RIVERTON – This upcoming weekend will feature a slew of big, fun events that everyone can attend whether they appreciate and love sports or not. There are the multiple football games, swim meets and golf tournaments, but there is also the beginning of Wyoming high school rodeo season starting off right in the middle of the state, Riverton.
The Fremont County Fairgrounds will be the host of the first high school rodeo tournament of the season with 16 local high schoolers all getting on their saddles and preparing for another amazing year roping and riding. Not only that, there will be four seniors showing off their skills for their Fremont County friends, family and fans for the final time before heading off to college or their adult lives.
Grace Neubauer, Aidan Ruby and Faye Hellyer, all Wind River High School seniors, will be giving their all this weekend for the final time at the fairgrounds (for sanctioned high school rodeo), and joining them will be Lander’s Jordan Bonenberger. Kids from Shoshoni, Pavilion, Riverton and Lander will all be putting on their spurs and hope to start off the 2023 season with a bang starting Saturday at 10 a.m.
Right off the bat there’s going to be some strength on display as the bull riding event kicks everything off before steer wrestling and bareback riding. The second round will take place later on Saturday night, starting at 7 p.m. with more of the same as well as goat tying and saddle bronc riding.
Then, on Sunday, September 10, the barrel racers will show their speed and (hopefully) set some new personal records before more roping events like tie down and breakaway precede the pole benders.
Fremont County Fairgrounds is sure to be shaking with support for the local riders, so get there early and save yourself a seat for the beginning of the 2023 season and the beginning of a few seniors’ final seasons representing their schools.
BY: Shawn O’Brate
Below are more of the 2023 High School Rodeo team courtesy of Jess Ruby and Olivia Prince:
