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 5th, 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
Larkin Miller, Student President
Hi, my name is Larkin Miller, and I am the 2026-27 Texas Junior High Rodeo Association State President. I am a 13-year-old homeschooled eighth grader from Victoria, Texas. I enjoy playing guitar and of course rodeoing. I am a member of Region VII where I compete in barrel racing, goat tying, and breakaway roping. I am very grateful for the people who have helped to get me where I am today. My family is my biggest support. My parents encourage me to be myself and do my best in and out of the arena. I have two sisters, an older sister, Adyson and younger sister Denlyn. I was the 2025-26 Miss TJHRA Princess last year and I had a blast representing the Texas Junior High Rodeo Association, I can’t wait to represent this association as President. It is an honor to represent you and the great State of Texas as your 2026-27 TJHRA President!
Larkin Miller, TJHRA State President
Korbyn Barnett, Student Vice-President
Hey y’all My name is Korbyn Barnett, and I am honored and excited to serve as your 2026-27 Texas Junior High Rodeo Association State Vice President. I am in the seventh grade and live in New Waverly, Texas. I am a member of Region IX, where I compete in barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, goat tying, ribbon roping and team roping. I have competed in TJHRA for the past two years, and I am incredibly grateful for all the friendships I have made and lessons I have learned through the sport of rodeo. Rodeo has taught me the importance of hard work, determination, sportsmanship, and always encouraging others. When I am not rodeoing, I enjoy playing volleyball and being involved in 4-H, where ai show steers and pigs. Whether I am in the arena, on the volleyball courts, or in the show ring, I love competing, spending time with friends, and working hard to reach my goals. I am very thankful for my family, friends, coaches, and everyone who supports me and helps me pursue the activities I love. None of this would be possible without my Mom and Dad who haul me, help me practice, care for my animals, and cheer me on. I look forward to meeting contestants from across the state, making new friendships, and proudly representing TJHRA. I am so excited for the year ahead and honored to serve as you State Vice President. Good luck to everyone this rodeo season!
Korbyn Barnett, TJHRA State Vice President
Giuliana Scarmardo, Student Secretary
Hi, my name is Giuliana Scarmardo. I am your 2026-27 Junior High Rodeo Association Secretary. I am very excited and honored to serve you all this year. I’m 11- year-old, homeschooled, 7th grader from Caldwell, Texas. I love rodeo and everything it stands for. I love to rope calves, barrel race, team rope, pole bend and tie goats - I’m a member of Region IX and currently serve as there President. I’m thankful to my parents, family and friends that support me in my rodeo journey. I have an older brother Pete who also competes in Texas Junior High Rodeo Association, and younger sister, Sicily that is just getting started in rodeo. I enjoy spending most of my time with my family and friends roping. If I’m not in the practice pen I’m usually working with my Dad. I’m excited to serve you this year. Good luck and God Bless Texas!
Giuliana Scarmardo, Student Secretary
Maggie Watkins Princess
Howdy y’all! My name is Maggie Watkins, and I am your 2026-27 Miss TJHRA Princess. The small town of Shiner, Texas is where I call home. As an eighth grader at Shiner Catholic School, I enjoy being captain of our cheer squad, running cross country, playing basketball, softball, track and golf. When I’m not at school, I love spending time with my family and my dog, Hoss. Whether we are in the practice pen or on the golf course, I’m glad we enjoy doing so many things together. Growing up in a ranching and rodeo family has taught me the importance of hard work, determination, and grit. From an early age, I’ve loved competing at rodeos. My goal is to perform at my best and to cherish the friendships I make along the way. This year I’ll be competing in pole bending, barrel racing, goat tying, breakaway and ribbon roping at Region VIII. When the dust settles, no matter the circumstances, I pray my Lord and Savior will always be glorified. It’s early in the season as Miss TJHRA, but I’ve already experienced what a blessing it is to serve in a role where I get to encourage others. My first official visit as Princess was at the Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas. From helping teach kids dummy roping at Cowboy Camp to cheering on Team Texas at Nationals in Guthrie, this year has started with a bang! Celebrating 250 years of freedom in Washington, D.C. at the Great American State Fair and Freedom 250 Rodeo is also something I’ll always cherish. As summer comes to a close and our fall rodeos begin, I wish all of you a great season and much success as you work towards accomplishing your goals inside and outside of the arena. Thank you for your support and I look forward to serving as your 2026 Miss TJHRA!
God Bless! Maggie Watkins, TJHRA Princess
