PIERRE, S.D. (KELO.com) -- National 4-H headquarters has again warned South Dakota 4-H Rodeo to stop designating its events for 'boys' and 'girls.'
The program has had those names for years says President Kasey Hanson.
"So, you want me to call it Division one bull riding, if that makes someone feel better, but it's still Division one, it's still boy." Hanson says if a girl wants to enter a boys-designated event, she's perfectly welcome.
The trouble is that some federal money may be at stake. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has been ruling since the 1970s that separate rodeo events for boys and girls violates Title IX. It is possible that South Dakota State Cooperative Extension may remove the 4-H Rodeo program for violating federal regulations.
Hanson says her group is working hard to try to meet SDSU's expectations on names, and even trying to have discussions with USDA on the issue, in time to plan the 2019 season.
"...Instead calling them Divison one, Division two, Divison three, Division four, which is really just word play."
Except for the events being named by gender, Hanson says the program complies with all Title IX requirements.
South Dakota is one of only two states to have a 4-H Rodeo program. It's been going strong for 48 years. Hundreds of children compete every year state wide.