Loving the ‘burn’ of roping prompts youth into rodeo
| 2 min read
Shane McCannell competing in goat tying last fall in Russell, Man. Photo: Darrell Nesbitt
Watching his older sister Rachelle competing, along with the fact that his family — parents, uncles, cousins — all competed in rodeo, prompted Shane McCannell of Pierson into the Cinch Junior High ranks of the Manitoba High School Rodeo Association (MHSRA).
Before that, McCannell loved the “burn” of roping at home on his parents Tim and JoAnn’s cattle ranch, and has now been part of Cinch Junior High action for two years.
“My favourite event is heeling in team roping, as my dad can be found in that position when he’s competing,” McCannell said. “I also compete in four other events — goat tying, breakaway roping, ribbon roping and chute dogging.”
McCannell feels by being involved in the MHSRA, it has given him a strong work ethic and a sense of responsibility. Ending the first half of the 2015-16 season last fall, he sat in fourth spot in All Around standings with 159.50 points.
“You have to care for your animals, and to be competitive in rodeo you have to practise, practise, practise and dedication plays a key role,” said the 12-year-old honour student at Pierson School. “Winning is always a good feeling but when you do something wrong you can always learn from your mistakes.”
Looking to add to his buckle gained as top team roping duo in his rookie year, McCannell also has a passion for other sports including hockey, baseball and skiing.
Other than his father, who has been his mentor when he started roping, he pencils in Jake Barnes — seven-time World Champion Team Roper — as being his favourite professional competitor. McCannell added that his dad has been the one to teach how to first swing a lasso and how to catch two back feet on a steer. Now both father and son share a few laughs correcting each other!
Although he has only been part of the MHSRA’s scheme for two years, he feels the association is great because one makes lots of new rodeo friends, and it’s great to be part of an exceptional rodeo fraternity.
McCannell plans to get a secondary education and share his values to other youth by becoming a teacher. But before then, he has years of high school rodeo in front of him.
No matter the level of the sport, this quote sums up the learning experience: “There will be breakouts. There will be crossfires. There will be misses, but with hard work there are no limits!”
