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Ty Brenna – ND High School Rodeo Finals action. [Photo: 4-C Photography]
The heat was on at the Dakota Winds Arena in Bowman, North Dakota this June 7-11, 2023, at the 70th annual North Dakota High School Rodeo (NDHSR) State Finals. Highs, whoas, lows, and short goes were all the talk on the streets of North Dakota. State titles, national qualifications, scholarships, special recognitions, comradery, and rodeo action consumed everyone’s schedule.
Carlee Roshau, a junior from Bismarck said, “It is a great experience to run at nationals and that high level. People underestimate North Dakota when it comes to horsepower and quality at the national stage.”
The newly titled state champion in girls’ cow cutting and the pole bending said she knew she wanted to make a repeat trip to nationals at the beginning of the year in multiple events — however, never exactly had state titles planned.
Carlee Roshau – State Champion Girls Cutting and State Champion Pole Bender. [Photo: Craig Maley Photography]
“Going into spring, the cards were kind of falling different and that was when I realized I wanted the accomplishment of winning a state title,” said Carlee. “It was an awesome feeling. Making something happen that wasn’t the plan and having that accomplishment amazed me.
There are a ton of inspirational riders out there said Roshau, “The riders that inspire like Amberlee Snider, obviously in her message of pushing forward and doing anything you set your mind to, but my family and my mom and dad, especially, are my biggest inspiration. They push me to my limits in life, rodeo, and jobs for the future. My mom always reminds me not to stress, because in the end, God already has a plan and knows what is going to happen!”
Carlee Roshau pole bending at the National High School Finals. [Photo: Acentric Rodeo Photography]
For the second consecutive year, Ty Brenna, an upcoming high school senior from Keene, N.D. took home the state title in saddle bronc riding.
“When I started North Dakota Junior High Rodeo, I just really liked the bronc riding. My dad has been a big inspiration and helped me get going and keep going working through the high school ranks,” said the cowboy.
Ty said that he works on the family ranch to stay on top of his game, which involves riding a lot of colts too. “My goal from day one was to be a state champion again this year, along with my friend and fellow saddle bronc rider, Colter Martin. He is riding so good and made this year even more of a challenge.”
Some of the cowboy’s best memories of crawling on broncs came from some of Russ Kling’s stock.
Ty said his plans involve bronc riding, ranching, and branching out to college for a few years. Surrounded by a family of two sisters and his parents, Nathan and Alicia, the young gun also enjoys getting his thrills snowboarding in the winter.
Coming close to making nationals more than once (in the cry hole of the rodeo standings, to be specific) made Hazen cowgirl Myah Mosset’s victorious state finals magnificent.
Myah Mosset and ‘Bullet’. [Photo: Patricia Mosset]
The competitor and athlete raced her horse, ‘Smooth Guy Bullet’, to the reserve state champion barrel racing title, cinching her spot at the National High School Rodeo Finals her junior year. “It was good and kind of a relief to qualify for nationals this year, after coming close a couple of times,” said Myah.
Myah said that the best quality of Bullet is that he tries so hard. “Bullet is sweet and has no issues. He is always good to me at the gate and does his job,” added the cowgirl.
Bullet was raised by Tracy Bridwell of Bismarck, N.D. Bridwell is known to have a special way of training and raising some greats that have gone onto the winner’s circle for multiple riders.
When Myah isn’t barrel racing on the rodeo fast track, she runs track and plays basketball, while upholding academics and community involvement in high accord.
Myah Mosset and ‘Bullet’ in the home stretch. [Photo: Patricia Mosset]
“I plan on continuing to barrel race as long as possible but will go into nursing and getting a four-year degree, so that I can pay for it,” said Myah. “At nationals, I’m looking forward to meeting different people from all the states and other countries, running in a bigger pen and venue, and the whole experience,” smiled the champion.
Another consecutive title earner was Trevor Sorge, a senior from Garrison, N.D. Team roping at the high school level requires a lot of consistency, which is difficult when you take two horses, two ropers, a steer, and a barrier.
(left to right) Trevor Sorge and Chad Miller at the back number ceremony. [Photo: Tisa Peek]
Trevor said it was a bit challenging this spring, “I just pushed through some misses on the head side and my heeler, Tel Sorenson, was there and cleaned them all up.” Pushing through was the ‘winning play’, and he was crowned the NDHSRA champion team roping header, as well as the state championship in the tie-down roping.
Trevor said he rides one of his favorites, ‘Coke’, who is blind in one eye. However, his standing joke when people ask about the eye and say, “Is he blind?” Trevor kindly replies, “No, he is deaf.”
Trevor Sorge and ‘LB’ winning the tie-down state championship. [Photo: Craig Maley Photography]
“I will be going to Gillette for industrial electricity, and making the college finals next year is a goal in both events,” said Trevor.
As far as inspirational people, Trevor admitted to growing up a little and realizing that his dad and his work ethic is really something he looks up to. “I also really like positive people and try and keep that around me,” said the champion.
The all-around cowgirl championship went to freshman Kally Sorenson of Watford City. The point guard for the Wolves basketball team transfers her aggressive playmaking on the court to the arena dirt.
All Around Champion Cowgirl Kally Sorenson pictured with Chad Miller. [Photo: Tisa Peek]
“It feels good. High school rodeo was a lot tougher than junior high. You had to be way more consistent,” said Kally. “Both of my brothers, Tel and Stran, have helped me out a lot. My mom and dad push me to be better.”
Kally also mentioned that it took a lot of people to get her on the winning path. Along with her family, she credits the Carson family and Hali Bohmbach.
Kally rides ‘Royal’, who is a 13-year-old gelding that was Bohmbach’s winning mount in prior years on the amateur and professional level. Royal and Kally took the reins and ran to a state championship in the barrel racing as well this year.
Heading to nationals, Kally said her goal is to place in the top ten in the barrels and breakaway roping (where she won the reserve state championship). And, without a doubt, Kally said she has one future goal: professional rodeo.
NDHSR contestants — always full of try, grit, and rodeo spirit. [Photo: Tisa Peek]
The National High School Rodeo Finals are scheduled to be held in Gillette, Wyoming on July 16 through July 22, 2023.
For a complete list of state championships and results, visit: ndhsra.org.
For more live contestant interviews, watch ‘Dakota Cowboy’ on BEK-TV – Sunday, June 25 at 6 PM MT/ 7 PM CT.
Tisa Peek is a long-time horse trainer, competitor in barrel racing and team roping, and writer about the equine. Rodeo and horses run deep in her roots. JT Family Equine is where she calls home, south of Bismarck, ND. Tisa, along with her husband, Jon, and boys, Blu and River, train horses and host clinics. Tisa is the host for Dakota Cowboy on BEK TV.