Rodeo

INTRO

• 73 schools offering varsity rodeo
• Another 62 schools offering club rodeo
• 100 college rodeos every year in the United States
• over 3,500 student athletes
• schools are associated through NIRA (National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association)

The sport is most popular in areas of the Southwest and West. The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) represents thousands of student athletes and more than 135 colleges and universities. The NIRA holds regional competitions and the annual College National Finals Rodeo. Well known, schools for academics or other sports don’t even rank in the top 10 schools for rodeo programs. The number one college for rodeo athletics is a community college in Washington State called Walla Walla Community College that over the years had phenomenal success.

Rodeo as a sport does not fall under NCAA regulations. Rodeo athletes can be paid for winning competitions and still be eligible for collegiate athletics.

The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) which is a governing body for collegiate rodeo, oversees the regulations and permits earning money in competitions.

NIRA also allows college rodeo athletes to compete in the professional circuit if they qualify. So this is one of the very few sports where student athlete can compete in college and professional level. Because of this young rodeo athletes are encouraged to go to college even if they have the skills to go professional right out of one of the colleges.

Events in Collegiate Rodeo

• Bull Riding
• Saddle Bronc Riding
• Bareback Riding
• Goat Tying
• Breakaway Roping
• Team Roping
• Calf Roping
• Barrel Racing
• Steer Wrestling
• Tie Down roping
• Pole Bending
  

When Looking for Rodeo School:

• https://rodeonews.com/college-rodeo-recruiting/
• https://www.thsra.org/single-post/2017/03/22/rodeo-coach-qa

Many universities have practice arena with stalls, which are available as scholarships to students and their horses. There is usually room to keep trailers at the arena. Students need homeowners, trailer, or renter’s insurance to cover vehicles, saddles and tack. In other places with arenas cost varies from $35 to $100, with no feed or hay provided.

Some schools carry rodeo insurance for the athletes but others not.