Next Generation of Ranching Crowns World Champions

Youth display their talents gained from working on ranches for a chance to become world champions.

Andrea Hanson | Nov 11, 2023

Next Generation of Ranching Crowns World Champions /

AMARILLO, Texas. - The third annual Youth World Championship Ranch Rodeo concluded Saturday afternoon.

The Working Ranch Cowboys Association supports the next generation of ranchers and cowhands, offering many scholarship opportunities by recognizing the hard working cowboys and girls of tomorrow.

"They [WRCA] make sure these kids have a chance to be showcased," the announcer said at the beginning of the ranch rodeo.

Ranch kids from multiple states gathered to compete in team branding, sorting, doctoring, trailer loading, and a wild steer race.

Winning the branding at 18.91 seconds were the kids representing Nutrition Plus. Coming in second was California Creek Cattle at 21.44 seconds, close in third were 3:16 Ranches at 22.35 seconds.

Less than half of the teams turned in a time for the sorting, though C3 Cattle Co. prevailed at 30.88 seconds. Sooner Cattle's kids came in next at 39.07.

The doctoring event was where the kids showcased their skills, times were tight and the teams worked together. The Little Hatchet team took care of business in 17.09 seconds. Sooner Cattle were close behind at 18.76 seconds.

The Nutrition Plus team loaded their trailer fastest of all the teams in 31.87 seconds. Sooner Cattle came in a close second at 32.28 seconds on the clock.

The wild steer race was the cherry on top to prove the toughness of the ranch kids. Sooner Cattle got across the line at an impressive 8.74 seconds. Nail Ranch rode into second place at 11.10 seconds.

Youth Ranch Rodeo World Champion Teams

3rd: California Creek Cattle - 46 points

Reserve : C3 Cattle Co. - 55 points

World Champions: Sooner Cattle - 58 points

Top Horse Award

Jack Nail - Nail Ranch

Top Hand Award

Cade Hubbell - Little Hatchet Ranch

Full Results can be found on WRCA's website.

Published Nov 11, 2023

ANDREA HANSON

Andrea Hanson strives to live the western lifestyle every day. Growing up in northern Minnesota, resources to the rodeo world were scarce. Though other hobbies persist, as her father is widely known in the snowmobile racing community. Knowing that season was short, she was always drawn to horses as her sister with Rett Syndrome was in hippotherapy since she was a young age. When the scholarship opportunity to Dodge City Community College in Dodge City, Kansas came, she jumped on it. Moving south just a barrel racer, she worked every day to tie goats and rope calves. Concluding her time in Kansas, she continued her education at Oklahoma State University, where she will graduate in May of 2024 with a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Communications. Hanson is passionate about college rodeo, and its impact on her life. After not having a traditional step into the rodeo world herself, she strives to share the stories of others in the industry so many call home.