Young rodeo athletes will take center stage when the Bad River Youth Rough Stock Series comes to town at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at the Wessington Springs rodeo arena.
This year’s youth rodeo will serve as the finale of the Kyle Evans Memorial Wagon Train weekend and is being held in place of the longtime Bull Bash event. Organizers said the change reflects a desire to highlight the next generation of rodeo talent while continuing to honor the community’s rodeo traditions.
The competition will feature bares, bulls and broncs with age divisions of 6–8, 9–11 and 12–14. Younger cowboys and cowgirls can compete in Mutton Bustin’, offered in the 4–6 and 7–8 age groups. Entries for Mutton Bustin’ are limited to 20 contestants per age group.
Contestants must register in advance. Entries are open Aug. 28 – Sept. 3, or until full. To sign up, call Samantha at 605-441-3517 or Loni Sterling at 605-842-6077. Riders must check in at least one hour before rodeo time.
Spectators are reminded that no coolers are allowed, as concessions will be available from the Wessington Springs Church Concessions Group and the Wessington Springs Volunteer Fire Department.