FAQS

The National High School Rodeo Association is an international, non-profit organization dedicated to the development of sportsmanship, horsemanship and character in the youth of our country through the sport of rodeo. Created by Texas educator and rodeo contestant Claude Mullins, the NHSRA held its first finals in Hallettsville, Texas, Aug. 25-27, 1949. The NHSRA membership consists of over 12,500 members from 44 states, five Canadian provinces Mexico, New Zealand and Australia.

The National High School Rodeo Association is governed by National Directors (one representative from each state/provincial association). These volunteer board members are dedicated to the success of the NHSRA and the youth of North America. They also take the responsibility for the planning of the National High School Finals Rodeo each year.

The NHSRA, headquartered in Denver, Colorado, has a full-time staff that conducts the day-to-day business of the association. This professional staff is available to assist with sponsorship programs, answer questions and provide for the needs of the association's membership.

Yes. If there is no state or province association where you live, you may join the closest state/provincial association to you.

Students must be in good standing; not ruled undesirable for misconduct at school. Students must be under 20 at the first of the National High School Rodeo year, and are or have been enrolled in the 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade the year just preceding the National Rodeo the contestant is entering as long as they (minimum requirements) have made passing grades in 4 subjects or if carrying less than 4 subjects student must have passing grades in all subjects, even if they have graduated in the middle of the year or have attended school on half-days, they will be eligible to compete in National High School Rodeo through the National High School Finals Rodeo if he/she has not participated for more than four (4) years. Each State/Province Association may adopt their state/province academic policy for grade or credit requirements. Any student attending schools which apply to high school credits is eligible if he/she meets all other requirements. A graduate of High School is not eligible for membership of NHSRA after the completion of the National High School Finals Rodeo immediately following their graduating from High School. Students must include a copy of their current high school grade and age certificate with their application for membership in a State/Provincial organization.

The Junior High Division is 5th - 8th Grade The High School Division is 9th - 12th grade

Students attending a home school, private school, religious school or correspondence school are eligible for membership if the school is recognized and approved by the state/province board of education in the state/province the member is applying for membership.

$50.00 - National Dues
$15.00 - NHSRA Times subscription ($30 for Canada and Australia)
$74.00 - Insurance

For Junior High students:
$45.00 - National Dues
$15.00 - NHSRA Times subscription ($30 for Canada and Australia)
$35.00 - Insurance

**All prices subject to change

Non-competing membership fees are also available. PLEASE NOTE: Separate state and provincial dues also apply. Please contact your state/provincial secretary for more information. For contact information, please select the appropriate link under the "Contact" menu at the top of this web page.

To join the NHSRA, you must join through your state or provincial association. You can begin by starting a profile on the NHSRA Membership website, https://nhsra.equestevent.com/ To also help your process it would be best to contact your state or provincial secretary to see what they require, you can find their contact information here: https://nhsra.com/contact/national-directors-secretaries/

Yes, the National High School Rodeo Association has a non-competing student membership that is open to any high school student who has a desire to support high school rodeo and has an interest to become involved with the sport on the local, state/province or national level but is unable to be an actual competing member for whatever reason. Non-competing members will receive a monthly subscription to the NHSRA TIMES, the official newspaper of the NHSRA; will receive the opportunity to become involved with local club, state/province association and national association activities; will receive a medical insurance policy to aid the non-competing member if he/she becomes injured while assisting at NHSRA sanctioned activities or rodeos; will receive an opportunity to earn college scholarships through the Non-Competing Member of the Year program; and, will receive additional state/provincial benefits such as newsletters, etc. All non-competing members must meet current NHSRA grade and conduct requirements just as in the case with contestant members. States/provinces that are divided into districts and/or regions may also include an additional amount for district/regional dues. The insurance is mandatory so that the student is covered while assisting with NHSRA sanctioned rodeos.

The NHSRA requires that every member has medical insurance. Due to the fact that most family's medical coverage is through an employer and people are constantly changing jobs, it would be an impossible task for the NHSRA to check that all members have coverage throughout the year. By requiring the purchase of the medical coverage through the association, the NHSRA is assured that all members have minimal medical insurance. Canadian members are not required to purchase the insurance because the Canadian government has a program that provides all citizens of that country medical coverage regardless of their employment status.

Participating in a rodeo club through your school is not mandatory and is not a requirement of membership.

Yes. Every year, the NHSRA awards hundreds of thousands of dollars in college scholarships on the state/provincial and national levels.

There are several other rodeo associations available to those persons not eligible for the NHSRA. For those to young to join the NHSRA, contact the National Little Britches Rodeo Association at (719) 389-0333. The NLBRA offers competition from ages 8-18. If you are too old to join the NHSRA and are in college, contact the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association at (509) 529-4402. The NIRA offers rodeo opportunities to college athletes. If you wish to compete professionally, contact the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association at (719) 593-8840; the Women's Pro Rodeo Association (WPRA/PWRA) at (719) 576-0900; or the Canadian Pro Rodeo Association at (403) 250-7440. There are also numerous rodeo associations and groups that operate on a local basis. Check your area for these organizations.

Yes. National High School Rodeo Association contestants may belong to and participate in professional or non-professional organizations.