Rodeo is a time-honored tradition, and rodeo fans from across the country regularly attend rodeo events to enjoy the festivities and competitive spirit that they are known for. While many rodeo events feature adult contestants, the Arizona Junior Rodeo Association sponsors events for younger competitors. The junior rodeo gives contestants who are between the ages of four and 18 the chance to compete in a wide range of competitions and to develop a love for the rodeo that they can carry on throughout adulthood.
What is the AJRA?
Wyatt Kent at the 2015 AJRA Finals in Prescott, AZ
, has been in existence for more than five decades, and its popularity has increased over the years. It focuses on building character in children and teens, including areas related to hard work, sportsmanship and the family and western lifestyle that rodeo are known for. Junior rodeo features a number of competitive events, including calf roping, team roping, chute dogging, steer riding, calf riding, ribbon roping, bull riding and others. Because this is a non-profit organization, its success is based in large part on donations as well as parent volunteers. Whether you are interested in participating as a volunteer, a fan, a sponsor or a competitor, this is a wonderful organization to get involved with.
Monty James, Coy Newman,Wyatt Kent, Sid Ross Skiver, Denton Peterson. Winners of the Shoot Dogging at the 2015 AJRA Finals
AJRA Finals
Each year, the Arizona Junior Rodeo Association hosts a series of events that culminate into the AJRA finals. These events are typically two-day events that are held over a weekend, and the schedule for junior rodeo runs from September through May each season. Some of the cities that have hosted these rodeo events in the past include Williams, Cottonwood, Buckeye, Casa Grande, Gilbert and others. This year, the AJRA finals will be held on May 16 and 17 in Prescott, Arizona. The finals bring together the top 10 qualifies in each event to compete in head to head competition in their events. The AJRA finals also include an awards banquet, a raffle drawing, dry camping, RV camping and even cowboy church.
Wyatt Kent Saddles won at AJRA Finals in Prescott Az
From the individual competitions leading up to the AJRA finals to the final event held in May, junior rodeo provides young rodeo enthusiasts with a lot to be excited about. While it may be too late this year for newcomers to compete, those who are interested in competing for the next season can sign up to compete at the first event for the Arizona Junior Rodeo Association for the 2015-2016 season.
Thanks for joining the
CLN,
Ak-Chin Indian Community and
Earnhardt Auto Centers “Road Team” through Prescott, Arizona for the 2015 AJRA Finals.
Special CLN Thanks to Our CLN Sponsors:
Aaron Kuhl Aaron Kuhl is a passionate advocate for the western lifestyle, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to his role as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Cowboy Lifestyle Network (CLN). Growing up as an Arizona native, with a mother who worked for Wrangler Western for over 30 years, Aaron was immersed in the cowboy culture from a young age. Aaron and his sister Heather grew up watching rodeos, as their grandfather and uncle were PRCA ProRodeo cardholders. This early exposure has given him a profound understanding and appreciation for the western way of life. Aaron went to Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, AZ, then to the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ, where he received a Bachelor of Science after creating his own major. This unique course of study wove together Business Marketing, Geography, Sociology, Philosophy, and Religion. After graduating from the University of Arizona, Aaron joined CLN in its nascent stages, contributing to its growth and development over the past decade. As COO, Aaron manages operations, using AI to streamline processes and analyze data, ensuring CLN remains a leading voice. With expertise in business development, he innovates and cultivates client relationships, supporting CLN’s exponential growth. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Aaron values his faith, family, and friends, which are the cornerstones of his life. This personal foundation, combined with his professional expertise, makes him a trusted and authoritative voice in the western lifestyle community. Aaron’s commitment to philanthropy is the bedrock of his personal ethos. He actively supports local Arizona organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, Chandler Compadres, Horses Help, Harris Brothers Charity Foundation, and the American Heart Association (among others), reflecting his dedication to giving back and strengthening the community he calls home. Through his work, Aaron aims to preserve and promote the traditions of the west, ensuring that the spirit of the cowboy lives on for future generations.
