Aug 15, 2014

The Maryland High School Rodeo Association at the Howard County Fair.

(Photos by Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Maryland High School Rodeo Queen, Madison Iager lifts the American Flag as she gets ready for the opening ceremonies for the Maryland High School Rodeo at the Howard Fair. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Amber Goff of Westminster High School rounds the final barrel in the barrel racing event. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Georgeanna Lowe of Howard H.S. heads down the ring after circling the last barrel in the barrel racing competition. (Lloyd Fox/ Baltimore Sun)

: Lauren Keeney of Middletown H.S. in Frederick, tips over a barrel during the barrel racing competition at the rodeo. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Taylor Branan of Choptican H.S. heads around the last barrel during the barrel racing competition. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: BJ Greene of Middletown H.S. takes his first ride of the day in the bull riding competition. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: BJ Greene of Middletown H.S. in Frederick hangs on to a bull as he comes out of the chute. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Marshall Warden of Fanne H. Metal H.S. falls off the bull he was riding during the competition. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Marshell Warden runs for safety after falling off the bull he was riding at the rodeo. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Jon Inskeep with the rodeo rescue team keeps an eye on the action in case of emergency. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Olivia Hickman of Parkside H.S. walks around during the rodeo event held by the Maryland High School Rodeo Association at the Howard County Fair. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Nicole Andraka of Northern H.S. in Calvert County misses her attempt during the breakaway roping event. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Olivia Hickman of Parkside High School weaves through the poles during the pole bending event. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Olivia Hickman of Parkside High School weaves her way through the poles during the pole bending event. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Courtney Casper of Linganore H.S. races on her horse during the pole bending competition. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Jessa Russell of Calverton H.S. competes during the goat tying event. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Jessa Russell of Calverton H.S. competes during the goat tying event. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Miranda Iager of South Carroll H.S. ties up a goat during the goat tying competition. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Nicole Andraka of Northern H.S. in Calvert County jumps off her horse and runs to tie a goat during the goat tying event. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Courtney Casper of Linganore H.S. in Frederick ties up a goat during the goat tying competition of the rodeo. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Cassandra Browne of Susquehannock H.S. in York, PA., flips a goat on it’s side so she can tie the legs during the goat tying event. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Morgan Meekins in the Middle School division of Meredith Middle School in Delaware tries to lasso a calf during the breakaway roping competition. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Morgan Meekins of Meredith Middle School in Delaware, tries to lasso a calf during the breakaway roping competition. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Jacob McKnew, 8, who is in the elementary school division called the Mustang division finished in first place in the Mustang division barrel racing. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: Grace Howard, 8, of Charles County hugs her horse, Maestro, which she rode to a third place finish in the Mustang Poles in the rodeo competition. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

Last fall, Maryland became the 42nd state to join the National High School Rodeo Association. Students from elementary school through high school recently competed at the Howard County Fair in over a dozen sanctioned rodeo events such as bull riding, pole bending, barrel racing, goat tying and team roping. The students compete for points to become eligible to for the national rodeo finals to be held in the summer.

Formed in 1949, the National High School Rodeo Association held it’s first high school rodeo finals in Hallettsville, Texas. Today there are over 12,500 student members who compete in over 1000 rodeo events throughout the country each year.

High School rodeo competition

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