Tennessee High School Challenge Rodeo March 13-14 at the Show Place Arena in Memphis, TN High School students came from all over Tennessee and surrounding states of Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama, Missouri, Illinois and Louisiana to compete at the Tennessee High School Challenge Rodeos March 13 n 14 at the Show Place Arena in Memphis, TN. There were 215 contestants at this rodeo who competed for cash prizes in the Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc, Barrel Racing, Tiedown Calf Roping, Pole Bending, Team Roping, Breakaway Roping, Steer Wrestling, Goat Tying and Bull Riding events. Tennessee members competed for state points toward year end awards. Students from other states could also get points for winning if their state approved this as a point rodeo. The overall Team Winner was Mississippi. They received the “traveling trophy,” which they will return next year to be passed on to the 2010 winner. The average winners for the Challenge Rodeo were: *Bareback: Cody Stephens, KY Saddle Bronc: Stephen Mullins, MS *Barrels: Nealey Dalton, TN *Calf Roping: Jordan Thrasher, TN *Pole Bending: Rachel Knight, MS Team Roping: Ty Tullos/Crayton Wadsworth, MS *Breakaway: Jacy Thrasher, TN Steer Wrestling: Chanley Ladner, MS Goat Tying: Maggie Dossett, MS Bull Riding: Kyle Seals, IL All Around Cowgirl: Morgan Curry, MS All Around Cowboy: Jordan Thrasher, TN Tennessee High School Rodeo is an affiliate of the National High School Rodeo Association, and the events are for contestants in the 9th thru 12th grades. Students can join and compete whether they go to a public, private high school or are home schooled. Girls compete in barrels, pole bending, breakaway roping, team roping and goat tying. Guys compete in bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc, team roping, tiedown calf roping and steer wrestling. Points are earned for the top ten in each event, which accumulate to qualify for the National High School Finals Rodeo. The Tennessee Junior Rodeo Association is an organization for youth up to 8th grade. These girls and guys compete in most of same events as the high school competitors. Students must maintain a C grade average and they compete all year throughout Tennessee, as well as some invitational rodeos in other states. For 2009 year end awards, Tennessee High School Rodeo will give out 20 saddles and 65 buckles to winning competitors: one for each of the top four winners in each event. They will also give awards to the All Around Cowboy and Cowgirl, Reserve All Around Cowboy and Cowgirl, Rookie Cowboy and Cowgirl, and Reserve Rookie Cowboy and Cowgirl. The top four winners in each event will go to the National Finals July 19-25 in Farmington, NM. In 2008, this event hosted more than 2,000 competitors, the largest number of rodeo contestants at any rodeo. Every state in the nation and four provinces sent representatives.