Choosin Texas -

WPRA World Finals in Waco this November - Entries Now Open

WPRA members looking to get a headstart on the 2027 rodeo season and those looking to add a WPRA World Title to their name should be choosin’ Texas come November for the 2026 WPRA World Finals presented by Nutrena. Scheduled for November 12-15 at Extraco Event Center in Waco, Texas, the event will feature opportunities for the entire WPRA Membership from barrels to all the roping disciplines to the futurity and derby division.

Are your goals for 2027 to fill your permit, or maybe to get into limited entry rodeos like San Antonio and Fort Worth or have you always dreamed of competing at RodeoHouston, then you don’t want to miss this opportunity to try to check a few of these off your bucket list before Christmas.

Entries are now open and will close on October 29. To compete in the WPRA races one must be either a 2026 or 2027 WPRA Member. New in 2026 is that both the Pro Rodeo Barrel Race and Pro Rodeo Breakaway will have $15,000 added with all money won counting towards 2027 Pro Rodeo World Standings and for the first time both are open to card and permit holders.

While the focus of the weekend is to honor, recognize and crown the WPRA world champions in team roping (heading and heeling), tie-down roping, all-around, and futurity/derby it is also an opportunity for WPRA members embarking on a run for the NFR to get a jump start on the season. 

New for 2027: Convenient Online WPRA Membership Renewal



We’re excited to introduce a new membership renewal option for the 2027 season! Beginning on Wednesday, September 16, eligible members will be able to conveniently renew their 2027 memberships online through their WPRA member portal.

Watch for an email early next week with guidance and everything you need to know to take advantage of this new renewal option.

We look forward to making the membership renewal process easier and more convenient than ever!

Now accepting nominations-2026 Committee Woman for the Year Presented by Montana Silversmiths

As we celebrate Labor Day this weekend, we extend our thanks to all the committee members and volunteers that keep our industry alive and well, giving opportunities for our members. The WPRA partnered with Montana Silversmiths in 2022 to recognize one female committee member/volunteer each year that has gone above and beyond in their local community to make the rodeo a success and/or who has been a staple of the local rodeo for numerous years keeping the tradition alive and well.

Nominations are now open and more information along with the nomination form can be found below. Keep in mind anyone can nominate.

The Governor's Cup - Sioux Falls, SD - Entries open Sept. 21

The Cinch Playoffs Governor's Cup will take place Sept. 25-27 in Sioux Falls, SD with over $150,000 in added money.

The event is limited to 12.

• The top 4 from the Cinch Playoff Series Rodeo in Puyallup from each event will be accepted as entries.
• The top 8 in the 2026 Playoff Series Standings based on Playoff Series Standings as of September 21, 2026 after completion of Mandan and Pendleton, who are not already qualified among the top 4 from Puyallup who enter will also be accepted as entries (will not exceed 12 entries).

North Dakota Rough Rider Cup in Mandan - entries open Sept. 11

The North Dakota Rough Rider Cup in Mandan, North Dakota, September 18-20 will be limited to 36 in barrels and breakaway. The top 32 from the 2026 WPRA World Standings 7 days prior to entries open will earn a spot with the remaining 4 entries coming from the winners of the following 4 predetermined qualifying rodeos.

The 2026 Qualifying Rodeos were:

• Mandan, ND – July 2-4 - Hailey Kinsel (barrels), Haiden Thompson (breakaway roping)
• Deadwood, SD – July 19-25 - Emily Beisel (barrels), Kamie Joe Crouse (breakaway roping)
• Aberdeen, SD - August 10-11 - Alyssa Gabrielson (barrels), Amber Carson
• Rapid City, SD – August 23-25 - Piper Cordes (barrels), Danielle Wray (breakaway roping)

Pathway to RodeoHouston 2027

Have you always dreamed of competing at RodeoHouston? If that answer is a yes then let us give you some pathways to having that dream come true in 2027! Please note an additional qualifying rodeo has been added - Pasadena, Texas.

