Local youth Lawson Fagerhaug earned some hefty hardware at the NationalLittle Britches Rodeo Association (NLBRA) National Finals Rodeo held June 30 to July 6, 2024 at Lazy E Arena, Guthrie, OK, bringing home his first ever buckle at a national finals, collecting two Tres Rios Silver short go pendents and winning cash prizes to boot.
Fagerhaug, a nine-year-old fourth grader at Wessington Springs Elementary School, competed in barrels, poles, flags and goat tail untying in his last year of Little Wrangler division.
He qualified for the Shorty's Caboy Hattery short round in goats, placing 6th in one round and 7th in round two. These placings set him up for 3rd in the average and with points he collected through the season, he was also 3rd in the world standings headed into the short round. He and horse Slick ended his Little Wrangler tenure as 10th in the world standings for goats.
The NLBRA, which was founded in 1952, is a youth rodeo organization for kids ages 5 to 18. The Association annually sanctions over 500 youth rodeos in 33 states, which provides more opportunities for NLBRA members to earn points and qualify for the National Finals Rodeo. More than 3,300 kids from 33 states compete in NLBRA rodeos each year. By competing at local events, contestants work to qualify for the annual National Finals Rodeo.
Three Jerauld County youth also competed in the NLBRA National Finals Rodeo. Liberty Mikkelson of Alpena finished 17th in round one in flag racing and 18th in pole bending within the Little Wrangler Division. Londyn Mikkelson of Alpena finished 15th in round one of pole bending and 15th in goat tying within the Junior Girl Division. Jayla Schley of Alpena finished 13th in round two of goat tying within the Junior Girl Division.