By: Wyatt Imus

The Thomas and Mack Arena may be known as the "House that Joe Built," referring to eight-time world champion cowboy Joe Beaver, but there's a generation of young cowboys and cowgirls who want to do some remodeling.

Over the next six months, these future stars are participating in 20 qualifiers across the country for a chance to compete in the Wrangler Junior National Finals Rodeo at the Las Vegas Convention Center in December.

After the JrNFR made its debut in 2016, a number of NFR qualifiers and a few champions expressed how they wished they had a similar competition to get them ready for the big show.

Eighty percent of rodeo is mental. Sure, you need a good horse and you have rope 'em tight around the neck," Beaver said. "But, when you back in the box you need all the confidence in the world and nerves of steel. The JrNFR will provide that mental experience these young cowboys need.

One of the events featured at the JrNFR is team roping. Each event at the JrNFR is sponsored by different people or associations and has its own unique way to qualify.

Total Team Roping is the sponsoring association for the JrNFR Team Roping. You must be a member of Total Team Roping to enter JrNFR qualifiers that will be held throughout the country and be eligible for the JrNFR in Las Vegas. The top 15 money-winning headers and the top 15 money-winning heelers of each age group will qualify to enter the JrNFR.


The JrNFR's slate of 20 qualifiers began on April 22 and wraps up on October 28.

Garrett Chick and Ross Ashford won the first JrNFR team roping qualifier in April at the Crawfish Open Team Roping in Llano, Texas, sponsored by Total Team Roping. Entries were four head $100/man and ropers could enter up to three times.


The JrNFR team roping events are tentatively scheduled for December 12-16. The format will be a five-head average and the payout is to be determined -- stay tuned to FloRodeo for more updates and information.

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