The Humboldt County High School and Jr. High Rodeo team had an outstanding showing at the recent Nevada State High School and Jr. High Rodeo Finals held in Alamo, Nevada.
Two cousins, Cade Bell and Billy DeLong, topped the field by taking home the Nevada State High School and Jr. High All Around Championships, respectively. Both boys were also awarded the AQHA Horse of the Year Awards.
In addition, Cade won the High School Saddle Bronc Riding Championship, and Billy won the Jr. High Saddle Bronc Steer Riding and Tie Down Roping Championships. Teammate, Emma Garijo was the Jr. High Girls Breakaway and Pole Bending Champion. While Kayleigh Marshall was named Nevada State Jr. High Rodeo Princess.
Along with saddle bronc riding, Bell, will represent Humboldt County and the state of Nevada at the National High School Rodeo Finals in Guthrie, Oklahoma, in mid-July in steer wrestling by finishing (second), tie-down roping (third), team roping (third) and cutting (second).
His Tie Down & Heel horse (Lucy) won the AQHA Horse of the year.
Eduardo “Lalo” Aguilar will also represent Humboldt County and Nevada at Nationals with a 3rd place finish for the state in the Bull Riding.
Unfortunately, due to the Covid crisis, the Junior High National Rodeo Finals were canceled.
However, along with his saddle bronc steer riding and tied-down roping wins, DeLong also qualified for Nationals in chute dogging (second), bareback steer riding (second), boys goat tying (fourth) and ribbon roping along with his sister and partner, Matti DeLong (second/third tie).
Matti DeLong was named the Nevada Rookie Cowgirl of the Year by finishing in the top 10 in five of her events — goat tying, pole bending, breakaway roping, team roping and ribbon roping.
Emma Garijo’s first-place finishes in breakaway roping and pole bending also qualified her for Nationals along with her third-place finish in the jr. high barrel racing.
Garijo and Billy DeLong placed fifth overall in team roping. Cooper Hill had a National qualification by placing second in the light rifle shoot and ended up in the top 10 in breakaway roping, boys goat tying and chute dogging. Rodeo Princess, Kayleigh Marshall also qualified for Nationals in the light rifle (third place).
Other club teammates with strong rodeo performances included: high school team member, Frankie Baumeister who finished just out of a Nationals qualification in breakaway roping with a fifth- place finish and top-15 finish in team roping.
Baumeister also won a special award for “Courage, Character and Community.”
Lexi Garijo had a strong year with a top-10 finish for breakaway roping and team roping. Isaac Mori ended the year ffth in cutting, sixth in reined cowhorse and fourth in saddle bronc riding.
Sierra Fears and Allyssa Nimmick competed well all year in the brrel racing, breakaway roping and pole bending events with Nimmick also competing in team Roping.
The National High School Finals Rodeo is next month in Oklahoma.
