Colton Charleston Rides NJHFR Title Into the 2026 WCJR

Carthage, Missouri, teen Colton Charleston and his fifth-grade sister, Canyon, struck gold at the National Junior High Finals Rodeo (NJHFR) in June before heading back to the Lazy E for the 2026 World Championship Junior Rodeo (WCJR).

Charleston has had a rope in his hands about as long as he has been able to hold one, so it was fitting that his latest win came alongside family. He and Canyon teamed up to capture the ribbon roping title, and the 14-year-old is now pointing that momentum straight back toward the Lazy E.

For Charleston, who grew up in a deep rodeo family, the sport has never been anything other than home.

“My family being involved in rodeo plays a big role,” Charleston said. “I’ve had a rope in my hands since before I could walk. It’s what I love to do.”

A Win With His Little Sister

With ribbon roping being a team event, the Charleston siblings teamed up for their only year spent together in junior high, making the win that much sweeter.

“Canyon, she’s only a fifth grader so she was really excited to get the win,” Charleston said.

The win also set up a storyline Charleston is hoping to finish this summer. He has a shot at earning titles with both of his siblings—Canyon in the ribbon roping, and his brother, Cooper, whom he will partner up with in the team roping at the WCJR.

Back to The E With Confidence

Even before the NJHFR, Charleston was no stranger to the Lazy E. He competed at the 2025 WCJR in both the tie-down roping and the team roping, and he returns this year bigger, more experienced and riding a wave of confidence after the NJHFR.

“I’m obviously a lot bigger this year than I was last year,” Charleston said. “I grew a lot and obviously got a lot better. I’ve been practicing a lot since then. This year I get to rope with Cooper, my brother, in team roping so that’s exciting.”

That extra year of growth and strength matters at a place as demanding as the Lazy E Arena.

“I like the Lazy E setup,” Charleston said. “It’s a bigger arena, and you’ve got a lot of ground to work with.”

Charleston, who will be a freshman at Carthage High School this fall, pulls most of his WCJR nominations from Missouri High School Rodeo and jackpots close to home—leaning on the Doug Hazelbaker Memorial calf roping jackpot for calf roping nominations and Lucky J Arena jackpots for team roping nominations.

Chasing More

His goals for the week in Guthrie are simple, and they are stacked.

“I would love to win it, and hopefully win with my brother, and then win the calf open,” Charleston said. “I’ve been roping quite a bit of calves and team roping a lot. I’ve just been roping a lot to prepare. I try and practice every day.”

If the NJHFR was any indication, the confidence is well-earned. As Charleston put it, walking back into the E after a big win changes everything.

“It’s a huge difference when you win something like that, and you can go back and try to do it again.”