PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to help our members refer back to these weekly newsletters, we have started archiving them on our website with a list of highlighted topics per week. These can be found under the News tab and Weekly Newsletter or simply click the button below.

FACT vs MYTH WPRA MEMBERSHIP

Recently there was a podcast discussing the various types of WPRA membership and there were some inaccuracies that resulted from that, so we wanted to do a little fact vs myth to clear up any confusion that may have caused amongst our members.

Myth: Members with a Pro Rodeo Breakaway Card (“B” prefix on their card) can only enter breakaway and not barrels. Conversely, members with a Pro Rodeo Barrel Card (“W” prefix on their card) can only enter barrels and not breakaway.

Fact: Pro Rodeo Breakaway Card members and Pro Rodeo Barrel Card members may enter and compete in both barrel racing and roping events.

Myth: A permit member can compete at any WPRA approved event.

Fact: A permit member can compete in barrel racing and roping at all WPRA approved events that accept permits. This will be noted in the entry info/ground rules.

Myth: A member who purchases a WPRA Roping Division card can compete at Pro Rodeos.

Fact: A member who purchases a WPRA Roping Division card may NOT enter rodeos on this membership. They can compete in Divisional Circuit roping events ONLY. Conversely a member with a WPRA Membership Card (Pro Rodeo Breakaway Card/Pro Rodeo Barrel Card/Permit) shall entitle the holder to participate in all WPRA Rodeo/WPRA Divisional Circuit/WPRA Roping/WPRA Futurity/WPRA Derby approved events unless other qualifications or limitations are imposed by the applicable governing body or the WPRA Board of Directors.

Myth: A member who purchases a WPRA Roping Division card can compete in Futurity/Derby events on a nominated horse for points.

Fact: Any member with a current Pro Rodeo Barrel Card, Pro Rodeo Breakaway Card, Permit, or Junior in good standing is eligible to compete in the WPRA Futurity and Derby events. For points to count from any WPRA approved event, your horse must be nominated (nomination is free). A member with a Roping Division membership only is NOT eligible and must purchase a WPRA Card or Permit membership.

Election Results To Be Released Next Week

Thanks to the members who took the time to be part of the 2025 Election process.

Next Steps in WPRA 2025 Election:

Monday, March 10, 2025, 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 2025 WPRA Rule Book.

Tuesday, March 11 – Thursday, March 20, 2025 - Election recount period - Please reference rule 3.4.9. in the 2025 WPRA Rule Book for a recount by candidate.

First Board Meeting to be held around March 30, 2025 (physical attendance is required in Colorado Springs, CO) - Please reference rule 3.4.2. in the 2025 WPRA Rule Book.

Resistol Rookie Roundup -

April 25-26 in Ft. Worth

For the fourth consecutive year, Resistol, in partnership with The Cowboy Channel, the leading network for Western sports, owned by Teton Ridge, will host the Resistol Rookie Roundup on April 25-26 at the iconic Fort Worth Stockyard Coliseum.

Sanctioned by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA), 15 first year card holders in each event will compete for a $100,000 purse. The Cowboy Channel will produce and broadcast the event. The first performance on April 25 will feature all 15 contestants in a single go-round of competition. Then, the top eight will continue to the semifinals on April 26, with the top four advancing to the championship round immediately following.

Money won at the Resistol Rookie Roundup, presented by The Cowboy Channel, will count towards the Resistol Rookie standings but will not be credited towards the world standings for a Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualification.

Entries open March 28 and close on April 1. Be sure to not miss this great opportunity.

Conflict at Rodeo's adding $3,000 or more

Members should make special note of the following two rules as the rodeo season gets increasingly more hectic especially when we hit the summer rodeos. For now if competing in Houston and Austin be sure you understand how to deal with a conflict should it arise due to advancement.

