ISU students compete at College National Finals Rodeo

Idaho State University Rodeo Team members, Clint Arave and Courtney Dobson, represented ISU at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) held in late June in Casper, Wyo.

Arave, a Blackfoot resident, competed in the tie-down roping event with three successful runs leading him to the short go. He placed fifth in the nation with a 10.1-second run at the Saturday night performance.

Dobson, of Hamer, competed in breakaway roping with a 3-second run in her first round and 2.9-second run in the second round. With a touch of bad luck during the third run, she received a no score. She placed 21st in the nation after competing against 50 other women in the event.

Both students completed their college rodeo careers at ISU this spring.

The CNFR is the "Rose Bowl" of college rodeo. It is where the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association crowns individual event champions in saddle bronc riding, bare back riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, breakaway roping and goat tying. National team championships are also awarded to both men's and women's teams.

More than 400 cowboys and cowgirls from more than 100 universities and colleges compete in Casper each year. Contestants compete all year in one of the NIRA's 11 regions for a chance to rope or ride at the CNFR.