Local Student Qualifies to Compete at World’s Largest Jr High Rodeo
Denver – Jacee Burney, a 6th grade student at Friona Junior High School has earned a position on the New Mexico state National Junior High rodeo team and will be traveling with fellow teammates to Huron, South Dakota, June 24th thru June 30th to compete at the 14th annual Nation Junior High Finals Rodeo (NJHFR) in the Pole Bending competition.
Featuring roughly 1,000 contestants from 43 states, five Canadian provinces, Australia and Mexico, the NJHFR is the world’s largest junior high rodeo. In addition to competing for more than $80,000 in prizes, 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.
Again 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 all NJHFR performances will air on www.RidePass.com. Performance times are 7 p.m. on June 24th and 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. each day thereafter.
Along with great rodeo 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 shipping at the NJHFR tradeshow, as well as visiting area attractions as Huron hosts the NJHFR this year. To follow your local favorites at the NJHFR, visit www.NHSRA.com daily for complete results.
Jacee also qualified for and competed in the New Mexico state rodeo that was held May 24-28. She tied for 3rd in the pole bending, 15h in Barrel Racing, 10th in Ribbon Roping, 16th in Goat Tying, 25th in Team Roping, and 18th in Breakaway Roping. She was named the Reserve Rookie of the Year and finished 12th in the All Around. This was Jacee’s first year to compete in the Junior High Rodeo.
