While rodeo is not recognized as a regular high school varsity sport, no other atheltic activity in history was ever developed which so embodies the traditions and history of an entire way of life. The events in rodeo grew out of the actual day-to-day duties of the American cowboy, or were dreamed up to further test the courage, stamina and ability of these Westerners.

In fact and fiction, no other single group of people have captured the imagination and respect of the world's population more than the American cowboy. This and many other factors set High School Rodeo apart from other high school sports. The fact that these athletes are competing on a scale comparable with college and professional rodeo competitors and the stock these young athletes compete on are the same size and caliber of those used at any professional rodeo, makes high school rodeo unique amon other youth sports.

Many of the young athletes involved in the National High School Rodeo Association are the second or third generation to be a part of this unique organization and are themselves world-class athletes who compete not onlin in high school rodeos, but in professional and adult amateur rodeos as well. The cowboy or cowgirl and the animals used in rodeo compete against themselves and the clock, as much as they compete against other contestants.

Another fact which sets High School Rodeo apart from other varsity sports is that it is a truly independant student athletic association, receiving no financial assitance from tax dollars - and, therefore, does not usually come under the supervison of school administrations. High School Rodeo doesn't suffer from this independence, though. The association is basically self-supporting (with the generous assistance of national corporate sponsors) and is highly successful. Members are fully-insured, supervised and guided by adult experts, and have as much opportunity to acquire scholarships and grants for higher education as their schoolmates who are invovled in recognized high school varsity sports. In fact, many NHSRA members are also stars in other high school sports as well.

Just as in any other sport, there are championships to be won at all levels. These high school cowboys and cowgirls compete on the state level for local recognition, and if they are in the top four in their event they qualify for the World's Largest Rodeo; the National High School Finals Rodeo which is held the last full week in July. The NHSFR brings together 1,300 individual contestants from the 37 state and three Canadian province associations to compete for national titles, awards and scholarships.

At the NHSFR and other qualifying high school rodeos, two events - team roping and cattle cutting - allow participation by both boys and girls. In addition there are an even number of other events for both sexes that uniquely combine the students' and animals' speed, dexterity and physical ability. The boys compete in saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, bull riding, calf roping, team roping, and cattle cutting. Girls compete in barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, breakaway calf roping, team roping and cattle cutting. The girls are also eligible to compete in a rodeo queen contest which, while it combines most of the color of any pagent, puts heavy emphasis on horsemanship abilities.

In summary , the NHSRA provides a unique opportunity for North American youth to participate in one of the most rewarding sports experiences available anywhere - and, you don't have to be born in the saddle to get involved.