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HYER Is Named the Official Boot of the National High School Rodeo Association

HYER is teaming up with the National High School Rodeo Association to promote and support the sport of rodeo and its student athletes.

KANSAS CITY, USA – April 14, 2023 – HYER is proud to announce its new partnership with the National High School Rodeo Association as the official boot sponsor of the NHSRA, the National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) and the National Junior High School Finals Rodeo (NJHFR).

This marks the first major sponsorship for the family-owned boot company since its recent return to the marketplace after a 50-year hiatus.

“In reestablishing HYER, it’s important to me to not only carry on my family’s boot making legacy but also the western ideals and traditions on which our company was founded,” says CEO Zach Lawless. “My great-great grandfather invented the cowboy boot to make the daily grind of a cowboys work easier, and in doing so, he made a lasting imprint on the history of the American West. I want to do the same, which is why I am so proud to announce this sponsorship. Rodeo is a huge part of cowboy culture, and these young athletes are the future of the sport. I know C.H. would be proud too.”

As the official NHSRA boot sponsor, HYER will have activations at both the NHSFR and NJHFR this summer, showcasing its premier men’s and women’s styles in the NRS booth, all available for purchase. The NHSFR will take place July 16-22 in Gillette, Wyoming, following the NJHFR in Perry, Georgia, June 18-24.

HYER will also be awarding over 400 boots to NHSRA Athletes. These boots will be awarded to student officers, state/provincial champions, and queens spanning from the Junior High to High School division. Then at the culmination of the rodeo season HYER will then award the world champions and all-around champions at the NJHFR & NHSFR.

“Our HYER team is excited to be a part of the NHSRA and support the future of rodeo and the education of today’s youth,” says Taylor Johnson, Special Events and Athlete Relations Manager. “These cowboys and cowgirls exemplify hard work and strong character as both competitors and people. We look forward to introducing them to our boots at the finals and watching them #RIDEHYER!”

“HYER’s commitment to excellence and innovation make it the perfect fit for NHSRA,” says Gary Hawkes, NHSRA VP of Marketing. “It’s apparent that HYER shares our passion for rodeo and supporting the development of our young athletes, in and out of the arena. We can’t wait to see the look on our champions faces when they receive their new boots.”

 

About Hyer Boots:

In 1875 C.H. Hyer invented a work boot for the cowboys of the American West. The cowboy boot as we know it was born in Olathe, Kansas. As time went on, C.H. Hyer & Son’s Boot Company was bought and sold, and many boot brands came and went, using C.H. Hyer’s design as their template. Now HYER’s founder and CEO Zach Lawless is reviving the spirit and legacy of his great-great-grandfather — not by bringing back the old, but by revolutionizing the boot world, just as C.H. did. Rooted in history, driven by innovation and guided by creativity — HYER boots are freshly designed for real cowboys and cowgirl. These are legendary boots remade for the modern pioneer, to carry you wherever you can take them. hyerboots.com

About NHSRA:

The National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA) was founded in 1949 with the mission to, first and foremost, promote and support education and to develop the essential attributes of leadership, dedication, commitment and responsibility in high school students. While preserving western heritage through the sport of rodeo, the NHSRA teaches its members to maintain the highest regard for each other and their livestock. The NHSRA’s mission does not stop on the high school level, as the association also strives to impart to its members the advantage of higher education and the desire to never stop learning. The NHSRA supports their dreams by annually awarding more than $550,000.00 in scholarships at the national level and $1.9 million in scholarship on the international level. With more than 70 years of history behind the NHSRA and its continued growth and success, the organization is preserving the past and preparing for a successful future. nhsra.com

 

Quanta Services and NHSRA Announce Multi-level Partnership

Denver, CO – February 18, 2022 – Quanta Services, Inc., a leading specialized infrastructure solutions provider to the utility, renewable energy communications and energy industries, and the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA), the world’s largest youth rodeo association, announced a new multi-level partnership agreement intended to elevate members of the NHSRA by bolstering their experience in rodeo into career opportunities for working in the skilled trades, with a focus on electrical power.

The five-year agreement with Quanta supports the NHSRA’s mission to provide educational opportunities to its members by offering yearly scholarships to a Quanta-owned vocational technical college with a focus on careers in the electric power delivery industry. Quanta recognizes the values, work ethic and applicable skill sets that individuals in the western industry possess and believe the partnership will benefit not only members of the NHSRA, but the western industry as a whole.

“The need for workers in the skilled trades is growing every day and I couldn’t think of a better partner to introduce kids to opportunities in this type of work than the NHSRA,” said Redgie Probst, chief operating officer of Quanta Services. “Ranch, farm and rodeo kids are raised with the passion, grit and dedication to the hard work that it takes to be successful in the trades. It is our privilege to offer scholarships that will give them the necessary skills to succeed in our industry.”

