Northeast Rodeo Association Youth Division

Welcome to the Northeast Rodeo Association Youth Division! We are excited to introduce a new opportunity for young rodeo athletes to develop their skills, compete in a supportive environment, and become part of a growing rodeo community rooted in sportsmanship, respect, and family.

Our next Youth Rodeo will take place Saturday, August 8th, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Fonda Fairgrounds.

Youth Division Eligibility

Contestants must be 8 through 18 years of age as of January 1 of the current competition year. Age is determined as of January 1 and remains the contestant's official competition age for the entire season.

Beginning with the August rodeos, contestants wishing to compete throughout the season will be required to purchase a Northeast Rodeo Association Youth Membership for $100.

Youth Events

Our Youth Division offers opportunities for a variety of age groups and skill levels.

Events include:

• Barrel Racing (Girls & Boys)

• Pole Bending (Girls & Boys)

• Breakaway Roping (Girls & Boys)

• Team Roping (Girls & Boys)

• Chute Dogging (13 years and older)

• Junior Bull Riding (10 -13 years)

• Bull Riding (14 years and older)

Event age requirements are designed to provide a safe and competitive experience for all contestants.

Registration Information

Youth Division registration is completed separately from the evening rodeo performance.

• Entries open two weeks prior to each event on Monday at 6:00 a.m. (ET)

• Entries close on the Wednesday before the event at midnight

• Entry Fee: $40 per event

Payouts will be determined by the number of contestants entered in each event. Additional payout information will be discussed during the Parent Meeting.

Outstanding performers from each event may have the opportunity to be recognized during the 6:00 p.m. Northeast Rodeo Association performance. Contestants wishing to compete in the evening performance must register separately and pay the applicable evening entry fee.

Payout Structure

• 70% of entry fees are paid back to contestants.

• 30% supports stock expenses and our end-of-season buckle awards, helping us build a strong and sustainable youth rodeo program.

Rules

To ensure fair competition, judges will follow:

• WPRA Rules for Barrels, Breakaway Roping and Team Roping

• APRA Rules for all remaining rodeo events

Stalls & Camping

We are pleased to offer accommodations for those traveling to compete.

• Horse stalls are provided free of charge.

• Shavings must be purchased through the Northeast Rodeo Association for $10 per bag.

• Outside shavings are not permitted.

• Please leave your stall completely cleaned before departure and dispose of all manure and debris in the designated manure pits located near the barns.

Camping options include:

• RV Hook-Up: $40 per night

• Dry Camping: Complimentary

For the safety of all animals and participants, all horses must be stalled while on the fairgrounds.

Rodeo Attire

We encourage all contestants and volunteers to help preserve the traditions and professionalism of rodeo.

Appropriate rodeo attire includes:

• Jeans

• Long-sleeve button-down shirt with a collar, tucked in pants.

• Cowboy boots

• Cowboy hat and/or Helmet are required.

We ask our volunteers to dress similarly, as they represent the Northeast Rodeo Association and help create an authentic rodeo experience for our youth and spectators.

Volunteers Needed

The Youth Division is built on the support of our rodeo families and community.

We are looking for volunteers to assist with:

• Bucking chutes

• Roping events

• Barrel setting

• Pole setting

• General arena support

Volunteer opportunities will be organized through SignUp Genius during the registration period. We hope to rotate volunteers throughout the day so everyone has an opportunity to both help and enjoy watching the youth compete.

Northeast Rodeo Youth Association Membership

A Northeast Rodeo Youth Association Membership is $100 per season and is required for contestants who wish to earn year-end points and buckles. We are NOW adding $100 Cash Bonus to compete for the All-Around Cowboy/Cowgirl at each Youth Rodeo for our members.

Your membership includes:

• One official Northeast Rodeo Youth Association button-down competition shirt.

• An official contestant back number (back tag) for the season.

Competition Attire

All members are required to be in full attire and wear their official Northeast Rodeo Youth Association button-down shirt during check-in and throughout all Youth Rodeo events. Your assigned back tag must be displayed on the back of your shirt at all times while competing.

Points & Year-End Awards

Only current members are eligible to earn championship points. Points are awarded to the Top 10 finishers in each event at every rodeo:

• 1st Place: 10 points

• 2nd Place: 9 points

• 3rd Place: 8 points

• 4th Place: 7 points

• 5th Place: 6 points

• 6th Place: 5 points

• 7th Place: 4 points

• 8th Place: 3 points

• 9th Place: 2 points

• 10th Place: 1 point

Throughout the season, these points accumulate toward our year-end buckles.

Incentives

In addition to cash payouts at every rodeo event, members compete for exciting season awards, including:

• $100 All-Around Cowgirl/Cowboy Cash Bonus

• Year-End Championship Buckles awarded to the top point earners in each division.

Every rodeo offers competitors the opportunity to earn cash payouts in each event, while also building points toward prestigious year-end buckles.

We are excited to welcome you to the beginning of something special. Our goal is to create a safe, competitive, and family-centered environment where young athletes can build confidence, develop their rodeo skills, and experience the values of hard work, integrity, and community. We look forward to seeing you in the arena!