High school rodeo continues to be a big part of the lives of local riders, with at least one moving on with the sport this year.

Nine riders from the different communities in our area participated in the last season of the Manitoba High School Rodeo Association, with most coming back this time around. The new season has recently kicked off for this year, with plenty of events coming.

Also, many young people have also participated in higher-level events, and had success when the gate was pulled.

From Boissevain School, there are sisters Abby and Riata Dalby and Lexi and Kaity Janssens, as well as Zoe Vorster and Reid Armstrong.

Kesley McGee has competed from Deloraine, Jett Lockie from Waskada and Grace Cole from Goodlands.

A Boissevain roper will be able to continue on with his rodeo dream once he is out of high school.

Reid Armstrong, who graduates this year, will be moving on to Dodge City Community College in Kansas. The 17-year-old has participated in numerous rodeo events with the Manitoba High School Rodeo Association, including trips to provincials and nationals, and will be joining Dodge City’s rodeo team.

“I went on a trip last month, three weeks ago to choose a school,” Armstrong stated. “I visited four and ended up choosing Dodge. I liked it the most.”

At the end of the week, he will be heading to Dodge to officially sign with the rodeo team and have a media day. He will be going out in August to start his college rodeo career.

Although everything seems to be moving quickly, this was not a long-term plan. Armstrong said that when he qualified for National High School Finals, he was not thinking of college. While there, however, he checked out the college booths. He said they all offered such great programming with rodeo opportunities. Dodge was one of the schools who reached out to him and his first visit was there. Then he went to a pair of Texas schools and one in New Mexico. Dodge made the biggest impression on him. Economics were one reason, with all of their fees merged into one. All of the amenities were great. Of course, there was the rodeo program. He said they have the best coaches. Both Jacob Perky and Colton Valente went to great schools, are young and have the most ambition.

“When I went down there I was welcomed with open arms. I felt very at home there, they wanted me to come out there and check it out.”

Armstrong added he felt Dodge appreciated his good, positive behavior when he arrived, which showed they were looking at the right things.

“I think I made the right choice,” Armstrong said.