BELLE FOURCHE - High school rodeo in the far Northern Hills got a big boost Friday at the Belle Fourche and Spearfish High School Rodeo Club's annual banquet and auction.

Club advisor Terri Kissack said Monday that the $12,337 raised at the event will help the club's 32 young rodeo riders.

"This is the main fundraiser for the kids to rodeo and go to clinics," Kissack said last week.

High school rodeo in South Dakota is under the state's high school rodeo association rather than the high school activities association that governs athletics - even though it's the state's official sport.

For rural Belle Fourche and Spearfish high school kids there's more than local rodeo tradition going for them. The South Dakota High School Finals Rodeo has at least three more years in Belle Fourche. That makes competing in the big year-end event an increasing incentive to ride for a rodeo-savvy "hometown" crowd.

Club members can be from mostly rural families west of Whitewood north into Montana. Thriving Little Britches and 4-H rodeo programs boost youth rodeo throughout the area, Kissack said.

The Spearfish contingent initially merged with Belle Fourche club because they had a very small group - and no advisor to help coordinate clinics and competition.

Kissack said she asked Belle Fourche members if they would mind joining with Spearfish for travel, fundraisers and community service.

Many of the students already knew each other through other youth rodeo programs that aren't tied to family addresses.

The word was "go for it."

Spearfish membership has grown to nine. Kissack said younger rural Lawrence County rodeo families in Little Britches will help growth at Spearfish High School.

Belle Fourche remains the majority of the 32-member club, but the combined club has done community service in both towns. Fundraising and public awareness has improved with the larger group. Both towns are involved in helping the young competitors cover expenses.

Although officially not recognized as a high school sport, both schools are credited for students' rodeo achievements.

School points are considered separately.

Kissack said the larger club helps students and their families share travel costs so that the young competitors have increased opportunities.

Mutual encouragement from a bigger team is another benefit that wasn't anticipated when the two combined.

Along with Friday night's dinner profits at American West Steakhouse in Belle Fourche, there were items for sale at auction.

And each member sold eight hours of work from babysitting to branding in a "slave auction."

"They have house-cleaned, hauled bales, helped with brandings, have done painting and similar work," she said.

Kissack said the kids' work ethic brought in just under $10,000 of the night's cash - an average of $39 per hour.

Members receive funds through a point system that rewards participation in community service, fundraising and attending club meetings.