Although it is only February, it won’t be long before rodeo
season will be in high gear.
The Little Britches Youth Association is a 501c (3) nonprofit
organization in Elbert County and is welcoming new members and
reminding existing members that the time to saddle up is getting
near.
The Little Britches Youth Association has been serving children
ages 6-18 for more than 50 years, providing an affordable and
positive rodeo experience for those who compete.
Brett Humphries is the president of the association and said the
event is a full-blown rodeo with all of the speed events and the
rough stock events.
“I really want to stress to people that we are not a gymkhana
rodeo, which is only the speed events,” he said. “We are a complete
rodeo.”
The rodeos start May 19 and are every Tuesday through July 7. A
$50 membership fee applies to each participating family and there
is a $100 donation to the association. The donation can be a
personal donation from the family, or from a business. Humphries
said the money will go to the end of the season prizes, including
cash prizes, belt buckles, and saddles and first through 10th place
will receive a prize.
“If people want to rodeo out here, we offer the best rodeo and
the best bang for your buck,” he said.
Each rodeo is split into three age groups: pee wee, ages 6-9;
junior, ages 10-13; and senior, ages 14-18.
This year junior and senior boys can take part in a new event
called chute dogging. Chute dogging is a rodeo event related to
steer wrestling where the competitor starts in the chute with a
steer rather than on horseback. Once the chute opens, the
competitor has to wrestle the steer to the ground. This is a timed
event and age-appropriate cattle will be used for each child’s
size.
All rodeos start at 7 p.m. at the Kiowa Fairgrounds, 75 Ute Ave.
in Kiowa. Free to the public, the rodeos are run by family
volunteers. Each participant can compete in four events per rodeo
and a point system is used to keep track of points earned during
the season.
Humphries said the rodeo not only gives youngsters the
opportunity to compete, but also to meet other kids who enjoy the
same activities.
“The great thing is the camaraderie among the youth,” he said.
“It keeps the kids busy, teaches them how to take care of the
animals and it’s a safe environment.”
For more information on the Little Britches Youth Association or
to become a member, call 303-644-5292 or visit www.lbya.org.
Summer rodeo season
- April 19, practice rodeo
- May 26
- June 2
- June 9
- June 16
- June 23
- June 30
- July 7
