Cade DeForest, a 4 year old from Hollister, CA competing in the 0-7 Barrel Racing. Photo by Abdiver Photography.SIERRAVILLE - The Sierra Valley Roping Club (SVRC) Junior Rodeo was held at the Sierraville Rodeo Grounds on Saturday, August 26th. The mostly-annual event, started by the Roping Club in 1983, brings together kids locally and around the state for classic tests of riding prowess, including barrel racing, pole bending, and roping. Approximately 150 participants competed in total, with hundreds more spectators attending.

The event was kicked off with the national anthem by 4-year-old Stevie Parsons and a prayer by Chelsey Tipton, followed by Katherine Joy carrying the American flag on horseback and Wyatt Greenwood the California flag. Next, the contestants rode in for their grand entrance.Lexington DeForest of Adin, CA, 5 years old competing in the 0-7 Sheep Riding. Photo by Sheanna DeForest.

Competitions were split into age groups 0-7, 8-11, and 12-16. A separate “Pee Wee” category had events for 0-5 year-olds held on foot, such as “stick horse barrels” and “goat undecorating.” A “boot race” also took place, where contestants would race to one side of the arena, where their boots were taken off and thrown about, forcing the racers to find their pair before shoving them back on and sprinting to the line.

Buckles were handed out to the winners of each event, as well as the 2023 Jim Roeder Memorial Local All-Around Cowboy/Girl award based on point totals. Bennett Stahl was Local All-Around Cowboy, and the girl’s title came down to a tie between Katherine Joy and Hazel Tipton.From Left to right: Gracie Joy of Vinton, CA (2023 SVRC Junior Rodeo Jr. Queen), Katherine Joy of Beckwourth, CA and Hazel Tipton of Sierraville, CA (2023 Jim Roeder Memorial Local All-Around Cowgirls), Bennett Stahl of Loyalton, CA (2023 Jim Roeder Memorial Local All-Around Cowboy), and Gabrielle White of Truckee, CA (2023 SVRC Junior Rodeo Sr. Queen). Photo by Lenny Stahl.

The Mountain Messenger warmly thanks Annie Tipton, SVRC Treasurer, for helping us cover the event. We hope to have more in-depth coverage of next year’s Junior Rodeo!