National Little Britches Finals Rodeo has arrived to Guthrie

The Lazy E Arena is the centerpiece of this week’s 62nd National Little Britches Finals Rodeo as young contestants compete for more than $380,000 in scholarship money.

The National Little Britches Rodeo Association has brought 1,000 of their finest contestants to the Lazy E Arena, which runs through Sunday.

The NLBRA consists of more than 2,500 members from 33 states who compete in more than 450 Little Britches rodeos for a chance to come to the Finals. Once at the Finals, the contestants, ranging in age from five to 18, compete over the span of five days, with two rounds and a Championship Round at the end. The prize line includes more than $380,000 in scholarship money, custom-made Circle Y saddles, Montana Silversmith buckles and spurs, and additional $15,000 added money in the optional jackpot.

The event is in its first year of a five-year deal.

Each contestant brings along several family members, making a vacation of it, and spending time and money seeing the sights around them. The economic impact of this event exceeds $12 million for the host community. Partnering with RFD-TV provides national coverage of the event throughout the year after the Finals.

The NLBRA, “Where Legends Begin”, boasts rodeo greats like Cody DeMoss, Josh Peek, Marlene McRae, KC Jones, Kody Lostroh, and Trell Ebauer who began their careers competing in Little Britches. Come out and support these great young men and women as they make their way to Oklahoma this summer to compete at the National Little Britches Finals.

The Association, founded in 1952, annually sanctions nearly 400 youth rodeos in 15 states.

On Thursday, Roy Miller, of Recollections Antique Mall, presented the 2015-16 National Little Britches Rodeo Association Queen Ms. Elise Wade from Enid with a framed poster of this year’s event.

Pictured above from left to right: Director of Community and Economic Development Cody Mosley, interim Director for the Guthrie Chamber of Commerce Tracey Zserdin, NLBRA 2015-16 Queen Elise Wade, Roy Miller, NLBRA Princess Lakin Cunningham of Kansas and National Little Wrangler Princess Addie Mae Quarnberg of Utah.