After a year of blood, sweat, tears, and lots of homework on the road, the best of the best in high school rodeo are heading to Gillette, Wyoming, from July 16-22, 2023, to compete in the National High School Finals Rodeo 2023! This event was created to allow students to participate and compete in the sport of rodeo on a national level which isn’t often recognized by high school athletic programs. To qualify to compete in the Finals, National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA) members compete at the state level, and the top four from each state move on. Over 1,500 contestants from across the US, Canada, Mexico, and worldwide will compete for national titles, awards, and scholarships.
With a mission to promote the Western lifestyle and heritage while offering a venue for family bonding, continuing education, and a place to display the highest type of conduct, the NHSRA is one built on true honor and integrity. What began as a small idea quickly became an association with a significant impact on the rodeo sport. The NHSRA was founded by Claude Mullins, a teacher who loved rodeo and had an even bigger love for the youth. The sport of rodeo picked up steam in the 1930s, and Mullins was an instant fan! He then noticed the young people in his area heading to the local arena every day to practice roping. With the realization that the young people needed a competition of his own and talking with other leaders in his area, the idea of the high school championship rodeo was born.
The NHSRA membership boasts a total of 12,500 members from 44 states, 5 Canadian Provinces, Mexico, New Zealand, and Australia! The association is governed by national directors, with one representative from each state/ provincial association. This board sees to the continued success of the NHSRA and is also responsible for the National High School Finals Rodeo each year.
Not only does the NHSRA give young rodeo athletes a chance to compete with the best in their age group, but it also gives them opportunities to fund their higher education. The National High School Rodeo Foundation organizes, manages, awards, and pays out the scholarships awarded by sponsors of the NHSRA. Scholarships are also awarded by the Foundation, which consists of a board of directors, officers, and an executive committee.
Schedule Information
The schedule for the week is jam-packed, so buckle up! While there are many meetings, check-ins, clinics, and more leading up to the competition, the real action gets going on July 16th at 7 pm. The first rodeo performance, themed “Vintage Night,” kicks us off! The second rodeo performance is the next morning at 9 am, followed by the third that evening at 7 pm. July 18th through July 21st, see the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh rodeo performances. Finally, the day you’ve been waiting for is July 22nd, with the final performance and the short go! Following the Short Go Round performance will be the awards for the Short-Go and the World Championships!
With a large field of the best of the best high school rodeo athletes, the National High School Finals Rodeo 2023 is the place to check out the up-and-comers in the sport. Check it out and get there!
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