State high school rodeo being held in area for first time
By Heather Ruenz
SLN staff
For the first time in its history, the Wisconsin High School Rodeo Association will descend upon southeast Wisconsin when riders from throughout the state compete in a regional rodeo this weekend, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.
The Rick Welch Memorial Rodeo will feature both junior high and high school contestants, in grades six through 12 at the Walworth County Fairgrounds in Elkhorn. Participants will compete in timed events – such as barrel racing, pole bending, calf roping, steer wrestling and chute dogging – and rough stock events – including bareback riding, saddle bronc and bull riding.
Two competitors from this area – Kelsey Hallin, 17, of Harvard, Ill., and Austin Pogreba, 15, of East Troy – recently discussed what it means to be part of the rodeo.
Hallin, who has been riding horses since she was 6, is in her second year as the WHSRA Queen, which keeps her busy traveling to appearances throughout Wisconsin and several other states. She will compete in all of the events for girls at the regional rodeo in Elkhorn.
“High school rodeo is my favorite thing in the entire world. I’m so excited about the rodeo coming to this area. My grandma and grandpa, aunts and uncles will be there. They don’t get to see me rodeo very often,” Hallin said.
Pogreba started riding in junior high rodeo events when he was in seventh grade, beginning with reigning and trick riding. He now participates in rough stock events – where participants ride animals by a company awarded a contract for the rodeo – including bareback and bull riding.
“The rodeo scene is fun… traveling around, meeting new people and seeing people you haven’t seen in a while,” Pogreba said.
His sister, Shannan, who is attending the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, started riding at the age of 10 and competed in barrels, poles and team roping, according to Austin’s mom, Christine Pogreba.
Hallin said one of the best things about the rodeo is the number of events offered to girls as well as boys.
“The Youth Association numbers are pretty even for girls and boys in events and participation. Some events require one girl or one boy but there are some that allow co-ed teams,” Hallin said.
While the rodeo will feature both junior high and high school participants, it’s more competitive for the high school-aged kids.
“We earn points at each rodeo. Then, after state finals, the top four in each event qualify for the National High School Rodeo,” Hallin said.
Friendly competition
Being a rodeo competitor takes dedication – and creativity, according to Pogreba’s father.
“Austin works out constantly because it is a physical sport,” Jon Pogreba said.
“And you hear him spurring boards or the barrel on the dolly in the driveway. They come up with creative ways to practice,” Christine added with a smile.
Hallin said when she first started competing she practiced by “roping a bucket in the driveway.”
Both competitors agreed those involved with the rodeo are like an extended family.
“I will drive four hours on a school night to see my rodeo friends,” Hallin said, while Austin mentioned meeting some rodeo friends for dinner earlier in the week.
“There aren’t many sports where you can be No. 1 and No. 2 in the standings and cheering each other on, plus all the parents help each others’ kids and share animals. It’s a great group, more like a family,” Hallin said.
‘Go for it’
Pogreba and Hallin offered advice to kids that may have an interest in rodeo.
“Have fun with it and don’t advance too soon. Just enjoy it because sometimes you gotta go for it,” Pogreba said.
At the time of the interview for this story last week, Pogreba was under concussion protocol but hopes to be cleared in time for the rodeo.
“I’ve had a broken leg, hurt my ankle, which is still swollen, and a concussion now,” he said with a shrug.
“The kids are tough – dedicated. They have to train year round and don’t have an off-season,” Jon Pogreba said.
Hallin said her biggest piece of advice is to not be afraid to try something new.
“And don’t be afraid to ask for help. When I started, I didn’t ask for help and it kicked my butt. Once I started asking though, it was amazing the things I learned,” she said.
Seeking more sponsors
As of mid-September there were 67 contestants registered for the upcoming rodeo and in addition to those competing, there is a “one time try rodeo opportunity” offered, to let those who may want to try it a chance to do so without having to be an association member.
Jon Pogreba, one of the people responsible for bringing the rodeo to this area, said the tentative plan is to bring the rodeo back to Elkhorn next year on Sept. 15, but first they need this year’s event to be a success.
Part of the WHSRA competition is shooting (including .22 long rifle and 12-gauge trap events) but those won’t be part of the upcoming event in Elkhorn.
“If the rodeo returns next year we plan to include that. The shooting events are held at gun ranges or sportsmen’s clubs and those groups are always more than willing to help host,” Jon Pogreba said.
He said he’s heard a lot of positive comments from people in this area that were involved in rodeos themselves years ago who are looking forward to it.
Annie’s Burger Town, Elkhorn, has signed on as the local food vendor, Jon Pogreba said, and in addition to lunch and dinner, plans are to have pancake and donut breakfast offerings.
“To really make a weekend of it, we also have NBHA District 2 coming in for a barrel race. They compete for points, too, and some of the kids are crossing over into it so it’s fitting. We’re also trying to turn this into a big event for the fairgrounds,” Jon Pogreba said.
Christine Pogreba said those they’ve worked with at the fairgrounds have been very supportive of the event.
“They’ve really made this possible by (being) open to it and putting money into the improvements that needed to be done for the rodeo,” she said.
“We could really use more sponsors, whether it’s monetary or anything else they can offer. The current sponsors are Rusty Wear, out of Iowa, and First Capitol Agriculture,” Jon Pogreba said.
Those interested in becoming a sponsor are asked to call Jon Pogreba at (262) 225-2995.
Family-friendly event
In an effort to make it a family-friendly event, he said they kept the cost for spectators as low as possible.
“It’s $5 a day and free for kids 10 and younger, plus there’s no parking fee. We really tried to keep it affordable for people,” he said.
The NBHA barrel race on Friday, Sept. 29, will begin at approximately 7 p.m. The Wisconsin High School Rodeo will begin at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 30, in both the indoor and outdoor arenas, and at 10 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 1, for the rough stock events, all of which will be outside. All vehicles must enter the fairgrounds at the gate nearest Elkhorn Middle School, off of Highway 11.
The rodeo season runs in the fall and spring and the WHSRA event in Elkhorn is the final one for this year. Next year’s state finals are set for June 16 in Richland Center while the National High School Rodeo is scheduled for July 14-21 in Rock Springs, Wyoming.
There are numerous videos about the National High School Rodeo Association on YouTube.com by searching “NHSRA.”
For more information about the Wisconsin High School Rodeo Association, visit whsra.org.
