National High School Rodeo Association adds reined cow horse to its event lineup
Working in partnership with the National Reined Cow Horse Association, the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA) approved the addition of reined cow horse as an optional event. Reined cow horse began to phase in at NHSRA-sanctioned events in the fall of 2014, joining the existing lineup of bareback riding, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, and cutting for boys; and breakaway roping, barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, cutting, team roping, and the queen contest for girls.
Both associations acknowledge that reined cow horse will elevate the riding ability of NHSRA members who choose to learn and take part in the event.
The NHSRA partnership also provides the NRCHA a broad new audience for its sport. Approximately 12,500 students in 43 states, five Canadian provinces, Mexico and Australia hold NHSRA memberships, and the association sanctions more than 1,100 rodeos annually. The NHSRA produces the two elite youth rodeo events in the world – The National Junior High Finals Rodeo (NJHFR) and the National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR). The NHSFR is the “World’s Largest Rodeo,” featuring approximately 1,500 contestants from across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Australia.
July 2025 /// Rock Springs, Wyoming
If you are headed to the 2025 National High School Rodeo Finals, mark your calendars for the FREE Reined Cow Horse Clinic presented by CINCH. Registration details will come in the spring of 2025.
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The addition of reined cow horse as a National High School Rodeo Association event has generated tremendous new interest in the NRCHA. Let’s work together to introduce our sport to a fresh youth audience!
NRCHA members: consider organizing your own local cow horse clinic for National High School Rodeo competitors and other high school-age riders. This can be done through your NRCHA affiliate, in a small group or as an individual. Support materials are available to help you produce a free or very low-cost clinic.
Adding NHSRA Cow Horse to an NRCHA Sanctioned Event
To add NHSRA cow horse to an NRCHA sanctioned event, you will need approval from the NHSRA region or district (for the states that have regions or districts), the state, and the national organization. To obtain approval, contact the NHSRA secretary in your area and they will assist in filing the Activity Sheet. A list of secretaries can be found below.
How it works: A single event can be approved by multiple regions or states. For example, a show can be held in Oklahoma that has approval from the state of Oklahoma as well has Texas regions 3, 4 and 10. Competitors from those different states and regions can all earn points in their respective home state or region at that single event.
