While hailing from Langenburg, Saskatchewan, due to the closeness of his home to the Manitoba border, Danny Vandenmeele was a member of the Manitoba High School Rodeo Association that travelled to the three-day show in Nanton, Alberta this summer. By achieving scores of 71, 77 and 74 on his three draws, he was named the bareback champion at the Canadian High School Rodeo Finals.
Bailey Plaisier of Oak Lake and Mason Helmeczi of Esterhazy, Sask. finished second and third respectively in the bareback event.
“I’m extremely proud of our bareback riders, who showcased the passion for the event and dedication to the sport of rodeo, at their finest riding ability,” said Art Cochrane, Manitoba’s national director.
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Three cowgirls from the area placed within the top 10 of their respective events. In goat tying, Shannon Jackson of Inglis finished fourth, and teammate, Danielle Moran of Russell was seventh. St. Lazare’s Gage Fouillard finished seventh in girls cutting and 10th in barrel racing.
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Additional results were:
Pole Bending – Baylee Graham, Carberry, seventh; Cassidy Gardner, Virden, ninth; Hallie McCannell, Carievale, Sask., 10th.
Breakaway Roping – Baylee Graham, Carberry, 10th. Barrel Racing – Hallie McCannell, fourth.
Tie-Down Roping – Logan Bridgeman, Rivers, fifth.
Bull Riding – Wade Unrau, Boissevain, seventh; Mason Helmeczi, eighth.
Steer Wrestling – Logan Bridgeman, 10th. Team Roping – Trevor Vodon, Virden and Kody Reid, Wawanesa, ninth.
High point cowgirl was Rachel Kerr of British Columbia while Cole Churchill, also of British Columbia, was the high point senior cowboy.
While no Manitoba junior high students claimed 2014 championship status, Rachelle McCannell of Pierson, wrapped up the three days second only to Alberta champion Destiny Stevens in girls’ breakaway roping.
Hannah McCannell of Carievale, Sask., placed eighth in the event, as well as, seventh in barrel racing and earning ninth spot was Rachelle McCannell.
Cooper Millward of Garland finished eighth in chute dogging and Shane McLennan of Stonewall was sixth in boys breakaway roping, followed by Emmett Eyre of Winnipegosis was ninth.
In the ribbon roping event, Shane McLennan (roper) and Rachelle McCannell (runner) placed fourth overall.
Jenel Boyes of Souris was the sole Manitoban to place within the top 10 in pole bending, placing sixth.
High point honours went to two Alberta contestants — Mikenna Shauer and Quade Kozak.
Manitoba director Art Cochrane, who calls Onanole home, said it was great to see Team Manitoba pull for one another in Alberta, doing really well as individual competitors. While the provincial association bid farewell to a number of graduates, it also welcomed a number of rookies in Minnedosa in August, kicking off a new high school rodeo season.
