Youth Rodeo Contestant Information

April 24-26, 2024

Entries are now open! They will close April 10 at 11:59 p.m.  Late Entries will be open till April 15 and will incur a $50 late fee.

 

*NEW CONTESTS*

Youth Contract Act Showcase, Craftmanship Contest,

Photography Contest, Self-Marketing Contest

See more information below.




  • Schedule

    Wednesday, April 24 - Junior Day

    • 10:00 AM - Performance Contestant Meeting
    • Noon - Junior Division Performance
    • Slack Contestant Meeting immediately following the perf.
    • Junior Division Slack immediately following the perf. not before 1:00

    Thursday, April 25 - Senior Day

    • 10:00 AM - Performance Contestant Meeting
    • Noon - Senior Division Performance
    • Slack Contestant Meeting immediately following the perf.
    • Senior Division Slack immediately following the perf. not before 1:00

    Friday, April 26 - Senior Day

    • 10:00 AM - Performance Contestant Meeting
    • Noon - Senior Division Performance

    Arrival Schedule

    You must arrive during the following hours only, there will be no access into the facility outside of these hours.

    Tuesday, April 23 - 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

    Wednesday, April 24 - 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM

    Thursday, April 25 - 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM

    Friday, April 26 - 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

  • Junior Events

    Ages 13 and under, as of April 24, 2024

    Events Include:

    • Junior Bulls (12-13 years)
    • Girls Barrel Racing
    • Girls Goat Tying
    • Tie Down Roping
    • Boys Breakaway Roping
    • Girls Breakaway Roping
    • Girls Pole Bending
    • Team Roping (must enter as a team)
    • Junior Bareback (12-13 years)
    • Steer Riding (9-11 years)
  • Senior Events

    Ages 14-19, as of April 24, 2024

    Events Include:

    • Bareback Riding
    • Bull Riding
    • Barrel Racing (Ladies)
    • Breakaway Roping (Ladies)
    • Goat Tying (Ladies)
    • Pole Bending (Ladies)
    • Tie-Down Roping
    • Steer Wrestling
    • Saddle Bronc Riding
    • Team Roping (must enter as a team)
  • Hooey Jr. Patriot Regional Qualifier

    We would like to offer our contestants the opportunity to qualify for the Hooey Jr. Patriot in Fort Worth for 2025.

    You will have the option to enter a sidepot with the Jr. Patriot, the link for the sidepot is below.

    This will be a regional qualifier allowing the top 10-15 in each event (recognized by the Jr. Patriot and in accordance with their rules) to qualify for the Hooey Jr. Patriot.

    You must enter the American Royal Youth Rodeo and be a member of the Jr. Patriot in order to enter the sidepot regional qualifier.

    You may enter the Jr. Patriot twice if you entered the American Royal twice for timed events.

    There will be a separate entry for the sidepot for the Hooey Jr. Patriot. The sidepot is completely ran by the Jr. Patriot and is no way affiliated with the American Royal.  If you have any questions or issues with your entry for the Jr. Patriot sidepot, please contact them directly at [email protected] or 417-350-1252.

    COMING SOON! - HOOEY JR. PATRIOT WEBSITE - SIDEPOT ENTRY

  • Event Directors

    We are seeking event leads to help with the production of that event during the performance and slack for each division. This person can be an adult or a senior contestant or past contestant. They would be responsible to find 2-3 additional people to help with their event. General responsibilities would be to write times down, listen to contestant protests, set poles, set barrels, and help in the timed event box.  They would have the opportunity to join the American Royal Youth Rodeo Committee after helping this year.  The selected candidates will receive entry passes and swag.

    Apply

  • Rules

    Please review the American Royal Rule Book.

    2024 Rule Book COMING SOON!  You can reference last year's rule book below.

    2023 RULE BOOK

    You may enter the Jr. Patriot twice if you entered the American Royal twice for timed events.

    Only two runs total in Team Roping, you can head or heal but only two runs total.

    Second entry for Barrels and Poles must be ran on a different horse. Horses names will be posted on the draw.

    Only the fastest time will count towards All Around.

     

  • Contestant Meetings

    All contestants selected for a performance must attend the contestant meeting each morning at 10:00 AM in the American Royal Offices upstairs in the Governors and Ambassadors Room.  Offices are located on the North end of the building.  We will hold a separate meeting for all the contestants participating in slack. The slack contestant meeting will be held immediately after the performance, the meeting will be in the grand stands of the arena.

  • Mutton Busting Jackpot

    We will be taking mutton busting entries onsite each day of the Youth Rodeo, April 24, 25, 26.  You can enter your child at the contestant meeting each morning at 10:00 AM.  Entries will be $40, we will take the first 10 riders. Please refer to the rule book for requirements.

