From looking at him, you wouldn’t know 14-year-old Alex Delorme is a world-class cowboy.
The polite, soft-spoken JAWS student’s rodeo career has grown by leaps and bounds since he first climbed on a steer last year. In fact, Alex just got back from Farmington, New Mexico where he competed in the seventh-annual International Indian Finals Rodeo.
After he and his father David Delorme spent most weekends from late-May at rodeos around the province, the Grade 9 student from Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement finished the season as points leader in steer riding and junior bulls. Because of his strong showing, Alex was one of just 17 youth from Mexico, Canada, and the United Stated invited to the IIFR.
“After riding the whole circuit, every rodeo I was in I finished in the top five,” Alex said. “It was my first time in the States and I look forward to going back next year – but you have to earn your down there.”
The first time he ever climbed onto a steer was at a rodeo last year, when he asked his dad if he would let him ride.
“I told him: if you can go find all the gear – the helmet, spurs, rope, gloves, and what have you – then you go ahead,” David said. “As a parent, sure I get a little scared. But I was there as a kid and I know exciting it is.”
Although he is brave enough to climb onto bucking bulls, Alex is still too young to drive. That meant he relied on the help of family and friends to make his dream of becoming a professional cowboy a reality. Thanks to his dad, his grandparents, friends of the family, and some local sponsors, Alex was able to attend over 20 rodeos this year – and win around $5,000 in prize money.
“He comes from a rodeo family – he actually represents the fourth generation of cowboys,” said Alex’s father David. “My older brother, my father, and my father’s father all rodeoed.”
Indeed, Alex grandparents Robert and May McDonald founded Hylo-based McDonald Rodeo Stock. The young cowboy wanted to thank his sponsors and all the people who helped him get down to New Mexico: Brent and Sonya Doginhorse, Travis and Sandra Merchant, and Calvin and Robert Mcdonald.
Despite all the help, Alex’s run for the buckle in New Mexico was cut short after his second ride when a bull kicked him in the chest through his open protective vest. Although he suffered some bruised ribs, Alex said his unlucky second run would be his lasting memory of the international rodeo.
“After I got hurt, I remember looking up and seeing my uncle and seeing my friend looking down at me,” he said. “It was pretty shocking – I couldn’t catch my breath.”
But a couple of bruised ribs won’t be holding Alex back for long: he plans to win the next season and head back to the IIFR. To do that, David plans to send him to rodeo school through the winter – and help to add a few pounds to the 14-year-old’s slight frame.
“He’s got all winter to bulk up,” David laughed. “We’ll get some meat on his bones.”
And the athletic Alex, who also plays wide receiver for the JAWS Huskies football team, doesn’t plan to stop next year: he wants to keep going and become a full-time professional cowboy.
“It’s a pretty good feeling,” he said. “You make your run and everyone is proud of you.”
