HEBER CITY — Jumping off a horse while it's still moving to chase down a goat and then tie it up is a difficult feat under any circumstance.
But add 24 hours of almost constant rain and it becomes downright miraculous that any cowgirl can manage to finish the goat tying event, let alone do it in a winning time.
That's exactly what five high school cowgirls did Friday in order to qualify for the championship round of the Utah High School State Rodeo Finals.
"I knew it was going to be good," said Lakelsi Dansie. "A good run or a good wreck ... There's always a hesitation in this mud, but you just close your eyes when you land."
Dansie finished second in Friday night's performance and seventh for the week, so she qualifies for Saturday's championship round.
Dansie was pleased with her finish, but she was even happier for the girl who is sitting in first place, Hilary Walker, Spikers.
"She was out all spring with a knee injury," said Dansie, "and then she comes here and limps around the arena and ties two sevens this week. She's awesome. She's quite the girl."
There were a number of impressive performances, despite the wet weather. Austin Adams and Adan Banuelos, Dixie earned a time of 5.92 in the team roping, while Chris Roundy, Panguitch scored 80 points in the bull riding.
Competitors said the rain affect their strategy and sometimes their horses, but never their desire to compete.
"I think it's more exciting in this weather," said Krystal Brown, Riverton, who was still covered with mud an hour after attempting to tie a goat. "I worse this shirt because my dad hates it, so I figured it wouldn't matter if I ruined it."
The mud was fun for some of the competitors, but the weather did cause some concerns for rodeo officials.
For the first time, the rodeo was delayed for about 30 minutes due to lightening.
"We've had rain the last two or three years during this week," he said. And as the competitors point out, the weather is just another factor in a sport that involves a lot of variables.
"It's just luck of the draw," said Dansie. "The day of the week you draw, the stock you draw, it's just luck."
Two competitors were taken to the hospital with injuries in Friday night's performance.
Jacob Marshall, Emery, was injured in the bull riding, and Alyssa Richins, Bridgerland, was injured just before she was to compete in the pole bending competition. Marshall injured his arm, and Richins injured her leg when her horse rared up and then rolled over her.
E-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com