National High School Rodeo Finals

 Recently, Trygg Madsen got home from the National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR). Madsen is a member of the Utah High School Rodeo Association and the National High School Rodeo Association. Madsen has worked for a horse trainer for the last two years, specializing in cow and horse disciplines, as well as teaching himself to shoe horses by watching countless videos and shadowing local horseshoers. Along the way, he built a consistent clientele and worked hard at perfecting the art. In addition, Madsen taught himself to do leatherwork. He makes belts, spur straps, knife sheaths, and is currently working on chaps. Madsen likes to fish, hunt, go on pack trips, go to brandings, and ride dirt bikes or go snowmobiling.

According to https://cfdrodeo.com/event/saddle-bronc-riding/,  “Saddle Bronc riding was the first rodeo event introduced to Cheyenne Frontier Days and is often considered the classic event of rodeo, embodying the sport’s roots. This event demands finesse, balance, and agility from competitors who use a modified western saddle, typically custom-made to their specifications. Unique to Saddle Bronc riding is the buck rein, which is attached to a halter, and the rider must decide precisely where to place and hold it. Competitors must ride for eight seconds, adhering to strict rules such as keeping one hand on the rein, maintaining both feet in the stirrups, and ensuring their spurs touch the horse’s shoulders on the first jump, following the ‘mark out’ rule.”

Madsen was the Utah Junior High School Rodeo Bareback and Saddle bronc riding state champion his 8th grade year, as well as the state champion bareback rider his seventh grade year. 

This year, Madsen competed for the state of Utah against the top four contestants from all 43 US states, as well as Canada, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand. After competing at the Finals in Rock Springs, Wyoming the week of July 14-20, 2024, he walked away as the Reserve World Champion for Saddle Bronc Riding as a sophomore in high school.

Throughout the year, contestants compete in their selected states to secure a spot in the top four to compete at the NHSFR and at the rodeo they compete for a World Champion title in the events they have qualified for. As such, Madsen has an amazing story to tell, and he has accomplished a lot and represented not only Utah but Morgan well.