Youth rodeo set to begin in Shawnee

SHAWNEE, Okla. (AP) -- More than 1,100 contestants from 33 states are expected this week for the International Youth Finals Rodeo.<br/><br/>The event is in its 14th year in Shawnee. It will run through

Monday, July 10th 2006, 5:04 am

By: News On 6

SHAWNEE, Okla. (AP) -- More than 1,100 contestants from 33 states are expected this week for the International Youth Finals Rodeo.

The event is in its 14th year in Shawnee. It will run through Saturday at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center.

More than 1,200 horses will be kept in expo center stalls. The facility's normal capacity is 800 stalls.

The states with the largest number of participants are Texas, with 320 pre-entries, and Oklahoma, with 220.

The IFYR is considered the world's richest youth rodeo, with more than $220,000 in prize money and other awards to be presented.