Local youth from Santa Cruz County will be among those competing in the Arizona Jr. High School Rodeo Finals and the Arizona High School Rodeo at the Sonoita Fairgrounds. Top row: (From left) Bree Beyer, Cienna Beyer, Lexie Miller. Bottom row: (From left) Kaden Olson, Jake Scouten, Christian Padilla, Damian Padilla, Alai Lopez, Ali Lopez. Photo by Lacy Beyer

News release

The Sonoita Fairgrounds will host two major youth rodeo events in May: the Arizona Junior High School Rodeo Finals on May 9-10, followed by the Arizona High School Rodeo on May 10-11.

These events will bring the state’s best young rodeo athletes to Santa Cruz County, including several talented local youth competitors.

Contestants will compete in a variety of traditional rodeo events, including barrel racing, bull riding, team roping, goat tying, breakaway roping, and more.

These competitions are part of a larger circuit that offers young athletes a chance to earn scholarships, qualify for national finals, and continue their journey in the sport of rodeo.

“This is an exciting opportunity for our community to support the next generation of rodeo athletes,” Sonoita Fairgrounds Manager Lacy Beyer said. “We’re especially proud to see local youth from Santa Cruz County competing on their home turf.”

For more information, visit sonoitafairgrounds.com/ahsra