On Oct. 5 and 6 the annual B.C. High School Rodeo took place at the North Thompson Fall Fair grounds in Barriere for an exciting weekend packed full of competition, friendship building and a wide array of rodeo events sponsored by the BC High School Rodeo Association (BCHSRA).
Each year high school students from all over B.C. compete in the regional rodeo events between September and June in conjunction with the school year.
BC High School Rodeo Association members practise and compete while learning from each other and creating some long-term friendships that may last a lifetime.
“What an exciting way to end off our fall High School Rodeo season in the amazing town of Barriere, B.C. The weather sure cooperated on Saturday which made for a great day of rodeo! We were very lucky to have a couple of great dads and families get together to do a fundraising pig roast dinner. Thanks so much to them and to everyone that donated to make the dinner possible. Sunday the rain and cooler weather snuck in on us but that didn't stop everyone from continuing to try their best and have another great day, even with a planned power outage on Oct. 6 everyone came prepared,” said Macey Freemantle, BCHSRA - South president.
Freemantle is also a competitor and added, “I think myself and every other competitor can agree that not every weekend goes our way but that is rodeo. We are all thankful to be able to live the life we do. Thankful for our parents, grandparents, and everyone that put these rodeos on and of course to our many sponsors. We couldn't have these rodeos without all these amazing sponsors and volunteers.”
Freemantle told Black Press the BCHSRA “feels so very lucky to have the support of these smaller towns in B.C.” and the support participants receive all over province is “outstanding and very appreciated”.
BCHSRA members competing in the rodeo events in Barriere came from all over B.C. with parents and other volunteers contributing to the success of the competitions throughout the province.
“We would like to send out an extra special thank you to our tractor driver, Mr. Brian Sabyan, he is always so good to us kids making sure that the ground in the arena is watered so there is no dust but also perfect conditions for fast, safe runs for everyone. He stays all day and just helps wherever he can. We also had some BCHSRA alumni parents come and volunteer this weekend and I think it's important to mention them as well. Thanks to Susan Payton for being one of our timers and to Kristina and Tom Bradley for coming and volunteering all weekend.”
All Around Winners of the Oct. 5 through 6 weekend were:
Senior Boy - Tate Allison from Clinton, B.C.
Senior Girl - Macey Freemantle from Kamloops, B.C.
Junior Boy - Tryan Rivet from Williams Lake, B.C.
Junior Girl - Paige Cady from Kamloops, B.C.
“We want all participants to please always remember that no matter what happens in a rodeo weekend it doesn't define you as a person, we learn, we try harder and move on to be even better at the next one. Stay positive, enjoy the time off and good luck in your winter sports. We will see you next season,” said Freemantle.