“I love all the ties you get through rodeo, the friends you make, and the experiences,” says 18 year old Reed Arneson. “I enjoy the camaraderie of it – rodeo’s something I love to do!” The cowboy from Meadow, S.D., has been competing in the SDHSRA since he was a freshman, competing on both ends of the arena in saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, and team roping as a heeler. Reed started out with playdays and 4-H rodeos before he moved on to high school rodeo. He lowered himself into the chutes for the first time as a sophomore after attending a bronc riding school in Faith, S.D. It quickly became his favorite event. “After about a year, it started clicking for me,” he says. “I went to several more bronc riding schools, and that really helped. I also have a spur board and we have some practice horses that we buck sometimes.”
Since Reed jumped boots first into rodeo, his family has done the same, taking him to his high school rodeos. His 11-year-old brother, Ian, is riding steers in 4-H rodeo, with dreams of becoming a saddle bronc rider. “I really look up to my dad,” says Reed. “He’s really hard working, and that motivates me to push myself.” In addition to high school and winter series rodeos, Reed recently started competing in saddle bronc riding in the SDRA. His main goal for the year, however, is to return once more to the NHSFR, which he competed in for the first time in 2015, qualifying in saddle bronc riding and team roping with his partner, Collin Palmer. Although Reed missed both his horses and the second round of team roping was a no time, going to Rock Springs, Wyo., was the highlight of his summer. “It was an amazing experience!” he describes. “There were so many people to meet, and driving around in those golf carts was pretty entertaining. We also had karaoke for the South Dakota team and a dance – it was a blast!”
The Arneson family makes their home outside of Meadow, and about 25 minutes from the larger town, Bison. “I like living out here,” says Reed. “I enjoy open range, and it’s good cow country.” Reed’s dad and step-mom, Eric and Mindy Arneson, raise Black Angus cows. Much of Reed’s time is spent working with his family on the ranch. “Fixing fence is my least favorite,” he admits. “It get’s kind of old, but I do like to work and stay busy.” When there’s a break in the work, Reed takes his roping horse, Wilbur, to his neighbor’s arena, where he and his friends meet for roping. “We got Wilbur from some people in Newell, and he’s a very solid horse. I get along with him really well.”
A senior at Bison High School, Reed’s two favorite classes this year are Ag. and government. “I’m reading about companion animals for Ag., and I’ve been learning about the presidency and the executive branch. It’s a hard class, but I like to challenge myself,” says Reed. He also played football for his school this fall, and he has played basketball in the past.
Following high school, Reed plans to college rodeo. “I’m looking at schools in North and South Dakota – I’m thinking I’ll just bronc ride and team rope in college,” he says. “Right now I’m focusing on going to as many rodeos as I can and making it back to Nationals. We’ll see where the road takes me, but rodeoing in the PRCA is my big dream.”
story by Lillian Landreth Many a high school rodeo athlete has been shaped by Joe Stoddard’s contributions to the sport, from his blood relations to […]
story by Lillian Landreth Thayne Elshere represented South Dakota and his family’s favorite event of saddle bronc riding at the 2022 NHSFR this summer, where […]
TERMS:
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SDHSRA PRACTICE RODEOS:
RODEO DATE ENTRY DEADLINE LOCATION
April 23-25 2021 April 12 New Underwood (at Rapid City)
April 30, May 1-2, 2021 April 15 Triple Crown Rodeos-Burke, Geddes
April 30 & May 1 Burke
May 2nd Geddes Rodeo
May 7, 8, 2021 Three Rivers Challenge – Kadoka, Wall, Philip
May 7, 2021 April 19 Kadoka 1 & 2
May 8, 2021 April 19 Philip (at Wall)
May 8, 2021 April 20 Wall
May 9, 2021 Call in Entries May 2, 3, see entry form for details Faith
May 28, 2021 May 20 White River
May 22, 2021 May 10 Martin 1 & 2
May 29, 2021 May 14 Timber Lake
May 29-30, 2021 May 21 Oelrichs 1 and 2
May 31, 2021 May 21 Clark
May 31, 2021 May 13 Lemmon
All Entry Forms can be found at sdhsra.com, forms, entry forms
REGIONAL QUALIFYING RODEOS:
Entry deadlines April 15th *YOU MUST CHECK IN BY CHECK IN TIME OR STOCK WILL NOT BE DRAWN FOR YOU!
June 4-6, 2021 Huron, Highmore, Wall, Buffalo
June 11-13, 2021 Watertown, Winner, Sturgis, Dupree
JUNE 15-19 – STATE FINALS RODEO – STANLEY COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, FT PIERRE, SD
See sdhsra.com, rodeos, state finals, for detailed schedule and qualifier information. Schedule will be updated if there are schedule changes. You are entered unless you call and say you will not be coming, please do this immediately
*Queen Contest
see sdhsra.com, rodeos, state finals
JUNE 20, 2021, 8:30 AM CDT,
Mandatory NATIONAL QUALIFIER Awards Ceremony and National Meeting
JULY 18-24, 2021 –
NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL FINALS RODEO, LINCOLN, NE
***New or Revised Entry information for rescheduled and postponed rodeos is on sdhsra.com, schedule. If any doubt – call that Rodeo Secretary before you enter***
