About Us
Rodeo Office Contacts
Anne Dollery, TJHRA Secretary
PO Box 886
Caldwell, TX 77836
Phone: 979-412-2551
Email: texasjuniorhighrodeo@gmail.com
About TJHRA
Families enjoying some down time between events.
Welcome to the Texas Junior High Rodeo Association! With ten competing regions in the big state of Texas, we are proud to represent the youth of tomorrow - encouraging sportsmanship, character and a spirit of competition in and out of the rodeo arenas. All TJHRA members are expected and encouraged to maintain high standards in their education and are held accountable. The TJHRA Rodeo Season begins every August and ends in May at the Texas State Final Junior High Rodeo where they compete for numerous awards and scholarships, as well as the coveted honor of representing the State of Texas at the National Junior High School Finals Rodeo held each June.
TJHRA is a family organization!
The TJHRA is proud to support and encourage the development of High School and Junior High Rodeo as we hold on to our rodeo heritage creating opportunities fo families to spend their time together.
We are a non-profit 501C3 Association created in 2004 by the the NHSRA to bring the excitement of the sport to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders and to serve as a feeder system into the high school ranks of the Association. We are a family, proud to help continue the positive image of rodeo maintaining our western heritage.
“Work hard at whatever you want to do and are good at - whatever that is, give 110%. Try hard every day, all day long. Put all your effort into that thing you are passionate about. Trust the process, and be thankful for every moment.”
“We chose to rodeo with Texas Junior High Rodeo Association for many reasons. Experience in and out of the arena, building life long friendships are just a few of the many positive things we enjoy about TJHRA.”
“TJHRA was a very big stepping stone in help mold my career in bull riding. I was a lot smaller the year I made Nationals and wasn’t sure if I was ready for Jr Bulls. I rose above my fears because I believed in myself and ended up winning both go rounds and reserve national champion. Using what I know now it helped me overcome what I thought was impossible at the time. Never give up on yourself.”
“It’s great for me to see Junior High and High School rodeos together. It is such a good feeling to this family tradition of rodeo keep going. It puts back the old American family value of rodeo tradition and where it came from. The whole thing of rodeo to me especially at this time in our country, when our kids, families and contestants take their hats off to our American Flag - THIS IS THE SPORT OF RODEO. Rodeo is the only professional sport that was derived from an actual industry, this would be the cattle industry. You should be proud to be a part of the American sport.”
“If you’re going to get into rodeo, just like pop warner or little league, TJHRA is a step ladder where you step up to RODEO. Texas Junior High Rodeo is the foundation of a ten story building…..solid and tough, built to stay. You learn work ethic, you learn how to practice and why you need to practice and to compete. TJHRA is a family affair. You will know once you’ve rodeod with TJHRA if it is what you want to do, and go onto High School Rodeo and so on.”
History
The first TJHRA national team in 2005
Rodeo is a sport that grew out of the cattle industry in the American West. Its roots reach back to the sixteenth century. The Spanish conquistadors and Spanish-Mexican settlers played a key role in the origin of rodeo with the introduction and propagation of horses and cattle in the Southwest. Skills of the range cowboy led to competitive contests that eventually resulted in standard events for rodeo.
Rodeo actually comes from the Spanish word 'rodear,' meaning 'to surround’ The rodeo has come a long way since its start as impromptu contests between cowboys and cowgirls in the wild west. Prescott, Arizona, in 1888 was the first to charge an admission. Pecos, Texas, held their first rodeo on July 4, 1883, and in 1929 began running annually without interruption.
With its roots deep in Southwest history, rodeo continued to evolve until it has become a professional sport for men and women, and also, is being perpetuated by youth rodeo organizations. The NHSRA Junior High Division was established to bring the excitement of the sport to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders and to serve as a feeder system into the high school ranks of the Association. Today, all 48 states and provinces that belong to the NHSRA also produce a Junior High Division as well, with over 2,500 members in total now competing. Junior High Division students compete in a variety of events, including Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, Goat Tying, Breakaway Roping, Tie-Down Roping, Chute Dogging, Team Roping, Ribbon Roping, and Junior Bull Riding, Bareback Steer Riding and Saddle Bronc Steer Riding.
