Brenna and Gracie Ellis, sisters and students at Clarendon High School, will be traveling to Abilene June 1-10 to compete in the Texas High School Rodeo Association State Finals.
The state finals rodeo is an annual, week-long event where high school students across Texas and surrounding states come and compete. Numerous awards, scholarships, and the opportunity to represent Texas at the National High School Finals Rodeo held each July are all up for grabs.
Contestants compete in rodeos throughout the year in one of 10 regions across the state. At the last rodeo of regional level competition, the top 10 competitors in each event are announced. These contestants are then given the opportunity to represent their region on the state level at the THSRA state finals.
Brenna, a Clarendon High School senior and THSRA Region 1 member, will be competing on the state level in the goat tying event.
“The goat tying competition was very tough in Region 1 this year,” Brenna said. “I am happy to have qualified for state for my fourth and final year in high school rodeo.”
Gracie, a Clarendon High School freshman and THSRA Region 1 member, will be competing on the state level in the barrel racing and pole bending events.
“I was able to gain an early lead in the pole bending during the fall rodeos, so I just had to stay consistent during the spring rodeos to win the region,”
Gracie said. “The barrel racing competition was very tough. I had to come from behind and really make some good runs in the final stretch. I am excited to be going to my first high school state finals, not only as a freshman, but also as a region event champion.”
Rodeo performances, as well as other events held throughout the week are open to the public each morning and afternoon. Shuttle services will be offered on the Taylor County Expo Center grounds, and tickets will be sold at the gates. Schedule updates will be posted to the THSRA Facebook and Instagram pages regularly throughout the week.
The Texas High School Rodeo Association is the largest, most prestigious state high school rodeo association in the nation. THSRA sponsors over 125 rodeos per year throughout 10 regions across Texas. The rodeo year begins in August and concludes with the Texas High School Finals Rodeo in June. It is here, at the largest rodeo in the state of Texas, where “The Elite Compete” featuring the top cowboys and cowgirls from each Region. They compete for numerous awards, scholarships as well as the coveted honor of representing Texas at the National High School Finals Rodeo to be held this July in Lincoln, NE.
Those interested in watching the Ellis girls compete can catch all the rodeo action live on the Cowboy Channel.
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