YHS rodeo riders qualify for ‘Challenge’ meet

 

YHS sophomore Katie Bushman, on her horse Paint, shows her skill at pole bending, an event in which she competes, as well as goat tying and barrel racing.

— Submitted Photos

Laramie Rose, Yosemite High sophomore, and his horse cut a steer from a herd. His skill recently qualified him to attend a state rodeo competition.

 

Two Yosemite High School sophomores who compete in rodeo events have just qualified for the California Challenge of Champions to be held in Plymouth from March 22-24.

Laramie Rose and Katie Bush­man, current members of the California High School Rodeo Association District No. 6, qualified at a meet in Riverdale on February 3.

Laramie qualified in boys cutting and team roping.

Katie, a fifth-generation resident of the mountains, qualified in the girls barrel racing.

To qualify for the Challenge, a person must be in the top four in an event.

Besides cutting and team roping, Laramie also competes in calf roping.

Katie, also competes in pole bending and goat tying and will be running for California High School Rodeo Queen for the 2002-2003 year.

They both work hard at keeping their horses conditioned, their livestock well cared for and spend many additional hours in the practice pen. They are both   high school honor students.

Although Katie and Laramie “do not receive any support, fi­nancial or otherwise, from the school districts,” says Katie’s father, Buzz, they “work very hard to represent Yosemite High School and have done it well.”

Both riders are well on their way to qualifying for state finals in Quincy, which are held June 17 through 22.

If they are successful at the state finals, they will then proceed to Silver State in Fallon, Nevada or nationals in Farm­ing­ton, New Mexico. Both events will be held in July.

If there are any businesses in the Mountain Area that would be interested in supporting or sponsoring these two athletes, contact Buzz Bushman, 683-2556, or Pam Rose, 645-0177.