Shaun Derek Smith, a recent graduate of Emmet High School has earned a position on the Arkansas high school rodeo team and will be traveling with fellow teammates to Farmington, New Mexico from July 19th-25th to compete at the 61st Annual National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) in the Tie Down Roping and Steer Wrestling competitions.

Featuring over 1,500 contestants from 41 states, five Canadian Provinces, and Australia, the National High School Finals is the world’s largest rodeo. In addition to competing for over $200,000 in prizes, NHSFR contestants will also be vying for more than $325,000 in college scholarships and the chance to be named the National High School Rodeo National Champion.
 To earn this title, contestants must finish in the top twenty after two go-rounds of intense competitions before advancing to Saturday night’s final championship performance. Please check www.nhsra.com for possible schedule changes and other times when the 2009 NHSFR telecast will air on RFD-TV. In addition, you can catch all of the NHSFR action live via Horsecity.com on their audio web cast.

Along with great rodeo competition and the chance to meet new friends from around the world, NHSFR contestants have the opportunity to represent their team in a volleyball tournament, enjoy nightly contestant dances, participate in a talent contest, compete in an NRA rifle shooting competition, test their skills in a Knowledge Bowl competition, have the chance to shop the ever popular NHSFR western tradeshow, and visit the historical attractions of the Land of Enchantment.

To follow your local favorites at the NHSFR, visit the NHSRA’s website daily for complete results at www.nhsra.org. For ticket information, call 505-324-5573; or call 505-334-4592 for general information.