National Little Britches Rodeo Association

What National Little Britches Rodeo Association does

The National Little Britches Rodeo Association (NLBRA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1952 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado that operates the largest youth rodeo competition system in the United States. The organization sanctions over 600 youth rodeos annually through a network of 47 independent franchises spread across 33 states, drawing more than 3,900 contestants ages 5 to 18 who compete in events including bareback riding, bull riding, barrel racing, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, goat tying, pole bending, team roping, and trail course. Members pay an $80 annual membership fee and accumulate season-long points that qualify top performers for the National Finals Rodeo, which awards more than $700,000 in saddles, buckles, cash, and college scholarships each year.

The association's product surface extends beyond membership and competition into a recognition and welfare ecosystem that includes the Top Hand Team, Royalty ambassador program, Junior Ironman and Junior Iron Maiden elite senior selections held at Lazy E Arena, the Hope Counts crisis fund (now funded by $1 from every franchise entry), and the NLBRA Scholarship Program. Its technology stack consists of a Saffire-powered website that handles membership applications, rodeo signups, point tracking, standings publishing, and ticketing, with PayPal processing online payments. The organization distributes content through its website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, email updates, and the Little Britches Rodeo television series.

Revenue is generated through five primary streams: annual membership fees, franchise fees from the 47 operators, per-rodeo and finals entry fees, multi-tier national sponsorships from western lifestyle brands (Wrangler, Roper, Tin Haul, NTS Trailer Source, Cinch, Shorty's Caboy Hattery, and others at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Royalty tiers), and ancillary sources such as vendor fees and fundraising that fund the scholarship pool. National Finals participation grew from approximately 600 to over 1,600 contestants across the decade at Lazy E Arena, and in 2026 the finals moved to the larger OG&E Arena at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City under a 2026-2028 hosting contract.

Name

National Little Britches Rodeo Association

Legal name

National Little Britches Rodeo Association

Website

https://nlbra.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The National Little Britches Rodeo Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1952 that sanctions over 600 youth rodeos annually across 33 states for 3,900+ contestants ages 5 to 18, operating through 47 franchises and an annual National Finals Rodeo distributing $700,000+ in scholarships and awards.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Rodeo Sports

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Equestrian & Rodeo Facilities (MPAKAEAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sport/Show Horse Training & Performance Programs (AFAEAGAF), Equestrian Teams & Stables (Racing/Show Jumping/Eventing) (MPAKABAG)

Keywords

• Youth rodeo competitions
• Rodeo membership program
• National finals rodeo
• Equestrian sports events
• Youth athletics programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Colorado Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from youth contestants ages 5-18 competing in NLBRA sanctioned rodeos. The membership fee is $80 as stated on the FAQ page.
2. Franchise Fees: Revenue from 47 franchise operations across 33 states that sanction youth rodeos under the NLBRA brand and standards.
3. Entry Fees: Entry fees from franchise rodeos and National Finals Rodeo competitions. Since 2023-2024, $1.00 from every franchise entry goes into the Hope Counts crisis fund.
4. Sponsorship Revenue: National sponsorships from companies including Wrangler (Official Jeans), Roper (Official Shirts), Tin Haul (Official Boots), NTS Trailer Source (Official Trailers), Cinch, and others at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Royalty tiers.
5. Scholarship Awards: Over $700,000 in awards and college scholarships distributed annually at the National Finals Rodeo, funded through sponsorship, entry fees, and fundraising.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The National Little Britches Rodeo Association sanctions and operates youth rodeo competitions for children ages 5-18 across 33 states through a network of 47 franchise operators running more than 600 sanctioned rodeos per year. Members pay an $80 annual fee to compete, accumulate points across the season, and qualify for the National Finals Rodeo, where more than $700,000 in awards and college scholarships is distributed. Supporting programs include the Junior Ironman/Iron Maiden elite selection events, the Hope Counts crisis fund, scholarship and royalty programs, and national sponsorship partnerships with western lifestyle brands.

Product overview

The National Little Britches Rodeo Association operates as a youth rodeo organization (501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1952) providing a comprehensive platform for youth ages 5 to 18. The core product is the NLBRA Youth Rodeo Membership Program, which sanctions over 600 youth rodeos annually across 33 states through 47 franchises. The portfolio includes the National Finals Rodeo (NLBFR) as the premier championship event, the Junior Ironman/Iron Maiden selection program for elite Senior competitors, the Top Hand Team recognition program, and the Hope Counts Crisis Fund for assisting families in hardship. Additional services include a Scholarship Program, Royalty Program, Points and Standings tracking system, and specialty award programs including Tin Haul Team, Classic Equine Horse of the Year, and AQHA Fan Favorite—all supported by printable forms and document resources. The organization hosts approximately 1,560-1,600 contestants annually at finals competing for over $700,000 in awards and scholarships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NLBRA Youth Rodeo Membership Program Annual membership program for youth ages 5-18 to participate in sanctioned youth rodeo competitions across 33 states through 47 franchises. Members compete for points throughout the season to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo.
• National Finals Rodeo (NLBFR) Annual championship rodeo event where top qualifying youth contestants from across 33 states compete for saddles, buckles, scholarships, and cash, with more than $700,000 in prizes and college scholarships distributed during the weeklong competition.
• Junior Ironman / Iron Maiden Program Competitive selection program for Senior Boys and Senior Girls (ages 14-19) to represent NLBRA at Lazy E Arena, competing in Heading, Heeling, Tie Down Roping, Steer Wrestling, Breakaway, and Goats events with $30,000 in award monies.
• NLBRA Scholarship Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $700,000 in awards and college scholarships awarded at annual National Finals Rodeo

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and major.

