Hunter King is making back-to-back trips to the Lazy E Arena this summer, first for the National Little Britches Finals Rodeo and again in three weeks for the 2025 World Championship Junior Rodeo (WCJR).
The 11-year-old tie-down roper is on site in Guthrie, Oklahoma this week competing at the National Little Britches Finals Rodeo. And while most kids would be heading home for a breather, King’s already looking ahead three weeks—to his next run inside the famed red-dirt arena at the 2025 WCJR.
King will return to the Lazy E July 22–26 via the WCJR’s open entry path, and he’s planning to rope four calves for a piece of the $400,000 event payout.
“I just love roping, really,” King said. “If I’m roping, I’m happy.”
A Familiar Arena
King isn’t new to the Lazy E. He’s tied down calves in the building before and says the arena’s setup feels comfortable for his game plan—especially with his two key mounts, Blue and Zero, in the trailer.
“If the calves are a little bit slower I’ll ride Zero, because he works the rope really good,” King said. “If you don’t have that jerk line on, he’ll keep tension. But once you do, you better be ready. That calf is going down fast.”
For faster calves or when he needs to finesse his run, King leans on Blue.
“Blue, he’ll do anything I ask him to,” King said.
Little Body, Big Fight
King might be just 85 pounds and standing 4-foot-10, but don’t let his size fool you—he’s got plenty of grit.
“I just act like I’m bigger,” King laughed. “It takes grit and determination, that’s really what it is.”
He’s also been working hard in the practice pen back home, adjusting his mugging style and sharpening his shot selection thanks to a strong support system, including his dad working the chute and his sister Chloe—who shares the family’s mare, Ally.
“Chloe is probably my biggest fan right now,” King said. “But she loves that mare, Ally. Things can get tense sometimes when we are sharing her.”
Another key part of that support system? Practicing under the watchful eye of Bronc Evans, a past WCJR champion and WCRA Division Youth regular.
“Bronc and his family have helped us a lot,” King said. “They even let us rope at their arena when they’re not home. That’s helped me get where I am right now.”
Gunning for a Return
At the Cade Swor Roping in Decatur, King proved he can hang. He made back-to-back 2-second runs in the 12 & Under Breakaway and banked over $1,200 for his efforts. And now, with the WCJR on deck, he’s fine-tuning the mental game just as much as the physical.
“In the breakaway I just gotta prepare myself to take those shots and be consistent,” King said. “And in the tie-down, I just gotta bear down and hit ’em with all I got.”
Getting to the WCJR
King will rope at the WCJR through the open entry option—one of three paths to the prestigious youth event. Contestants can qualify through approved events, get invited by WCJR’s nomination partners or enter directly if their division isn’t yet full. (You can find full WCJR entry details here.)
And while it’ll be his first time roping on the WCJR stage, King’s got the attitude, grit and horsepower to make it count.
“I always just tell Dad to enter me up,” King said with a grin. “And I’ll be there.”
