Two of the biggest stages in youth rodeo wrapped up this summer, and Slone Saddles was there for both of them. As the official saddle maker for the 2026 National High School Finals Rodeo and National Junior High Finals Rodeo, we had the honor of building the trophy saddles awarded to this year’s champions — a tradition we’ve been proud to be part of for years.
A Summer of Two National Finals
Between late June and late July, the top young rodeo athletes in the country converged on two different arenas to chase national titles.
National Junior High Finals Rodeo — June 21–27, Guthrie, Oklahoma
The 2026 National Junior High Finals Rodeo brought more than 1,000 of the top junior high rodeo athletes from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Australia to the legendary Lazy E Arena for a full week of competition across events including barrel racing, roping, and roughstock.
National High School Finals Rodeo — July 19–25, Lincoln, Nebraska
Known as the “World’s Largest Rodeo,” the National High School Finals Rodeo drew roughly 1,500 contestants to the Sandhills Global Event Center for the 78th year running. Athletes from 43 states plus Australia, Canada, Mexico, and New Zealand competed across the full lineup of high school rodeo events — from barrel racing and roping to bareback, saddle bronc, and bull riding.
What It Means to Be the Official Saddle Maker
Being the official saddle maker means building the trophy saddles presented to this year’s event and season champions — saddles that have to hold up to the same standard as anything we build for full-time competitors, because that’s exactly who’s riding home with them. Now that the season has wrapped, this year’s trophy saddles have been built and are on their way to this year’s champions.
Curious what actually goes into a championship-level build? We covered the details in an earlier piece on getting the most value out of a trophy saddle. Many of these builds are also backed by our Certificate Program, which verifies the craftsmanship behind every saddle we send out.
A Legacy Nearly Four Decades in the Making
Slone Saddles has built custom western saddles in Cuero, Texas for nearly 40 years, and our relationship with NHSRA and NJHSRA goes back years within that history. It’s a partnership we take seriously — these are student athletes competing for real titles, real scholarships, and in many cases, the same level of competitive intensity you’d see at the professional level.
If you’re building toward your own national qualification — or just want a saddle built the way these are — start your saddle design and we’ll walk you through it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the National High School Finals Rodeo?
It’s the championship event of the National High School Rodeo Association, often called the “World’s Largest Rodeo,” bringing together roughly 1,500 of the top high school rodeo athletes from across the U.S. and several other countries each year.
What is the National Junior High Finals Rodeo?
It’s the NHSRA’s championship event for junior high athletes, held annually at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma, and drawing more than 1,000 competitors from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Australia.
Who is the official saddle maker for the 2026 NHSRA and NJHSRA National Finals?
Slone Saddles served as the official saddle maker for both the 2026 National High School Finals Rodeo and National Junior High Finals Rodeo, building the trophy saddles awarded to this year’s champions.
What do NHSRA and NJHSRA champions receive?
Champions at the national level are awarded custom trophy saddles, along with buckles and other recognition, in addition to the scholarships available through the association.
Where was the 2026 National High School Finals Rodeo held?
At the Sandhills Global Event Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, from July 19–25, 2026.
Where was the 2026 National Junior High Finals Rodeo held?
At the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma, from June 21–27, 2026.
How many athletes compete at the National High School Finals Rodeo?
Roughly 1,500 contestants qualify for the national finals each year, out of an NHSRA membership of more than 12,500 students nationwide.
What events are contested at the National High School and Junior High Finals Rodeos?
Both events feature a full slate of rodeo disciplines, including barrel racing, roping events, goat tying, and roughstock events like bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, and bull riding.
How long has Slone Saddles been involved with NHSRA and NJHSRA?
Slone Saddles has built custom saddles in Cuero, Texas for nearly 40 years, with a partnership with NHSRA and NJHSRA spanning years within that history.
What makes a trophy saddle different from a competition saddle?
A trophy saddle is built to the same competition-grade standards as any saddle we make, with the added weight of representing a national championship — the craftsmanship, tree quality, and fit all have to hold up to real use, not just look good on a shelf.
Can I order a saddle similar to the trophy saddles awarded at NHSRA and NJHSRA?
Yes. Any of our series can be custom-built to your own specifications through our saddle design process.
What is the Slone Saddles Certificate Program?
It’s our program that verifies the craftsmanship and authenticity behind a Slone saddle, giving owners documented assurance of what went into their build.