Ahead of the WCJR (Cinch World Championship Junior Rodeo presented by Montana Silversmiths) in Guthrie, Oklahoma, the organization today announced nearly 1000 athletes who will compete at the youth rodeo’s most prestigious event as the intense battle to be crowned the 2023 Division Youth World Champion approaches a climactic end July 25-29 at Lazy E Arena. The third edition of the Youth World Championship event will shell out a projected minimum payout of $400,000. The 2022 WCJR paid out a little more than $271,000.

In a highly competitive leaderboard race, four athletes have risen to the No. 1 position on the all-around rankings. Kreece Dearing (Chico, Texas) and Amy Ohrt (Victoria, Texas) have distanced themselves from the Junior Division competition by more than 8,000 points, respectively. Alli Autrey (Abilene, Texas) and Briar White (Lawton, Oklahoma) will begin the event edging the No. 2 positions by 3000 points. Junior All-Around World Champions will earn a $4,000 bonus, while each Youth All-Around World Champion will take home $2000 each.

Dearing will compete in four disciplines during the five-day event- Team Roping Heading, Team Roping Heeling, Steer Wrestling, and Tie-Down Roping. He comes into the event qualified in at least the top six positions on each of the four leaderboards- two in the top three.

Ohrt finds herself atop the Junior Leaderboard in Barrel Racing, Breakaway Roping, Goat Tying, and Pole Bending in no position lower than fifth place. She ranks second in pole bending and goat tying and has distanced herself from No. 2 on the all-around leaderboard by more than 10,600 points.

Autrey goes into the world championship in the Youth Division, ahead of fellow breakaway roper and goat tyer Rylie Edens (Hillsboro, Texas) by less than 2,000 points. She is joined by all-around men’s contender Briar White (Lawton, Oklahoma) in the division, who will face off against all-around runner-up Cody Gardner in the team roping and tie-down roping.

Athletes entered at the WCJR are eligible to earn Elevated Bonus Event World Points (4X multiplier). They will automatically be eligible to earn Event World Points without a nomination for any disciplines at the event. All WCJR point information can be found here.

According to WCRA President Bobby Mote, round champions can win up to 1200 points in the semi-final rounds and 2700 points in the championship round.

“What’s unique about this event is that the world championship bonuses are not out of reach for anyone on the leaderboard due to the points structure,” said Mote. “At past WCRA events, we have seen athletes come into the event third or fourth on the leaderboard and take the top spot to take home the cash bonuses.”

The full roster of athletes can be found below:

Junior Division Roster HERE.

Youth Division Roster HERE.

The top 16 from each WCRA Division Youth Leaderboard earned an automatic exemption into the semi-final round. Each open-entry athlete will compete in the qualifying rounds July 25-27, with up to 14 athletes earning a position in the semi-finals. The top eight from each discipline will advance to the July 29 Championship Round, where the top athlete will take home the title of WCJR Event Champion.

Schedule of events below:

A detailed schedule of events can be found HERE.

In July 2022, the Lazy E Arena and the WCRA Division Youth (DY) announced they would join forces on the 2023 Cinch World Championship Junior Rodeo. The 2023 event is open to youth athletes competing in 11 disciplines which include – Bareback Riding, Ladies Breakaway Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping Heading, Team Roping Heeling, Tie-Down Roping, Ladies Barrel Racing, Ladies Pole Bending, Ladies Goat Tying, and Bull Riding. WCJR athletes can enter only one age division and once per discipline. Roughstock events are Junior Divisions only.

All rodeo athletes interested in learning more about the WCRA DY, the VRQ, or event format and payout details should be directed to dy.rodeo or download the WCRA DY app HERE.