Chanel Haworth, NHSRA vice president of marketing commented, “The NHSRA is continuously seeking ways to give back to our members and align with our partners. When Quanta approached us with the determination to invest in the futures, experiences and opportunities given to NHSRA members, Quanta’s commitment to the NHSRA and the whole western industry was clear. We are excited to welcome Quanta to the NHSRA and look forward to growing together, particularly through fostering programs unseen in the association thus far.”

 

About Quanta:
Quanta Services is a leading specialized contracting services company, delivering comprehensive infrastructure solutions for the utility, renewable energy, communications, pipeline and energy industries. Quanta's comprehensive services include designing, installing, repairing and maintaining energy and communications infrastructure. With operations throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and select other international markets, Quanta has the manpower, resources and expertise to safely complete projects that are local, regional, national or international in scope. For more information, visit www.quantaservices.com.

 

The Cowboy Channel Becomes the Official Network of the NHSRA

The Cowboy Channel, the official net- work of ProRodeo and the first 24-hour television network totally dedicated to western sports and the western life- style, is proud to announce an exclusive five-year agreement with National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA) to broadcast and live-stream their events across all Rural Media Group’s media properties including The Cowboy Channel, RFD-TV, and Rural Radio on SiriusXM. And in addition to broadcasting and live-streaming the National High School and Junior High Finals, The Cow- boy Channel will also be covering the state finals in several states, something that has never been done before on any media platform.
“One of our main goals at The Cow- boy Channel is to grow the sport of rodeo and the best way to do that is by supporting and encouraging our youth,” said Raquel Gottsch Koehler, CEO of The

Cowboy Channel. “This is such a positive relationship with NHSRA as we both have similar missions to promote rodeo with the most positive image to the general public while preserving our western heritage.”
This announcement is an expansion on the already tremendous long standing relationship RFD-TV and NHSRA have had since 2002, as RFD-TV for the past 20 years has broadcast a weekly 30-minute show produced by the organization called “Cinch National High School Rodeo Tour,” which showcases the next generation in Western Sports. The tour stops at four NHSRA-approved rodeos, including the National High School Finals Rodeo and the National Junior High Finals.
“All of us at National High School Rodeo are extremely excited to partner with The Cowboy Channel,” said James Higginbotham, CEO of National High

School Rodeo Association. “We feel the exposure of our association, members and sponsors will be taken to another level and are looking forward to a very strong relationship as we continue to grow together in the future. Along with continuing The Cinch Tour telecast on RFD-TV, we will now be able to offer viewing audiences multiple ways to enjoy the talent of so many young athletes and we wish to thank The Cowboy Channel again for this opportunity.”
From the National High School Finals Rodeo arena to the bright yellow chutes at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, the NHSRA has seen some of the best cowboys and cowgirls before they were crowned ProRodeo World Champions such as Shad Mayfield (2020 World Champion Tie-Down Roper), Madison Outhier (2021 Rookie Break- away Roper) and Sage Kimzey (6x World Champion Bull Rider).

ARIAT BECOMES THE OFFICIAL SHOE OF THE NHSRA

Denver, CO - April 16, 2021 – The National High School Rodeo Association [NHSRA] is excited to announce an exclusive partnership with Ariat International as they become the official shoe of the NHSRA.  With all of the energy going into NHSRA’s 2021 events, we believe now is the perfect time to announce our partnership with Ariat, a brand that has a longstanding history with our association and student-athletes.

With two key elements in mind, promoting the western way of life and continuing education, the NHSRA relies heavily on support from sponsors like Ariat. Because of their  generous funding and loyal partnership, the NHSRA is able to take its strong foundations that were envisioned in 1949 to greater strides and soaring new heights.

“On behalf of NHSRA, we are thrilled to welcome back Ariat as our partner,” exclaims Vice President of Marketing, Chanel Haworth, “Ariat is known for upholding the western way of life across many different facets, and will help NHSRA mentor the next generation of student athletes.”

“Ariat is proud to partner once again with the NHSRA,” said Susan Alcala, Vice President, Partnership Marketing at Ariat. “Together, Ariat and NHSRA are making an investment in the future of rodeo and supporting the young men and women who will become our next generation of leaders. We’re honored to rejoin the NHSRA.”

It is evident that the heart, dedication and vision Ariat possesses for the industry will propel the future of rodeo by providing more opportunities to the passionate youth celebrating western heritage.

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To learn more about Ariat, visit:  https://www.ariat.com/

To learn more about NHSRA Sponsors, visit: https://nhsra.com/national-sponsors/

To learn more about NHSRA, visit: https://nhsra.com/

 

About Ariat International, Inc.