  • Equine Health Requirements

    All horses must have an accompanying current (30 days) Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and Negative Coggins test (1 year). This includes Kansas and Missouri horses. Papers will be checked upon arrival. Only healthy livestock are allowed on the grounds. The Rodeo Veterinarian may perform a health assessment on any animal in question and will have final say on whether or not the animal may be on the grounds.

    Please complete the following form and bring it with you when you arrive. They will be collected at the entry gate.

    EQUINE HEALTH ENTRY FORM

  • Stalls & Shavings

    Stalling must be pre-ordered on your entry form. No additional stalls will be set, only those that are pre-ordered. Stalls are $40 for the week. Stalling is on the grounds in Lower Exhibition Hall, which is indoors and climate controlled. No tie-outs are allowed. Please be advised this location has concrete floors.  Outside shavings are NOT allowed. You may purchase shavings on your entry form or onsite they will be $10 a bag.

  • RV/Trailer Hookups

    RV/Trailer hook-ups will be available at the facility. 30 amp spots will be available for reservation on the entry form. Hook-ups are located in Lot A, behind the front entrance of the American Royal. Upon arrival you will be directed to your reserved parking spot. Please be respectful of space and be courteous when parking.  No tie-outs allowed. Hook-ups are $30 per night and you can reserve a spot on your entry form.

  • Directions & Facility

    The rodeo will be held in Hale Arena, located on the Northeast side of the American Royal Center. Warm-up arena will be available and stalling is in Lower Exhibition Hall, located on the South end of the American Royal Center.

    Facility Map
    Directions

  • Performance Shirts

    There will not be shirts given out to the performance contestants this year. The continued issues with the supply chain are not allowing us to be able to get shirts.

  • Vendor Rules & Regulations

    All vendors participating in the Youth Rodeo should review the Vendor Rules and Regulations prior to arriving at the American Royal.

    Rules & Regulations

  • Pay Out

    • Event winners will receive the champion belt buckle (guaranteed for events with pre-entry of 3 or more per event)
    • 80% payback of entry fee portion
    • Buckles will be presented at the Pro Rodeo opening ceremonies Thursday, May 2.
    • Checks will be mailed out within 10 days.
    • Prize money checks will be void 90 days after issuance.

     

    1. No ground money paid. No day money paid.
    2. If there is a qualified time or score, all prize money will be paid.
    3. If a contestant does not show up, their entry fee remains in the pot (except with a doctor’s or vet’s release).

    Payout will be as follows:

    1 entry 100%
    2-4 entries, 2 monies - 60%, 40%
    5-8 entries, 3 monies - 50%, 30%, 20%
    9-12 entries, 4 monies - 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%
    13-29 entries, 5 monies - 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%
    30+ entries, 6 monies - 29%, 24%, 19%, 14%, 9%, 5%

    Payout breakdown per event:

    Entry Fee - $65
    Pot - 80%

    $225 added per event

  • Refund/Cancellation Policy

    There will be no refunds for Youth Rodeo. Exceptions will be considered if a doctor’s note or vet release is produced and approved before the day of competition. Requests for refunds must be submitted to the American Royal and are subject to a $20 cancellation fee. The amount to be refunded may not be used as a credit toward a future event.

    In case of cancellation of the contest or unavailability of the event due to any causes that are beyond the American Royal’s control, including, without limitation, such causes as war, governmental action or order, act of God, fire, flood, severe storm, strike,  labor disputes, or other similar causes (“Force Majeure Event”), this Agreement shall terminate, and the Contestant shall be entitled to the return of the fees for the Contest, less the prorated share allocated to the American Royal of the expenses incurred by the Royal in connection with the event as of the date of the Force Majeure Event. Refund of the Fees as provided in this section shall be the exclusive remedy of the Contestant against the American Royal in case the contest is cancelled or rescheduled through a Force Majeure Event. In the event of cancellation or unavailability for reasons beyond the control of the American Royal, Contestant releases and holds all claims for damage and agrees that the American Royal shall have no obligation except the above stated refund.

  • Signage & Decorations

    Signage & Decoration Guidelines:

    • There is no signage allowed outside your assigned exhibitor space.
    • Decorations, signs, posters, etc., may not be taped, nailed, tacked, or otherwise fastened to ceilings, painted surfaces, columns, glass doors, marble, fabric, walls, etc.
    • Approved tape 3M 9589 (double side adhesive), 3M 471 (single side adhesive) and Gaffers tapes are the only approved products for booth markings and carpet applications within the facility.  Applied tapes and any residue must be removed from all surfaces prior to move-out.
    • Paint, shoe polish and unapproved tapes are not allowed to be used in the facility.
    • No drilling of the structure is allowed. Any means of attachment must be non-destructive to the structure.
    • Helium balloons are not allowed inside the facility. The Facility Manager may approve helium balloons if they are an integral part of the display.
    • Glitter and adhesive-backed decals are not permitted in the facility or on the premises.
    • All labor requirements for move-in/out, setup of display areas, etc. shall be the responsibility of show management and/or exhibitors and their service providers.