MOSES LAKE — Three-time Washington High School Rodeo Association (WHSRA) bull riding champion and Moses Lake resident Dakota Beck will take his cowboy skills to the National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) next week in Farmington, N.M.

The 61st annual NHSFR will begin July 19 and continue through July 25.

The NHSFR features more than 1,500 participants from 41 states, five Canadian provinces, and Australia. Cowboys and cowgirls from all around the world will compete for more than $200,000 in prizes and another $325,000 in college scholarships.

In addition to college scholarships and other prizes, participating cowboys and cowgirls will vie for the opportunity to be named National High School Finals Rodeo National Champion.

Participants must be in the top 20 after two go-rounds during the week to advance to the championship performance Saturday, July 25.

Beck finished tied for 24th place during the first go-round during the 2008 NHSFR in Farmington.

Beck finished home schooling this year in Moses Lake and plans to attend Walla Walla Community College in the fall after earning $1,500 in scholarships from the Ives/Lay Memorial Scholarship. Beck also won a $100 scholarship from the WHSRA.