Start of State High School Rodeo

An article penned by cub reporter Dick Perue in the July 26, 1956, issue of “The Saratoga Sun” reads:

Five Saratoga Youths
To Leave Next Week
For National Rodeo

Five Saratoga high school cowboys and cowgirls will leave Monday for Reno, Nev., where they will compete in the National High School Championship Rodeo there Aug. 1-5.

Saratoga students participating in the national event will be Stew Runner, Wyoming all-around cowboy; Mary Kay Walker, Wyoming all-around cowgirl; Tim Barkhurst, tied as runner-up all-around cowboy; Verna Allen, one of the ladies-in-waiting in the state rodeo queen contest; and Ray Walker, who placed in the cutting contest.

Contestants will be accompanied by Dale Federer, state advisor and a national director of the rodeo, and Mrs. Federer, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Runner and Mr. and Mrs. Len Walker. Mr. Walker is also a national rodeo director and either Mr. Runner or Dean Sage of Sheridan will be the director from Wyoming.

The Saratoga young folks won the right to participate in the National show by placing in the “top four” in the Wyoming Championship Junior Rodeo held here July 3-4.

As result of their placing in the local show Mary Kay Walker is eligible to enter five events at Reno, Stew Runner may enter any four, and the other local contestants may each enter any three.