RODEO AUSTIN BREAKAWAY ROPING QUALIFIER

Rodeo Austin is hosting a breakaway roping qualifier for contestants not already pre-seated in the rodeo in Decatur, TX on Feb. 8, 2026.

The rodeo will consist of a total of 88 contestants – 68 from predetermined rankings (see below) and 20 from the qualifier. Entries taken Through ProCom. Qualifier open to cards only. One entry per contestant.

Entries to Fill this Order:

1. The top 38 from 2025 Pro Rodeo Breakaway World Standings. Drop down until filled.

2. The top 10 from 2026 Pro Rodeo Breakaway World Standings, based on based on winnings 7 days prior to Rodeo Austin entries closing, not already qualified through above criteria. Drop down until filled.

3. The top 16 from 2025 Pro Rodeo Breakaway Texas Circuit Standings, not already qualified through above criteria. Drop down until filled.

4. The top 4 from 2026 Pro Rodeo Breakaway Texas Circuit Standings, based on based on winnings 7 days prior to Rodeo Austin entries closing, not already qualified through above criteria. Drop down until filled.

5. 20 qualifying contestants from the qualifier will be placed in the performances at Rodeo Austin, along with the 68 contestants already entered. Contestants pre-seated will not be eligible to enter the qualifier.

• a. Only “official entries” will be eligible for advancement from the 2026 Austin qualifier events to the 2026 Rodeo Austin.
• b. Any ties in the qualifier which exist for advancement into performances at Rodeo Austin will be broken in the order as follows:
• i. The first tie breaker will be broken based on the published 2025 official WPRA Pro Rodeo Breakaway World Standings.
• ii. The second tie breaker will be a flip of coin by a judge or a drawing by a judge if more than two contestant’s ties.

6. a. Top 5 from 1st round of Rodeo Austin Qualifier, February 8, 10:00am in Decatur, TX at NRS Arena.

b. Top 5 from 2nd round of Rodeo Austin Qualifier, February 8, 10:00am in Decatur, TX at NRS Arena, not already qualified through above criteria. Drop down until filled.

c. Top 10 from the Average of Rodeo Austin Qualifier, February 8, 10:00am in Decatur, TX at NRS Arena, not already qualified through above criteria. Drop down until filled.

Decatur Qualifier will be held at: 309 CR 4228, Decatur, TX 76234 at the NRS Arena February 8, at 10:00 am. 

RODEO AUSTIN BARREL RACING QUALIFIER

Rodeo Austin is hosting a barrel racing qualifier for contestants not already pre-seated in the rodeo in Stephenville, TX on Feb. 22, 2026.

The rodeo will consist of a total of 88 contestants– 68 from pre-determined rankings (see below) and 20 from the qualifier.  

Entries to fill in this order:  

a. The top 17 from the 2026 Pro Rodeo World standings based on winnings 7 days prior to Rodeo Austin entries closing. Drop down until filled.

b. The top 18 contestants from the 2025 Pro Rodeo World standings not already qualified through above criteria. Drop down until filled.

c. The top 4 from the 2025 WPRA Tour not already qualified through above criteria. Drop down until filled.

d. The top 17 from the 2026 WPRA/PRCA Texas Circuit year-end barrel racing standings based on winnings 7 days prior to Rodeo Austin entries closing not already qualified through above criteria. Drop down until filled.

e. The top 12 from the 2025 WPRA/PRCA Texas Circuit year end barrel racing standings not already qualified through above criteria. Drop down until filled.

f. The Top 20 qualifying contestants from the qualifier will be placed in the performances at Rodeo Austin, along with the 68 contestants already entered.

Contestants who have already qualified from above qualifications will not be eligible to enter the qualifier. 

2026 Playoff Series Schedule

As you start planning out your rodeo schedule for the 2026 season, keep in mind the rodeos that are part of the Playoff Series which qualify contestants to Puyallup, Washington and Sioux Falls, S.D. at the end of the season.

Please note the change to turn out fines at 2026 Playoff Series Rodeos:

Additionally, monetary turn out fines will be doubled at 2026 Playoff Series Rodeos. Contestants will be assessed a maximum 10-point deduction for turning out at a Playoff Series Rodeo (includes notified and non-notified TO’s, does not include VIR’s and DR’s).

