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