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Skocdopole heads to US for High School Rodeo Finals

It is the allure of team work and speed that drew Big Valley's Luke Skocdopole to the sport of team roping and calf roping.
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Luke Skocdopole competing on Shark at the high school rodeo in Ponoka at a calf roping event in 2015.

It is the allure of team work and speed that drew Big Valley's Luke Skocdopole to the sport of team roping and calf roping.

"Team roping is team work at its best," said the 16-year-old Skocdopole. "Team roping is unique because it is the only event where two people have to work together to earn a paycheck, both have to be good to be successful, it is not just about one person, one of us can't go fast to win, we both have to be fast to win."

Having made it to provincials each year, Skocdopole and his team roping partner from Elk Point, Austin Young are finally headed to the National High School Finals Rodeo in Gillette, Wyoming this weekend from July 17-23.

"I have been preparing for my first Nationals by hitting the practice pen lots and trying to be the best I can be," said Skocdopole. "My expectations are to go to Gillette and rope the best I possibly can and I am really excited, I think it will be very nerve-wracking and I will have to do a lot of work mentally to not be nervous, but I think it will be a great time."

Speaking of his childhood and how growing up within the rodeo world was a different and unique experience, Skocdopole said, "Life is very busy in a rodeo family, you have to work on the ranch to keep things done and practice when you have some spare time."

According to Skocdopole, it is not like being a normal kid, and while growing up he didn't just get hang out with his buddies.

"There is no time for that, but it's good, though, I like to go and compete at the rodeos and hope to do good, it is a lifestyle for sure, but one that I am lucky to be a part of," said Skocdopole.

Skocdopole attributes his success to having had the opportunity to rope with some amazing team ropers.

"First off having my dad Wayne and Uncle Dale there to help me all the time has been huge, but besides, I have had lots of people to mentor me along the way as well," added Skocdopole. "Being surrounded by some great ropers has given me opportunity to be better every time I rope."

One such instance was when on their way to the Provincials in Grand Prairie, they stopped at their good friends the Schmidts in Barrhead.

Kolton Schmidt is currently sitting high up in the world standings, but he took time out of his day to help Skocdopole out, and as Skocdopole puts it, "help like that doesn't come around every day".

"Last week, I spent a day at the Flewelling Ranch at Lacombe, with Tyrell Flewelling being a Canadian champion team roper and a past NHSRA champ, I was fortunate enough to rope with him and get lots of pointers from his father Glen," explained Skocdopole. "If we have a practice night and there is rodeo guys around I try to take in whatever I can from those people around me, I wouldn't be a provincial champion without that help, nobody gets anywhere alone."

Skocdopole said that he heads for his partner Austin Young and tries his best to handle the cattle so that Young can easily catch two feet.

"Sometimes when I mess up and give him a bad handle he has to clean it up to make us look good, thankfully he can do that," added Skocdopole.

Skocdopole and Young have been partners in High School rodeos for three years now, since Grade 9.

"When we were headed into high school we both were in need of a partner and decided to hook up as a team," continued Skocdopole. "We had been going to the Junior High School Rodeos, but not as a team, but once in high school we knew each of us could match up pretty good so we decided to become a team."

According to Skocdopole, Young has been a great partner and there has been no pressure from him ever, as he is just always happy to rope.

"We've had a great partnership and I am always disappointed in myself if I miss for him, but he has never been down on me," said Skocdopole. "We have been lucky enough to qualify in the top ten in our District every year to compete at Provincial Finals."

Speaking about calf roping, Skocdopole said that it is an event that has taught him to be fast.

"Calf roping is an event that pushes you to be fast in lots of steps," said Skocdopole. "Having a great calf horse makes a huge difference in going fast in all the steps in your run, but you have to practice all the steps in calf roping to be good."

"Even though Young and I have made it to the provincials each year, we were unable to make it to the Nationals till this year because we weren't ready for it," said Skocdopole, aware of their drawbacks and knew that they weren't good enough till this year. "I think that finally this year we are mature enough and ready to play the game at Provincials to get to Nationals. Practice, time and age finally all worked in our favour."

Although Skocdopole suffered a knee injury in spring and his team-roping horse Abe suffered with some stretched tendons, he is confident that with extra care they will be alright.

"I have to thank my parents for allowing me to rodeo, it is a family that gets you down the rodeo road and I am lucky to have the support my parents have given me," said Skocdopole.

Speaking of his achievements, Luke's mom Holly said, "I am very happy and excited for Luke and although he has competed at the Nationals as a Junior High student in 2013, and qualified within the top four in the province in Grade 8 to compete in the calf roping, it has taken a few years to get back to Nationals."

Luke Skocdopole and Austin Young are the 2015/16 D2 season leaders in the team roping event and the 2015/16 Provincials Team Roping Champs.