Junior High State Rodeo Finals Kick Off in Pocatello

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – It's the most important week of young cowgirls' and cowboys' lives in Idaho at the Bannock County Farigrounds where the Junior High State Rodeo Championship is being held this week.

The tournament kicked off on May 26 with the long rifle shooting competition. On May 27, the rodeo competitions began with pole bending and goat tying. Pole bending is an event where cowgirls ride their horses in between six standing poles in a zig-zag motion, trying to get the fastest time while not knocking any poles over.

At the same time, the young cowboys were competing in goat tying, where they come out of the gate on a horse, hop off the horse and chase down a goat to tie its legs as fast as possible.

Other events include team roping, goat tying for the girls and barrel racing. The events will continue all week long. Many of the athletes have competed in large rodeos before, saying they're excited for the opportunity to ride against some of the most talented young equestrians in the state.

"I'm competing in barrel racing and I've been riding since I was eight," said Amiah Hathaway from McCammon. "I am a little nervous, I get nervous every time."

Another cowgirl from Downey, Polly Sweat, said she's been riding since she could walk when she was two years old. "I'm always nervous before I go in and then when I go in I'm just really confident," she said.

The confidence and talent of the junior high athletes is apparent watching from the crowd at the Bannock County Fairgrounds. Cowgirls were putting up sub 25-second runs in the pole bending and several earned less than ten seconds in their goat tying.

Both Hathaway and Sweat said their favorite part of being in rodeo is the horses. They'll get more chances to compete in barrel racing as the competition progresses this week. Tomorrow's rodeo starts at 9 a.m. with final awards on Saturday, May 30 at 11 a.m.