Canadian High School Rodeo Finals brings hundreds of athletes to Brandon

Posted on August 3, 2024 by Peggy

Canada’s best young rodeo athletes are kicking up dust in southwestern Manitoba for the Canadian High School Rodeo Finals this week.

Saddle bronc rider Clay Nyhus, 18, said the finals are the stomping grounds for future rodeo superstars. He travelled from Minton, Sask., to compete in the finals at Brandon’s Keystone Centre arena.

High School Rodeo is unique because it’s centred on young athletes from many rodeo disciplines, he said. They’re focused on bringing their best runs, while also being humble and grateful to be riding together.

“It’s an awesome rodeo … It’s the best in Canada,” Nyhus said. “A lot of kids here are gonna be … somebody you’re gonna want to see one day. So this is this is an easy way to see them before they’re superstars.”

A contest competes at the Canadian High School rodeo finals — Denver Braithwaite, of La Broquerie, Man., competes in saddle bronc riding. (Chelsea Kemp/CBC)

Around 260 rodeo athletes from across Western Canada have been competing since Thursday, with the final ending on Saturday. Athletes competed in all types of rodeo sports from bull and bronc riding to barrel racing and team roping, along with goat tying and steer wrestling.

“These are the kids starting their careers,” said Scott Byrne, a volunteer and arena director at the finals. “This is where the world champions are built and to have this group of kids that we have here this year is amazing.”

He describes the finals as an action-packed week that youth spend the entire year working toward.

“They can perfect their craft and go on to be champions,” Byrne said.

A little boy practice roping with a fake cow. — Kesler Brown, 10, of Virden, Man., practices roping. (Chelsea Kemp/CBC)

Chase Skene, 16, travelled from Prince Albert, Sask. to compete in bull riding and team roping.

The Canadian Finals are a whole different level of competition, he said. He competed in spring and fall rodeos, adding up points to qualify to ride in Brandon.

A young cowboy prepares his gear for rodeo. — Tanner Loring, 14, of Risky Creek, B.C., prepares to compete. (Chelsea Kemp/CBC)

“It’s pretty exciting, especially with the fans yelling and buddies yelling at you when you’re riding a bull,” Skeen said. “[It’s] an adrenaline rush.”

This year, with about 25 cowboys entered in bull riding, the competition was tough, he said, adding they push each other to bring their best into the chute.

A little girl plays with a toy barnyard at a rodeo. — Isabelle Brehaut, 4, plays with her toy barnyard at the rodeo. (Chelsea Kemp/CBC)

Skene’s goal is to get into a Texas university, become a professional bull rider and compete in the National Finals Rodeo.

“Sometimes you get exhausted or mentally tired and physically tired, but you gotta just drive for your dreams and drive for your goals and it’ll keep you going,” he said.

Rhyker Vangen, 15, travelled from Chaplin, Sask. to ride saddle bronc for the first time in the High School Rodeo finals.

“It’s not as overwhelming as people think. It’s a lot more chill and calm and it’s pretty nonchalant,” Vangen said. “It’s not hard to learn the ropes. You learn pretty quickly. It’s pretty good that way. Rodeos, usually when we come to a nice event and like this and with kids like this, it goes pretty slow, so you[‘ve] got lots of time.”

Over the summer Vangen will contend in more than 30 rodeos.

He also wants to compete professionally one day.

A young cowboy plays with a lassoo wihle sitting on a horse. — Chase Spencer, 14, from Saskatchewan, waits for his run in the arena. (Chelsea Kemp/CBC)

“This is just a warm-up… It gets you riding good already and it gets you moving your feet in a little bit ahead of the game,” Vangen said.

He looks to former high school rodeo competitors, like Ben Andersen, Zeke Thurston, Logan Hay and Statler Wright who advanced of the high school rodeo circuit to ride profesionally, Vangen said.

A young cowboy has cuts and bruises on his face. — Jace Beierbach, 17 from Whitewood, Sask., shows off his rodeo wounds from riding bulls. (Chelsea Kemp/CBC)

When he gets in the chute he’s ready to kick up and hold on for eight seconds.

“You got to have a clear mind,” Vangen said. “I figure … bronc riding is as easy as it gets I guess. They say just lift on your rain and stay back and set your feet.”

WATCH | Canadian High Schools Rodeo Finals showcases future ‘superstars:’

Canadian High Schools Rodeo Finals showcases future ‘superstars’

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Duration 2:09

Around 260 athletes from across Western Canada were in Brandon this week to compete in the Canadian High School Rodeo finals. Many use the championship as a stepping stone to going pro in rodeo sports.