How to Start a High School Rodeo Team

Starting a high school rodeo team is not overly complicated, but the process does require support from the administration, interest from the student body and access to facilities and funds. Numerous states have sanctioned high school rodeo programs, but this sport does not operate in the same capacity as other high school sports. Rodeo requires access to specialized facilities, and most teams operate in a more independent capacity than the traditional school sports like football and basketball. In many cases, the team is labeled as a club to help bypass some of the obstacles like liability insurance and use of private facilities.

Instructions

    • 1

      Contact your school administration and obtain approval for the team. The athletic director is the best contact, but principals and vice principals are also capable of approving the team. Complete all paperwork provided by the athletic director to make the team official.

    • 2

      Recruit team members from the student body. Make an announcement about the team, post fliers and hold meetings to welcome new members and interested parties.

    • 3

      Register your team with the National High School Rodeo Association. Each team member also must register with the association, pay the annual dues and pay for the insurance associated with the membership. Most schools will not insure a rodeo team, but the national organization provides insurance for each team member.

    • 4

      Check with your state for a high school rodeo association. Not every state sanctions a high school rodeo organization, but many states provide the option for membership and additional insurance. Pay the membership dues to your state and use the rodeo schedule to plan your teams' competition schedule.

    • 5

      Locate riding facilities and gain access to the facilities. Determine the fees associated with riding and hold a meeting to plan fund-raising events and a team budget. Many rodeo teams leave training to the individual, but some teams train on a schedule and pool funds for facilities access and equipment.

    • 6

      Register and attend rodeos sanctioned by the state and national associations. Track your success and focus on performance at qualifying events to make the state and national competitions.