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Korah Agre is carrying on, as Hank Williams Jr. would sing, “A Family Tradition.” Agre, who just completed ninth grade at Chisago Lakes High school, has earned a position on the Minnesota High School rodeo team.

Agre’s performance at the state Minnesota State High School Finals Rodeo held at Dead Broke Arena in Hugo June 16-18 earned her a spot on the Minnesota team. Team members will travel to Springfield, Illinois for the 58th annual National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) July 24-30.

The NHSFR features over 1500 contestants fro 40 states, five Canadian Provinces and Australia. At the world’s largest rodeo, contestants compete for the title of National High School Rodeo National Champion. NHSFR contestants will also be competing for over $175,000 in prizes as well as more than $325,000 worth of college scholarships.

Agre competed in all five of the individual events open to girls. The five events are;

1) Barrel Racing - Contestants ride around barrels positioned in a cloverleaf pattern - five second penalty for each barrel knocked down,

2) Cutting - Rider and horse must cut (separate) a cow from the herd and keep it separated for a designated time,

3) Goat Tying - Rider rides to a goat, dismounts, throws the goat by hand and ties any three legs of the goat,

4) Pole Bending - Rider takes horse through a straight line of poles placed 21 feet apart - five second penalty for each pole knocked down,

and 5) Breakaway Calf Roping -

Rope is tied to saddle horn with string. Rider, starting when the barrier drops, rides after the calf, throwing loop over its head. As rider pulls up her horse, the running calf breaks the string and the rope falls free from the saddle horn. A white flag must be attached to the rope at the saddle horn so judge can tell when rope breaks free. Time is called when judge drops his flag. Ropes must be released from contestant’s hand to be a legal catch. Horse must clear box before loop is thrown. A ten-second fine for broken barrier will be assessed.

When asked what her favorite event is, Agre said, “Probably ‘breakaway’ because it comes more easily to me. When I was little, I used to watch my dad rope and I’ve always understood and enjoyed it.”

Which event is most exciting for the spectators? “Probably goat tying,” answered Agre, “because they get to see the rider run (ride), dismount and tie the goat.”

Agre qualified for the NHFSR in the Breakaway Roping competition. She was also named Rookie of the Year.

Agre’s sister, Kallie, also won the Rookie of the Year crown in 2002. She was only the second freshman to have won the rookie crown. The Agre sisters’ cousin, Carleen Wilson (Buzzell) was the only other freshman to win when she earned the distinction in 1979.

Kallie Agre, a 2002 graduate of CLHS currently attending Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri on a rodeo scholarship.

Congratulations to Korah and good luck at the national rodeo competition.

The Agre sisters are the daughters of Kenneth and Coreen Agre of Lindstrom.

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