This Issue is brought to you by -

Boss Equine Products

An Official Product of the WPRA

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).

2026 San Antonio Rodeo update

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. 

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. 

Attention Members

2026 WPRA Board of Director Election

Officers up for election in 2026:

4.1.3.2. The Officers and Directors taking office in 2026 and every three (3) years thereafter will be Badlands Circuit, Great Lakes Circuit, Prairie Circuit, California Circuit, Turquoise Circuit.

The current R1 Roping Director, Christi Braudrick’s position, will be up for election as the Central Roping Director as well in 2026.

In addition a third roping director will be elected to oversee the East Region.

3.1. Eligibility to Nominate a Candidate

3.1.1. All card members from whom the WPRA office has received a signed official application and payment for their card for the upcoming year, on or prior to the first business day of January, shall receive a nomination ballot. The WPRA office, needs to receive a signed official application from Gold Card members and Lifetime members. On or about January 12 of each election year, the WPRA’s designated third party election vendor shall email electronic nomination ballots to all eligible card members. The card member must return the completed electronic ballot to the election vendor for receipt by the vendor on or before January 26 at 5:00 p.m. MT.

4.1.5. 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.

The WPRA Board of Directors encourages all card holders to participate in the upcoming 2026 election.

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

Rule Spotlight

Please be aware of revisions to the following rule approved at the December Board Meeting

9.2.15. A contestant will be responsible to know her conflicting rodeos and will be disqualified and fined $100 if she checks in with the secretary and competes as a walk-up replacement and then turns out of a rodeo with a “same day” conflict in the same event. Positions at other rodeos that are turned out will be considered conflicts. This is by event, e.g., a contestant can turn out of a rodeo in the breakaway roping on the same day she is a walk-up replacement in the barrel racing. 

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.

WPRA Futurity/Derby Division

Not interested or able to be on the road all year long chasing an NFR qualification but still interested in competing for a world title? Do you have a young horse that you feel has lots of potential? Then you might consider being part of the WPRA Futurity/Derby division.

Each year, the WPRA crowns year-end World Champions in the Futurity 1D, Futurity 2D and Derby standings.

Winning those titles in 2025 included:

Futurity 1D - Ashley Peterson and Aint Seen Darlin Yet

Futurity 2D - Kalie Anderson and Stayln Your Own Lane

Derby - Patti Hovland and Manors Sweet Sting

Participation is easy and free!

• Fill out and return a nomination form each year of eligibility
• WPRA approved events can be found on the Futurity & Derby Event Schedule
• Finish out the season at the WPRA World Finals in Waco, TX in November where average and year-end positions are awarded

Please note an update on horse ages for 2026 season for this division.

ATTENTION FUTURITY AND DERBY MEMBERS

1.1.4. All Derby entries must be horses 8 years old and younger, as long as they did not compete in futurities as a 4-year-old. (If competed in futurities as a 4-year-old, then cutoff age for derby horse is 7 years old. The age of unregistered horses will be determined by a veterinarian. Derby horses have three (3) years of eligibility, either as a five (5), six (6) and seven (7) year old or as a six (6), seven (7) and eight (8) year old, depending upon the horse’s age as a futurity horse.

More information on the WPRA Futurity & Derby Program eligibility and rules can be found on Page 176 of the 2026 WPRA Rule Book.