March 28, 2024

Local student qualifies to compete at world’s largest junior high rodeo

DENVER — Hunter Reese, a sixth-grade student at Clarke Community School has earned a position on the Iowa state National Junior High rodeo team and will be traveling with fellow teammates to Lebanon, Tennessee, June 18 to 24 to compete at the 13th annual National Junior High Finals Rodeo (NJHFR) in the saddle bronc steer riding competition.

Featuring roughly 1,000 contestants from 43 states, five Canadian provinces and Australia, the NJHFR is the world’s largest junior high rodeo. In addition to competing for more than $80,000 in prizes, NJHFR contestants will also be vying for more than $200,000 in college scholarships and the chance to be named a National Junior High Finals Rodeo World Champion. To earn this title, contestants must finish in the top 20 — based on their combined times/scores in the first two rounds — to advance to Saturday evening’s final round. World champions will then be determined based on their three-round combined times/scores.

This year, the Saturday championship performance will be televised nationally as a part of the Cinch High School Rodeo Tour telecast series on RFD-TV. Live broadcasts of each performance will also air online at NHSRATV.com. Performance times are 7 p.m. on June 18 and 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. on subsequent days.

Along with great rode competition and the chance to meet new friends from around the world, NJHFR contestants have the opportunity to enjoy shooting sports, volleyball, contestant dances, family-oriented activities, church services sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Cowboys and shopping at the NJHFR tradeshow, as well as visiting area attractions as Lebanon hosts the event for the second year in a row.

Visit NHSRA.org for daily complete results and wilsoncountyexpo.com for information on obtaining tickets.