Rodeo has always been an inherently individual sport, but the International Finals Youth Rodeo is inviting high school rodeo organizations, IPRA stock contractors, recognized sponsors, and rodeo committees to bring teams together to compete under their name at the 2018 finals.

“Ken Etchieson, who served more than 20 years as the general manager of the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center and IFYR, came up with the team concept in hopes that more teams would become involved and in turn, the competition would be more of a team sport,” said Stephanie Meiler-Gideon, IFYR's marketing manager.

Interested groups can build a team consisting of up to three entries in each of the 10 rodeo events of the IFYR — with teams including no less than two members in eight events. Each member of the team will then earn points for their team by finishing within the top 15 during each go round of competition, including the short go. 

“We’ve had teams from across the world compete and average about 12 teams per year,” Meiler-Gideon said. "The team concept encourages great competition and rewards athletes for both their individual and team performances."

The 2018 IFYR takes place July 8 to 13 in Shawnee, Oklahoma. You can sign up your team HERE.

 In 2017, team "YNOT" soared above the other teams to win with 334.5 points.