What the South Dakota 4-H Finals Rodeo Is
The South Dakota 4-H Finals Rodeo is the state championship for 4-H rodeo members, held each August at the Stanley County Fairgrounds in Fort Pierre. Contestants earn a spot by placing in the top four at a 4-H regional rodeo during the season, then compete across two go-rounds with an average. The most recent finals ran August 14 to 16, 2026. The rodeo is run by 4-H Rodeo Finals Inc. under the South Dakota 4-H Rodeo Rules and Regulations from SDSU Extension.
Divisions and Events
A member can compete in only one of four divisions, and can enter any offered event regardless of gender.
| Division | Events |
|---|---|
| Junior Girl and Junior Boy, ages 8 to 13 | Barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, goat tying, flag racing, team roping, cattle riding and bareback steer riding (the entry form lists which events go with each junior division) |
| Senior Girl, ages 14 to 18 | Barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, goat tying, team roping, ribbon roping and the ambassador contest |
| Senior Boy, ages 14 to 18 | Bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, breakaway roping, goat tying, team roping and the ambassador contest |
Ages are as of January 1 of the rodeo year. A Jr Jr division for 8 to 10-year-olds is offered at a few regional rodeos, but Jr Jr winners do not qualify for the finals.
How It Works: The Timeline (2026 Edition)
- EnrollJoin South Dakota 4-H through 4HOnline and select the 4-H Rodeo project.
- April 1, 2026: entry deadlineThe entry form, a notarized waiver signed by both parents and the administrative fee had to be postmarked by this date. This entry is required for regional rodeos too. Late entries were accepted through May 1 with a late fee, and none after.
- Regional rodeosFinish in the top four in an event to qualify for the finals.
- By August 1Documentation for a set performance due where a county livestock show conflicts.
- By August 5Notify the finals secretary if you will not compete in an event you qualified for, and submit team roping partner changes.
- August 14 to 16, 2026: finalsFour performances: Friday night and Saturday morning for the first round, Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning for the second round. Each contestant runs either Friday night and Sunday morning, or Saturday morning and Saturday evening.
Rules and Fees
- Administrative fee: $20 per contestant with the entry. An incomplete entry carries a $5 reprocessing fee, and late entries a $150 late fee (then $50 for each additional child in the same family).
- Entry fees for finals events are paid at check-in under the grandstands at the Stanley County Fairgrounds, before the Friday afternoon performance or on Saturday morning. A returned check costs a $30 reprocessing fee and removes the member from the eligibility list.
- Positions are drawn by computer. The only way to change a draw is a trade-out in the same event, requested by email from both contestants within 24 hours of the draw being posted.
- Team ropers enter with the first partner they qualified with unless they file a correction form.
- Horses must be stalled at the fairgrounds, tied to a trailer or kept off site; no private pens are allowed. Stall forms were not accepted until June 15, 2026.
- Camping: 16 full-hookup spots and 48 electric-only spots, reserved by phone through the fairgrounds.
Awards and Scholarships
Places one through four in each go-round are awarded at the rodeo office after each round. Average awards are a saddle for first place and buckles for second through fourth, presented after the Sunday performance. Winners are expected to attend and pick up awards, because they are not mailed. Scholarships are open to high school seniors and college or technical school freshmen who take part in the finals, with applications due by postmark July 26 in 2026 and interviews at the rodeo.
Where
Stanley County Fairgrounds and Expo Center, 310 Casey Tibbs Street, Fort Pierre, SD 57532.
Questions
Do I have to qualify?
Yes. Top-four finishers at a regional rodeo advance. Everyone must have an entry on file by the April deadline to rodeo at all.
Who can I contact?
The South Dakota 4-H Finals secretary through the 4-H rodeo website, sd4hrodeo.org, or your county 4-H office.
Official Links
- State 4-H Rodeo resources: dates, rules and forms
- 2026 rodeo entry process and entry form
- 2026 final contestant information
- South Dakota 4-H Rodeo Rules and Regulations
- Stanley County events calendar
South Dakota 4-H Events and Contests: The Essentials
South Dakota 4-H goes well beyond the county fair. County Achievement Days let members show display exhibits and livestock, compete in Fashion Revue, Public Presentations and Special Foods, and earn ribbons. Dates and deadlines vary by county, so check your county Extension office.
State Fair
The South Dakota State Fair in Huron ran September 2-7 in 2026 and is listed for September 1-6 in 2027. Members need a county ribbon placing in that species or lot, and state deadlines are firm: enrollment May 31, animal ID and market animal DNA June 1, Youth Livestock Literacy July 1, FairEntry August 1.
Other events
Black Hills Stock Show Youth Day is February 6, 2027 in Rapid City, open to 4-H and non-4-H youth at least 8 by January 1. The Clover Classic, State Horse Show, State Shooting Sports and 4-H Day at the Capitol round out the calendar.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Goat Tying Clinic
Held each year; the most recent dates were April 25-26, 2026. A goat tying clinic for rodeo youth at the Stanley County Fairgrounds in Fort Pierre.
310 Casey Tibbs Street, Fort Pierre, SD 57532 Official event details - South Dakota State 4-H Shooting and Archery Finals
Held each year; the most recent dates were April 24-26, 2026. South Dakota 4-H shooters and archers meet at the Stanley County Fairgrounds and Expo Center in Fort Pierre.
310 Casey Tibbs Street, Fort Pierre, SD 57532 | Organizer: South Dakota 4-H Official event details - Casey Tibbs Match of Champions
Held each year; the most recent date was June 6, 2026, at 5 PM at the Stanley County Fairgrounds in Fort Pierre, named for the local world champion Casey Tibbs.
310 Casey Tibbs Street, Fort Pierre, SD 57532 Official event details - South Dakota High School Finals Rodeo
Held each year; the most recent dates were June 16-21, 2026, the 77th year. High school rodeo athletes compete for state titles at the Stanley County Fairgrounds in Fort Pierre.
- Stanley County 4-H Horse Show
Held each year; the most recent date was June 23, 2026. County 4-H members show horses at the Stanley County Fairgrounds in Fort Pierre.
310 Casey Tibbs Street, Fort Pierre, SD 57532 | Organizer: Stanley County 4-H Official event details
All South Dakota events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.