How to find & enter events

Getting started can be intimidating, but TOTALLY WORTH IT! Remember that we were all once a beginner and don't give up if it gets a little tricky sometimes. With social media and everyone having their own pages, it's gotten harder to find where to go if you're new to it. Ask questions. If you don't get the answer, ask more questions! Be persistent and you'll know all the ropes before you know it!

How do I find an event near me?

1. Find someone in your area who is involved.

2. Post where you’re located and the kind of event you’re looking for on your social media.

3. Search on Facebook for groups that have anything to do with horses, rodeo, NBHA, 4H or anything else related to the kind of events you want to participate in.

   1. Ask questions in those groups.

   2. Send private messages to people who are admins or active.

4. Google Search

5. Find a Cowboy Church in your state, it’s a small world, everyone knows everyone

6. Contact your local extension office

7. Make friends! People are your best connection.

8. Search phrase ideas:

   • Rodeo events near me

   • Youth rodeos near me

   • Cowboy Churches in … (state)

   • Rodeos in …. (county/state)Youth rodeo associations in…. (county/state)

   • Rodeo associations in…. (county/state)

   • Horse associations near…. (county/state)

   • (state) high school rodeo association

   • (state) junior high rodeo association

   • (event) jackpots near me (i.e. barrel racing jackpots near me)

   • (event) associations in (state)

   • Saddle clubs in (state)

   • 4H clubs in (county/state)

   • Youth rodeo associations

   • Junior rodeo association

   • Fun shows

Once I've found an event, what's next?

• Once you’ve found a flyer, check out what events you’re eligible for. Most events have different age divisions so kids are competing against a similar skill level.

• If you aren’t sure what an event is, ask the producer or someone associated with the event you want to attend. Research online, watch videos, etc.

• Look on the flyer to see if you need to pre-enter or if you can enter on-site the day of the event.

• If it’s pre-entry, you’ll want to look for an “enter by date, call-in number, or online entry link.” If you can’t find one, check the website, Facebook page, call or message the association or producer of the event.

  • Why pre-enter? Producers take pre-entries so they know how much livestock, personnel, prizes, food, etc. to prepare for.

• If you’re a newbie and only entering events that don’t require additional livestock, many associations will let you enter the day of. Again, try to do as much research as possible to know what’s expected. Sometimes it’s listed, sometimes it’s not.

I'm committed, what do I need to do between now and the day of the event?

• Prepare and practice! Know what events you’re interested in getting involved, then search for people who can help you practice or look up videos that demonstrate and explain the events.

• Create a checklist of things you need to take the day of. Extra clothes, snacks, drinks, sunscreen, toys, chairs, blankets, etc.

• Figure out the logistics:

  • What time the event beings, directions to get there, how early you want to be.

• Prepare to arrive 45-60 minutes before the event starts. You’ll need to park, pay entry fees, check the draw (order), and figure out what it where.

• If you have multiple kids, arrange to have more than one adult with you. Many times there are multiple events happening at once and/or different age groups competing at the same time in each event. Since we can’t be in two places at once, having help will make the day much more enjoyable. Once you establish a community and get the gist of how everything goes, you can back off the extra help. It’s better to be over prepared in the beginning!

It's the day of, what do I do when I get there?

• Find a place to park

• Find where the rodeo secretary is located. Usually somewhere close to the arena or by the announcers stand.

• Check in with the secretary

  • If you pre-entered, tell the secretary who you are, what events you entered and pay your fees.

  • If you didn’t pre-enter, tell the secretary who you are and what events you’d like to enter. Be prepared if you can be, but don’t be afraid to ask questions if you aren’t sure what an event it.

  • If it’s the first time, be prepared to pay for a membership

  • Sign any minor waivers or liability waivers

• Check the draw – you can ask the secretary where it’s located. The draw will tell you the order in which you will compete. If your event includes additional livestock (calves, steers, goats, horses, bulls) it will you the number you’ve drawn. Sometimes, they are “chute ran” meaning you get whatever animal runs into the chute for your turn. Clarify before you leave.

• Set up a good place to sit so your competitors can find you when they need you. This can be especially helpful in the beginning to establish a place they can look if they get nervous or anxious. You can be in the same spot to cheer them on all day!

• Be there to encourage, support, take pictures, give advice, ask more questions and have fun!

• It can be easy to run on adrenaline then crash halfway through the day. Make sure everyone stays hydrated and energized.

• You might ask someone who has experience to help you and/or your child through the day. They’ll be able to offer guidance and give you someone to lean on when you get nervous. They’ll also tell others who can jump in and help make it a good experience and offer advice to keep them safe and calm.

• People to have help. Most youth rodeos will have parents and other helpers automatically helping out, but it’s still good to be prepared.

  • Roping events:

    • Pusher/tailer: a person to “push” or “tail” your steer or calf out of the chute. Without one, the calf or steer can stall in the chute which makes it harder to get a good start and good shot at catching the calf.

    • Someone “on the head”: This person keeps your calf or steer looking straight out of the gates. If they turn their head, it causes a delay in them leaving the box and lowers your catch percentage.

    • Liner: this person stands 10-15 feet out from the chute in the arena to help keep the calf or steer running straight. When they run straight, it increases our catch percentage and keeps the cattle better for future runs.

• Roughstock events:

• BREATH! This is going to be a super fun day.

• Pack up, go home, talk about the day, focus on the positive, spend a little time on what can be improved, come up with a plan to prepare for the next one and be thankful for a great day!