Local cowgirl to attend Oklahoma National Junior Finals

CHARLIE LAKE, B.C. — This year’s National Junior Finals Rodeo (NJFR) in Oklahoma will have a local athlete in its midst.

Charlie Lake’s Caitlyn Kelly will be at the event, scheduled to run from Sunday, June 21st, to Saturday, June 27th, in Guthrie, Oklahoma.

The eighth grader is one of three athletes set to represent British Columbia at the event, which will include participants from the United States, Mexico, Guatemala and Australia.

Caitlyn said in the statement that the chance to represent her province and country at an international event is “a dream come true,” as well as an “incredible opportunity.”

Caitlyn’s mom, Lara Kelly, spoke to Energeticcity.ca about her daughter’s dedication and passion for rodeo, which began at an early age.

“I grew up on a ranch northeast of Fort St. John,” said Lara. “At the age of 27, [I] started roping and got more into barrel racing when I had kids. [So], both [of] my girls pretty much grew up riding right from birth.”

“It’s just been a part of her life straight from the get-go.”

Caitlyn participated in the BC High School Rodeo Association (BCHSRA) circuit throughout the 2025-26 season, where she achieved success throughout the year.

She finished as the overall BCHSRA leader in breakaway roping, goat tying and team roping.

In addition, she finished as the reserve point leader in both pole and ribbon roping. All this success earned Caitlyn the title of Junior North All-Around Cowgirl.

She then earned the title of Reserve All-Around Cowgirl for the province during her performance at the BCHSRA Junior Provincial Finals in Williams Lake in late May, where Caitlyn won the reserve titles in goat tying and breakaway roping.

Lara says junior rodeo has taught her daughter about responsibility and commitment, and she enjoys the local support Caitlyn gets at events in the region.

“[Rodeo] just gives them so much responsibility and accountability,” said Lara. “Along with practicing for your sport, you also have animals you have to look after and care for. It has been really great for a lot of kids.”

The NJFR is sanctioned by the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA), an organization founded in Texas, U.S.A, in 1947. It was later incorporated in Colorado, U.S.A., in 1960.

While high school finals have existed since 1949, the Junior High division featuring younger riders began in 2004, according to its website. 

The NJFR will take place in Guthrie, Oklahoma, from Sunday, June 21st, to Saturday, June 27th.