Those who pursue rodeo life say “it gets in your blood”. Perhaps that has never been more true than in the case of Quinton Boeser. You see, Quinton’s parents - Roni and Chancey Boeser - met while both were competing in rodeo for Pratt Community College in Kansas. So rodeo is literally in Quinton’s blood…and just like his parents, he loves it.

The 2026 National Junior High Finals Rodeo (NJHFR) took place from June 21–27, 2026, at the historic Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma. As the world's largest junior high rodeo, the event featured over 1,000 top young athletes from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Australia competing for national titles and scholarships.

One of those competitors was Callaway’s own Quinton Boeser, who qualified for nationals for the second consecutive year. An avid rodeo athlete, Boeser competes in several events throughout the season. However, it was the saddle bronc event that captured the world’s attention in Oklahoma.

Boeser’s first opportunity to strut his stuff was performance 3, held on Monday evening, June 22, where he finished in first place in the round with 64 points. His next bronc ride did not come until Friday, June 26, where he finished in second place with 51 points, five points behind a rider from Ronan, Montana, and just one point ahead of a cowboy from Belding, Michigan.

When all was said and done, Boeser finished the national competition in 8th place overall in the world standings - an outstanding accomplishment for his final year in junior high rodeo.

There to cheer him on were several family members, and his boss - Yvette Mannon - who made the trip to Oklahoma to watch a performance as well.

Rodeo truly is a family affair for Boeser. “My uncle did saddle bronc in high school and college and he just kind of got me hooked on it,” the young cowboy explained. “The summer between sixth and seventh grade is the first time I got on a bronc.”

Just like with any other sport, preparing for rodeo takes practice. Boeser said he does that by taking advantage of friends who have livestock and practicing on those animals. “And Rob Keeney has a bucking machine that we practice on,” he said.

The junior high rodeo season is actually split in two, with three competitions in the fall and three in the spring, prior to nationals during the summer. Along with saddle broncs, Boeser also qualified for nationals in bull riding. “I’ve been getting on steers since I was probably in first or second grade,” Boeser shared.

“I don’t get nervous or anything anymore; it’s just adrenaline.”

As a freshman this fall at Callaway High School, Boeser is looking forward to competing at the next level in high school rodeo. He also plans to continue riding in college and has aspirations to one day join the pro rodeo ranks.

Saddle broncs, bull riding, and calf roping are his three favorite events and the ones he plans to continue pursuing in the coming years. However, those aren’t even the only events he does. “I do pretty much everything other than breakaways, barebacks, and goat tying,” he quipped. “But saddle bronc is probably my favorite.”

He said whenever he is approached by younger kids who show an interest in rodeo, he encourages them to try it. “It’s good work to get into. Yeah, you can get injured, but I think it’s worth it,” he added. “And if you can make it to the pros, there’s lots of money to be made.”

As far as injuries, Boeser shared that he earned 14 stitches under his arm once from a bull riding mishap. “And every year during nationals it seems like I do something to my tailbone.”

Boeser will now take a break for a bit before the high school season begins this fall.