Heartland 4-H Rodeo and Ambassador Contest begins Friday

The 2019 Heartland 4-H Rodeo Ambassador contest will begin Friday with speeches and interviews at 5:30 p.m. at Ryan’s Hangar, with the horsemanship contest to follow at the Heartland 4-H Rodeo Arena.
Crowning will be on Saturday morning during the rodeo. Rodeos are planned Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. There is no admission and everyone is invited to watch the youth from across S.D. compete for qualification to the State 4-H Rodeo.
Three young women are competing for Senior 4-H Rodeo Ambassador and six for Junior 4-H Rodeo Ambassador.
The Senior Ambassador that is chosen goes on  to compete at the State 4-H Rodeo in August in Fort Pierre. The Senior contestants will get a chance to compete for many prizes including a scholarship and saddle to name a few.
This contest helps prepare young women for important interviewing and speaking skills that they can use as they grow and become successful in communities. The Ambassador contest is a great way for youth to support the sport of rodeo, help in their community and learn to be a good role model for others.
A thank you is extended to Ryan’s Hangar, which is sponsoring the luncheon for contestants during the speeches and interview, to Rainbow Flower Shop for the bouquets, Kustom Klassics for the Senior Ambassador Buckle, Avail Wealth Management for the Junior Ambassador Buckle, Tschetter Hohm Clinic and the Anderson Family for the crowns, Kip and Shirley Bowden for the Horsemanship Awards, Williams Arena for Miss Congeniality, Double D Western Wear for first runner-up, and Boss Boutique for second runner-up.

Junior Rodeo Ambassador contestants include:
• Kyley Foreman, 10, daughter of Travis and Kosandra Foreman of Miller, who will compete in barrel racing, goat tying and pole bending.
She is a fifth-grader at Miller Elementary, and has been in 4-H rodeo for the past three years. She is also a member of NBHA as a youth member. She enjoys showing meat goats, basketball and volleyball.
• Ramsey Fouberg, 8, daughter of Jen and Denny Fouberg of Madison, is embarking on her first year in 4-H Rodeo and will compete in barrels, poles and goat tying.

The third-grader enjoys swimming, basketball, riding horse, hanging out with friends and watching the Jackrabbits play sports.
• Hudson Fouberg, 10, daughter of Jen and Danny Fouberg of Madison, will be competing in barrels, poles and goat tying.
This is her second year in the 4-H Rodeo. Her hobbies include reading, riding horse, swimming, hanging out with friends, basketball, and watching the Jackrabbits play sports.
• Destiny Four Horns, 10, whose guardian is Sylvia Holmstrom of Clark, will be competing in barrel racing and pole bending at this year’s event.
A fourth-grader at Willow Lake Elementary, she has been in 4-H and competed in the rodeo for the past three years, along with being active in 4-H horse shows.
She has written two books about horses, loves reading and riding horses with friends, and enjoys crochet, raising baby goats, riding bikes, making bracelets and playing on the trampoline.
• Mia Holmstrom, 10, is the daughter of Ray Holmstrom and Maggie Louris of Apple Valley, Minn. She will be competing in barrel racing and pole bending.
She has been active in 4-H and rodeo for the past three years. During the summer break she stays with her grandmother in Clark, where she is a three-year member of the Clark County 4-H Club.
She enjoys swimming, riding horses with friends, reading books, roller blading, hockey, pitching for softball and spending time with family and friends.
Holmstrom said she wishes all 4-Hers in the competition good luck.
• Keeleigh Elwood, 14, daughter of Danny Elwood and April Reis of Reliance, will compete in breakaway, barrels, poles and goat tying.
She has participated in 4-H and 4-H Rodeo since she was 8 years old, and has qualified for State 4-H Finals twice in breakaway.
She enjoys volleyball, gymnastics, cheer and golf. She also likes to ride horse, dance, show her animals and do horse judging.
Senior contestants:
• Danci Dunkelberger, 16, daughter of Cody and Dixie Dunkelberger of Huron, will be competing in breakaway roping, goat tying, pole bending and team roping.
She has been involved in 4-H Rodeo and NBHA for eight years. She also competes in high school rodeo and team roping jackpots.
She is a junior in Huron High School, where she is on the Varsity Speech and Debate team, active in FFA and serves on the Beadle County 4-H Council. She enjoys writing, roping and hanging out with friends.
• Addyson Wittenbel, 16, daughter of Barrett and Peggy Wittenbel of Castlewood, will be competing in barrels, poles, breakaway and ribbon roping.
She enjoys spending time with family and friends, trail riding, swimming, cross country, basketball, oral interp and babysitting.
• Madison Kontz, 17, is the daughter of Brad and Kelly Kontz of Flandreau. She will be competing in breakaway, goat tying, team roping and pole bending.
A senior at Flandreau High School, she has been involved in 4-H Rodeo for the past nine years, qualifying for state finals all but one year. She has qualified for the State 4-H Rodeo  During the past three years of high school rodeo, she has qualified for state each year. She has also competed in the Little Britches Rodeo for multiple years.
She is involved in FFA, high school and club volleyball and is a teacher’s assistant. She teaches Sunday school, babysits and helps with cattle and crops on the family farm.