Attention Members

WPRA 2026 Nomination/Election Cycle FAQ

General Nomination and Election Questions:

1. What is the timeline for the 2026 nomination and election cycle?

On or prior to the first business day of January - The WPRA Office must receive a signed membership application and payment from adult card members by this date to receive a nomination ballot - Please reference rule 3.1.1. in the 2026 WPRA Rule Book.

On or about January 12, 2026 - Nomination ballots will be sent to eligible WPRA members electronically - Please reference rule 3.1.1. in the 2026 WPRA Rule Book.

• The 2026 WPRA nomination will be digital ONLY.
• Nominations are a write-in ballot and the WPRA has included members that have pre consented to be nominated (you may write in a pre consent or another member in the circuit or region).

Monday, January 26, 2026, by 5pm MT- Nomination ballots are due back to the election vendor - Please reference rule 3.1.1. in the 2026 WPRA Rule Book.

Wednesday, January 28, 2026, by end of business - Nomination ballots will be certified by the election vendor. Nominated candidates are contacted the following business day - Please reference rules 3.2.1 and 3.2.2. in the 2026 WPRA Rule Book.

• The top 2 candidates with the most nominations in each circuit/region that accept nomination will move on to the election ballot.

On or prior to February 1 - The WPRA Office must receive a signed membership application and payment from adult card members by this date to receive an election ballot - Please reference rule 3.3.2. in the 2026 WPRA Rule Book.

On or before Monday, February 9, 2026 - Election ballots will be sent to eligible WPRA members electronically - Please reference rule 3.3.1. in the 2026 WPRA Rule Book.

• The 2026 WPRA election will be digital ONLY.
• Members will vote for 1 of 2 candidates in that circuit/region.

Monday, February 23, 2026, by 5pm MT- Election ballots are due back to the election vendor - Please reference rule 3.3.2. in the 2026 WPRA Rule Book.

Wednesday, February 25, 2026, by end of day - Election ballots will be certified by the election vendor. Candidates are notified the following business day - Please reference rule 3.4.1. in the 2026 WPRA Rule Book.

Monday, March 9, 2026 - Election recount period ends- Please reference rule 3.4.9. in the 2026 WPRA Rule Book for a recount by candidate.

Please also note rule 3.4.10. If any date specified herein falls on a date which is not a business day, the date shall be construed to be the next chronological business day.

2. What positions are up for nomination/election in 2026?

Badlands Circuit, Great Lakes Circuit, Prairie Circuit, California Circuit, Turquoise Circuit, Central Region Roping Director (Central Region Circuits: Badlands, Montana, Prairie and Texas), and East Region Roping Director (East Region Circuits: First Frontier, Great Lakes, and Southeastern).Please reference rule 4.1.3.2. in the 2026 WPRA Rule Book.

3. Who will receive ballots during this nomination and election cycle?

• All card members who have returned to the WPRA office their 2026 signed and paid membership application on or before the 1st business day of January 2026 will receive a nomination ballot.
• All card members who have returned to the WPRA office their 2026 signed and paid membership application on or before February 1st 2026 will receive an election ballot. 

4. How will I receive my ballot?

Eligible voting members will receive a digital ballot sent to the email address on file with the WPRA.

Sent from: WPRA Election Coordinator - noreply@directvote.net

• The 2026 WPRA election will be digital ONLY. There will be no physical ballots sent.

5. What if I don’t receive a ballot?

1. Be sure to check your spam/junk folders.
2. Check with the WPRA office to confirm your eligibility and email address.
3. Request a digital ballot re-send through Hannah Miller at the WPRA office.

6. What is my ballot number?

Each eligible voting member is assigned unique credentials to access their digital ballot. These credentials are your voter identifier/ballot number.

7. How do I know if my ballot was submitted?

Once your electronic ballot has been submitted, you will be directed to a confirmation screen. A confirmation will also be emailed to you.

8. Are there text or fax options for me to submit my ballot?

Voting members may only submit their ballot by filling out the digital ballot sent via email.

9. Are my votes confidential?

Yes, only the outside 3rd party election vendor sees and records votes.

10. What if I forget to vote?

The 3rd party election vendor will send out an email reminder to eligible members that have not submitted a ballot:

• Nomination ballot reminder - Monday, January 19, 2026
• Election ballot reminder - Monday, February 16, 2026

11. When does the new Board take over?

The newly elected Board will take office either 20 days following the certification of the election or at the first full Board meeting, whichever is sooner.