Ariat was founded in 1993 to reimagine the boot for the modern rider. Our pursuit of functional innovation has raised the bar for performance, fit, and craftsmanship all in service to Ariat’s global community of world-class athletes, Olympians, and people like you. Our products are designed to outperform in the most demanding environments. Ariat is now one of the top western, equestrian, outdoor, and work brands in the world. The company takes its name from Secretariat, the greatest racehorse of all time.

 About The National High School Rodeo Association

The National High School Rodeo Association was founded in 1949, the mission of the NHSRA has existed first and foremost to promote and support education and to develop the essential attributes of leadership, dedication, commitment and responsibility in high school students.  While preserving the western heritage, the NHSRA teaches its members to maintain the highest regard for each other and their livestock.  The NHSRA’s mission does not stop on the high school level, as the Association also strives to impart to its members the advantage of higher education and the desire to never stop learning.  The NHSRA supports their dreams by annually awarding more than $550,000.00 in scholarships at the national level, and $1.8 million in scholarship cumulatively on the international level.   With over 70 Years of history behind the NHSRA and continued growth and success, the organization is preserving the past and preparing for a successful future.

BLOOMER TRAILERS BECOMES THE OFFICIAL TRAILER OF THE NHSRA

DENVER, CO – February 23, 2021 – The National High School Rodeo Association [NHSRA] thrives on its support from national sponsors and we strive to be the best in promoting the sport of rodeo and continuing education. The NHSRA has recently partnered with Bloomer Trailers to be the Official Trailer of the NHSRA.

The NHSRA awards around $250,000 in scholarships from sponsors alone and with the help from Bloomer Trailers that tradition will continue to grow. Sponsors also play a key role in the added money for the optional jackpot at the National Junior High Finals and the National High School Finals Rodeo, now totaling $250,000 in added money.

“We are excited to welcome Bloomer Trailers aboard the NHSRA,” NHSRA V.P of Marketing, Chanel Haworth states, “Bloomer Trailers’ sponsorship will help increase the total payout and scholarships given at the National Junior High School Finals Rodeo and National High School Finals Rodeos. With their expertise in the western industry and passion for the sport of rodeo, we look forward to progressive partnership and growth with them.”

“The NHSRA has been on our radar for quite some time. We have supported youth rodeo athletes through other outlets, but we wanted to support it at a National level so that we can give back to the youth of rodeo across the world,” says Bloomer Trailers CEO, Randy Bloomer, “We are excited for the future and to help the sport grow and we believe that starts at the youth level.”

For the past 15 years, Bloomer Trailers has played a large role in the youth of rodeo. They not only are a state sponsor but also with they started the Bloomer Team, a youth rodeo team that teaches skills to advance at the next level, while also competing as a team at IFYR. As a large supporter of the youth in our sport, they are excited to watch the partnership help grow the sport.

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To learn more about Bloomer Trailers visit: https://bloomertrailers.com/

To learn more about NHSRA Sponsors visit: https://nhsra.com/national-sponsors/

NHSRA adds fifth Grade to the Junior High Division

Denver, Colorado | February 12, 2021 - Each year, the National High School Rodeo Association staff, national directors and the executive board meet to discuss and plan the future of the NHSRA during the Association’s annual Mid-Winter Meeting. A lot of discussion arose over the course of the week and after multiple positive conversations the NHSRA is happy to announce the Junior High Division will be allowing fifth graders to join starting with the 2021-2022 competition season.

The fifth graders will be able to compete in any of the already present Junior High Division events. They will be able to compete for all-around titles, state/provincial titles and qualify for the National Junior High Finals Rodeo.

“This topic is one I have personally presented for the past few years, so getting this approved feels great,” states NHSRA Executive Director James Higginbotham. “We try to make all of high school rodeo a welcoming family experience and we are hoping this adds to it. I think it’s safe to say there might be a few happy younger siblings that get to participate on rodeo weekends, rather than watch their older siblings.”

To see a full list of Junior High Division events click here: https://nhsra.com/jr-high-division-events/
To learn more about the Junior High Division click here:  https://nhsra.com/junior-high-division/

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Need more information? Please email [email protected]

NHSRA Adds More Money to the 2021 NJHFR and NHSFR

Denver, Colorado | February 5, 2021 - Each year, the National High School Rodeo Association executive board, national directors and staff meet to discuss and plan the future of the NHSRA during the Association’s annual Mid-Winter Meeting. After careful consideration and discussions during the meeting, the NHSRA is proud to announce it will add more money to each event, which will benefit National Junior High and High School finals competitors.

