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Rodeo legacy lives on in Wessington Springs Family

By Lura Roti, for South Dakota Farmers Union
Jun 5, 2026
3 hrs ago

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Rodeo is a deep-rooted legacy for the Owen and Shannon Fagerhaug family.

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Rodeo legacy 2.jpg — Ella Fagerhaug barrel races on Ray. Ella is the third generation in her family to rodeo.
Submitted photo

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Rodeo legacy 3.jpg — The Fagerhaug family on their family's Wessington Springs Ranch: Wyatt, Owen, Shannon and Ella. Pictured with rodeo horses Ray and Socks. Rodeo has always played a big role in this family's life.
South Dakota Farmers Union photo

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Rodeo legacy 4.jpg — Wyatt Fagerhaug competes in tie down roping on Joe. Wyatt and Joe qualified to compete in the Junior High School National Finals Rodeo in tie down and ribbon roping. June 21-28 they will travel together to Guthrie, Okla.
Submitted photo

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Rodeo legacy 1.jpg — The rodeo legacy runs deep in the Fagerhaug family. For Lennis and Peggy's 50th Anniversary they asked their family to host a grandkids rodeo on their Wessington Springs ranch.
Submitted photo

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To learn if Ella qualifies for the South Dakota State High School Rodeo Finals held June 16-20 in Fort Pierre, and to view video and more photos of the Fagerhaug family, visit www.sdfu.org.