It's been a busy month for 11 year old Holden Atkinson who headed down to Las Vegas on December 4 to compete in the Junior National Finals Rodeo.

After eight days in the Las Vegas Convention Center and being one of the only kids to compete in three events (saddle bronc, bare back and mini bulls) he managed a second consecutive reserve champion title in saddle bronc and second overall.

Atkinson says while he's happy with the results, he'll be training to do even better next year.

"It's my second year getting second in the world. I'm happy with second, but I can always do better, but I'm just glad that I had the chance to go down there this year."

Being one of only two kids in the Jr. NFR to compete in three events kept Atkinson busy and he says this year, he managed to ride all three saddle bronc horses.

"I covered both bare back horses, all three saddle bronc horses and I bucked off both my bulls."

Atkinson has been attending several events around Canada and the U.S. in the last few years, but he got his start in rodeo with events in Okotoks and High River.

Atkinson says his trip to Vegas was great, but he won't have too much time to rest as he'll be competing in events on both a local and international scale.

"I go to every single High River rodeo when I have a chance to ride and I also ride in the states like Montana. This year we are planning to go to events in California and Arizona."

While in Vegas this year, Atkinson also managed to get sponsored by the Lane Frost company, which he says is an honour.

"Lane Frost is a bull rider that in 1987 became the world champion, but passed away at a rodeo in 1989. They decided to sponsor me this year and I'm the first Canadian kid on their team. Lane's nephew runs a store in remembrance of Lane Frost and they sponsor kids and try to spread the word of Lane and what he did and try to make a better future for rodeo."

Atkinson will be competing in a competition in Claresholm in early January and will continue to compete in bare back, saddle bronc and bull riding throughout the year.

 

 

Send us your news tips, story ideas and comments at news@highriveronline.com