FORT PIERRE, S.D. – The next generation of South Dakota cowboys and cowgirls are getting ready to make their mark at the 51st Annual South Dakota 4-H Finals Rodeo. The event takes place at the Stanley Co. Fairgrounds on August 19-21, 2022.
“South Dakota is one of two states with an organized 4-H Rodeo program,” stated Susan VanLiere, Secretary of the 4-H Finals Rodeo Board. “It originated in 1971 and many great cowboys and cowgirls who compete at the collegiate, national and professional rodeo level were also South Dakota 4-H Rodeo champions and competitors. This is truly an exciting weekend for so many rodeo and ranching families across the state and one of my favorite parts of the entire weekend is watching them barrel in and get registered. It really is a lot of fun and we welcome everyone to come out and watch.”
Approximately 550 qualifying contestants are registered for this year’s event, ranging in age from 8-18 years old. The top four contestants must place in the top four in an event at one of the 39 regional rodeos held throughout the state and will compete for saddles, belt buckles, scholarships, and other awards throughout the finals weekend. There will be four rodeo performances beginning Friday evening at 5 p.m., Saturday morning at 9 a.m. with the Ambassador coronation at 4 p.m. followed by the Saturday evening performance at 5 p.m. It will conclude with the Sunday morning performance at 9 a.m. All times are central.
A weekend admission pass costs $25 per person otherwise it is $10 per person per performance.
Last year, the 4-H South Dakota Finals Rodeo hosted 637 contestants, and in 2020, there were 499 contestants who qualified and participated in the annual event.