Big Valley cowboys Luke Skocdopole and Chase Skocdopole are headed to the Canadian Finals High School Rodeo on Wednesday, July 27 at the Nanton Ag grounds.
Although Luke Skocdopole had a great run at the Nationals in Gillette last week, he was unable to make it to the top 20 to make it to the short go.
Luke Skocdopole and his team roping partner Austin Young had a very hard running steer that stepped 'right' and although Skocdopole rode hard and caught him, his loop came around and stuck on the tip of his steer's right horn.
Young roped heels and their time was 8.21seconds, but with the 'hickey', the head catch was illegal and they got a no time.
Without that, the boys would have been fifth in the average going into the finals for a chance at a National title.
In the end the Skocdopole-Young duo ended up 36th in the world out of over 150 team ropers.
"Nationals didn't go as planned but it was an eye opener and a great learning experience with so many great contestants," said Skocdopole. "The week went so fast that it felt like we just got there and we were headed home, but team roping was really tough this year to win, the stock for the most part was really good and my heeler roped fantastic."
Skocdopole said with the Nationals behind him, he was excited to head to Canadians and rope well and maybe have a little bit of luck there.
Headed to the Canadians is also, Skocdopole's brother Chase trying for the breakaway roping and goat tying events.
"I'm feeling very lucky to head to Canadians and since I wasn't fortunate enough to get to Nationals in the JHSRA, am really happy I get to rope and tie goats at the Canadians," said Chase Skocdopole. "When the junior provincial finals were held in Nanton in May, I didn't perform very well there so I'm really hoping I can do a lot better in the arena at the Canadians. It's always exciting when you get to compete against the best in Canada, so I hope I do well."