Created in 2004, the NHSRA Junior High Division was established to bring the excitement of the sport to 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders and to serve as a feeder system into the high school ranks of the Association. Today, all 49 states and provinces that belong to the NHSRA also produce a Junior High Division as well, with over 4,000 members in total now competing. Junior High Division students compete in a variety of events, including Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, Goat Tying, Breakaway Roping, Tie-Down Roping, Chute Dogging, Team Roping, Ribbon Roping, and Junior Bull Riding, Bareback Steer Riding and Saddle Bronc Steer Riding.
Each summer, the “best of the best” from each state and province qualify for the National Junior High Finals Rodeo. Approximately 1,000 competitors show off their talents in the event and compete for thousands of dollars in scholarships and prizes. Gallup, N.M., hosted the NJHFR from 2005 through 2013. The rodeo moved to Des Moines, Iowa, for 2014-15 and was hosted by Lebanon, Tenn., in 2016-17. After Lebanon, we moved to Huron, SD for 2018-19, and will arrive in back in Des Moines, IA for 2020-21.
How to Join:
Want to know how to join the NHSRA Junior High Division? Simply contact your local state or provincial secretary for more information. A list of secretaries and directors may be found by clicking under the “Contact” menu along the top of this page. In addition, many of the same programs that are offered to high school members of the NHSRA are also offered to junior high members as well, including the Professional’s Choice Student Athlete of the Month and the Professional’s Choice Equine of the Month. For more information on those programs, simply click the link under the “Programs” menu along the top of this page.
If you have any questions about the NHSRA Junior High Division or the National Junior High Finals Rodeo, please contact the NHSRA national office at 1-800-466-4772.
