RODEO is big business in the United States and 10 young Tamworth cowboys and cowgirls have earned themselves a trip there.
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Bella McKinley, Jack Pittman, James Vaughan, Bianca Tribe, Justin Scoggin, Anna Crisp, Taylor McAlister, Jade Tribe, Nick Penrose, Jesse Glass and Jackson Dening will represent Australia at the National High School Rodeo Association Finals.
The 38-strong Australian team was announced recently following the national finals held at AELEC at the start of March.
They were the final selection for the team with the top four ranked competitors at the conclusion of the finals in each event qualifying to compete.
The successful cowboys/cowgirls were then given 14 days to either accept or decline a place on the team.
Crisp, Jade Tribe, McKinley, Pittman and Vaughan will ride in the junior finals and McAlister, Bianca Tribe, Penrose, Dening, Scoggin and Glass the seniors.
They’ll be held at Rock Springs Wyoming from July 12-18.
The junior finals will be two weeks before at Des Moines in Iowa from June 21-27.
The (Australian) finals attracted cowboys and cowgirls from all over the country and in many events had up to 15 vying for the four spots.
Between the Tamworth contingent they’ve got every event covered from roping to rough stock, to chute dogging, which is similar to steer wrestling.
Several off them finished top of the national standings in their respective events.
Jade Tribe led the way winning the pole bending, breakaway roping and barrel racing to be crowned the allround junior cowgirl.
Vaughan topped the chute dogging, Dening the team roping as a heeler and Pitman the steer riding.
Crisp also won the breakaway roping for the finals, which were contested over three rounds.
McAlister is stepping up to the seniors after qualifying, and competing in, the junior worlds last year.
Dening and Scoggin have also previously worn the green and gold at the finals.
As well as the attraction of competing against some of the best in the world, there are also college scholarships up for grabs.
A number of Australian team athletes have in the past received scholarships.
It is a big undertaking to get over there, especially for the time events with participants having to source their own horses over there to use.
To assist with the teenagers with their endeavours there are a few fundraising events in the pipeline.