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It’s never too late to become an athlete in the original extreme sport of rodeo! It’s said that rodeo began in Deertrail, Colorado back in 1864 when two ranches quarreled over who was better at daily chores. A competition for bragging rights ensued and rodeo was born.

Today, organizations abound that offer the budding cowboy or cowgirl the opportunity to show their skills while competing for cash and prizes as an amateur at the local or national level.

Getting started begins with knowing which association is right for you based on your skill level, age and other factors. Check out the resources listed below and contact the organization that best matches your rodeo needs!

The American Junior Rodeo Association (AJRA) is for young people up to age 19. Like other rodeos for youth, the AJRA offers typical rodeo events and modifies some to maintain safety and encourage new comers. For example, the High Plains Junior Rodeo offers chute dogging in lieu of full-fledged bull dogging for the younger, less experienced hand. Safety is always the biggest priority and organizations like this one rely on the experience of seasoned professional and parents to assist kids in having a successful rodeo program.

AJRA participants are among good company as the association has produced such rodeo greats as Roy Cooper, Trevor Brazille and Cody Ohl. You can contact the American Junior Rodeo Association at 915/651-AJRA or ajra.org.

Another well-respected rodeo organization for young people is the National Little Britches Rodeo Association. Little Britches, like other entry level youth rodeo clubs, offers children 5-18 years old a chance to learn and compete in rodeo as well as earn money toward education. Many young cowboys/cowgirls at Little Britches rodeos display the skills they use daily at their home ranches. Others are new to the sport but are lured by the desire to compete, earn prizes and just be around horses. Contact Little Britches at 719/389-0333 or nlbra.com

Once a student is high school age, enrolled in 9th, 10th 11th or 12th grade and maintaining good grades and behavior, he/she can participate in The National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA). Established in Texas in 1949, this organization allows high school students to compete for scholarship money and work toward the NHSRA finals, held annually for talented teens and their horses. High School rodeo also offers queens contests, as well as a chance for teens to develop sportsmanship, horsemanship, and build character. The National High School Rodeo Association can be reached at 303/452-0820 or nhsra.com.

The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) has been the stepping stone for professional rodeo cowboys like Chris LeDoux, Ty Murray and Dan Mortensen. These competitors work on academics while competing in rodeos across the United States. Having college level rodeo is a logical step in the sequence of offering educational opportunities for youth and promoting the sport! NIRA can be reached at 509/529-4402 or at collegerodeo.com.

Adult Rodeo

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) is the best known rodeo organization in the world. It began in 1936 when some irate cowboys walked out of a rodeo at Boston Gardens in protest of the promoter’s failure to apply entry fees to prize money. The men returned when their demands were met and ultimately formed a new organization called the Cowboy Turtles Association (slow to form, but willing to stick their necks out!). In 1945 the name changed to the Rodeo Cowboys Association (RCA) and in 1975 to the current PRCA title. Members compete at sanctioned rodeos and earn money in a variety of events in hopes of securing a spot at the national finals! The PRCA can be reached at 719/593-8840 or at prorodeo.org.

Women have been working on the ranch as long as their male counterparts and by 1948 some Texas cowgirls organized to form the Girls Rodeo Association. This followed the first all-girls rodeo held in Amarillo, TX in 1947; an event that supporters doubted would take off, but resulted in a media frenzy with competitors traveling from dozens of other states. By 1981, the ladies changed their name to the current Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) and today they continue to support women’s rodeo competition nationwide. The WPRA can be reached at 719/576-0900 or wpra.com

Do you prefer ranch-oriented events and competition? Then the Working Ranch Cowboy Association (WRCA) ranch rodeos are for you. Entrants compete as teams from working ranches and show their skills in classes such as wild cow milking, team penning and team doctoring. Pride in ranch heritage is evident when these cowboys (and cowgirls) compete on the best ranch horses from across North America toward earning a team spot at the World Championship Ranch Rodeo Finals held in Amarillo, TX in November. The WRCA can be reached at 806/ 374-WRCA or wrca.org.

Yet another rodeo organization that is internationally recognized is The International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA). This association offers rodeos across the country and keeps the sport accessible to professionals and weekenders alike. Competitors equine sportcontinued from page 14compete on a regional level and work toward annual world championship finals, earning money and prizes in the process. The IPRA can be reached at 405/235-6540 or iprarodeo.com

Still not found an organization suited to your lifestyle? How about The International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA). The IGRA officially formed in 1985 as a parent organization to many state and regional clubs but has been informally hosting rodeos since the 1970’s. Although the IGRA is considered non-traditional to some, the group has used their rodeos as a platform to raise thousands of dollars for Muscular Dystrophy and other charities. You can reach the IGRA at 303/595-IGRA or igra.com.

Christina Fleming is a writer, clinician and horse trainer living in Tucumcari, NM. She can be reached at NMVaquera@plateautel.net.