VTHSRA Little Wranglers Program

The VTHSRA Little Wranglers Program is designed to introduce young cowboys and cowgirls to the exciting world of rodeo in a safe, supportive, and fun environment. Open to children from 2 years old until they become eligible for Junior High Rodeo, the program focuses on building confidence, sportsmanship, horsemanship, and fundamental rodeo skills. Participants can compete at their own pace in age-appropriate events, including lead-line and youth barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, and roping. Little Wranglers is a Vermont High School Rodeo Association state-level program and is not part of the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA). It is designed to provide young riders with an opportunity to learn, grow, and gain experience in rodeo before advancing to Junior High competition, while fostering a lifelong love for the western lifestyle and the sport of rodeo.

Required Paperwork

To ensure the safety of all participants and the smooth operation of the program, all required paperwork must be completed and submitted at your child's first Little Wranglers event before they will be allowed to compete. No exceptions will be made.

The required forms, which are included in the Little Wranglers Handbook, are:

Little Wranglers Application

Rules Acknowledgment

Emergency Contact & Medical Information Form

Liability Waiver

Please review and complete all forms prior to arriving at your first event. Participants who do not have all required paperwork completed and submitted at check-in will not be permitted to compete until all required documents have been received.

Where & When Little Wranglers Compete

Little Wranglers compete alongside VTHSRA Junior High and High School members at select VTHSRA rodeos throughout the season. Because of scheduling, arena availability, and event logistics, not every VTHSRA rodeo will include Little Wrangler competition.

For the 2026 fall season, Little Wranglers will be offered at our Millbrook Rodeos. In addition, school-age Little Wranglers (ages 5–10) will have the opportunity to compete at the October multi-state rodeo hosted with the New Jersey High School Rodeo Association.

VTHSRA is also working to add one to two additional rodeo dates to the fall schedule. If venue logistics allow, one of these events may also include Little Wrangler competition. As additional opportunities are confirmed, they will be announced on the VTHSRA website and social media pages. add text.

 

We've had a few questions about whether older Little Wranglers need to compete independently, and we want to clear that up.

 

The answer is NO!

 

The entire purpose of the Little Wranglers program is to introduce young kids to rodeo, build their confidence, and help them develop the skills they'll need to become the next generation of cowboys and cowgirls.

 

If your child needs a parent or helper in the arena, that's absolutely okay!

 

✅ Need someone to help guide them around the barrels?

✅ Need a lead line for an older beginner?

✅ Need assistance during the roping event?

 

We're all for it!

 

Every child learns at their own pace, and we want this to be a positive, encouraging experience. We'd much rather see a child getting the help they need than miss out because they aren't quite ready to do it on their own.

 

So if you've been hesitant to sign up because your child is over five but still needs some assistance, please don't let that stop you. We want them there!

 

🐴 Little Wrangler Roping

 

Our long-term goal is to help these young cowboys and cowgirls build the foundation they'll someday use to rope live cattle. Everyone has to start somewhere!

 

Ages 5–10 (School-Age Division):

• Start in the roping box on horseback.

• Ride at a speed they're comfortable with to a roping dummy placed in the arena.

• One loop to rope the dummy.

• Parents or helpers may assist in the arena if needed.

 

Ages 2–5 (Little Littles Division):

• Start on foot in the roping box.

• Run to the roping dummy.

• Swing their rope and have one loop to catch the dummy.

 

This program isn't about perfection—it's about learning, building confidence, having fun, and creating a lifelong love of rodeo.

 

We can't wait to watch these young cowboys and cowgirls grow, improve, and someday compete alongside our Junior High and High School members. ❤️🐎

 

❤️ Want to help make this program even better? We're currently looking for sponsors for our Little Wrangler program! Your support helps us continue providing opportunities for the next generation of rodeo athletes.

 

If you're interested in sponsoring the Little Wranglers, please reach out to Becky Hance. We'd love to have you as part of helping these young cowboys and cowgirls chase their dreams!