10.3.5.6. Making the Finals or Semi-Finals — Anyone making the finals or semi-finals at a rodeo that conflicts with another rodeo that has a committee purse of $3,000 or more will be moved forward at the conflicting rodeo to the first available position, where possible, provided the contestant notifies the Central Entry Office (Procom) of the conflicting rodeo no later than the turnout deadline for their originally scheduled performance. If there are no available positions for the contestant to move forward, the contestant will not be moved. Turnout fines for the conflicting rodeo will be waived provided the contestant notifies the WPRA Office by Tuesday at 3:00pm MT following the end of the rodeo. Contestants will run last in all go-rounds in which she is moved due to conflict, provided the contestant does not create the conflict through a trade. In barrel racing, if a WPRA member is moved because of a conflict due to qualifying for a finals or semi-finals, they go to the bottom of the ground with no drag. In the event of subsequent go-rounds, if contestant is moved for only one go, she will run last in that go and then back to her original drawn position in other go(s). If she is moved due to conflict for all goes, she will run last in all goes. In breakaway roping, if a WPRA member is moved because of a conflict due to qualifying for a finals or semi-finals, they will go to the top of the order of competition but will draw last for cattle. End of go-rounds shall not interfere with moving contestant per this rule. In a back-to-back situation, you will be moved to the next available SET, meaning you will run your first go first and your second go second. 10.3.5.6.1. Turning Out of Finals If Moved or Drawn Out of Conflicting Rodeo. If a contestant is moved at a conflicting rodeo in accordance with Rule 10.3.5.6 or is drawn out of a conflicting rodeo in accordance with Rule 10.4.1.11.1, and that contestant turns out of the finals which had created the conflict, that contestant shall be subject to a $500 fine.

10.4.1.11. Conflicts 10.4.1.11.1. Conflict Due to Qualification for Progressive Go-Rounds, Semi-Finals, or Finals. A contestant who qualifies for a progressive go round, semi-finals, or finals, resulting in a conflict with another “official entry” rodeo at which she has not yet competed, may request that Procom draw her out of the conflicting rodeo. This notification must be no later than the turnout deadline of her scheduled competition at the conflicting rodeo. Contestant shall pay $5 draw out charge. 

Rule Spotlight

How to properly Release out of a rodeo per WPRA Rules

Releases can be an important tool to use if you or your horse become injured and are unable to compete. Below is some important information to help you properly release out of a rodeo:

• Call Procom no later than 3 hours prior to your slack/performance – Let them know each rodeo you are releasing out of. You must use the word “RELEASE”.
• You are ineligible to compete for 7 days starting the first slack or performance you would have competed in.
• You may extend this release to other rodeos if needed.
• Once you compete, your release is over.
• There is a $25 release fee per rodeo you release out of. You have 30 days to pay these fees.
• You have access to 2 releases per event per rodeo year.

Refer to section 10.7.1. in the WPRA Rulebook

30-Hour Replacement Helpful Information

We would like to pass on some information regarding 30-Hour Replacements.

• If you get called from Procom, you need to reply back to Procom as soon as possible even if you are not going to accept the position so that Procom can then move to the next person on the list and get the positions filled before they run out of time. There was a recent rodeo that didn't get filled as Procom was waiting for member responses. Please help make this an easy process for all and if you are not interested in the position give the next person a chance to say yes or no.

• Keep in mind the following in terms of how the 30-Hour replacement works - If the open position (turnout or release) had qualified from the WPRA Tour, she will be replaced with the next person in the WPRA Tour standings that entered. Or if the open position qualified from 2025 circuit standings, the next person that entered from the 2025 circuit standings will fill that position. The drop down order depends on where the person qualified from that they are replacing not which number you are on the list.

Our Condolences

The WPRA sends their condolences to the family and friends of Becky Nix, who passed away at the age of 55 on March 2, 2025. Nix of Custer, Wisconsin, was a long-time WPRA member and former Great Lakes Circuit Director. May She Rest In Peace.