Rodeo competition across Nebraska and the region continues to build momentum, with strong showings from junior high athletes, college competitors and professionals.
At the Nebraska Junior High Rodeo in Central City, Maddox Cooksley won chute dogging, while Rankin Hurlburt took the title in boys tie-down roping. Kolin Schrunk claimed wins in both boys breakaway roping and bareback steer riding.
Caleb Riha added victories in boys goat tying and team roping alongside Amry Paxton, and also won ribbon roping with Ryli Herrington. Quinton Boeser swept both saddle bronc steer riding and bull riding.
On the girls side, Emma Lohmeyer won goat tying, Kirsten Allen took breakaway roping, and Bentley Barnett won barrel racing. Neligh Robinson claimed the pole bending title.
College rodeo action at Colorado State University saw Chadron State College finish sixth in the men’s team standings. Cinch Kiger placed third in bareback riding, Sid Miller finished seventh in tie-down roping, and Pepper Rhyne and Seth Glass placed eighth in team roping.
Nebraska athletes are also making appearances at larger events, as Gauge McBride posted an 85.5 to place fourth in the opening round of the High Desert Stampede in Redmond, Oklahoma.
The episode also features a conversation with Thedford native Dane Pokorny, a professional bullfighter who recently picked up a win in Albuquerque, New Mexico during a PBR bullfighting event.
Pokorny discusses his path into bullfighting, what it takes to compete at a high level, how his background in production agriculture has helped shape his approach, and how others can get started in the sport.
Rodeos across the region continue this weekend as the spring season moves forward.
