The 2017 Alabama Junior Rodeo Association state finals begin today at the Covington Center Arena with several local cowgirls aiming for a title.

Mary Beth Alexander, Grace Schultz, Greyson Worley, Bren Spurlin and Laynee Jo Pettis are the Covington County natives that will compete in the 2017 AJRA state finals rodeo.

The AJRA is a non-profit youth rodeo association for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

“We have had a really good year,” AJRA president Kevin Wilkerson said. “There were 12 rodeos leading up to this and now we are down to three days of finals.”

There will be several events featured in the state finals including, boys and girls breakaway roping, girls barrel racing, boys tie down roping, girls pole bending, co-ed ribbon roping, co-ed team roping, girls goat tying, bull riding, mini bare back and chute dogging.

“We are really excited about getting the finals started,” Wilkerson said. “There will be a lot of really good competition and I think anyone that comes out is going to enjoy watching. We also want to thank all of our sponsors in the area that help make this possible.”

Wilkerson said the competitors have been training hard to prepare for the finals.

“This year, we have some divisions that are really close in points,” Wilkerson said. “These kids have been really practicing and preparing for the finals. It should be really exciting to see what they are going to do. A few divisions are really tight, I’m looking forward to seeing what they bring.”

The three-day AJRA rodeo final begins today at 10 a.m., at the Covington Center Arena. Admission to the event is free to everyone.

“There should be a good crowd there,” Wilkerson said. “There will be 58 competitors and their parents and grandparents. We also encourage any locals to come out see what we have going on. It’s going to be good weekend of great rodeo competition and it’s free.”