Story and photos by Brian Tannehilll | Director of Photography
Did you know Alabama has a High School Rodeo team? The Alabama High School Rodeo Association is a 501C3 organization and has been in operation for over 40 years. They fall under the National High School Rodeo Association based out of Denver, Colorado. Former High School Rodeo Alumni include Kyle Irwin who is the number 28th ranked Steer wrestler in the world. High School students from all around Alabama, Georgia, and Florida compete in approximately 10 rodeos a year across the state. The AHSRA recently finished their State Finals at Covington Arena in Andalusia Alabama with the top four finalists from each event moving on to represent the state at the National High School Finals Rodeo July 18-24 in Lincoln Nebraska. There they will compete against rodeo teams from all around the United States, as well as teams from Canada, Australia, and Mexico.
The rodeo association also crowns a queen at the finals rodeo every year. Part of her duties included representing Alabama not only at the state level but at the High School National Finals Rodeo and competing in the queen contest at the National Finals.
Ms. Emma Watts from St. Stephens Alabama, has been crowned the Alabama HS Rodeo Queen for the third year in a row, and is the only three time queen in the organization’s 40+ year history. “It feels absolutely amazing knowing that not only am I making history but that I have been able to represent the state of Alabama at a national level throughout the past three years in the sport of rodeo!” Said Emma. “The reason I wanted to run for the title of the Alabama high school rodeo queen was knowing that I could bring people in by doing two things I love. Talking to new people and rodeoing! And then you put the two of those together and you have what a rodeo queen is made of. Talking to people about the sport of rodeo, and just simply encouraging them to join our association or even just coming out and watch!”
Not only does she have queen duties for each rodeo, she also competes in barrel racing, pole bending, and goat tying.
Below are the overall winners from each event from the State Finals.
All Around Cowboy Drew Clukey – Roberstdale, Al
All Around Cowgirl Sydney Poole – Roberstdale, Al
Bareback Champion Collin Roland – Childersburg, Al
Breakaway Champion Sydney Poole -Roberstdale, Al
Tie Down Champion Treyton Faulk – Samson, Al
Pole Bending Champion Layla Overly – Crestview, Fl
Steer Wrestling Champion Drew Clukey – Roberstdale, Al
Team Roping Champions Colton & Wyatt Allen – Dadeville, Al
Barrel Racing Champion Emily Bomann – Bonifay, Fl
Bull Riding Champion Clay Cerezo – Nauvoo, Al
Boy’s Cutting Champion Drew Clukey – Roberstdale, Al
Girl’s Cutting Champion Sydney Poole – Roberstdale, Al
RCH Champion Jamie Parker – Bonaire, Ga
Trap Champion Brodie Maddox – Wetumpka, Al
Light Rifle Champion Drew Clukey – Roberstdale, Al
All rodeos and events are self-funded. If you would like to make a donation to help offset the cost of travel, it is tax deductible. You can also watch the HS National Finals on the Cowboy Channel.