Our Leaders
Executives and Directors of TJHRA
Region presidents and secretaries of tjhra
student leaders
Ryan Ehlinger, Student President
Hi I am Ryan Ehlinger, your Texas Junior High State President. I am 13 years old, in the 8th grade and live in Manvel, Texas. I am a member of Region VII and I compete in Breakaway, Ribbons, Team Roping, Tiedown & Goats. Rodeo is an important part of my life and I travel all over the Lone Star State competing in this great sport! I am an all around Cowboy in and out of the arena. My horse’s name is Whiskey, you may know him, he’s been around for a long time and really loves his job. I also play football, basketball, baseball, & golf. I enjoy hunting, fishing and hanging out with my family. I have two brothers and one sister, Tyer & Skylar are both in College and Bryce is a Sophomore. Being the youngest definitely has its advantages! Family is very important to me. My mom & dad are really cool too. I’m excited to represent you and our Great State of Texas as your President for the 2023-24 TJHRA year! See you all Soon!
Ryan Ehlinger, TJHRA State President
Kinsley Scott, Student Vice-President
My name is Kinsley Scott and I am your newly elected TJHRA State Vice President. I live in a small town called Madisonville and I am 14 years old. I attend Maddisonville JR High and love to play volleyball, run track and rodeo.
I compete at Region IX in goat tying, barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, ribbon roping, and team roping. I recently just started team roping and it has been a fun experience. I can’t thank the people around me enough for helping me at letting me do what I love. This past year was my 7th grade year and I made it to state in goat tying, pole bending, and ribbon roping. I made it to the short round in pole bending and ended up in the top 10 in the state. This past year was probably my most run year because I met so many new people and learned so much. I am so thankful for the friends and family that helped me through this year.
I am so blessed to have the friends and family I have. I am thankful, grateful, and blessed to have the parents I have, who have raised me and helped me to be the Christian God has called me to be, and to trust in His plan even when it doesn’t go my way. It was an honor to serve you as the TJHRA Secretary last year and I can’t wait to serve you as a new 2023-24 TJHRA Vice President, and I’m looking forward to this amazing year
Kinsley Scott, TJHRA State Vice President
Maddison Reed Student Secretary
Hi! My name is Maddison Reed. I live in Gause, Texas and in the 8th grade at Milano Junior High. I love cheer, volleyball, showing livestock and of course, rodeo!
I am a member of Region VI and compete in barrel racing, goat tying, breakaway roping and ribbon roping. This past year I have served the region as barrel racing student director. I qualified for the 2023 State TJHRA Finals in barrels, goat tying, breakaway and ribbon roping. I love the fact I get to rodeo with some amazing friends and love to meet new people!
When not at a rodeo, the ranch and school keep me busy. I am a Milano JH Cheerleader and on the 8th grade volleyball team. I am also a member of the Milano Jr. FFA and Milam County 4H competing in stock shows with market lambs and commercial heifers.
I am a member of the Robertson County Cowboy Church. I love the sport of rodeo - always putting God first. I am truly blessed with amazing equine partners and it is a privilege to ride them!
It is an honor to serve as your TJHRA State Secretary 2023-24. I am here to serve and support in all capacity and look forward to meeting you on the “rodeo road”. It is going to be a great year.
Philippians 4:13
Maddison Reed, TJHRA State Secretary
Victoria Burrer, Princess
From a town where there are more cows per capita than people. I’m Victoria Burrer, your 2023-2024 Miss Texas Jr High Rodeo Princess. My home is in Franklin, Texas. If you don’t know where that is, think Aggieland and go north for a couple of George Strait songs. That is where you will find me and my older brother, Cole, most likely horseback in the arena putting in the work.
I am 13 years old and in the 8th grade yea at Franklin Middle School where I am proud to be a Franklin Lion Cheerleader. Rodeo, however, has my whole heart. I have been a TJHRA member since my 6th grade year of school and have been on the back of a horse for as long as I can remember. I have competed in barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway, goat tying and ribbon roping, but have narrowed my passion down to barrel racing and pole bending, I also love ridigna good cowpony every now and then.
I am so excited to serve as an ambassador for this sport that I am so very passionate about, especially at a state level. As I compete at Region 9, I do plan on making it to as many regions as possible to visit with fellow members and just talk life and rodeo. Look forward to seeing you all this season!
Victoria Burrer, TJHRA Princess
