July 25, 2022 |
Saratoga’s Tuker Carricato hung on and rode his way to High School Champion in bareback riding at the National High School Finals Rodeo.
Pictured above: Tuker Carricato in the bareback riding event. Photo by Trisha Carricato.
Carricato was in Gillette competing against other young riders from all 50 states, Canada, Mexico and Australia. After placing 3rd in the first go, he came back to win the 2nd go and enough points to head into short go Saturday night sitting at #1. The margin of daylight was slim tough, just our points — between himself and #2. Carricato finished 7th in the short go Saturday, enough for the overall win with 229 points.
Roedy Farrell of Thermopolis took 2nd in the short go and was 7th in the average with 214 on 3.
In all five Wyoming kids were in the running for titles at the week-long event came to the final day of competition.
Rayne Grant of Wheatland won pole-bending with 59.308 seconds. Grant placed 2nd all round in the girls category.
All around boys, Broc Schwartzkoph of Douglas placed 5th.
In bull riding, Hayden Welsh place second 4.5 points off the leader.
This was the largest high school rodeo yet at the Cam-Plex facilities since moving from Rock Spring. Competitors from across the U.S. and some international athletes regularly participate in the finals events each year. There are also over 2,000 horses this year, which is also a record. More than 12,000 visitors are expected to have attended. 1,716 competitors showed up with only four not checking in this year.
