Changes made to local rodeo club

Recent changes to what once was the Whitehall High School Rodeo Club should net positive results for local competitors.

The new Whitehall Rodeo Club was recently formed and unlike its predecessor, will operate outside of the local school district.

Sponsor Jodi Icenoggle said by offering the club outside the school, home-schooled students would now be able to join, and the club would also like to include junior high students to get them started competing earlier.

Icenoggle said Whitehall High School Principal Hannah Nieskens contacted her shortly after school began and they talked about the possibility of taking the club outside the school.

Icenoggle added Nieksens offered any support the school could give, but said rodeo is tough to sanction through a school.

"It's not something you can practice at school. Travel is on each family to figure out. The school can't cover any expenses. So, it's just a different sport altogether," Icenoggle said. "Many years ago, rodeo was included in the Montana High School Association, like all other high school sports. But it has since been dropped from inclusion, because of its safety issues. MHSA couldn't cover insurance of rodeo."

According to Icenoggle, another reason for forming the new club is because kids in high school rodeo have the opportunity to rodeo in other associations as well.

"They have the unique opportunity to win money in this sport, unlike other sports. So, rodeo has its own governing body, the Montana High School Rodeo Association. It follows the National High School Rodeo Association rules and guidelines. And those will be the guidelines the club would follow as well," she said.

An informational meeting for the club was conducted last week, but only one local rodeo competitor attended.

Icenoggle said she tried to pick a night there weren't any sports going on, but it's tough to squeeze in another activity sometimes.

"I'll have another meeting in early October, once I get information on our fundraiser, the annual fruit sale. Hopefully, more kids will be able to show up. I'd love to hear some more suggestions on activities like clinics and community service we can participate in," she said.

The changes to the club are currently in effect. Icenoggle said anyone with questions is welcome to call her at 406-580-2055.

"The club is open to kids who already compete and to those who would like to get started," she said.