2025 WCJR ROSTER UNVEILED WITH OVER $400,000 PAYOUT ON THE LINE

Guthrie, Okla. – The Cinch World Championship Junior Rodeo Presented by Montana Silversmiths (WCJR) returns to the iconic Lazy E Arena July 23–26, delivering four action-packed days of premier youth rodeo. Hundreds of the top junior and youth athletes from across the country will compete for their share of a record-setting $400,000-plus payout and the coveted gold buckle World Championship titles.

View Junior Roster HERE and Youth Roster HERE.

The Junior Division is stacked with talent, including several reigning world and event champions. Returning for a title defense is Brant Cookston, the 2024 Heeling World and Event Champion, who once again tackles Team Roping. Two-time Goat Tying World and Event Champion Alli Autrey is also back and currently leads the Junior Division standings in her signature event. Bella Skinner, last year’s Barrel Racing World and Event Champion, returns in both barrel racing and pole bending to defend her titles. Steer Wrestling standout Jake Holmes enters as the reigning World and Event Champion and current division leader, looking to secure a repeat. Also in the mix is Merrick Moyer, who earned the 2024 Pole Bending World title and now tops the leaderboard in Junior Barrel Racing. Harley Pryor, the 2024 Breakaway Roping World Champion, is also returning to competition.

Daxtyn Feild holds the top ranking in Bareback Riding and will make a strong push for his first gold buckle. Ty Lavergne enters the event ranked number one in Bull Riding. Team Roping leaders Casper Ringelstein and Cannin Carson will both be fighting to take their leaderboard no.1 standing momentum into world titles. Josey James leads the Junior Division in Breakaway Roping, while Myles Nixon enters the competition as the top-ranked Tie-Down Roper and 2024 Youth World Champion in the event. Carsyn Holbrook leads the pack in Junior Division Pole Bending, and Kaydence Tindall, the 2024 Women’s All-Around and Breakaway Event Champion, is back to compete in both breakaway roping and goat tying.

In the Youth Division, Bronc Evans returns as a dominant force after sweeping the 2024 Heading and Heeling World titles and securing the Men’s All-Around championship. He is once again ranked number one in both events and poised for a repeat. He’ll be joined by Arina Dee Haugen, the defending Barrel Racing World Champion, who remains a top contender. Ashtyn Mordica, who claimed last year’s Pole Bending Event title, returns as the number one ranked youth athlete and is entered in multiple events. Also topping the leaderboard are Khloe Collins in Breakaway Roping, Piper Toon in Barrel Racing, Acey Autrey in Goat Tying, and Hagen Spiva in Tie-Down Roping, each aiming to cap their event with world championship gold. Youth champions from 2024 also returning include Kali Jo Bannister (Breakaway Event Champion), Dusky Lynn Hall (Barrel Racing Event Champion), Cross Ringlestien (Heeling Event Champion), Allie Calcote (Goat Tying World Champion), Rianne Tinsley (Goat Tying Event Champion), and Drew Ellen Stewart (Women’s All-Around Event Champion).

A host of multi-event athletes will be showcased at this year’s WCJR as Dusky Lynn Hall, who earned over $8,000 last year, returns to compete in both barrel racing and pole bending. Bella Skinner will once again double up in barrel racing and pole bending, while both Kali Jo Bannister and Landree Bennett are set to compete in barrel racing and goat tying. Luke Tippmann showcases his arena versatility by competing across bareback riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, heading, and heeling. Tippman is also entered in the Junior Ironman Sidepot for an opportunity to advance to the Jr. Ironman Championship held during the CINCH Timed Event Championship in March 2026.

Taylor Rickman, Alaina Dean, Ashtyn Mordica, and Braylin Miller are all competing in barrel racing, goat tying, and pole bending. Addison Dyer stands out as one of the most versatile athletes in the field, entered in breakaway roping, barrel racing, pole bending, and team roping as a header.

Competition gets underway Wednesday, July 23, with Round One of the WCJR Open Rounds. Round Two follows on Thursday, July 24. Each day will feature a full slate of Youth and Junior Division heats in timed event disciplines. On Friday, July 25, the action intensifies with a full Buy Back Round before launching into the Semi-Finals, beginning with roughstock. The Youth Division Semi-Finals will follow, featuring all timed event disciplines. The Junior Division Semi-Finals will close out the day.

The excitement reaches a fever pitch on Saturday, July 26, when the Championship Round takes center stage. The top seven athletes in each roughstock discipline and the top ten in each timed event discipline will compete head-to-head in a final showdown to crown the 2025 WCJR event champions.

For detailed schedule, please see here. Event Schedule is as follows.

Nextgen Rodeo will be the exclusive home of the 2025 WCJR, streaming the event live July 23–26. The Qualifying Rounds on July 23–24 will be available via paid subscription, while the Semi-Finals and Championship Rounds will be offered as a free stream to fans everywhere. For streaming access or to download the app, visit NextgenRodeo.com.

For more event details, advancement charts, and athlete information, visit wcjrodeo.com.

-WCJR-

About Lazy E Arena

Located in Guthrie, Oklahoma, Lazy E Arena is one of the most iconic and versatile event venues in Western sports. Since opening its doors in 1984, the Lazy E has played host to some of the most prestigious rodeos and equine competitions in the world, including the Cinch Timed Event Championship and the legendary National Finals Steer Roping. Known for its state-of-the-art facilities, expansive grounds, and commitment to excellence, the Lazy E Arena welcomes hundreds of thousands of fans, athletes, and event partners each year. With a legacy rooted in tradition and a vision for innovation, Lazy E continues to set the standard as the world’s premier Western entertainment destination.

About WCRA DY (World Champions Rodeo Alliance Division Youth):

WCRA DY is a year-long leaderboard race of rodeo events worldwide, culminating at the World Championship Junior Rodeo (WCJR). The 2025 World Finals event will have over $2015,000 in added money and will take place in Guthrie, OK at the Lazy E Arena July 22-26. The 2024 events paid out nearly $400,000. Athletes can qualify by nominating their rodeo efforts and earning points for the WCRA DY leaderboard positions using the VRQ (Virtual Rodeo Qualifier). Athletes can nominate their rodeo efforts until Sunday, June 22, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. to nominate and earn points. The top 16 on the leaderboard will qualify for the event with no entry fees.

PROVIDED COURTESY OF WCRA TO TENN TEXAS MEDIA