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High Country Cowboys and Cowgirls Fourth Annual Junior Rodeo Scheduled for Sept. 13-14; Photos Included!

by Madison V. Fisler

Sept. 3, 2013. This isn’t just your run of the mill kids rodeo. This is serious competition. The High Country Cowboys and Cowgirls Fourth Annual Junior Rodeo will be coming to Deep Gap on Friday, Sept. 13 and Saturday, Sept. 14.

“The kids that compete are the top junior competitors in the eastern United States,” said Chad Fairchild, who organizes the event.

“It is very competitive. We use the same bulls that adult professional riders do.”

The rodeo is open to competitiors between the ages of 4 and 18 who are either members of the Junior Southern Rodeo Association or who have purchased a permit to compete. Contestants must call in to 704-539-5769 on Sept. 9 between 6 and 10 p.m. in order to participate. 

Kids will compete in divisions based on age; pee wee for ages 4-7, junior for ages 8-11 and senior for ages 12-18.

Events at this year’s rodeo include barrel racing, bull riding, mutton bustin’, team roping, goat tying, tie down roping and much more. This event, like every year, is completely family friendly and alcohol-free. 

“This is a full-fledged rodeo,” Fairchild said. “There are clowns, acts, professional announcers and serious competition.”

This year, Makoto’s of Boone and Carolina Barbecue will be the food vendors for the event, and Mack Brown Chevrolet of Boone is the headlining sponsor.

“In the High Country, rodeo really isn’t televised much,” Fairchild said. “For these kids its a very exciting event and its a great time for the whole family. We are grateful to our sponsors like Cheap Joes, Mack Brown, Blue Ridge Electric, Farm Bureau and so many more who have made this rodeo possible.”

Admission to the junior rodeo is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 4-12.

Check out the photos from past rodeos!

Photo by Ken Ketchie
Photo by Ken Ketchie

 

Photo by Ken Ketchie
Photo by Ken Ketchie

 

Photo by Ken Ketchie
Photo by Ken Ketchie

 

Photo by Ken Ketchie
Photo by Ken Ketchie

 

Photo by Ken Ketchie
Photo by Ken Ketchie

 

Photo by Ken Ketchie
Photo by Ken Ketchie

 

Photo by Ken Ketchie
Photo by Ken Ketchie

 

Photo by Ken Ketchie
Photo by Ken Ketchie

 

Photo by Ken Ketchie
Photo by Ken Ketchie

 

Photo by Ken Ketchie
Photo by Ken Ketchie

 

Photo by Ken Ketchie
Photo by Ken Ketchie

 

Photo by Ken Ketchie
Photo by Ken Ketchie

 

Photo by Ken Ketchie
Photo by Ken Ketchie

 

Photo by Ken Ketchie
Photo by Ken Ketchie