National High School Rodeo Association [NHSRA]

What is the National High School Rodeo Association?

The idea that led to the establishment of the National High School Rodeo Association, or NHSRA, was conceived in Hallettsville, Texas in 1946. That year, Claude Mullins, a Texas school superintendent and rodeo enthusiast , started an organization called the Texas High School Rodeo Association as a way to interest high school students in rodeo sports and encourage competition for championship titles. The first competition in 1947 attracted high schools from other states which then began their own local rodeos. This eventually led to formation of the National High School Rodeo, whose first competition was held in Hallettsville in 1949. That competition marked the official birth of the National High School Rodeo Association, with Claude Mullins as President.
The NHSRA has grown monumentally from its humble Texas beginnings. Its current population of over 12,000 is made up of members from as far away as Australia. Also on the roster are five Canadian provinces and 41 states in the U.S. Its headquarters are in Denver, Colorado. As of 2004, the NHSRA has a Junior High Division that welcomes younger students.

Where are the rodeos held?

Final event competitions for both the High School and Junior High Divisions are held once every year. The location of the event changes every two years, though it must be in one of the NHSRA member states. For 2014 and 2015, for example, the host city for the High School Division finals is Rock Springs, Wyoming. Des Moines, Iowa is the designated location for the Junior High finals for both years.

Who can participate?

Boys and girls who wish to join the National High School Rodeo Association must be attending high school and less than 20 years old at the start of the rodeo year. The Junior High Division accepts students in grades six through eight. Students must have a good school record with no this history of behavior problems.

How do you become a member?

Students interested in joining NHSRA can apply through their state organization. The application must include a copy of a certificate of age and high school grade. State and national dues must be paid, and medical insurance must be purchased even by students already covered by a family policy.

What are the events?

Boys’ events include:

• Steer wrestling
• Bareback riding
• Bull riding
• Cutting horse
• Calf roping

Girls’ events include:

• Barrel racing
• Breakaway roping
• Goat tying
• Pole bending
• Cutting horse

The one event where boys and girls compete together is team roping. Certain additional events, such boys’ chute dogging, are specific to the Junior High Division.

Recent news

The NHSRA has just added a new event called the reined cow horse. An introduction video has been released by the National Reined Cow Horse Association to facilitate preparation for the new event.

Official CINCH National High School Finals Rodeo 2014 Champions

Marcus Theriot – All-Around Cowboy

Mia Manzanares – All Around Cowgirl (Goat Tying)

Tristan Martin – Steer Wrestling

Sade Smith – Girls’ Cutting

Logan Berg – Bareback Riding

Mikayla Harrison – Girls’ Breakaway Roping

Tyler Milligan – Team Roping

Sam Terry – Saddle Bronc Riding

Cooper Martin – Tie-Down Roping

Lily Tillery – Pole Bending

Samray Hooper – Boys’ Cutting

Brady Norman – Team Roping

Lindsey Mcleod – Barrel Racing 

Bobby Vaughan – Bull Riding

Last Updated on 05/03/2019 by Aaron Kuhl

CLN Community & Event Sponsor

About the Author:

Aaron Kuhl

Biography:

Aaron Kuhl is a passionate advocate for the western lifestyle, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to his role as Chief Operations 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.