2026 IFYR Information
The IFYR features 11 performances, with competition beginning on Sunday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m. and concluding Friday, July 17 with the Finals performance at 7:30 p.m. There will be two performances a day with all disciplines, Monday through Friday, at 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 12: 7:30 p.m.
Monday, July 13: 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 14: 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 15: 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 16: 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 17: 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. finals
View Ground Rules here
View here
Entries for the 2026 event will open April 1 at 8:00 a.m. CT and
will close June 15 at 5 p.m. CT. Enter at Nextgenrodeo.com. All
notarized forms and registrations MUST be turned in no later
than June 15 at 5 p.m. CT at the time of entry closing.
$200 per event (guarantees two long go’s and the possibility of the short go)
RV Sites: $400 (flat fee for the whole event)
Stalls: $300/stall (flat fee for the whole event)
IFYR Release Form – MUST BE SUBMITTED ON NEXTGEN AT
TIME OF ENTRY BY ENTRY CLOSING DATE (JUNE 15, 2026
AT 5:00 P.M. CT)
Upon arrival on IFYR grounds at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo in
Shawnee, there are several stops you must make in order to be fully
processed and ready to compete.
Friday, July 10: 8 a.m. – Midnight
Saturday, July 11: 7 a.m. – Midnight
Sunday, July 12: 7 a.m. – Noon
All contestants must be checked in by Noon on Sunday, July
12, there will be no exceptions.
1. Welcome Center
2. Camping
3. Stalling Stop
4. Stalling Office
5. Trailer/Camper Pickup
6. Message/Media Center
7. Rodeo Secretaries
After checking in, contestants MUST attend the mandatory meeting
at 1 p.m. in the grandstands. The draw will be posted at IFYR.com,
on-grounds in the media and information center and shared on IFYR
social media after the meeting.
Here is what you need to know for check-in at the IFYR:
Welcome To The IFYR (with map)
For any additional information, please contact [email protected]
d) What are the Age Requirements to compete at the IFYR?
i) Age requirements will be 14-19 years of age and the date for age
verification will be the date of the first event (July 12).
e) What time is check-in?
i) All contestants and horses must be checked in by noon on Sunday,
July 12 – no exceptions! If you are not fully checked in you will not
rodeo at IFYR 2026.
f) Youth Director Information
i) 2026 Youth Director Application – need new application from Rene
Underwood
g) Can I compete if I don’t send in a copy of my birth certificate and a
signed medical release notarized (with parents’ signature)?
i) No, you will not be eligible if all paperwork is not submitted before
the IFYR. See the 2026 registration form here. – update pdf here. I
have attached it in the email.
You can only vet out of barrels and poles at IFYR– refer to the IPRA guideline rule book for more information.
You are only eligible to compete on one team during IFYR.
Age requirements will be 14-19 years of age and the date for age verification will be the date of the first event (July 6).
Yes, you are required to enter with a partner.
– Can I enter once on both ends?
No, both ends of team roping (heading and heeling) count as one event. Athletes may only enter once and must declare one side (heading or heeling).
No, it is not refundable unless you are drawing out with the proper documents.
(medical or vet issues)
Yes. Please refer to the Camping and Stalling page for more information regarding off-grounds stalling.
The IFYR consists of two long go’s and the possibility of making it back to the short go– the short go includes the top 15 contestants from each event.
The draw will be posted two weeks before the start of the event.
Yes, it is mandatory. You must attend this meeting.
Yes, you can. For example: you can barrel race on a team and pole bend and goat tie as an individual.
The secretaries will not be open 24 hours a day from Friday – Sunday at noon. Instead, the hours have been changed to Friday, 8 a.m.Midnight, Saturday, 8 a.m-Midnight and Sunday 8 a.m.-noon.
All contestants and horses must be checked in by noon on Sunday, July 6 – no exceptions! If you are not fully checked in you will not rodeo at IFYR 2025.
Qualifications:
The contestant must be 14-18 years old.
Contestant must submit to the selection committee a completed youth director application (see PDF below), a letter of recommendation, 5×7 photo of the applicant, and a written introduction on an attached sheet of why the applicant would like to represent the IFYR.
Submit to: IFYR Youth Director Committee, prior to Tuesday of rodeo week. Interviews will be held Wednesday during rodeo week.
Duties:
Directors selected will serve as IFYR student representatives for all events. They will meet with contestants and bring any requests, complaints or other information to the IFYR judges and Expo manager.
– Be a role model to your peers and represent the IFYR with dignity.
– Participate in the IFYR the year selected and the following year.
– Be a spokesperson for the IFYR and its sponsors.
– Be able to travel to special events representing the IFYR throughout the year.
– Be able to participate in grand entry of all performances and carry flags during rodeo week.
– Be able to attend the winter board meeting of the IFYR, along with a supervising adult.
Method of Selection
Selection material (bio sheet) may be obtained from the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center, P.O. Box 1466, Shawnee, OK 74802-1466.
The Youth Director Committee will select the top representatives to be interviewed on Wednesday during the rodeo week. Interview times will be posted by 7 p.m. Tuesday during rodeo week. One parent may accompany the contestant during the interview.
Youth Directors selected for the next year will be announced at the Thursday evening performance and asked to remain and be part of the current IFYR week.
RESOURCES- OFFICIAL FORMS
Interested in becoming a Youth Director? Download and complete the application by clicking the link below.
2025 Youth Director Application
For any additional information, please contact Rene Underwood at (405) 206-6780
Anyone, as long as they are in full western dress and purchase a ticket to the performance.
No, there is not a helpers pass.
No, you will not be eligible if all paperwork is not submitted before the IFYR. See the 2025 registration form here.
No, you do not have to be a card holder. When you enter through nextgen.com, if you enter as a non-member, an IPRA permit to compete at the IFYR will be automatically included for $45.
No, this is a youth event and we enforce a strict no-alcohol policy– alcohol on grounds will result in the removal of the back number and an escort off the grounds.
Yes.
No and no, bicycles are not permitted and we only allow our volunteers and staff to use golf carts while on grounds.
Yes, as a contestant you must wear your back number at all times on or off grounds- while here in Shawnee you are representing the IFYR, be proud and conduct yourself in such a manner.
Yes, but we have a leash law that is enforced. No dogs are allowed in the tradeshow area or in the grandstands. Horses are not allowed in the RV park at all.
No and No, we do not allow dry camping and generators are too noisy during IFYR since we are camping in close quarters.
Yes, they will be available on grounds.