CALDWELL — By the time this weekend is done, expect Ringo Robinson to breath a sign of relief.

Or maybe exhaustion, as the Vallivue High School sophomore has plenty planned as he'll be in pads tonight as the Falcons host Meridian in football, then he'll change into his cowboy hat and boots and head to New Plymouth to begin the District II high school rodeo season on Saturday and Sunday.

"It actually feels really good," he said of starting the rodeo season, "feels like it hasn't ever quit because I've been rodeoing since last year and we just haven't' stopped."

After a freshman season that saw Robinson qualify for state in tie-down roping, team roping and steer wrestling, the teenage cowboy continued to compete throughout the summer at Idaho Cowboy Association events, along with the Silver State International Rodeo in Fallon, Nev.

Silver State is a national event featuring the top fifth- through eight-place finishers at their respective state rodeos — sort of a consolation prize for those just short of making the National High School Finals Rodeo.

A huge accomplishment for a freshman to achieve, but already Robinson is looking to go a step further.

"I really hope I can make it to nationals this year in one of my three events because I made it to state last year in all three and had a chance to go and I messed that all up," he said. "So I hope I can regain and go again."

The first step is this weekend, as cowboys and cowgirls from the Treasure Valley, and eastern Oregon, will compete in a variety of events, including the standards most rodeo fans expect along with pole bending, goat tying and breakaway roping for the girls.

Each contest earns points for a top-10 finish each day, with those points totaled to determine district champs at season's end, and berths to state.

Of course, after this weekend, the rodeo season hibernates until April.

Robinson says the time off can be hard, especially as the horses can get a bit fat and out of shape during the winter, but adds that he plans to keep his horses busy and in shape, ready for the spring.

Of course, a little time off might be good for Robinson, himself, as he goes to school, then football practice, then begins rodeo practice at home about 7 each night "'till it's dark outside where I can't see."

Riding three horses, and roping, as he adds that doesn't even include working with his steer wrestling horse.

A lot to handle, but it seems to be worthwhile for him in the arena, where he adds that steer wrestling is also his favorite event.

"It makes you feel really good when you can throw a steer really fast."

Maybe not too surprising as he plays linebacker for the Falcons, as he's spent most of his life doing both sports.

As for the future, while he hopes to make nationals in rodeo, his biggest goal might be on the gridiron.

"If I could, I'd like to get a college football scholarship," he said. "If not, I know I could go a lot of places if I wanted to on a rodeo scholarship."

Why football?

"You can rodeo your whole life but you can't do football forever."