12. I have a voting designation that is not up for election in 2026, can I participate? 

Members can only vote for their designated circuit director or roping director. Please reference rule 4.1.3.1., 4.1.3.2. and 3.4.6. in the 2026 WPRA rule book.

13. What are the criteria for running for circuit director?

Any card member nominated for office, in order to be eligible, must have been a WPRA card member for 2 out of the last 3 years prior to the year you wish to run and must not have been found guilty of a major rule infraction. (WPRA Rule 4.1.5.)

To be eligible for Circuit Director, nominees must not be eligible to run for Roping Director (WPRA Rule 4.1.5.1.) (see below).

To be eligible to be a Roping Director,

• Must have competed at 10 or more pro rodeos in the breakaway in the previous year OR 
• Be a roping division card holder or pro rodeo breakaway card holder for the past 5 consecutive years OR
• A gold card holder who designated roping for the past 5 consecutive years OR
• A lifetime member who designated roping for the past 5 consecutive years
• Each Regional Roping Director must reside and declare herself from one of the circuits in her region or if a member’s physical address is not within her declared circuit or region, to qualify as a region’s roping director, a member must be in good standing with a circuit in that region for at least the previous 3 consecutive years. She may be nominated and elected even if her physical address is not within her declared circuit; she then will declare herself from one of the circuits for which she is nominated and serves.
• Also, must not have been found guilty of a major rule violation.

(WPRA Rule 4.1.5.2.)

If you have any questions, the WPRA office and WPRA Board of Directors are here to assist you.

Rule Spotlight

ATTENTION PERMIT MEMBERS

Starting with the 2026 rodeo season, the WPRA Board of Directors has implemented an extended college permit for those members who have won $1,000 on their WPRA permit but due to college is not yet ready to become a full card-carrying member and begin their rookie year. It should be noted that any money won on either your permit and/or this new extended college permit option will not count toward any WPRA Standings (i.e. world, circuit, etc.)

The WPRA salutes those furthering their education at college and this is a choice for those individuals to pursue their college and WPRA dreams.

Refer to the following rule for more information:

1.3.5.2.1. Upon winning a cumulative total of $1,000 in rodeo and/or WPRA events, a permit member may elect to:

a) Apply for WPRA card status, or

b) Purchase a second permit by payment of the appropriate fee, allowing her to continue to contest on a second permit for the remainder of the year (no dollar limit on second permit) and retain Rookie eligibility.

c) After filling a permit, if a member gets a second permit, she must get her Rookie card the following season and can’t get more than her second permit once the first permit has been filled unless the following extended college permit eligibility is met. Anyone not wishing to obtain card membership after earning $1,000 as a permit member may apply for an extended college permit for up to and including 5 years. In order for a permit contestant to be eligible for an extended college permit, that contestant must be enrolled full time (minimum of 12 credit hours) in college and must provide a transcript of courses and credit hours with her membership application. If the permit member stops attending college, the extended permit will be revoked, and the member will be required to obtain a card membership. There is no dollar limit for money won on a college permit. A college permit must be renewed each year. No money won on a college permit will count for any WPRA standings, and no money won on a college permit will be carried over when upgrading to a card membership. 

Please keep in mind:

Members currently on your WPRA permit - if you DO NOT extend or upgrade at the $1,000 earnings mark you will become ineligible. If you enter rodeos during this time you will be fined $100 per rodeo entered and could be subject to a draw out fee as well.

Nominate Your Rodeo Hero

The colorful history and equally colorful legends of professional rodeo live on at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy in Colorado Springs, Colo. In 2017, WPRA members and equine animals were inducted for the first time.

To be considered for nomination a WPRA member must be a World Champion Barrel Racer® that is retired from full-time competition or a member who has made significant contributions toward the advancement of the WPRA, who are not otherwise eligible in the barrel racing category. Eligibility based on individual’s contributions to the sport of barrel racing and the WPRA.

In addition, horses who have carried a WPRA member to a world championship can also be nominated. For more information click on the nomination form below.

WPRA GUIDELINES

Please be advised that the WPRA Board of Directors and Office staff have added a new link on the WPRA website with current guidelines for walk-up replacements, 30-hour replacements and breakaway roping added money guidelines for rodeo committees. We encourage all members to check out these documents and familiarize yourself with what they have to say as they can be helpful tools for you when entering rodeos for the 2026 rodeo season. Simply click on link below or find it under the Office tab online.