International Finals Youth Rodeo Marks 25th Anniversary in 2017
If you don’t know it- you should. Ask your friends, rivals or mentor where you should go to become a tougher competitor and have the chance to take home a championship title and a share of $250,000 in prize money. They will all tell you, the International Finals Youth Rodeo, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center.
The IFYR is the world’s richest youth rodeo, internationally recognized for boasting a diverse challenger line-up every July with a professional-level rodeo with 10 events featured in two long go-rounds. The top 15 contestant averages in each event go on to compete in the championship round short go for the prize purse, championship titles and prizes.
The IFYR is the world’s richest youth rodeo, internationally recognized for boasting a diverse challenger line-up every July with a professional-level rodeo with 10 events featured in two long go-rounds. The top 15 contestant averages in each event go on to compete in the championship round short go for the prize purse, championship titles and prizes.
Looking Back
Starting with 309 contestants from 13 states in 1993, the IFYR has grown to average more than 1,000 contestants each year from across the United States and several countries. But, it did not grow to what it is today without the network of figures such as Ken Etchieson; former Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center general manger, Suzanne and Randy Gilbert; volunteers and leaders from the inception, Mark McGee; the voice of the IFYR for 16 years, bullfighters such as Rob Gann who protected contestants at the IFYR for 13 consecutive years, hundreds if not thousands of volunteers, sponsors and many more to name.
If there is one trend worth mentioning throughout the past 24 years of the IFYR, it is the fact that resilient support has carried the event to a level in which even the founders may not have realized. The IFYR has touched the lives of an estimated 1.5 million people, from competitors and their families to spectators and volunteers. And the impact on all those lives is much greater, not only immediate in the sense of becoming an IFYR champion or creating a lifelong friendship, but futuristic in the sense that leaders are formed, legends are birthed and lives forever impacted.
“There have been countless memories made here at the IFYR,” said Chris Dunlap, assistant director of the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center and International Finals Youth Rodeo. “I love hearing those remember when’s, like when Mike Outhier was the All-Around Cowboy in 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996 or when Jet and Cord McCoy battled for titles at the IFYR or when two arena records were broken in 2016. You hear so many great stories of athletes coming into their own and realizing dreams here, and right into college. These dreams and memories would not be possible without our support system and hard work of many through the years.”
Starting with 309 contestants from 13 states in 1993, the IFYR has grown to average more than 1,000 contestants each year from across the United States and several countries. But, it did not grow to what it is today without the network of figures such as Ken Etchieson; former Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center general manger, Suzanne and Randy Gilbert; volunteers and leaders from the inception, Mark McGee; the voice of the IFYR for 16 years, bullfighters such as Rob Gann who protected contestants at the IFYR for 13 consecutive years, hundreds if not thousands of volunteers, sponsors and many more to name.
If there is one trend worth mentioning throughout the past 24 years of the IFYR, it is the fact that resilient support has carried the event to a level in which even the founders may not have realized. The IFYR has touched the lives of an estimated 1.5 million people, from competitors and their families to spectators and volunteers. And the impact on all those lives is much greater, not only immediate in the sense of becoming an IFYR champion or creating a lifelong friendship, but futuristic in the sense that leaders are formed, legends are birthed and lives forever impacted.
“There have been countless memories made here at the IFYR,” said Chris Dunlap, assistant director of the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center and International Finals Youth Rodeo. “I love hearing those remember when’s, like when Mike Outhier was the All-Around Cowboy in 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996 or when Jet and Cord McCoy battled for titles at the IFYR or when two arena records were broken in 2016. You hear so many great stories of athletes coming into their own and realizing dreams here, and right into college. These dreams and memories would not be possible without our support system and hard work of many through the years.”
Blazing Forward
But, the best is yet to come. The possibilities and opportunities are endless for those coming through the ranks. From prize purses, masterfully-crafted gleaming buckles and ornately tooled leather championship saddles to college scholarships and future professional careers, the IFYR is the place to be and be seen.
“I’ve always wanted to win this rodeo – it’s a big stepping stone in my career,” said 2015 Saddle Bronc Champion Blaise Freeman.
The 25th annual IFYR is July 9-14, 2017 and promises to be the biggest and best yet with the top high school athletes traveling thousands of miles to compete in this distinguished rodeo in barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, goat tying, team roping, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, saddle bronc riding and bareback riding.
The action is non-stop, with events held in three arenas running simultaneously, providing an abundance of excitement for competitors and those anxiously cheering from the grandstand. And the memories for all are forever.
“It feels so good,” said 2016 Barrel Racing Champion Kaylee Scales. “I’ve had many close calls, and that’s what makes this one special – I finally got there.”
But, the best is yet to come. The possibilities and opportunities are endless for those coming through the ranks. From prize purses, masterfully-crafted gleaming buckles and ornately tooled leather championship saddles to college scholarships and future professional careers, the IFYR is the place to be and be seen.
“I’ve always wanted to win this rodeo – it’s a big stepping stone in my career,” said 2015 Saddle Bronc Champion Blaise Freeman.
The 25th annual IFYR is July 9-14, 2017 and promises to be the biggest and best yet with the top high school athletes traveling thousands of miles to compete in this distinguished rodeo in barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, goat tying, team roping, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, saddle bronc riding and bareback riding.
The action is non-stop, with events held in three arenas running simultaneously, providing an abundance of excitement for competitors and those anxiously cheering from the grandstand. And the memories for all are forever.
“It feels so good,” said 2016 Barrel Racing Champion Kaylee Scales. “I’ve had many close calls, and that’s what makes this one special – I finally got there.”
The Time is Now
To be eligible to compete in the upcoming IFYR, competitors must have completed ninth grade and cannot have turned 19 on or before Aug. 1, 2016. Registration will open online at IFYR.com on April 1, 2017.
Rodeo check-in begins July 7 at 8 a.m. and the 2017 IFYR opening performance will commence Sunday, July 9 at 8 p.m. Fans can enjoy daily performances July 10-14 at 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. The IFYR also features a fully air-conditioned western trade show open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The trade show offers an impressive selection of western wear including jewelry, boots, hats, clothing, tack, artwork and more.
To be eligible to compete in the upcoming IFYR, competitors must have completed ninth grade and cannot have turned 19 on or before Aug. 1, 2016. Registration will open online at IFYR.com on April 1, 2017.
Rodeo check-in begins July 7 at 8 a.m. and the 2017 IFYR opening performance will commence Sunday, July 9 at 8 p.m. Fans can enjoy daily performances July 10-14 at 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. The IFYR also features a fully air-conditioned western trade show open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The trade show offers an impressive selection of western wear including jewelry, boots, hats, clothing, tack, artwork and more.
