Celina Bull Rider to Compete in December Vegas Finals
Young rider Colton Hay will head to Las Vegas this December for the Junior National Finals Rodeo and Hooey Junior Patriot.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Rodeo
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Thirteen-year-old Celina bull rider Colton Hay is set to compete in the Junior National Finals Rodeo and the Hooey Junior Patriot in Las Vegas this December. Hay, who has been riding for five years, qualified for the upcoming events following his training at Mack Arena.
Why it matters
The upcoming competitions serve as major platforms for young athletes to prove their skills on a national stage after rigorous training. These events represent the pinnacle of the youth circuit, providing essential exposure for riders looking to advance their careers in the sport.
Colton Hay is 13 years old and has been practicing bull riding for five years. He qualified for the upcoming Hooey competition alongside 10 other riders from events held at Mack Arena.
The players
Colton Hay
A 13-year-old homeschooled bull rider from Celina who has won two consecutive Quarter Horse Congress junior bull riding titles.
Mack Arena
A facility located in Celina where local riders train and qualify for national rodeo competitions.
The details
Hay trains regularly at Mack Arena in Celina and competes in Next Generation Bull Riding, a program that balances team competition with technical instruction. He is currently homeschooled to allow for the intensive travel schedule required to maintain his professional-level training and event participation.
Timeline
Last year, Hay placed fourth at the Junior NFR and fifth at the Patriot event.
Colton Hay will travel to compete in the Junior NFR and Hooey Patriot in December 2026.
Season Trajectory
Hay's participation in the Next Generation Bull Riding program provides a formal structure for training youth in Celina, which standardizes the development path for riders nationwide. His advancement to these national finals follows a pattern established by the program to produce competitive professional riders.
With qualification secured, Hay will attempt to improve upon his previous fourth-place finish at the Junior NFR and fifth-place showing at the Patriot event. His performance this December will determine his ranking among the top youth bull riders in the country.
The takeaway
Consistent training at local facilities remains the primary driver for success in competitive youth rodeo. Aspiring riders should prioritize balanced instruction that combines foundational technique with competitive team environments.
Further reading
For more information on local events and training, visit the Rodeo section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wcsmradio.
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