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Chase Skocdopole wins Canadian Jr. High School tie-down roping

I’m just really lucky that I get to do what I love: Skocdopole
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Chase Skocdopole successfully participates in tie-down roping at the Alberta provincials earlier this year. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

This past week, Big Valley’s Chase Skocdopole was crowned Canadian Jr. High School tie-down roping champion and not without reason.

Skocdopole placed second on his first calf, second on his second calf, and although he went over the 30-second time limit on his third, he ended up winning the average and placing first overall.

Speaking about his lead up to the finals, Skocdopole said that he spent as much time in the practice pen as he could.

“I tried to keep my horse Shark working good and in the best shape I could have him in,” he said. “I never wanted to think of the end, just wanted to think of one run at a time and enjoy each run and do the best I could.”

Skocdopole added that his parents played an important role in his win.

“Definitely my parents for taking me to the rodeos, hauling me around, making sure I have good horses and just allowing me to rodeo,” Skocdopole stated. “My uncle Dale also helped me lots with my tying and roping before finals.”

This season is his rookie year in High School rodeo as he starts Grade 9, and Skocdopole hopes that he can rope good in both team roping and tie-down roping and make it back to Canadian.

“You have to end up in the top five in the province to get to Canadians,” Skocdopole explained. “I will have to work really hard in the practice pen and do well at the rodeos to achieve this goal.”

He also added, “I’d like to thank my parents – they’re the reason that I get to do what I love; my brother Luke, who helps push me to be better in the practice pen; and my sponsors, Cactus Ropes and Cactus Gear, that help me to be the best I can be, getting down the rodeo road.”