Lakeland, Florida-The WPRA's long history is filled with stories of young girls riding to victory in the rodeo arena . . . from a 14-year old blonde named Charmayne who would rewrite all the record books to a "Annie the Okie" Lewis, a young cowgirl tragically killed before winning her WPRA World Championship and becoming the youngest ever to do so at the age of 10. Young stars in the arena became a thing of the past when an age limit-18 years old-was instituted across pro rodeo in the mid-90s.

In 2007, the WPRA Board of Directors decided it was time to bring the young guns back to the arena. Seeing a win-win for both members and rodeo committees, the Board created the WPRA Juniors program, complete with its own World Finals and Junior World Championship. Recognizing that families are a huge part of rodeo and that allowing junior barrel racers to compete alongside their mothers helps preserve that heritage, the Board hoped the program would also introduce aspiring WPRA barrel racers to the professional atmosphere of pro rodeo and prepare them for their own pro careers in the future.

In 2011 Doreen Wintermute was elected to the WPRA Board as the Southeastern Director. The business-savvy cowgirl quickly recognized the potential of the program, potential that was mostly unrealized.

"I was talking with my committees and sharing opinions with them on how to grow their rodeos," she says. "I started throwing the idea of the WPRA Juniors race out there." In a time when many committees are looking at all avenues to improve fan support and sponsorship opportunities for their events, Wintermute says, the WPRA Juniors can supply a crowd pleasing event which can even help drive ticket sales.

Many committees in the Southeastern Circuit have jumped on the idea with seven already on board to host a WPRA Juniors race with their pro rodeos. The Lakeland (Fla.) Pro Rodeo Classic on January 13-14 was the first event on the schedule. By all accounts, the event was a huge success.

"The committee told me it was the best, most professional event they have hosted in a long time," says Wintermute, noting that the juniors' event ran by WPRA standards for a professional production. "I also received emails from the parents, saying how thrilled they were to be a part of it."

Megan Rogers, 15-year old cowgirl, took top honors for the Junior race with her time of 13.36 seconds, a win worth $446. Rogers is a sophomore at Pasco High School in Dade City, Fla.

"It was a good experience," says Rogers. "I ran in the second performance and when I got there, I knew what the time to beat was. It was set by a really nice horse that I knew was going to be tough to beat. I just went in the arena knowing that I would have to give it my all and no matter what happened, I would still be happy that I got the chance to run there."

Rogers competes aboard a 17-year old mare named Molly whom she has ridden for seven years. The young cowgirl has been a barrel racer since the ripe old age of four. With the win in Lakeland, Rogers sits fifth in the WPRA Junior World standings.

"This is my first year as a member of the WPRA," says the cowgirl who wants to one day be a large animal vet. "I would love to go to the WPRA World Finals. We will just have to see."

Wintermute has been the catalyst behind a surge in the Junior program in the Southeast. She attended several big barrel races in her area, recruiting the best junior barrel racers she saw there and even organizing meetings with parents to get ideas and input on the program.

"I decided to start in my own backyard," she says, "and see where it went."

The results are obvious. The SEC now has more WPRA Junior races with PRCA/WPRA rodeos than any other circuit and six of the top 10 in the WPRA Junior World standings hail from her home state of Florida.

"One of our committees, Nashville, Ga., said they wanted a WPRA Junior race but they only wanted WPRA members," she notes. "So we have been working to recruit the best and most professional junior barrel racers." Wintermute notes that about 30 new members have signed up within the last month.

"I am proud to say, we are kicking off pretty big time." WPRA Junior racers get the opportunity to run in the professional setting of a rodeo and have the chance to compete at the WPRA World Finals. In addition, Wintermute is planning a Junior Circuit Finals Rodeo for Southeastern Juniors.

"We actually have two different options of where to have the Circuit Finals," she says. "They all want the Junior racers."

"It's wonderful; I can't keep up!"

The Lakeland Pro Rodeo Classic is presented by "Embracing Florida's Wounded Heroes" and can be found on-line at www.lakelandprorodeo.com.