NORTH COAST, Calif. – California High School Rodeo District 2's 2014-15 season is getting under way this week.
The first event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27, and Sunday, Sept. 28, at the Willits Rodeo Arena.
The public is invited to attend an exciting, fun-filled weekend of rodeo action.
Admission is free to the public and a food booth will be hosted by the Willits Lions Club.
Contestants from the Northern California coastal counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Lake Sonoma, Marin and Napa compete in two divisions: Junior High Division for grades sixth through eighth and the High School Division for grades ninth through 12th.
Scheduled events include bull riding, saddle and bareback bronc riding, barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, ribbon roping, breakaway roping, team roping, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, chute dogging and cutting.
CHSRA District 2 is a member of the National High School Rodeo Association, which was created to give high school students the opportunity to participate and compete in this unique and challenging sport.
This sport is not recognized by all high school athletics, but offers a program that sets high school rodeo apart from other varsity sports: These athletes compete on a scale comparable to collegiate and professional rodeo competitors.
The high school athletes have the opportunity to acquire scholarships and grants for continuing their educational careers.
The top four contestants in each state/province in each event qualify for the National High School Finals Rodeo held annually in July and the National Junior High Division Finals Rodeo annually in June.
More than 1,500 contestants from each of the 46 state/province associations compete for national titles, awards and scholarships.
The National High School Rodeo Association governs the state of California's nine districts.
California High School Rodeo Association District 2 is located on the coast of Northern California and is composed of seven counties: Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Lake, Sonoma, Marin and Napa.
Membership is open to any enrolled high school or junior high school student and in good standing interested in the sport of rodeo.
To become eligible for California High School Rodeo Association District 2, young athletes must maintain a 2.0 grade point average, must be in good standing with their school and shall comply with all the rules and by-laws of the National High School Rodeo Association, California High School Rodeo Association and California High School Rodeo Association District 2.
For additional information visit www.chsradist2.com .