Stick Horse Races Help Kick Off Rodeo Week

Kylee Smothers with her horse, Dolly

The Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and the Sheridan WYO Rodeo Board held their annual boot kick-off and stick horse races on Tuesday, July 9, at Whitney Commons Park. The American Legion Post #7 Honor Guard displayed the U.S. and Wyoming Flags.

The stick horse race started the event. Participants had to run as fast as possible on their stick horses around three barrels in the cloverleaf pattern and back to the finish. Winners were determined by fastest time. There were three age categories, under 4, 5 & 6, and 7 & 8.

Stick horses were provided for youngster who didn’t have their own. Anthony Fairbanks, Chamber Ambassador was the ‘stable master,’ and he talked about the stick horse race.

He said youngsters can bring their own horses or pick one from the stable.

One young contestant in the stick horse race was Kylee Smothers, who was riding her sister’s horse named Dolly.

Another youngster was Laney Ackels, who was there with her mother, Monica LaCoush. Laney didn’t bring her own horse, but her mother said,

Action was fast and competition was keen in all three age groups. There were a few tumbles on the grass as well, but the riders remounted and continued the barrel pattern. The WYO Rodeo Queen and her attendants were on hand as well and helped the many youngsters in the stick horse race.

The top three winners in each category were: Ages 4 and Under: First place – Wyatt Reed; Second place – Kason Canfield; Third place – Kacey Dalton
Ages 5 & 6: First place – Kashton Adsit; Second place – Rowan Cummings;
Third place – Jack Parker.
Ages 7 & 8: First place – Addy Bishop; Second place – Houston Holden;
Third place – Brexton Newman

The stick horse race is held annually before the boot kick-off to help kick off the Sheridan WYO Rodeo Week.