Local youth compete in Vegas Tuffest Jr. World Championship

Avery and Harper Kate Wilburn of Mt. Pleasant will be two of over 1300 entries from 31 different states including three provinces in Canada competing December 4-10 at the Mike and Sherrylynn Johnson Vegas Tuffest Jr. World Championship which is held the first weekend of the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nev.

“We held 50 qualifiers across the United States and Canada to give our rodeo youth an equal chance to make it to Vegas and the opportunity to win their share of $1.75 million + in cash and prizes,” said Sherrylynn Johnson, the event’s organizer and four-time qualifier for the National Finals Rodeo.

Johnson and her husband, Mike, an ironman of rodeo who has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo a whopping 23 times, said the event offers barrel racing (including a 7 and under barrel racing speciality event), double mugging, goat tying, breakaway roping, tie down roping and team roping.

“We have different age groups, 19 and under, 15 and under, 12 and under, and 10 and under,” Johnson said. “Each Vegas Tuffest Jr. World Champion will take home $10$40K in cash. We’re the highest stakes payout in five events for youth in rodeo history.”

Johnson also noted that the total payout, including three Dodge Ram dually trucks is to exceed $1.5 million in cash and awards this year. “Winners will take home electric Trek bikes, Crickets, saddles, rope cans, World Champion rings, and plenty of swag from our A-list group of sponsors. We’d like to thank our Title Event sponsor 5 Star Equine Products plus our event sponsors Cowgirl Tuff, Total Feed, Spalding Fly Predators, Wrangler, MVP, American Hat Co., SmartPak, Boot Barn, CVS Controls, Hebert’s Town & Country Dodge, Red River Arenas, and Re-Vita EQ.”

It is free to attend, starting each morning at 8:15 a.m at The Expo @ World Market Center Las Vegas located at 435 S. Grand Central Parkway in Las Vegas, Nev. The event will also be live webcasted at www.johnsonsportline.com.

Avery and Harper Kate are the daughters of Dustin and Kristin Wilburn; granddaughters of Rod and Lisa Childers of Mt. Pleasant, Paul Wilburn of Mt. Pleasant and Rhonda Wilburn of Early Grove.

Avery and Harper Kate Wilburn