Juniors participate in some rip-roarin' rodeo action!

The Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association believes that junior rodeo builds a strong foundation of character, discipline and self-esteem. Along with strong family bonds as many dedicated parents stand beside their competitors working long hard hours leading up to the rodeos. These young athletes follow the Western Heritage that set the stage for tomorrow’s rodeo Cowboys and Cowgirls.

Our young Cowboys and Cowgirls ages 6 and under will be competing in the following events: the stick horse racing and stick horse barrels and then try their hand at throwing a real cowboys loop in our dummy roping. Back again this year is the fast paced goat ribbon jerking where contestants must chase down a small goat, remove the ribbon from his tail and race back to the finish line. Rounding out our Pee Wee category is the ever-popular mutton busting where the cowboys and cowgirls hop aboard a 4-legged bundle of wool and attitude.

Our Buckaroos boys and girls ages 7-11 will be able to race timed scores for the birangle flag race, pole bending and cloverleaf barrel racing. Our contestants will be able to compete in the calf riding event or try their roping hand on a moving target for the break-away roping as well as racing down the arena to compete in the goat tying event. For many this is a first time option to compete in an event from horseback.

The Junior competitors ages 12-15 and Seniors age 16-20 will compete in their respective age categories in birangle flags, team roping and steer riding for both girls and boys. The Cowboys will be able to try their hand at calf tying, steer stopping and chute dogging. The Cowgirls will be throwing their lassos for break away roping and will compete for speed in goat tying, pole bending and cloverleaf barrel racing. Many of these older cowboys and cowgirls use this rodeo experience to move on to upper level college rodeo after high school graduation.

The junior rodeo competitors have a total of six rodeos for this season. The public is invited to watch the upcoming two day rodeo on August 1st and 2nd. Then the rodeo finals will be held on Sept. 13th followed by a celebration to award fabulous prizes and announce the high point winners in each event and the All Around Cowboy and Cowgirl in each age division. All six of the junior rodeos will be held at the Tehachapi Event Center and Rodeo Grounds at 601 South Dennison Road.

For more information on Junior Rodeo visit our website at http://www.tehachapiprorodeo.com or like us on our Facebook page. Where you can also find more information about the presale discount for tickets to our 2 day PRCA Rodeo on Friday Aug. 14, and Saturday August 15.