SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Thursday, June 20, 2019

State Fairgrounds Media Contact: Candi Briley, 605.353.7340

NHSRA Media Contact: Gary Hawkes, 303.513.9025

NJHFR to be held at the SD State Fairgrounds June 23-29

HURON, S.D. - The 15th National Junior High Finals Rodeo (NJHFR) is returning to Huron, South Dakota on the South Dakota State Fairgrounds this year from June 23-29. The NJHFR is the pinnacle event for National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA) Junior High Division members. They spend all rodeo season competing and qualifying for this championship rodeo. 1,150 contestants from Australia, Canada, Mexico and the United States will be on the fairgrounds as they compete for 14 world champion titles.

New this year is the $50,000 added optional jackpot available for NJHFR competitors in their qualifying event. This optional jackpot with pre-entries has already reached an estimated $150,000 to be broken down over the week.

Over the course of the seven days, each contestant will compete twice in two go-rounds and a short-go for a total of 13 rodeo performances. The 2019 NJHFR will conclude with the Top 20 in each event competing in the final round on June 29. Performances start at 7:00 pm Sunday, June 23rd and will continue daily at 9:00 am and 7:00 pm throughout the week. Tickets are available for purchase on the grounds and ahead of time online at sdstatefair.com.

Ridepass.com will be streaming each and every performance to the public with a $19.99 subscription fee. That will also get you access to the National High School Finals Rodeo in Rock Springs, Wyoming, July 14-20, 2019.

The short-round go will also be televised on RFD-TV from June to December as the Cinch High School Rodeo Tour.

There is also a trade show that will be in the Nordby Exhibit Hall.  Over 75 different vendors will be selling items such as tack, clothes, food and more.

For more information regarding the 2019 National Junior High Finals Rodeo head to nhsra.com/2019-njhfr-informatiom.

The National High School Rodeo Association, the #1 youth rodeo association in the world, was founded in 1949. The mission of the NHSRA has existed first and foremost to promote and support education and to develop the essential attributes of leadership, dedication, commitment and responsibility in high school students. While preserving the western heritage, the NHSRA teaches its members to maintain the highest regard for each other and their livestock.  The NHSRA’s mission does not stop on the high school level, as the Association also strives to impart to its members the advantage of higher education and the desire to never stop learning.  The NHSRA supports their dreams by annually awarding more than $550,000.00 in scholarships at the national level, and $1.9 million in scholarship cumulatively on the international level. With over 70 years of history behind the NHSRA and continued growth and success, the organization is preserving the past and preparing for a successful future.

Agriculture is a major contributor to South Dakota’s economy, generating $25.6 billion in annual economic activity and employing over 115,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect and preserve South Dakota agriculture for today and tomorrow. Visit them online at sdda.sd.gov or find them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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