DENVER -- Callie Keaton, a ninth-grade student at McDonald County High School, earned a position on the Arkansas National High School rodeo team and traveled with fellow teammates to Gillette, Wyo., to compete at the 68th annual National High School Finals Rodeo in the Barrel Racing and Pole Bending competitions. The rodeo started July 17 and will end July 23.
"She earned the spot through competition on the state level for the 2015-16 season," said Jennifer Keaton, Callie's mother. "She was the Arkansas Champion in Barrel Racing and Pole Bending."
Keaton's younger sister, Courtney, earned a position on the National Junior High School rodeo team in June.
Featuring more than 1,650 contestants from 43 states, five Canadian provinces and Australia, the NHSFR is the world's largest high school rodeo. In addition to competing for more than $200,000 in prizes, NHSFR contestants will also be vying for more than $350,000 in college scholarships and the chance to be named a NHSFR World Champion.
To earn this title, contestants must finish in the top 20 -- based on their combined times and 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 and scores.
Again, this year, the Saturday championship performance will be televised nationally as a part of the "Cinch High School Rodeo Tour" telecast series of RFD-TV. Live broadcasts of each NHSFR performance will also air online at NHSRATV.com. Performance times are 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. each day.
Along with great rodeo competition and the chance to meet new friends from around the world, NHSFR 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 NHSFR trade show.
To follow your local favorites at the NHSFR, visit NHSRA.org daily for complete results. For ticket information, call 307-682-0552.
Community on 07/21/2016