Founded by Alvin G. Davis of Brownfield, Texas, the Junior Rodeos of America have come into prominence during the past fifty years. Mr. Davis visualized an association made up of both young people who compete and adults interested in the affairs of these young people. At Levelland, Texas on June 7, 1952, Alvin G. Davis formed the American Junior Rodeo Association.

The AJRA was modeled more or less after the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association. Rules were established and forwarded to the interested junior rodeos throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Competing within these rules, boys and girls under the age of twenty accumulate points toward world champion junior cowboys and cowgirls.

The American Junior Rodeo Association is founded upon Christian principles, and it is hoped that each individual member will exhibit characteristics in keeping with this foundation. It is also suggested that each approved rodeo begin its first performance each year with a prayer to further exhibit the principles of the Association.

Cowboys and Cowgirls accumulate their points from the approved rodeos they participate in. These points are reported to the AJRA Secretary-Manager who keeps records of the accumulated points and at the AJRA National Finals every year, the title of World's Champion in each category event of each age group is named as well as the All-Around Champion Cowboy and Cowgirl. With these titles go such awards as trophy saddles, buckles, merchandise awards, and scholarships.

Throughout the past and continuing today, the AJRA has produced some of the best professional cowboys and cowgirls as well as collegiate champions.

Many of the greats of professional rodeo got their start in AJRA, which include some of the following: Becky Jo Smith, Casey Tibbs, George Paul, Terry Walls, Roy Cooper, Jim Sharp, Trevor Brazile, Tuff Hedeman, Jimmie Gibbs Munroe, and many, many more….

ALVIN G DAVIS AWARD RECIPIENTS
1970 Frances Greenwood Carlsbad, NM
1971 Gwenn Jones Hobbs, NM
1972 John Etcheverry Carlsbad, NM
1973 Trey Greenwood Carlsbad, NM
1974 DeLynn Jones Carlsbad, NM
1975 Steve Bland Trent, TX
1976 Mack Altizer Del Rio, TX
1977 Ken Smith Carlsbad, NM
1978 Chuck Lambert El Paso, TX
1979 James Zant Odessa, TX
1980 Carla Cox Meridan, TX
1981 Jerry Alley Del Rio, TX
1982 Gene Baker Tuscola, TX
1983 Sissy Doss Big Spring, TX
1984 Holly Shafer Shallowater, TX
1985 Jeff Bechtel Andrews, TX
1986 Brice Key Gail, TX
1987 Terry Kitchens Stephenville, TX
1988 Carter Edmondson McCaulley, TX
1989 Schelli Walls Stephenville, TX
1990 Lari D Guy Abilene, TX
1991 Mitzi Mayes Manor, TX
1992 Casey Callahan Fredonia, TX
1993 Eric Cloudt Del Rio, TX
1994 Josh Crow Lovington, NM
1995 Russell Riggan Snyder, TX
1996 J D Shields Odessa, TX
1997 Joe Ross Jameson Colorado City, TX
1998 Walker Wallace Sonora, TX
1999 Shawn Edwards San Angelo, TX
2000 Ryan Bean Ozona, TX
2001 E J Roberts Palmer, TX
2002 Tessie McMullan Bronte, TX
2003 C R Moore Frankston, TX
2004 Alan Marth Christoval, TX
2005 Cody Dan Jordan Hobbs, NM
2006 Jake McCabe Silver, TX