The optional jackpot has been present at the finals for 30 plus years. Things changed in 2019 when the NHSRA voted to add $150,000 to the optional jackpots allocating $50,000 to the National Junior High Finals Rodeo [NJHFR] and $100,000 to National High School Finals Rodeo [NHSFR] with hopes to reward competitors for their hard work and dedication. The NHSRA’s vote is to add $100,000 and allocate accordingly to each finals rodeo. The NJHFR was at $50,000 and will now increase to $100,000. The National High School Finals Rodeo NHSFR was sitting at $100,000 and will be raised to $150,000. This optional jackpot is a side pot for competitors to enter at the NJHFR and NHSFR. It is currently $75 per event for NJHFR contestants to enter and $150 per event for NHSFR contestants to enter. It pays back a total of 80%, split 20% in the first go, second go, short go and for the average; the remaining 20% covers NHSRA expenses to host the events.

Both prestigious events have seen great payouts back to its competitors from the optional jackpot. In previous years, contestants have earned approximately $4,000 to $7,000 by entering the optional jackpot.

“We are excited to give these kids a bigger purse to compete for,” said NHSRA Executive Director James Higginbotham. “They give so much all year, and this is just another chance for them to be rewarded. This will not affect the main goal of high school rodeo, which is to promote rodeo and education by awarding scholarships. We will still continue to award nearly $2 million in scholarships annually.”

For more information about the Junior High Finals click here: https://nhsra.com/juniorhighfinals/
For more information about the High School Finals click here: https://nhsra.com/nhsfr/

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Need more information? Please email [email protected]

NHSRA Welcomes New Zealand

January 29, 2020

National High School Rodeo Association

The National High School Rodeo Association is happy to announce the country of New Zealand joining NHSRA. New Zealand and NHSRA Executive Director James Higginbotham, have been in communication over the past few months working out details of joining and growth options.

With the addition of New Zealand NHSRA will have active members in 43 states, 5 Canadian Provinces, as well as, Mexico and Australia.

“We love seeing the growth of the association and look forward to watching New Zealand come into their own,” states James Higginbotham, NHSRA executive director.

New Zealand High School Rodeo Association exclaims, “This is a huge achievement for New Zealand to be associated with an international rodeo Association like the National High School Rodeo Association and a huge opportunity for our New Zealand Junior competitors to rodeo on the world stage!”

New Zealand will begin their first season on September 1, 2020!

For a list of State/Provincial associations, visit https://nhsra.com/contact/stateassociation-links

NHSRA Western Legacy Series

August 29, 2019

National High School Rodeo Association

NHSRA is proud to present the NHSRA Western Legacy Series. The NHSRA Western Legacy Series is a group of multi-state rodeos created with the member in mind. The National High School Rodeo Association is contributing $10,000 to each of these events. Each event can utilize the money towards production fees, membership engagement or added money. The base of creating these events was to give members another chance to compete at a higher-level event outside of the National Junior High or High School Finals Rodeo. Every one of these events is open to any NHSRA member in the Junior High or High School Division.

“The Western Legacy Series is an exciting new addition to the NHSRA,” states Kelly Anderson, western legacy and NHSRA executive board member. He also adds, “Our hope is that it will enhance our membership and give our members an opportunity to compete at a major event similar to our National Junior High and High School Finals Rodeo.”

NHSRA Executive Director, James Higginbotham feels the same way, stating, “The intention of adding this series is to bring more states/provinces together, to engage our members and give them another opportunity to rodeo on a larger scale.”

The first event starting out this series is The Badlands Challenge in Bowman, North Dakota, October 11-13, 2019 followed by the Southeastern Showdown in Perry, Georgia, November 8-10 and the Fall Bash in Guthrie, Oklahoma on November 8-10 as well. The final stop scheduled right now is the Icebreaker Challenge in Ogden, Utah which will be held March 6-8, 2020.

Don’t miss out! Come build your legacy today, visit: www.nhsra.com/nhsra-western-legacy-series/

About the National High School Rodeo Association

The National High School Rodeo Association was founded in 1949, the mission of the NHSRA has existed first and foremost to promote and support education and to develop the essential attributes of leadership, dedication, commitment and responsibility in high school students.  While preserving the western heritage, the NHSRA teaches its members to maintain the highest regard for each other and their livestock.  The NHSRA’s mission does not stop on the high school level, as the Association also strives to impart to its members the advantage of higher education and the desire to never stop learning.  The NHSRA supports their dreams by annually awarding more than $550,000.00 in scholarships at the national level, and $1.8 million in scholarship cumulatively on the international level. With over 70 Years of history behind the NHSRA and continued growth and success, the organization is preserving the past and preparing for a successful future.