ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — While many area residents will be following the progress of Robertsdale resident Kyle Irwin as he competes in his second straight Wrangler National Finals Rodeo beginning this weekend in Las Vegas, their attention will be focused a little closer to home as participants from kindergarten up through high school compete in rodeo competition at the Baldwin County Coliseum Arena in Robertsdale.

Sanctioned by the Alabama Junior Rodeo Association and the Alabama High School Rodeo Association, the event will be co-sponsored by Bo Campbell Rodeo Productions.

“We’re excited because normally the Junior Rodeo Association and the High School Rodeo Association have different schedules,” said Nikki Nitteberg. “With the two events being together, this will allow residents to see both levels of competition in one place.”

Nitteberg, who served as secretary for the Junior Rodeo Association last season, became involved in the High School Rodeo Association this year when her daughter, Nikayla Brill, moved up to the high school level.

“It’s something I grew up with and something I’ve passed along to my daughter,” she said. “She’s had a lot of success and she’s worked hard at it.”

This weekend’s junior rodeo is a one-day event which begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for children 5 to 12 and free for children under 5.

Junior rodeo includes participants from kindergarten through eighth grade with events such as boys and girls breakaway roping, girls barrel racing, boys tie down roping, girls pole bending, co-ed ribbon roping, co-ed team roping, girls goat tying and bull riding.

According to AJRA’s website, alabamajuniorrodeo.com, the organization began in 1997 and more than 1,000 boys and girls have competed over the years, many of whom have gone on to the high school and college level, Nitteberg said.

Membership is open to any student who is 14 years of age or under by Sept. 1 and is enrolled in eighth grade or lower.

The association includes two divisions, a kindergarten through 5^th grade division and a 6^th through 8^th grade division with eight events in each division.

The Robertsdale rodeo is the fourth in a series of monthly events which began Sept. 19 in Andalusia. There are five additional events scheduled for 2015 including April 2-3 in Bay Minette, with the season finals scheduled for June 1-4 in Andalusia.

“Our biggest challenge is getting sponsors and hosts for the events,” Nitteberg said. “We appreciate all of our sponsors and welcome anyone who wishes to help sponsor an event.”

The high school event begins Saturday at 2 p.m., with a second go scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Sunday preceded by cowboy church at 8:30. Admission for the high school rodeo is $8 for adults, $5 for students and free for children under 5.

According to its website, ahsra.org, the Alabama High School Rodeo Association is a member of the National High School Rodeo Association headquartered in Denver. Membership is limited to students 19 years old or younger and enrolled in the ninth through 12^th grades.

More than 100 competitors from throughout the state, along with competitors from Georgia and Florida, participate in high school rodeo competitions throughout the state, Nitteberg said.

The high school rodeo season begins in September and includes about 17 events, culminating with the AHSRA State Finals Rodeo in June. Rodeo events include cutting, bareback and saddle bronc riding, breakaway calf roping, pole bending, steer wrestling, goat tying, team roping, barrel racing and bull riding.

Contestants compete for points throughout the season with the top four point earners in each event qualifying to represent Alabama at the National High School Finals Rodeo.

“A team from Alabama won the national title in team roping last year,” Nitteberg said, “and we had several top 20 finishes in the Multi State Rodeo (held Nov. 6-8 in Perry, Georgia). This area has always been at the center of the rodeo scene and there are about 20 participants between junior and high school rodeo competing this year.”

Students can join anytime throughout the season. There is no deadline for membership.

Competitors at the high school level go on to compete in colleges throughout the country, Nitteberg said.

“We gave out over $8,000 in scholarships last year,” Nitteberg said, “and there are opportunities to compete at the next level in every state. It’s just a fun, family-oriented sport and we welcome everyone  to come out and enjoy it.”

For more information visit alabamajuniorrodeo.com or ahsra.org. You can also like the Alabama Junior Rodeo and the Alabama High School Rodeo pages on Facebook.