Elk’s Youth Rodeo celebrates a quarter century of competition
Sheridan – The 25th Annual Sheridan Elk’s Youth Rodeo was held Aug. 26-27, drawing contestants from Arizona, Oklahoma, Texas, Montana, Idaho, North Dakota, Colorado, South Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming to the rodeo’s 26 events.
Three arenas running at the same time were used to accommodate the 744 entrees each day. Some of the events included 131 goat tiers, 128 barrel racers and 94 breakaway ropers each day.
“This was a hard two days with very skilled competitors. We were impressed with the contestants’ attitudes and their commitment,” says Robert Strausser, youth rodeo chairman.
Cash and awards of $71,590 were presented to contestants ages 17 and under. These consisted of cash and scholarships of $12,252 and awards valued at $59,338.
Ellie Bard, 16, from Sheridan, won the Senior All-Around and a one-year lease of a new Ford truck, provided by Fremont Motors of Sheridan. Bard has competed in the rodeo since she was a Pee Wee contestant.
Tanner McInerney, 17, from Alzada, Mont. received the Senior Reserve Champion honors and a $2,000 scholarship.
The Senior Reserve Runner-up, receiving a saddle, was Bella Fossum, 16, from Billings, Mont.
Cooper Deveraux, 16, from Newcastle won the All-Around Youth award and a Jackson three-horse slant load trailer, provided by Prime Rate Motors of Sheridan.
Hadley Thompson, 9, from Yoder received a $2,000 scholarship as the All-Around Youth Reserve Champion. Krissy VanderVoort, 17, from Billings, Mont. received the All-Around Youth Reserve Runner-up $1,000 scholarship.
The saddle for the Intermediate All-Around went to Haiden Thompson, 13, from Yoder.
The saddle for the Junior All-Around went to Hadley Thompson, 9, from Yoder, and the saddle for the Pee Wee All-Around went to Jewel Randall, 6, from Wheatland.
Strauser says, “The Sheridan Elk’s Lodge #520 wishes to thank all of the contestants and sponsors for their help in making this possible and is looking forward to holding this event again next year.”
