Jack Knowles chute dogging at the Oregon Junior High Rodeo State Finals held Saturday and Sunday, May 20 and 21, 2023 in Prineville.

PRINEVILLE — A pair of local junior high rodeo competitors are on to bigger and better rodeos following the Oregon Junior High Rodeo State Finals held on Saturday, May 20, and Sunday, May 21, in Prineville.

Prairie City eighth-grader Tatyn Harper finished as the reserve champion in bareback riding (second place) while also picking up third-place honors in bull riding. Harper also placed 12th in chute dogging.

The second- and third-place finishes qualify Harper for the 2023 National Junior High Finals in Perry, Georgia, June 18-24. His 12th-place finish in chute dogging qualifies him for the Silver State International Rodeo in Winnnemucca, Nevada, June 29-July 6.

Grant Union Jr./Sr. High School seventh-grader Jack Knowles also competed in the state finals rodeo. Knowles finished 14th in ribbon roping with partner Lainee Winebarger, 25th in breakaway and 14th in chute dogging. Knowles qualified for Silver State in all three events.

Competitors must finish in first through fourth place to qualify for the national rodeo. Competitors who finish in fifth through 25th place qualify for the Silver State Rodeo.