YOUTH Initiative

As you watch the skill and dogged determination of rodeo contestants, have you ever wondered where they got their start?

Youth rodeo began in the late 1940s with the inception of the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA) and the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA). Prescott Frontier Days® is proud to support these organizations, and the newly created Yavapai County Junior Rodeo Association, as well as many others involved with youth rodeo.

The NHSRA mission statement is a perfect example of what it means to foster core values and love for the sport of rodeo:

“Promote the sport of rodeo and the highest type of conduct and sportsmanship and expose its positive image to the public. Preserve the Western Heritage. Offer a privilege of family bonding. Offer an opportunity of continuing education. Maintain the highest regard for our livestock.”

The mission of the NIRA is to foster and develop rodeo at the college level so it provides educational and competitive opportunities for students. The goals and purposes of the NIRA are to emphasize the importance of scholastic advancement and to:

• provide, encourage, and promote opportunities for student members to pursue and complete post-secondary degrees at member institutions.

• encourage the development of sportsmanship and humane treatment of livestock.

• develop citizenship and leadership values and skills.

• encourage prospective college students to enroll in member schools by providing funding and competition opportunities related to the sport of rodeo.

• encourage rodeo programs and provide opportunities and training.

• promote competent and ethical coaching of student members.

• stimulate and develop public awareness, understanding, and appreciation for the sport of rodeo as well as its heritage and lifestyle.

• promote rodeo on a national scale.

With these two core associations and the values they hold, the future contestants of Professional Rodeo and the World’s Oldest Rodeo® will be great ambassadors to our sport!

You can see these associations and events here at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds or around the area throughout the year. We encourage you to support them as they are our future contestants here at the World’s Oldest Rodeo!