The 34th annual Louisiana High School Rodeo Association Jena Rodeo was held this past weekend at the LaSalle Riding Club Arena in Jena, where local cowboys and cowgirls showcased their skills before their hometown family.
The rodeo, one of 13 sanctioned stops before the State Finals May 26-31 in Lake Charles, featured high school competitors from all over the state vying for points to qualify for the Louisiana High School Rodeo Association’s state championship.
LaSalle Riding Club sponsor JoEllen Roark said that the Jena Rodeo is special as it finally allowed the local team members to demonstrate their abilities before their hometown.
“I am just so proud of each of these members,” Roark said. “This is one of the largest clubs we’ve had, and they all have worked very hard all year getting ready for this rodeo.”
The team members not only competed in the rodeo, but they were also instrumental in many other facets, from working equipment for events to really anything that was needed during the rodeo.
Once again, Jena resident and president of the Jena Riding Club Dustin Keene, was in charge of the entire rodeo, making sure everything ran smoothly during the two days, Friday and Saturday, March 20 & 21. The entire board worked throughout the weekend ensuring its success.
On Friday night, local cowboy evangelist Paul Daily with Wild Horse Ministries, offered the opening prayer and action began with rodeo events.
The rodeo was held Friday night and Saturday night, with slack (extra competitions that couldn’t fit within the two nights) held during the day Saturday.
After the final event was conducted on Saturday night, the Jena team had the following results:
Kinley King placed 1st in goat tying.
Kadence McMillin placed 6th in pole bending.
Kanely Cooper placed 10th in barrel racing.
Jaxon Smith placed 10th in tie down roping.
Carter Ryan placed 8th in tie down roping.
After this past weekend, the following LaSalle Riding Club members have qualified for the State Finals in May:
Andrew Paul, Carter Huffman, Kadence McMillin, Kanely Cooper, Kami Grantham, Kinley King, Carter Ryan, Landry Ryan, Jaxon Smith and Ayla Stapleton.
