Twenty-six young Albertans were able to attend the National Junior High School Finals Rodeo in the United States, and two of them were from Innisfail.
Amy Shuckburgh and Kyla Kelly went to Lebanon, Tenn. for the competition, which lasted between June 10 and June 25.
“It is really awesome Kyla is having this success because she does not come from a rodeo family,” said her mother Bev.
“She has put in a ton of hours with her horses and in the arena, and she surrounds herself with great mentors and kids that keep her competitive.”
Kelly and Shuckburgh qualified for nationals during the Alberta Junior High School Rodeo in May by being in the top four of their events.
Shuckburgh qualified for pole bending while Kelly qualified for goat tying, barrel racing and pole bending.
The 3,570-kilometre drive to Lebanon from Innisfail took 37 hours.
During this trip, the two contestants made plenty of friends.
“You're always talking and meeting new people,” Kelly said. “I made friends in South Dakota, and I'm still talking to them today.”
Both Kelly and Shuckburgh said that the temperature and humidity were high in Lebanon, which is why both contestants went down early so their horses could adjust to the climate.
This year, 1,049 contestants from 42 states, three Canadian provinces and Australia were in attendance.
Shuckburgh earned 49th out of 170 in pole bending, and Kelly placed 51st.
Kelly also got 31st out of 167 for barrel racing in the first round, but she knocked over a barrel in the second round, dropping her to 95th in the average.
However, Kelly's best category was by far goat tying, getting 9th out of 167 in the average and qualifying for the top 20.
“My favourite event is goat tying, but I like all my events,” Kyla said.
Even though they had to compete against each other, neither one of them said that their friendship was strained.
“We were best friends since we were babies,” Shuckburgh said. “You just cheer on your friends, and they just cheer on you.”
Kelly and Shuckburgh are active members of the West Central High School Rodeo Club and are helping put on a junior and high school rodeo at the Bowden Rodeo grounds that will take place next Labour Day weekend.
“We are very proud of her to have qualified for the finals last year and again this year,” Bev said about daughter Kyla.
“To have their hard work pay off is such a great lesson for these kids.”
Amy Shuckburgh
"We were best friends since we were babies. You just cheer on your friends, and they just cheer on you."
