National High School Rodeo Finals Draw 1,700+ Contestants in Wyoming

The 2025 National High School Finals Rodeo in Rock Springs, Wyoming, is drawing over 1,700 young competitors from multiple nations, including several standout participants from Iowa and southwest Iowa. Riders like Laine Leeper from Leon, Iowa, and Sidney High School’s Myler Maher, Nash Moreland, and Cade Smith are competing in events such as bull riding, bareback riding, and saddle bronc riding, all vying for scholarships, prize money, and world champion titles. These young rodeo athletes have dedicated years of training and express excitement about the competition and the opportunity to build connections with peers worldwide. The event embodies cowboy culture and offers a platform for teens pursuing rodeo careers, with streaming available for a wider audience. Meanwhile, other rodeo-related events such as the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Oklahoma showcase additional youth talent in calf roping, team roping, and saddle bronc riding, emphasizing the sport's growing appeal and competitive spirit. These rodeos highlight the blend of tradition, athleticism, and community that characterize the modern youth rodeo scene.