Tucker Wright in bulldogging action at the Hermiston high school rodeo in April.

JOHN DAY – Four Grant County high school rodeo competitors are in the saddle with high hopes of reaching the national finals in July.

The Grant County High School Rodeo team features seniors Tucker Wright and Jake Legg of Grant Union Junior-Senior High, and brothers from Monument School: Riley Clark, a senior, and GW Clark, a freshman,

Advisers are Trent Wright and Monte Legg, who also is the state boys timed events director.

The spring season started with Jake earning second place in the second round of steer wrestling at the April 11-13 Klamath Falls rodeo.

Tucker finished first in the first round and fourth in the second round in steer wrestling at Hermiston’s April 25-27 rodeo.

Jake had a fourth-place finish at Hermiston in steer wrestling in the second round.

Both Grant Union students also compete in calf roping and team roping.

Riley and GW both team rope and Riley also competes in steer wrestling.

“Both kids look really good, and they’re both well mounted,” Monte said of the Grant Union students. “We expect good things – They’re setting their sights on the National Finals Rodeo in Rock Springs, Wyoming.”

“They both should qualify for nationals,” Trent said. “I would be disappointed if they don’t – they would too.”

“Riley’s sitting decent in the steer wrestling and placing in team roping,” said Toni Clark, Riley and GW’s mom.

The two boys earn money for rodeo fees and fuel by running their own small herd of cattle and also have sponsors.

She added her sons use ranch horses which they’ve trained to be arena horses.

“The boys do it because they love what they’re doing – they’ve put themselves where they’re at,” she said. “They’ve got a lot invested in it.”

The top four at state qualify for nationals, and fifth place through 15th qualify for Silver State in Winnemucca, Nevada, similar to a consolation bracket.

The team will travel to rodeos May 9-11 in Prineville and May 17-18 in Burns.

The Oregon High School Rodeo Association State Finals are June 11-14 in Prineville.

Jake and Tucker are selling raffle tickets to earn money to benefit a scholarship fund for OHSRA members.

Prizes are a $2,500 travel voucher and a $500 Visa card, and tickets are $10 each. Tickets may be purchased from the team members or at Radio Shack, 139 E. Main, in John Day.

Current state standings:

Tucker Wright, 3, steer wrestling

Riley Clark, 9th, steer wrestling

Jake Legg, 11, steer wrestling; 14, tie down roping