Young rodeo competitors shine at national events

Young rodeo competitors shine at national events

Aug 4, 2001

JAKE GORDANIER, JAMIE FERGUSON, AND SANDY TOZER of the Ute Mountain High School Rodeo Team recently attended the 15th International Silver State High School Rodeo in Fallon, Nev. Stephanie Vogel (not pictured here) attended and placed eighth overall in girls cutting at the National Finals High School Rodeo in Springfield, Ill. Gordanier placed fifth in steer wrestling, Ferguson fifth in girls cutting, and Tozer sixth in calf roping.

BY JIM THOMAS
Journal Sports Editor

Several high school rodeo competitors are winding up the summer and distinguishing themselves and bringing pride to the community and themselves.

Stephanie Vogel of Cortez, who successfully defended her state title in the girls cutting horse competition at the Colorado High School Rodeo Association Finals Rodeo in Greeley, competed last week at the National High School Finals Rodeo at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Ill.

Competing all season as an independent, Vogel qualified for the second straight year to nationals. She placed 18th out of a field of 120 a year ago.

Vogel won the state cutting title event going away with 210.00 points. Carrying 100 points into the event, she had a solid first preliminary go-round with 71 points. She had an even better second go with a score of 73. She didn’t panic in the short go finals and scored a 72 to clinch the title for the second straight year. She earned a trip to NHSFR in Springfield, Ill., for the second straight year.

Vogel, who placed 18th in the nation at last year’s National High School Finals Rodeo, was tied for seventh place with five others after the third performance Tuesday night, July 24, with a 141 score. Ashley Smith of Hailey, Idaho, led the way at that point with a 148 score. By Friday night, she had improved slightly to a tie for fifth place with 287 points. She made into the short go and finished in eighth place with 428 points. Smith remained on top the whole way and won with 440.

Created by Texas educator and rodeo contestant Claude Mullins, the NHSRA held its first finals in Halletsville, Texas, Aug. 25-27, 1949. Mullins founded the NHSRA on two principles: to encourage youth to stay in school and to promote the highest type of conduct and sportsmanship. The NHSRA has honored Claude Mullins' vision by maintaining the integrity and standards he set forth. Stressing the importance of education and teaching life skills such as leadership, responsibility, dedication and commitment will continue to be the purpose and goal of this organization.

One of the fastest growing youth organizations in the nation, the NHSRA has an annual membership of over 12,500 students from 39 states, four Canadian provinces and Australia, and sanctions over 1,100 rodeos each year. The NHSRA is governed by a national board of directors (one from each state or province) while a staff at the National Headquarters in Denver, handles the day-to-day operations.

Sandy Tozer, Jake Gordanier and Jamie Ferguson of the Ute Mountain High School Rodeo Team competed recently at the 15th International Silver States Rodeo in Fallon, Nev. There, contestants who qualified fifth-10th in their respective state finals and Canadian provinces, compete at Fallon for international recognition. Tozer placed sixth in calf roping with an average of 129.5. Gordanier came in fifth in steer wrestling with a 143.50 average. Ferguson took fifth in cutting.

Of the 15 Colorado team members who went to Fallon, all three Ute Mountain members made the finals or short-go. Out of the 135 boys competing in calf roping, Tozer took sixth. Gordanier finished fourth in bull riding out of 75 boys. He brought home a buckle for his efforts. Ferguson finished sixth out of 28 girls.

The National High School Finals Rodeo comes to the Four Corners Area in 2002 and 2003. The rodeo will be held at McGee Park in Farmington July 22-28 next year and July 21-27 the following year.