There are several benefits to rodeo, which include strength, agility, precise timing, and quick thinking.  It also teaches riding skills and how to appreciate animals as well as learn hand-eye coordination and memorization skills by learning the weaving patterns and twirling ropes.  Children who excel at rodeo are typically very athletic, outgoing, mentally tough, able to handle stress without issues, and can concentrate well even under great pressure. 

Children can typically start learning how to ride a horse when they are 5 years old, however most rodeo lessons will not start until your child is between 10-13 years old.  They should have mastered riding hoses first before beginning rodeo lessons and should only work with well-trained instructors.  Rodeo associates have junior members that range in age from 5 years old up to 18 years old.  Most groups in junior rodeo events are broken into 6 and under, 11 and under and finally 13 and under. 

Girls’ rodeo events tend to focus around barrel racing, pole-bending events, breakaway calf roping, and goat tying.  Boys’ rodeo events tend to focus around calf roping, calf wresting, and bareback riding.  Rodeo events are typically broken down by both ages as well as gender.  You should always ensure that your child has the appropriate safety equipment so that the risk of injury is reduced. 

The cost considerations involved in rodeo can be huge.  If your child gets heavy into the rodeo lifestyle, they are likely to need their own horse, which can range from a few hundred dollars if you find an incredible deal to almost $40,000 just for the horse.  This does not include the room and board fees, as well as the entry fees for the rodeos themselves.  Aside from that, there are typically membership fees in a local rodeo association, which cost a few hundred dollars each year.  The expenses are a huge consideration, however the one thing that helps after the cost of the horse is that one horse if properly cared for will last years and will not have to be replaced ever again.