Rodeo Club Saddles Up

Hunter Blacksmith, A'Leigha Janis, and Nuvaussie Blacksmith. Photo by Phillip Zimiga '13. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Rodeo Club Saddles Up

By Phillip Zimiga '13

LuAnn Werdel is the advisor for the Red Cloud High School Rodeo Club. They attend rodeos on the weekends. Werdel wanted to have the kids gain experience in competitions  so they have been practicing in the John Ward Arena in Martin and competing in such events as team roping and barrel racing.

The team competed in a rodeo in Kyle two weekends ago. Some of the students were instructed to take on the tough events like bareback riding, saddleback riding, bull riding and bullfighting. The students who participated in these events include Nuvaussie Blacksmith ‘16 (bullfighting), Wambli Smoke '16 (bareback riding), Cody Janis '14 (saddle bronc), and Hunter Blacksmith '16 and Daniel Kills Small '14 (bull riding). The rest of the team were there to support them and cheer them on. “It was a fun day,” Werdel said.

Many of the female Rodeo Club members competed in timed events like pole bending, barrel racing, goat tying, breakaway roping, and team roping. It was hot and dusty but the students really enjoyed it.

In Kyle, Carlee DeWolfe '13 competed in the school portion of barrel racing and pole bending. Miranda O’Donnell '16 competed in barrel racing and pole bending. Rachel Kelly did barrel racing. A’Leigha Janis did barrel racing and pole bending, as did Wambli Smoke. Tanya Twiss competed in barrel racing and roping. Cody Janis also did team roping on that day. 

There was two champions and one runner-up for Red Cloud. Carlee DeWolfe won the barrel racing and pole bending buckles. Cody Janis took second in the senior team roping. Wambli Smoke took third in the junior bareback riding. “We are really appreciative of the Red Cloud after-school program,” Werdel said.