The International finals youth rodeo Kicks-Off Sunday
(SHAWNEE, Okla.) - The International Finals Youth Rodeo commences its 26th year Sunday, July 8 at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The IFYR is the richest youth rodeo in the world, with more than $250,000 in prize money, championship saddles and buckles for contestants to pursue.
More than 850 contestants from 33 states plus Australia and New Zealand will compete through July 13 in 10 events running simultaneously in three arenas throughout the week. Events include barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, goat tying, team roping, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, saddle bronc riding and bareback riding. The IFYR consists of two long go-rounds and a short go. All contestants compete once in each of the long go-rounds. The top 15 averages in each event will compete Friday, July 13 in the championship round short go.
Performances kick-off Sunday, July 8 at 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, July 9-13, performances are at 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. daily. The finals performance is Friday, July 13 at 7:30 p.m.
“The 26th year of IFYR will be better than ever before,” said Chris Dunlap, assistant director of the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center and International Finals Youth Rodeo. “The special events we have planned mixed with the top-notch rodeo talent from across the globe will make for an unforgettable week that fans and contestants are sure to enjoy.”
The 2018 IFYR will feature two special events during rodeo week. Spur for the Cure Pink Night will be held Tuesday, July 10 during the evening performance. A portion of the evening’s ticket sales will be donated to Pottawatomie County Relay for Life and the first 500 people to enter the gates will receive free Spur for the Cure T-shirts. Those who wear their Relay for Life “Survivor” T-shirts receive free admission and will be recognized on the arena floor. IFYR enthusiasts are also invited to attend Service Heroes Night on Friday, July 13 at 7:30 p.m. Rodeo fans will receive American flags to wave during the Grand Entry and the evening's performance. The first 600 veterans, active duty military members and first responders receive free admission for themselves and a guest with valid ID.
Tickets are available prior to each performance throughout the week. Adult all session passes are $110 and child all session passes are $55. Individual session tickets can be purchased for $12, children's individual session tickets for $6 and senior individual session tickets for $10.
For the latest event updates and news follow the IFYR on social media:
• Facebook: @InternationalFinalsYouthRodeo
• Twitter: @IFYRShawnee
• Instagram: @IFYRShawnee
For more information on the IFYR, please call (405) 275-7020 or visit IFYR.com.
The International Finals Youth Rodeo, held annually since 1993, is a 501 (c)3 non-profit
organization that presents top high school athletes with a professional rodeo. The internationally-recognized IFYR is held annually at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The action-packed event includes hundreds of contestants vying to win more than $250,000 in prize money, competing in 10 events running simultaneously in three arenas over six days. In 2016, more than 920 contestants and their families traveled from 34 states to participate in the IFYR. For more information, visit IFYR.com or call (405) 275-7020.
Photos courtesy of IFYR/RodeoBum.com.
Photo 1: Jesse Pope rides in the bareback bronc competition.
