About Us
Rodeo Office Contacts
Anne Dollery, TJHRA Secretary
PO Box 886
Caldwell, TX 77836
Phone: 979-412-2551
Email: texasjuniorhighrodeo@gmail.com
About TJHRA
Families enjoying some down time between events.
Welcome to the Texas Junior High Rodeo Association! With ten competing regions in the big state of Texas, we are proud to represent the youth of tomorrow - encouraging sportsmanship, character and a spirit of competition in and out of the rodeo arenas. All TJHRA members are expected and encouraged to maintain high standards in their education and are held accountable. The TJHRA Rodeo Season begins every August and ends in May at the Texas State Final Junior High Rodeo where they compete for numerous awards and scholarships, as well as the coveted honor of representing the State of Texas at the National Junior High School Finals Rodeo held each June.
TJHRA is a family organization!
The TJHRA is proud to support and encourage the development of High School and Junior High Rodeo as we hold on to our rodeo heritage creating opportunities fo families to spend their time together.
We are a non-profit 501C3 Association created in 2004 by the the NHSRA to bring the excitement of the sport to 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders and to serve as a feeder system into the high school ranks of the Association. We are a family, proud to help continue the positive image of rodeo maintaining our western heritage.
“Work hard at whatever you want to do and are good at - whatever that is, give 110%. Try hard every day, all day long. Put all your effort into that thing you are passionate about. Trust the process, and be thankful for every moment.”
“We chose to rodeo with Texas Junior High Rodeo Association for many reasons. Experience in and out of the arena, building life long friendships are just a few of the many positive things we enjoy about TJHRA.”
“TJHRA was a very big stepping stone in help mold my career in bull riding. I was a lot smaller the year I made Nationals and wasn’t sure if I was ready for Jr Bulls. I rose above my fears because I believed in myself and ended up winning both go rounds and reserve national champion. Using what I know now it helped me overcome what I thought was impossible at the time. Never give up on yourself.”
“It’s great for me to see Junior High and High School rodeos together. It is such a good feeling to this family tradition of rodeo keep going. It puts back the old American family value of rodeo tradition and where it came from. The whole thing of rodeo to me especially at this time in our country, when our kids, families and contestants take their hats off to our American Flag - THIS IS THE SPORT OF RODEO. Rodeo is the only professional sport that was derived from an actual industry, this would be the cattle industry. You should be proud to be a part of the American sport.”
“If you’re going to get into rodeo, just like pop warner or little league, TJHRA is a step ladder where you step up to RODEO. Texas Junior High Rodeo is the foundation of a ten story building…..solid and tough, built to stay. You learn work ethic, you learn how to practice and why you need to practice and to compete. TJHRA is a family affair. You will know once you’ve rodeod with TJHRA if it is what you want to do, and go onto High School Rodeo and so on.”
History
The first TJHRA national team in 2005
Rodeo is a sport that grew out of the cattle industry in the American West. Its roots reach back to the sixteenth century. The Spanish conquistadors and Spanish-Mexican settlers played a key role in the origin of rodeo with the introduction and propagation of horses and cattle in the Southwest. Skills of the range cowboy led to competitive contests that eventually resulted in standard events for rodeo.
Rodeo actually comes from the Spanish word 'rodear,' meaning 'to surround’ The rodeo has come a long way since its start as impromptu contests between cowboys and cowgirls in the wild west. Prescott, Arizona, in 1888 was the first to charge an admission. Pecos, Texas, held their first rodeo on July 4, 1883, and in 1929 began running annually without interruption.
With its roots deep in Southwest history, rodeo continued to evolve until it has become a professional sport for men and women, and also, is being perpetuated by youth rodeo organizations. The NHSRA Junior High Division was established to bring the excitement of the sport to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders and to serve as a feeder system into the high school ranks of the Association. Today, all 48 states and provinces that belong to the NHSRA also produce a Junior High Division as well, with over 2,500 members in total now competing. Junior High Division students compete in a variety of events, including Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, Goat Tying, Breakaway Roping, Tie-Down Roping, Chute Dogging, Team Roping, Ribbon Roping, and Junior Bull Riding, Bareback Steer Riding and Saddle Bronc Steer Riding.
