By: Jimmie Smith

Some of the top young rodeo athletes in the country are converging on Guthrie, Oklahoma, this week for the National Little Britches Rodeo Association (NLBRA).

Founded in 1952 as a youth rodeo association for kids 5 to 18 years old, the NLBRA has had many youth members who have gone on to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, resulting in many world champions. It allows them to compete locally and then move on to compete nationally for the majority of their youth careers, preparing them to be competitive at any level.

This year's NLBRA Finals, which are running from July 4-9 at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, are set to host over 2,000 entries and over 1,200 contestants during the nearly week-long event.



With over 20 franchises across the United States, the NLBRA gives an opportunity to almost all youth rodeo contestants to compete for a national title. To become a member, all the contestant must do is complete the membership application and pay the membership fee.

"Being in the association has made me a better competitor because I am able to rodeo year-round, which is sometimes hard to do living in Illinois," said Anna Mau, a senior from Illinois. "Outside the arena, the association provides a family-based atmosphere to meet people that end up becoming lifelong friends."

Annually, the association sanctions nearly 400 youth rodeos in 15 states, which all operate in accordance with the NLBRA Rule Book. During the 2013-2014-rodeo season, the NLBRA franchised 373 rodeos, which provided more opportunities for NLBRA members to earn points and qualify for the National Finals Rodeo. More than 2,000 kids from 27 states compete in NLBRA rodeos each year. Contestants compete for prizes such as saddles, buckles, scholarships, and cash at local rodeos as well as the National Finals events. By competing at local events, contestants work to qualify for the annual National Finals Rodeo.

The NLBRA has three different age groups, including Little Wranglers, who become eligible to join on their fifth birthday.
 
Ages of members are:

• Little Wranglers -- 5 through 8
• Juniors -- 9 through 13
• Seniors -- 14 through 18

Each Franchise rodeo must host all the events.

SENIOR BOYS EVENTS

• Bareback Riding (BB)
• Saddle Bronc Riding (SB)
• Bull Riding (BU)
• Steer Wrestling (SW)
• Tie-Down Roping (TD)

SENIOR BOYS AND GIRLS TEAM EVENTS

• Senior Boys and/or Girls Dally Team Roping (TR)
• Dally Ribbon Roping (DR)

SENIOR GIRLS EVENTS

• Breakaway Roping (CR)
• Cloverleaf Barrel Racing (BR)
• Goat Tying (GT)
• Trail Course (TC)
• Pole Bending (PB)

JUNIOR BOYS EVENTS

• Saddle Bronc Steer Riding (SBSR)
• Bareback Steer Riding (BBSR)
• Bull Riding (BR)
• Breakaway Roping (CR)
• Goat Tying (GT)
• Flag Racing (FR)

JUNIOR BOYS AND/OR JUNIOR GIRLS TEAM EVENTS

• Dally Ribbon Roping (RR)
• Junior Team Roping (JT)

JUNIOR GIRLS EVENTS

• Breakaway Roping (CR)
• Cloverleaf Barrel Racing (BR)
• Goat Tying (GT)
• Trail Course (TC)
• Pole Bending (PB)

LITTLE WRANGLERS EVENTS

• Cloverleaf Barrel Racing (BR)
• Goat Tail Untying (GU)
• Flag Racing (FR)
• Pole Bending (PB)

To qualify for the 2016-2017 Finals in Guthrie, contestants must place four times in the top seven for their events. Many competitors will qualify in multiple events and be in the running for the all-around titles in each age group. A contestant carries points in from their five best rodeos that year.

"At the finals over $300,000 in prizes are given away, along with over $80,000 in scholarships," Mau said. "Contestants will compete in two rounds for buckles, spurs, and other awards. Then at the end of the week world champion saddles will be awarded in each event"

The National Little Britches Finals Rodeo consists of two full rounds and a short-round. At the end of the competition, finals champions and world champions will be crowned.

Short Round Qualifications:

• 1st Round Time/Score + 2nd Round Time/Score = Top 10 to Short Round
• 1st Round Points + 2nd Round Points + 5 Best Rodeo Points  = Top 5 to Short Round

If any or all of the five based on points  are already in the first 10 based on times/scores from the finals, it will drop down until there are at least 15 in the event. In case of tie at 15th place then the tie goes to the fastest combined time or highest combined score from the first two rounds.

How Champions are determined:

• 1st Round time/score + 2nd Round time/score + Short Round time/score= Finals Event Champion
• 1st Round Points + 2nd Round Points+ Short Round  Points + 5 Best Rodeo Points + Average Points = World Event Champion
• 1st Round Points + 2nd Round Points + Short Round Points + Average Points = Finals All Around Champion
• 1st Round Points + 2nd Round Points + Short Round Points + Average Points + 5 Best All Around Rodeo Points = World All Around Champion

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