The Missouri High School Rodeo Association holds its annual state finals at the Boone County Fairgrounds, north of Columbia, starting today. On Wednesday evening, the MHSR devoted the first night of the multi-day event to a barrel race benefit for the victims of the Joplin tornado. 98 participants from across the state signed up for the benefit with close to 60% of the proceeds going to the Red Cross and Salvation Army in Joplin.

The state finals start today (6/14) with the first two rounds of competition Thursday and Friday evenings at 6 p.m. The events include bareback riding, breakaway roping, goat tying and calf roping among others. The top 12 finishers from those two rounds will go on to compete Saturday at 6 p.m. The awards ceremony will take place Sunday at 9 a.m.

Competitors who place in the top four will get an opportunity to participate in the 2011 National High School Rodeo finals in July in Wyoming.