This is our (Nolan and Lacey Brott) fourth year putting on the Youngins Rodeo Club. Before we started, Lacey Brott had heard Bruce and Deb Murray were wanting to retire from the 20 Mile Gymkhanas.

According to Lacey Brott, the Murry’s had done 20 mile Gymkha- nas over 30 years. “We used to tike our kids out there, and it was so much fun,” said Lacey Brott. “Lots of great memories for the kids and parents, and just a fun atmosphere. Once they said they were for sure done, I went to the Niobrara Roping Club to present the idea of starting a kids series and using the arena. The roping club members were nothing short of encouraging and excited about having the kids out there. They told me that was what it was all about,

getting the kids going in rodeo. I asked Nolan what he thought, and he was on board for all the arena work.”

There were many volunteers, that helped run this years event. It went very smooth, and the Brott’s said they couldn’t do it without all of their help. Lacey Brott told the Herald one of the volunteers, Ely Wrudeman was her right hand person for this year’s event.

Team roping partners, gate runners, flaggers, helping kids on and off horses, making sure kids are where they are supposed to be, even getting the crows nest gals a cool drink; nothing goes unnoticed.

“We also have the most amazing sponsors that donate towards year end prizes for the kids,” said Lacey Brott “We’ve worked our way up in what we’ve been able to get, and we have a lot of local talent that hand made a lot of our awards last year. We also keep growing and add- ing more kids every year. Last week we had 24 entries in one age division. “

Upcoming rodeos at the Niobrara Rop- ing Club on July 1, and 15 and they will start with the grand entry at 5:30. The

Brott’s want to encourage the commu- nity to come and watch these kids. It’s so fun to see how much they improve in confidence and riding from the first rodeo to the last. They also are making the best memories with their families and friends.