
Peyton Hooper, a 14-year-old 8th grader at Red Mountain Middle School, is the New Mexico Junior High Rodeo State Champion in goat tying and Reserve Champion in breakaway roping.
She also placed third in the state in pole bending and fourth in barrel racing.
And Cash Hooper, a 12-year-old 7th grader at Red Mountain Middle School, earned the right to compete at nationals in team roping after placing fourth in the state.
The top four in each event qualify to advance to the national competition.
This is the second year in a row Deming students have qualified for the National Junior High Finals Rodeo.
The Hoopers will be representing New Mexico at the world’s largest junior high rodeo.
Created in 2004, the National High School Rodeo Association-Junior High Division was established to bring the sport to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders and to serve as a feeder system into the high school ranks of the association.
Now, all 48 states and provinces that belong to the high school association also produce a junior high division, with over 2,500 members competing.