Moose Mountain Rodeo Association. Half of the gate proceeds were donated to Jodi and Monty Wyporowich, whose unborn baby will need heart surgery.

Cody Floyd, a talented young bull rider from Kipling, tied for first place in the boys’ steer riding both days with scores of 69 and 66. He was also third in chute dogging both days. He is currently on the All Star Wrangler Team.

The CCA rodeo circuit has started for a new season. Kennedy timed event competitor, Jarid Berglund was sixth in the steer wrestling at Moose Jaw. At Tisdale he was second in the tie down roping with a time of 9.9 and paired up with Graham Stewart, who also has a Kennedy connection, to place sixth in the team roping. He was also second in the tie down roping at North Battleford with a time of 10.2. Veteran roper, Darrell Taypotat of Broadview won the event with a 10 flat. Darrell is currently sitting first in the tie down roping, in the CCA standings, while Jarid is fourth. Jarid is also fifth in the High Point Standings. The CCA rodeos seem to shut down for May while everyone is busy seeding, unlike the high school rodeos.