June 8, 2018 - Justin Raymond, a 7th grade student at Shelbyville Jr. High School recently competed in the Texas Jr. High Rodeo Finals in Gonzales, Texas. While there, he and his partner, George Chambers from Benton Louisiana, ended up winning Reserve State Grand Champion in the Team Roping Event and also earned a position on the Texas 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 National Junior High Finals Rodeo (NJHFR) in the Team Roping 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, NJHFR 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. & 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 shopping 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. For ticket information and reservations, visit www.sdstatefair.com.
