What the North Dakota State High School Rodeo Finals Is
The North Dakota State High School Rodeo Finals bring the state's top high school rodeo athletes to Bowman to compete for a place at the National High School Rodeo Finals. It is the championship of the North Dakota High School Rodeo Association season, which runs through fall and spring rodeos and ends with state finals in June. The Bowman Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the finals at the Bowman County Fairgrounds, 12 US-12, Bowman, ND 58623, and 2026 was the 38th consecutive year Bowman hosted. The next finals are listed for June 9-13, 2027.
Events
- Barrel racing and roping
- Rough stock events (shown only in the evening performances and the Sunday Short Go)
- Reined cow horse and cutting
- Rifle and trap shooting competitions
- Queen pageant
How It Works: The Format
Contestants earn their trip by competing in rodeos across North Dakota during the season. At the finals, the weekend runs on a main-performance schedule, as in the 2026 edition:
- FridayMain performances at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., with the first preliminary round.
- SaturdayMain performances at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., with the second preliminary round.
- Sunday, noonShort Go finals, the championship round.
The top four competitors in each event earn the chance to represent North Dakota at the National High School Rodeo Finals in July. Five main performances are held over the weekend, plus cutting and reining performances.
Who Competes
Entry is for North Dakota High School Rodeo Association members who qualify through the season. Specific qualifying standards and entry deadlines are set by the association, so contestants should confirm with their district or the association before the finals. The association has more than 180 members, and a junior high division holds its own state finals in May.
Scholarships and Traditions
The Pass the Hat Foundation awards over $8,000 to 15 senior recipients before the Short Go at state finals. With the Bud Sperry and Kelby Indergard scholarships, total senior scholarships exceed $15,000. Seniors apply and are interviewed by the foundation board during finals weekend. Seniors are recognized in their graduation gowns during the Short Go grand entry, and each performance has a themed grand entry. A cowboy prom, started by contestants, is a finals tradition with a Grand March and dance.
For Spectators
Vendors sell food, clothing, jewelry and commemorative clothing, and concessions are open between events. Performances are broadcast on KPOK 1340 AM and Consolidated Channel 18, with updates on Facebook at NDHSRF and at BowmanND.com. Performance sponsors have included Bowman Livestock Marketing, Dakota Community Bank & Trust, Dakota West Credit Union, Dakota Western Bank, Frontier Travel Center and West Plains, Inc.
Where
Bowman County Fairgrounds, 12 US-12, Bowman, ND 58623. Bowman County Development Corporation: 701-523-5880 or 866-752-2691.
Questions
How many advance to nationals?
The top four competitors in each event qualify for the National High School Rodeo Finals in July.
Do rough stock events run in the daytime?
No. They are held in the evening performances and in the Sunday Short Go.
Can seniors win scholarships?
Yes. Seniors apply through the Pass the Hat Foundation and interview during finals weekend.
Official Links
- North Dakota Tourism event page: dates and location
- Bowman: finals back in Bowman for the 38th year: schedule and format
- Bowman: finals hosted in Bowman: host and contacts
- Plainsman: high school champions and the Rodeo Hall of Fame: season and scholarships
- Pass the Hat scholarship application
Major North Dakota Stock Shows and Rodeos: The Essentials
North Dakota's biggest livestock events are the State Fair in Minot, the North Dakota Winter Show in Valley City and the Big Iron Farm Show in West Fargo.
State Fair
The fair ran July 17-25 in 2026 and returns July 23-31, 2027. 4-H and FFA livestock must be entered by May 1, exhibitors must be 4-H members ages 8-18 or FFA members, and the livestock week closes with Round Robin and awards on the final Saturday.
Winter Show
The 89th Winter Show ran March 4-7, 2026, with PRCA rodeo performances, draft horse events and a Junior Cattle Show on March 7. Junior cattle entries were due by postmark February 20.
Big Iron
Big Iron is set for September 14-16, 2027 at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds in West Fargo, with more than 900 exhibit booths.
Tips
Request a State Fair vehicle pass in advance because none are sold at the gate, and confirm 2027 Winter Show dates with the show office.
Read the full guide: Major North Dakota Stock Shows and Rodeos
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- North Dakota High School Rodeo Finals
The top North Dakota high school rodeo athletes compete in Bowman for spots at the national finals. Next finals posted for June 9-13, 2027.
12 US-12, Bowman, ND 58623 | Organizer: North Dakota High School Rodeo Association Official event details - Bowman County Fair and Rodeo
The Bowman County Fair rodeo, with the NDRA broadcast starting at 7:30 p.m. on August 6. Held each year; the most recent dates were 2026-08-06 to 2026-08-07.
Bowman, ND Official event details - Bowman County Fair
Bowman County Fair at the fairgrounds on Highway 12 in southwestern North Dakota. Held each August; the most recent dates were August 6-9, 2026.
12 Highway 12, Bowman, ND 58623 Official event details - North Dakota Farm Bureau Special Assignment Pizza Killdeer
A Special Assignment Pizza gathering for Farm Bureau members in Killdeer. Next event posted for November 18, 2026; the city comes from the event title.
Killdeer, ND | Organizer: North Dakota Farm Bureau Official event details - North Dakota Farm Bureau State Annual Meeting
Farm Bureau members meet in Bismarck for the NDFB state annual meeting. Next meeting posted for November 20, 2026.
All North Dakota events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.