In the heart of America’s rodeo culture, where grit, determination and horsemanship collide, two organizations quietly cultivate the next generation of professional rodeo talent: the National Junior High Rodeo Association and the National High School Rodeo Association. These organizations are more than youth rodeo associations — they are the training grounds for many of today’s and tomorrow’s rodeo champions.
The NHSRA, founded in 1949, and its junior counterpart, the NJHRA (established in 2004), were created to provide structured competition for young rodeo athletes. With divisions starting as early as sixth grade, these organizations offer a pathway for youth to develop skills in traditional rodeo events like barrel racing, bull riding, steer wrestling and team roping.
What began with a handful of competitors has grown into a global movement, with over 12,000 members across the United States, Canada, Mexico and Australia. These athletes compete throughout the school year in district, state or provincial rodeos, hoping to earn a coveted spot at the National Junior High School Finals Rodeo or the National High School Finals Rodeo.
Photo Courtesy of Katie DeLong
The reigning 2024 NJHRA Ribbon Roping Champions, Henry Buchanan and Louise DeLong, hail from the Silver State of Nevada. As a multi-event cowgirl, DeLong said she used every year of eligibility in the NJHSRA. After just completing the eighth grade, she has one more shot at another world title, while Buchannan is running for his first shot at an NHSRA champion buckle.
Buchanan says, “High school rodeo has taught me to focus on my job, not winning. I’ve learned that I need to focus on techniques and getting the job done instead of the results on paper.”
The competitive structure and support systems built into NJHRA and NHSRA closely mirror the professional circuits run by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. This familiar framework gives aspiring athletes early exposure to the expectations, travel demands and mental preparation needed at the pro level.
Kash Loyd, a sophomore from Texas who won the bareback riding at the 2024 NHSFR, said he feels the NHSRA is setting him up for a future in pro rodeo.
“High school rodeo puts you in front of the guys that go down the road now — whether that’s judges, stock contractors, other bareback riders — people are going to see your name,” Loyd said.
Photo by 807Sports Photography
“It publicizes my name. That makes people, other bareback riders, want to go down the road with me. If they see that I can do that, they know I can ride bareback horses well. They see that I have a good attitude. They see my relationship with God, and that’s what I want. That’s what’s been the best part of the NHSRA.”
2024 All-Around and Goat Tying Champion Drew Ellen Stewart said the NHSRA prepares students for the high-pressure situations faced by professional rodeo contestants.
“National High School Rodeo sets a kid’s goal — like, ‘Oh, I want to go to nationals. I want to be a national champion.’ That’s the ultimate goal over any other high school event,” Stewart said. “That national title is one of the highest titles as a high school rodeo athlete. And with it being so high, it puts you in high-pressure situations that prep you for what it will be like when you go into pro rodeo.”
Participation in junior high and high school rodeo builds more than just rodeo champions — it builds character. Competitors must manage their livestock, maintain equipment, balance travel with academics, and often help finance their careers through sponsorships or part-time work. Responsibility, discipline and resilience are ingrained in every aspect of a young rodeo athlete’s life.
Photo by Jennings Photography
Stewart said she knows the challenge of balancing elite-level rodeo with life as a full-time student.
“It’s difficult because I still go to public school, and I’m one of the few rodeo athletes who still don’t homeschool,” Stewart said. “My family helps a lot, though, because it takes a whole village to allow me to be a four-event all-around cowgirl and a cross country and state track athlete.”
Many NJHRA and NHSRA alums have gone on to dominate professional rodeo stages. Trevor Brazile, an NHSRA alumnus, is widely regarded as the “King of the Cowboys” and holds the title of the winningest cowboy in PRCA history, with an astounding 26 world championships, including 14 all-around titles.
Sage Kimzey, who also competed in the NHSRA, has become one of the most successful bull riders in recent history, with an incredible seven PRCA World Champion titles. His journey from youth rodeo to professional rodeo stardom exemplifies how the skills and mindset developed in high school rodeo can propel an athlete to greatness.
Jackie Crawford, an NHSRA alumna and one of the most decorated cowgirls in the WPRA, has amassed more than 20 world titles in the all-around, breakaway, tie-down and team roping. Crawford has spoken often about how the high school rodeo experience helped her develop the competitive edge and mental toughness needed to thrive in a male-dominated sport.
These athletes prove that the path to the Thomas & Mack Center often starts in the arenas of state fairgrounds and high school rodeo events. Their stories testify to how the NHSRA and NJHRA are launchpads to greatness.
These youth associations are now key recruiting grounds for sponsors, scouts and coaches. Rodeo camps and development programs are often held alongside NJHRA and NHSRA events to identify and nurture top-tier talent.
The National Junior High and High School Rodeo Associations are doing more than hosting rodeos — they are building the future of the sport. Through structured competition, life-skill development and real-world experience, these organizations play a vital role in curating the next generation of pro rodeo stars.
As long as there are young rodeo athletes with big dreams, NJHRA and NHSRA will be there, helping them prepare for success.
