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MACON, MISSOURI -- It's time to saddle up, because it's Missouri Junior High and High School rodeo time.

Saturday marked the first time in a long time that the rodeo came to northeast Missouri. About 200 teen cowboys and cowgirls came to Macon to compete from all over Missouri and even as far as Kansas and Arkansas. They put their best boot forward in events such as the breakaway, team roping, and ribbon roping.

KTVO talked to one Junior high contender who made it to the National Junior High rodeo this past summer. He told KTVO which event was the most challenging.

"I'd say the team roping is the most difficult for me because you have to depend on other people and you have to have your partner practice as much as you do," said Hunter Cuppy, of Atlanta Missouri. "You have to have them roping as good as you are so you guys can stop the clock."

Besides competing, the participants are also good students. They had to have a C average or better in order to participate in the rodeo.

The rodeo continues on Sunday, Oct.16. The Junior High will compete at 9 am and the high school contenders will start competing 30 minutes after. The rodeo is being held at the Macon county fairgrounds, just on the south side of the Macon city limits on Highway 63.