MEEKER | Even though Meeker High School does not consider rodeo an officially sanctioned MHS extracurricular, five Cowboys competed in the fall and spring high school rodeo season.
Rodeo differs from the other sports in many ways, but the largest is that the participants can choose which state they want to rodeo in. This year Jessy Pelloni, Deanna Wood and Leah Wood chose to rodeo in Colorado, while Eva Scritchfield and Wagner Brown chose Wyoming. The Wood sisters, who are no strangers to rodeo, are just beginning in the high school circuit.
Rodeo has two seasons, spring and fall, in which the competitors gain points for great rides, or sometimes it is simply completing the event. The traveling required and commitment by parents and competitors is one of the biggest for any high school athlete. Most of the kids practice alone which requires dedication and tremendous responsibility. Practices are long and compounded by homework, school, and sometimes jobs.
The rodeo miles traveled in one year of high school can reach into the thousands and demonstrate dedication, not just of the competitor, but the parents, to the sport. This year in Colorado the participants made multiple trips to Limon and all the corners of the state.
Brown and Scritchfield participated in both the Wyoming High School Rodeo Association fall 2022 and spring 2023 rodeo seasons, and both rode barrels.
“The girls improved tons throughout the season and will compete in regional summer rodeos,” commented Trina Zagar Brown. “Their goal is to be ready for a great senior year rodeo season in Wyoming.”
Of the five Cowboys, Pelloni is a 2023 Colorado State Champion. The daughter of Luke and Starla Pelloni competed in the Colorado High School Rodeo Association, competing in Craig, Limon, and Greeley just to name a few, on her horse Fabs. Pelloni finished the 2022 fall season ranked high within the state of Colorado in barrels and carried the momentum into the spring.
“The kids continue to work on their sport even in the winter, in the mornings and evenings, it takes a lot of work to keep yourself and your horse going and ready for the spring season,” Teresa Anderson told the Coffee with Coaches podcast.
At the Colorado State High School Rodeo Association finals, Pelloni and her horse Fabs brought home gold in the barrels. They won the first round. Their second round run was not what they hoped for, but they still placed seventh and then in the short go round the team placed third and took home the average.
Pelloni finished the year as the 2023 Colorado State Champion Barrel Racer and Average Champion.
“This season challenged us with some mud runs and many good runs,” said Pelloni. “Fabs gave me 100% with every single run. I would like to thank my parents for all of their support. My Utah family for helping me with everything I need and being a phone call away. South Valley Equine and Dr. Beck for keeping Fabs feeling healthy for me this season.”
The season is not over for the duo. They have qualified for Nationals and have just over a month to get ready. The 2023 National High School Finals Rodeo will be in Gillette, Wyoming, on July 16-22.
These five ladies will all be participating throughout the summer in other rodeo circuits, including the Meeker Rodeo Series which begins this Thursday.
BY TIFFANY JEHOREK | Submitted to the Herald Times
