Arina Dee Haugen set herself up for success at the 2024 World Championship Junior Rodeo months before the event, and had success in Guthrie in July to clinch her Junior World championship aboard the iconic Youth Rodeo mare, VF A Famous Lady.
Haugen began her WCJR journey months before the event, carefully choosing which rodeos to nominate to compete in barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping and goat tying events once she got into Guthrie.
See full WCJR event results here.
“I didn’t have to pay entry fees all week long in Guthrie,” Haugen said. “I was either on the leaderboard through nominations or won a qualifying event in each. If you do that, and pick up some of the $1,000 bonuses they offer or another bonus, it really ends up paying off when you’re working all of those events.”
Haugen earned points and placed throughout WCJR to finish her year at the top of the DY Leaderboard and claim her national championship in the Junior division.
Arina Dee Haugen
The 15-year-old from Sturgis, South Dakota, grew up in barrel racing. Her mom, Dee and dad, Tyler, both competed at the professional level, older sister Landry—who also competed at the WCJR in 2024—rodeos for the University of Wyoming, and little sister, Blaise Lee competes. In the snowy winter months, Haugen stays busy playing basketball.
“I definitely like the WCJR. It’s different than any other rodeo I’ve been to. I breakaway rope, and it’s created a lot of opportunity for all the events. There’s a lot of money offered and it’s really exciting.”
Arina Dee Haugen
VF A Famous Lady
Fans may remember VF A Famous Lady, better known as “Chili,” from her dominating performance at the 2022 National High School Finals Rodeo with Rayne Grant. Despite Grant gritting through three broken vertabrae, Chili earned the national title in pole bending, reserve barrel racing championship, NHSRA/AQHA Women’s Horse of the Year title and helped Grant earn the Women’s All-Around World championship in Rock Springs.
“She’s a really fun horse to ride,” Haugen said. “They let me lease her to run at the (National Little Britches Finals Rodeo) and I won the pole bending on her. We just kind of clicked from our first runs together. I’m super blessed to have her.”
