News

Nelson to compete at national rodeo event

By Scott Wagar

06/05/2012

Alyssa Nelson, sixth grade student at Bottineau Middle School, has earned a position on the North Dakota National Junior High Rodeo team and will be traveling with her fellow teammates to Gallup, N.M., to compete at the Eighth Annual National Junior High Finals Rodeo (NJHFR) in the barrel racing event.

Nelson has participated in rodeo competitions since the age of five when she competed in her first rodeo at Bottineau’s Roughrider Rodeo.

Since that time, Nelson has competed in a variety of rodeo events in barrel racing, pole bending and breakaway roping. In 2011, she was the Youth Reserve Champion for the North Dakota National Barrel Horse Association.

Nelson stated that she became interested in the rodeo for two reasons.

 “It’s exciting and you are always making new friends,” Nelson said, who is a member of the National Barrel Horse Association, ND District 04, North Dakota Junior High Rodeo Association, the Borderline Barrel Racing Series, McHenry County Saddle Club and Bottineau County Trotters 4-H group.

The event will take place June 24-30, and will feature more than 1,000 contestants from the United States, Canada and Australia.

Nelson and the fellow contestants will be competing for more than $75,000 in prizes, along with more than $100,000 in college scholarships and the chance to be named the National Junior High Finals Rodeo National Champion.

To earn the title, riders must finish in the Top 20 after two go-rounds in the competition before advancing on to the final championship performance on Saturday, June 30.

Along with the rodeo competition, and the chance to meet new friends from around the world, NJHFR contestants will have the opportunity to enjoy volleyball, tug-of-war, contestant dances, family oriented activities, church services sponsored by Fellowship of Christian Cowboys and the chance to shop the NJHFR western tradeshow and tour the historical attractions of New Mexico and Arizona.

To follow Nelson in her competition during the NJHFR, visit the national competition’s website at www.nhsra.org. Live broadcast of the NJHFR will be broadcast on the ihigh website at www.ihigh.com/nhsra/ . The feed can also be connected via a link at www.nhsra.org.
The Saturday championship performance will be televised nationally as part of the “Cinch Town Tour” telecast series. Local residents are asked to check their local listings for the times and channels.

For ticket information and reservations call toll free at (800) 590-1302.

Being part of the national competition is a great expense. To assist Nelson in making the trip, sponsors are being sought to assist her. There is also an account set-up at North Star Community Credit Union for individuals who want to make donations for Nelson’s trip.

Local barrel racers have planned an event in honor of Nelson, which will take place at the Borderline Jackpot, which will be held in Dunseith on June 12 at 7 p.m. The event will hold a silent auction and donations are welcome.

With earning her position on the national team, Nelson said she is anxious to get into the saddle and head off to New Mexico for the competition.

”I am very excited. Mainly, because I’ve never been there before and it sounds really fun,” Nelson said. “Also, because of the people from around the U.S., Canada and Australia.”

Alyssa’s parents are Angie and Darin Nelson.