Lloydminster Comprehensive cowboy Colt Hillis changed his get-up at the most opportune time last weekend as the 18-year-old bull-rider qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo this July in Rock Springs, Wy.
Read more: ‘Ah, you love it,’ says rising bull-rider
“I got a new bull rope and just took it from there,” said Hillis, who won the opening round Friday at the Saskatchewan high school rodeo finals in Maple Creek and ultimately punched his ticket to the prestigious U.S. nationals.
“That was the first time I ever used it. I just hoped it would be good. It felt real good.”
Hillis scored an 83 as he rode Ferdinand to victory and went on to clinch Saskatchewan’s fourth and final bull-riding berth for the July 13-19 nationals in Wyoming, the same state where Hillis begins his
collegiate career this September.
“I just kind of took it like another rodeo and didn’t do anything special,” said Hillis, who lives near Hillmond. “Just took it as another bull.”
The Lloyd Comp senior is bound for Cheyenne, Wy., to join his brother Gage, also a bull-rider, with Laramie County Community College’s rodeo team in the National Junior College Athletic Association.
Just a couple of years ago, Colt went to the U.S. and watched Gage compete in the high school nationals. Now, he’s part of the spectacle himself, about a four-hour drive from where he’ll attend
college.
“It’s just one big rodeo in Rock Springs, Wy.,” he said. “People from schools all around the world will be there, so it’s going to be cool. There’ll be a lot of people there.”
CLASSMATE ON BOARD
Hillis is going to have some company from home in Lloyd Comp classmate Cole Irwin, who qualified for the national finals in team roping and tie-down roping.
“It’s his first time qualifying, too, so it’ll be neat, especially because we’re pretty good friends and are in the same classes at school,” Hillis said. “It’ll be pretty cool down there.”
Down in Maple Creek last weekend, Hillis had a fan club that included his parents and sister. They made the trip on Thursday and he was primed the next day for one of Cody Strandquist’s bucking bulls out of Kyle, Sask.
“His name was Ferdinand,” Hillis said. “He turned back, right into my hand, and then I just kicked loose a little bit.
“It was definitely good. I was in a little bit of a slump before then, so it felt good to get one rode.
“For provincials, they definitely brought better bulls than we’re dealing with all year, especially on Sunday.”
Hillis got bucked off in each of the next two rounds, but his strong start enabled him to qualify for nationals and earn a $200 scholarship and a shiny new buckle.
“The top guys would have won about $1,000 for scholarships in each event,” he said.
In the short-go, just two of the top 10 bull-riders managed to ride.
“It was anyone’s game coming into the short-go on Sunday,” said Hillis, who sat third in the provincial standings going into the finals. “Anyone could have made it, but it played out right, I guess.”
The other bull-riders qualifying from Saskatchewan were Kahl Wasilow of Maple Creek, Jaeger Moore of Spiritwood and Chase Skene from Prince Albert.
It’s an exciting time for Hillis as he finishes high school, prepares for college and competes in rodeos this spring and summer.
Rodeo fatigue and school demands all come at once, but he’s enjoying the ride.
“I’ve been pretty good (injury-wise),” Hillis said. “I’ve been sore a couple of days, but nothing major.”
Just a few knicks and bruises from being thrown to the dirt.
“Yeah, exactly, and getting stepped on a couple of times,” he said.
SEMI-PRO EVENTS
In the next few months, Hillis steps up to semi-pro bull-riding. He’s entered in Bull Riders Canada (BRC) events, including Bezanson, Alta., this weekend near Grande Prairie and the $10,000 Mayhem in Meadow on June 5 in Meadow Lake. After that, his spring schedule takes him to Manitoba for a couple of more BRC competitions.
Hillis’ pro schedule might also impact whether he participates in the Canadian high school finals, which run July 31 through Aug. 2 in Brandon, Man.
“I’m not sure if I’ll go to that one,” he said. “There’s a couple of BRCs that weekend, so I might try to hit those instead.”
Read more: Bedwell right at home in Lloyd rodeo
