YOUTH: Siksika Youth Rodeo Club

by Megan Yellowfly, Siksika Nation

YOUTH: The purpose of the Siksika Youth Rodeo Club is to promote the sport of rodeo and horsemanship to our youth here on Siksika Nation as well as bring neighboring communities together to enjoy the sport of rodeo.

Not only do we as a club promote rodeo to the youth but are soon in the works of bringing equine therapy and 4H, as well many other activities so the community can begin to learn and experience agriculture as a whole.

I currently sit on the Siksika Agriculture society board and began this Youth Rodeo Club back in September (2015) along side Rosella Red Crow. We started a committee and proposed a series of 5 dates and began the rodeo.

A non-profit organization promoting activities throughout the sport of rodeo and 4h. We want to keep the western heritage alive in our community and have been a success so far as the we just completed our 2nd series rodeo.

We are currently working on a day or two throughout the week where the youth and community come out to learn how to ride and get to know the horse. I eventually want to see the kids that are in the rodeo riding without a leader.

Entries for the rodeo are:

• $5 for 10 years old and under
• $10 for 11 years to 17 years old

Our rodeos are being held at the New indoor arena located on Siksika Nation, “Siksika Agricentre.” We offer prizes to all 10 and under contestants and 100% payout to ages 11 to 17 in each category.

Ages 10 & under do not need experience as they are lead around the barrels in the event which we call “lead line barrel racing”. Each series rodeo will have points for each placing from 1st to 3rd and points for attendance.

At the series finals on April 23rd we will be awarding trophy buckles to series winners and etc. All contestants will also receive t-shirts and many more awards at this rodeo. This is an open youth rodeo so any youth 17 & under can join any event.

We have a great amount of experienced volunteers and committee members who are also experienced in the sport of rodeo.

(Photos provided by M.Yellowfly)