• Lazy E ArenacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025After a decade of hosting NLBRA National Finals Rodeo (2016-2025), Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, OK served as the primary venue for the event. The venue outgrew the facility (tripling from 600 to 1,600+ contestants), leading to the move to OKC Fairgrounds. Lazy E estimates the Finals generated $15-17 million annual economic impact.
• OKC Fairgrounds / OKC State Fair ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Beginning in 2026, the National Finals Rodeo moves to the OG&E Arena at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City. OKC Fairgrounds estimated annual economic impact at nearly $20 million and offers 3,000+ stalls all under roof with public infrastructure to support events of this scale. Hosting contract for 2026-2028.
• Sydnee Christensen / Hope CountscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2013Hope Counts was established by 12-year-old NLBRA member Sydnee Christensen of Utah in 2013. In December 2013, the NLBRA Executive Board unanimously approved adopting Hope Counts as the official Crisis Fund of the NLBRA to help rodeo families experiencing financial hardship from accidents or life-threatening illness. NLBRA contributes $1 from every franchise entry to the fund.
• WranglerflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Jeans sponsor - National Platinum sponsor. Wrangler provides sponsorship support and brand association with the youth rodeo community.
• Roper Apparel and FootwearflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Shirts sponsor - National Platinum sponsor.
• Tin HaulflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Boots sponsor - National Platinum sponsor. Tin Haul also sponsors the Tin Haul Team program for brand ambassadors.
• NTS Trailer SourcemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Trailers sponsor - National Platinum sponsor.
• CinchflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerNational Platinum sponsor. Cinch is associated with the Timed Event Championships that the Jr Ironman event leads into.
• Shorty's Caboy HatterymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerShorty's Short Go - National Platinum sponsor.
• SaffirecoreTechnology or IntegrationWebsite platform provider powering NLBRA website, membership management, event registration, ticketing, and point tracking. The website and member portal are powered by Saffire technology.
• Lazy EcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner for Jr Ironman and new Jr Iron Maiden selection events. Lazy E hosts the Junior Ironman/Iron Maiden competition that serves as prelude to the Cinch Timed Event Championship. March 4-6, 2027 event dates for both Jr Ironman and Jr Iron Maiden.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• American Quarter Horse Association: AQHA is the largest equine breed registry and an existing NLBRA sponsor/partner (AQHA Fan Favorite award). It overlaps with NLBRA on youth engagement through its own AQHYA program and shares the rodeo family demographic.
• National Reining Horse Association: NRHA governs reining, a western performance discipline that overlaps the youth western sports demographic. Comparable in operating a membership model, points/standings, and a major annual finals event with significant prize purses.
• National Cutting Horse Association: NCHA governs cutting horse competition, another western performance discipline with youth divisions and a substantial prize purse ecosystem. It is comparable in its membership/sanctioning model and shared western family demographic.
• National Barrel Horse Association: NBHA is one of the largest barrel racing associations with a strong youth division, comparable in operating a membership-based event model with district affiliates and a world championship — directly overlapping NLBRA's barrel racing event category.

Others

• Women's Professional Rodeo Association: WPRA is the historic governing body for women in professional rodeo with major events (National Finals Rodeo). Comparable as a rodeo sanctioning organization with a finals competition structure, though focused on the women's professional tier.
• United States Team Roping Championships: USTRC is a major team roping sanctioning organization with hundreds of events and an amateur-friendly membership model. Comparable in audience (rodeo families) and event-driven GTM motion, though focused on a single discipline.

Broad incumbents

• Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association: The PRCA is the dominant professional rodeo sanctioning body in the U.S. with 700+ events annually, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, and an order-of-finish sponsorship model. It is the apex competition stage above NLBRA and shares sponsor brands (Wrangler, Cinch) and event-format DNA.
• International Professional Rodeo Association: The IPRA is the second-largest professional rodeo sanctioning body, sanctioning roughly 300+ events annually. It is comparable in governance/competition structure to PRCA and NLBRA, serving as another rodeo family pathway.

Direct peers

• National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association: NIRA governs collegiate rodeo in the U.S. and represents the next stage of the youth rodeo pipeline beyond NLBRA. It uses a similar membership/competition structure with regional and national finals, and shares sponsor overlap in the western lifestyle brand ecosystem.
• National High School Rodeo Association: The NHSRA is the most direct peer to NLBRA, also a youth rodeo sanctioning organization operating a membership-based competition model with state/provincial affiliates and a national finals. It targets the next age cohort (grades 6-12) that NLBRA contestants graduate into.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/NLBRA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-little-britches-rodeo-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/n.l.b.r.a

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles25 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Little Britches Rodeo Association