Local Stephen Culling has swept the rodeo world in his first season of steer wrestling.

Culling won first place overall at the 62nd annual National High School Finals Rodeo in Gillette, Wyo. July 18 to 24, then went on to win first overall at the Canadian High School Rodeo Finals in Virden, Man.

“It was pretty cool, I didn’t really believe it when it happened. It was kind of a dream come true,” said the 16 year old.

Culling competes in the Alberta High School Rodeo Association and capped off his year by placing fourth at the Provincial Championships in Ponoka, Alta.

Culling had a total of 14.26 seconds for first overall at the NHSRF, where the top 150 competitors in the world come to take a shot at winning the title.

He made his first go in 5.791, and finished 30th. He placed fourth in the second go at 4.69.

His last go was against the top 20 in the competition. He won first place overall with a 3.7, the fastest time of the rodeo and Culling’s fastest ever.

“It was pretty cool, the fastest run I’ve ever made at a rodeo. I knew I had a chance, but I had to be pretty quick, then after there was six guys after me to go... I was happy about my run, but I wasn’t sure if it was going to hold or not,” he said, adding that Tyson Willick of Blaine Lake, Sask. was only 1/10th of a second behind him for second. Jace Melvin of Fort Pierre, S.D. was third overall at 14.634

Culling said he was relaxed, despite the strong competition. Riders had to place in the top four from their province or state to qualify for the NHSRF.

“You just gotta go out and do the same thing, try to be fast.”

At the Canadian High School Rodeo Finals, which ran Aug. 5 to 7, Culling won first place overall in steer wrestling with a time of 20.190. He was first in the first go with a time of 6.1, second in the second with 4.54 and the third in the third with 9.55 for an overall of 42 points, compared to second overall Layne Delmont who scored 32.5 with a time of 31.820. Kal Klovansky was third with 29 points and had a time of 34.480.

Steer wrestling competitors run in on horseback from behind a barrier, then try to catch up with the steer. He then leans over the side of the horse and grabs the horns of the running steer. The competitors then wrestles the steer to the ground and the clock stops once all four of the steer's legs are off the ground.

Culling’s nine-year-old chestnut quarter-horse, Ruger, was given to him by Greg Wilson, who bought him from the Dawson Creek sale.

Culling trained Ruger himself and competed with him for the first time in January.

“Just a lot of practice on him…and the right people helping ya,” he said.

Pouce Coupe's Clayton Moore was Culling's mentor through his first year of steer wrestling, and Chance and Craig Butterfield of Ponoka, Alta. have also supported him.

Culling said that training Ruger was definitely a challenge.

“I trained him all myself so that was cool, went in on my own horse...He’s the most difficult horse I’ve ever worked with. He’s just different. He’s just wild and doesn’t get along like other horses...I just trust him a lot and he tries hard.”

Though this was Culling’s first year competing in steer wrestling, he has competed, and still competes, in team roping and calf roping.

Culling hopes to make the NHSRF again next year.

“I’ve got one more year of high school, so (I'll) try to make nationals again and go down there to Gillette again.”

After high school, he hopes to try for the National Finals Rodeo.

He said there is one big experience he’s taking away from this season with Ruger.

“Gotta practice hard and put the time in and it pays off.”