Our Leaders
Executives and Directors of TJHRA
Region presidents and secretaries of tjhra
student leaders
Kymber Dodson, Student President
Howdy, I’m Kymber Dodson. I am 13 years old and I am grateful to be the 2024 TJHRA President. This will be my second year competing in TJHRA. My parents are John and Kyla Dodson, I have a twin sister, an older brother, and an older sister, who all competed in TJHRA and THSRA - so this is a family tradition. I started rodeo when I was just a little kid with my parents leading me through the patterns. I am originally from South Texas and now live in Weatherford and rodeo for Region 10. I compete in barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, ribbon roping, and breakaway roping. I also play other sports including club softball and tennis for my school. I grew up watching my older sister from the stands and I wanted to be just like her. All in all, I am so grateful to have the ability to share the sport of rodeo with my twin sister.
Kymber Dowell, TJHRA State President
Kati Clements, Student Vice-President
Hi, my name is Kati Clements, your Texas Junior High State Vice President. I am 12 years old and live in Huntsville, Texas. I attend Madisonville Junior High and enjoy playing volleyball and rodeoing. I am a member of Region VII and compete in barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, ribbon running and team roping. I’m so grateful for the people that have helped me get where I am today. My parents push me everyday to make me better, in and out of the arena. I love them dearly for this. I have one brother Kale, and my beloved dog Gunner. I enjoy hanging out with friends, family and of course talking! I am so excited to serve as your State Vice President. Let’s have a great year!
Kati Clements, TJHRA State Vice President
Charlie Sohrt Student Secretary
Hi, my name is Charlie Sohrt. I am 11 years old and will be in sixth grade this year. I live in Manvel, Texas and am a current member of Region VII Rodeo. I compete in Poles, Barrels, Ribbons, Goat Tying, Breakaway, and Team Roping. I attend Lutheran South Academy in Houston, Texas.
Rodeo is a very important part of my life and have been competing since I was five years old. I am very thankful for my string of horses who always want to do their best for me. I know if I do my job, they will give me their all. I am also very fortunate for my family. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. They help and push me be the best that I can be.
My first year in Jr. High Rodeo I made top ten in all my events for state and ended up being your 2024 Texas State Jr High Barrel Racing Champion. My dream had come true! I couldn’t have accomplished this without my Cashman, who helped me get to State as being Region VII Barrel Champion and Nick giving me his all at the Finals to win it. These two horses have been so giving to me, blessing me with so many amazing memories and wins. After the Jr. High Finals, Nick and I went to Iowa to compete for Team Texas at Nationals. We ended up sixth. I had so much fun and made so many memories and even made some new friends. This is what rodeo is truly about!
When not rodeoing, I enjoy hunting, fishing, swimming, and riding my segway. I also play volleyball, basketball, and softball for my school. Family and church are very important also. I am blessed to have the family who supports me in everything I do and couldn’t think of a better way to grow up.
It is an honor to represent you and the Great State of Texas as your Secretary for the 2024-25 year! See you all soon!
Charlie Sohrt, TJHRA Secretary
Molly Dodson Princess
Hi, my name is Molly Dodson and I am the 2024 Miss TJHRA Princess. I spend my days working hard and spending time with my horses just outside of Weatherford Texas in a small town called Brock. I compete for Region 10 in the Pole Bending, Breakaway Roping, and Ribbon Running. My other activities include playing select softball and tennis with my twin sister Kymber. My parents are John and Kyla Dodson. I have an older brother Reece who is 24 and an older sister Rylee who is 21 and they all competed in TJHRA and/or THSRA rodeo. I remember when I was little and my sister was the THSRA Vice-President and she was best friends with the Queen and I wanted to be just like the queen when I grew up. In the end, I am so blessed to be here with my family and friends and having the opportunity to have amazing horses to compete in the sport of rodeo.
Molly Dowell, TJHRA Princess
