GAYLORD, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Gaylord’s Joseph O’Connell has arrived in Gillette, Wyoming to compete in the 75th annual National High School Finals Rodeo. According to 9 and 10 News, he was joined there by parents, Tracy and Kevin, and a minivan of friends who made the long 1,200+ mile trip out west to cheer him on.

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He will be competing in the saddle bronc, which according to Prorodeo is “Rodeo’s classic event, both a complement and contrast to the wilder spectacles of bareback riding and bull riding. This event requires strength to be sure, but the event also demands style, grace and precise timing. Every move the bronc rider makes must be synchronized with the movement of the horse. The cowboy’s objective is a fluid ride, somewhat in contrast to the wilder and less-controlled rides of bareback riders.”

O’Connell, an incoming senior at Garylord St. Mary, made the trip out west for a repeat visit, having qualified for his second National High School Finals Rodeo.

O’Connell said about the competition, “My main focus is saddle bronc and that’s kind of what I range my goals on. Just getting on the spur board every night and working out and just trying to watch videos here and there, just a lot of little things to get your mind right.”

The event features teens from 44 states, five Canadian provinces, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand and has over 1,7000 contestants. They’re competing for $375,000 available in college scholarship money, more than $300,000 in additional money and prizes, and, of course, the chance to be crowned a World Champion.

That’s a lot of pressure but O’Connell seems to be taking it all in stride. He told 9 and 10 News, “All that’s kind of in the back of my head, you know, but try not to think about it too much.” He intends to made a career out of the rodeo life once he graduates.

The rodeo finals started on Sunday, July 16th and it runs through Sunday the 23rd. According to the organizers, the elite seven days of rodeo performances is expected to contribute an economic impact of over $11,000,000.00 for the Campbell County area.

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O’Connell will compete on Tuesday night and Thursday morning with the goal of being in the top 20 to qualify for a “short go” round on Saturday night. After that, the World Champions are decided based on third-round combined times/scores.

Along with great rodeo competition and the chance to meet new friends from around the world, rodeo contestants have the opportunity to enjoy volleyball, contestant dances, family-oriented activities, church services sponsored by Golden Spur Ministries, and shopping at the tradeshow.

There will be other Michiganders at the event as well including including Jack Guoan (steer wrestling) from Ogemaw Heights as well as sisters Krista (22 light rifle shooting and trap shooting) and Carly Cowles (pole and barrels) from Whittemore.

NHSRA.com will have daily complete results and a livestream link to the Cowboy Channel can be found here.