The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) has more than 100 sanctioned rodeos a year, 11 regions, over 3,500 contestants, and 137 universities and colleges, the NIRA is helping to build strong collegiate rodeo athletes across the United States.
Nine events are offered to contestants within the college rodeos. The women can enter and compete in barrel racing, breakaway roping, goat tying, and team roping. The men’s events are saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, and team roping. All-around titles are given to contestants who compete in multiple events and do it all well.
Colleges and universities recruit students to build rodeo teams each year. The teams travel within their region to rodeos where points and money are racked up while the contestants compete amongst each other to see who is truly the best at the game. The athletes compete as individuals in their events, but their points are combined into team standings as well, representing their university or college.
ENMU-Ruidoso has been added to the Southwest Region and will compete against 18 other teams including those from eastern New Mexico and central Texas.
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