OklahomaHorses Magazine May 2022

May/June 2022 • OklahomaHorses 15 World’s Richest Youth Rodeo Is Set To Storm Shawnee July 10–15 S hawnee will again make western sports history in 2022, when the International Finals Youth Rodeo rides into the Heart of Oklahoma Expo on July 10–15. The $250,000 event will bring edge-of-the-seat action to Shawnee, where youths from around the country will compete for the largest purse in the history of youth rodeo. The IFYR will feature 11 performances from 8 p.m. July 10 to 7:30 p.m. July 15, with three arenas running simultaneously during each performance. The event will consist of two long go-arounds and a short go-around, made up of the top 15 contes- tants in each event. Athletes in 10 disciplines — bareback riding, cowgirls’ breakaway roping, sad- dle-bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, pole bending, goat tying, barrel racing, bull riding, and team roping — will compete for their piece of the $250,000 purse and a Trent Ward saddle. In 2021, the event featured more than 930 entries from 35 states. “The IFYR is thrilled to host the world’s best youth athletes at such an iconic rodeo and continue to bring a marquee event to the town of Shawnee for fans across the state,” said IPRA President Dale Yerigan. “This event looks to be one of the big- gest youth rodeos of the year, and we’re extremely fortunate to be able to work with youths from as far as Alaska to bring this opportunity to the youths in rodeo.” Tickets are now on sale and start at $6. They can be purchased at the Heart of Okla- homa Expo Center or online at IFYR.com. A $250,000 purse will be offered in 10 disciplines at the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee on July 10–15. The International Finals Youth Rodeo will bring young rodeo participants from all over the country to Shawnee on July 10–15.