Jr. NFR Returns to Fort Worth’s Historic Cowtown Coliseum
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Jr. National Finals Rodeo, originally scheduled for March, will now be held at the famous Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas, June 28-July 3. The Jr. NFR will guarantee at least $200,000 in added money, with champions winning a minimum of $10,000 per event. Entries are scheduled to open April 15 at 9 a.m. (MT) at www.jrrodeo.org.
The Jr. NFR, which will crown the 2021 World Champions, attracts the best youth contestants who have qualified through a variety of pathways, including the top place winners from all major youth rodeo associations. More than 1,200 contestants are eligible to enter. The list of qualified contestants is available at jrrodeo.org/qualifiers.
The world champions in the timed events also earn a semifinal position at the 2022 RFD-TV’s The American at AT&T Stadium for a run at a share of $1 million in prize money. The PRCA rodeo is scheduled for Feb. 28-March 6.
“We will provide our contestants a one-of-a-kind opportunity and showcase the best of the best in all of youth rodeo,” said Anthony Bartkowski, Director, Athlete Development & Welfare. “Jr. Rodeo’s vision is to provide contestants the ability to perform on the biggest stage and jump-start their PRCA careers.”
The Jr. NFR is a tournament-style rodeo with competition starting on June 28. The final qualifying rounds on July 1 feature the top 50 in timed events and the final performances in the riding events. The semifinals on July 2 will have two performances, featuring the five exemptions and qualifiers from the prior evening.
The Jr. NFR finals presents the top six semifinals place winners in a made-for-TV round. The world champion belt buckle is earned by the contestants with the fastest time or highest score on July 3. Each of the individual champions will receive at least a $10,000 payout, and the six timed-event contestants will earn a slot at the 2022 RFD-TV’s The American Semi-Finals in Arlington, Texas.
Fort Worth is the 13th largest city in the U.S. and home to a world-class cultural district, the No. 1 Zoo in the nation and the Stockyards National Historic District. Attendees can enjoy more than 200 open-air patio restaurants, more than 70 miles of connected walking and biking trails, the world’s only twice-daily cattle drive, and shopping and dining in downtown Fort Worth.
Jr. Rodeo, the PRCA’s official youth program, launched in 2019. In 2020, there were more than 70 sanctioned events with more than 1,200 contestants earning a slot at the 2021 Jr. NFR.
Jr. Rodeo provides contestants the opportunity to compete in the core rodeo events: bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, barrel racing and breakaway roping. To join or to host a Jr. Rodeo-sanctioned event, please visit www.jrrodeo.org or call 719-528-4723.
Courtesy of PRCA