• Past (2) RODEOHOUSTON Super Series Champions (2025 & 2026)
• One spot determined by HLSR Management
• Top 30 in final 2026 WPRA ProRodeo World Standings
• Qualify via one of three qualifying rodeos for Houston -Pasadena, Hempstead and Rosenberg, TX - highest placing individual not already qualified.
• No. 1 in 2027 official standings (excluding circuit finals money) as of Dec. 1, 2026 (barrel racing)- Top 2 in those respective standings for breakaway roping. Keep in mind WPRA World Finals money counts towards these standings.
• No. 1 of the published 2026 WPRA Tour Standings not already qualified - barrel racing only
• Top 2 average finishers for the WPRA World Finals Card Holder Race not already qualified (barrel racing) and top two average finishers in WPRA World Finals Breakaway Roping - Nov. 12-15 in Waco.
• Any remaining or open positions will be filled from published 2026 official world standings

2027 WPRA Rule Spotlight

Below are a few key highlights of approved rule changes that will go into effect for all 2027 WPRA approved rodeos. Please familiarize yourself with those that pertain to your discipline.

• 10.4.1.6. Contestants must notify Procom of turnout and release information no later than five (5) hours prior to the scheduled performance or slack time. 

• 8.4.3. Rodeos that add $10,000 or less per event may request co-approval for one (1) or more circuits. Criteria are as follows: a) Rodeo must be within 150 miles of the border of the additional circuit. b) Points will count towards both circuits. c) The rodeo will not count as one (1) of the required circuit rodeo count, nor will it add to the number of circuit rodeos required for the additional circuit next year. d) No limited rodeos may be co-approved.

• 12.10.9. Breakaway ropes are to be tied at the end of rope with fully intact #18 brightly colored twisted/braided mason line string secured with minimum of 3 knots to saddle horn. Subject to random checks by judges. If contestant fails to use proper equipment, she will be disqualified.

• 12.10.9.1. Bright color (easily visible) cloth with minimum dimensions of twelve inches by twelve inches (12”x12”) must be attached to end of rope. Ropes are tied at the end of the rope, to saddle horn with nylon string. Noncompliance is a minor rule violation which may be turned in by judges. This is a $25 fine for the first offense, with the fine doubling for each offense thereafter.

Rule Spotlight

Changing Circuit Designation for 2027

If you are changing your circuit designation for 2027, you must have this updated prior to entering your first 2027 event. (Rule 8.5.2.) Simply meaning you need to purchase your 2027 membership and designate the new circuit prior to the member dues dates for rodeos counting for 2027 circuit standings if you want the points from those rodeos to count for your new circuit standings in 2027. Otherwise, you can still compete on your 2026 membership but your points will not count towards your new circuit standings. 

End of Year Reminders

As we near the end of the 2026 rodeo season there are several reminders we want to keep on our members radar.

• Circuit cutoff dates, required circuit count and Circuit Finals dates are available on the WPRA website.

Horse of the Year Voting:

• Nomination forms will be sent out September 15th and will be due back by September 22. Horses must be registered with the AQHA to be eligible for this award. Following the nomination window voting will then be open to those in the Top 25. Voting will be October 2 - 9.

Justin Best Footing Voting:

• The Justin Best Footing Awards® program was created when Tom Feller, director of event marketing for Justin Brands, approached the WPRA about partnering on a program that would focus on the health and well-being of the animal athlete. Not only does the program keep animal athletes performing at the top level, but it also recognizes the hard work and time rodeo committees put into making their ground as safe as possible for the barrel horse and all rodeo livestock.
• This award is determined by votes by the WPRA membership and Circuit Directors and represents our members’ voices saying “thank you” for a job well done. The WPRA recognizes the top three rodeo committees in all 12 circuits
• Members will receive a form to vote on rodeos in your designated circuit for this award so start thinking of those rodeos that deserve to be recognize. We encourage all members to participate and have your voice heard.

Be sure to keep an eye on your email for for more information.

2027 Member Dues Dates



It is time to prepare for the 2027 rodeo season! The WPRA office is now accepting 2027 membership applications.

While the national 2027 rodeo season starts October 1, 2026, the cutoff date for some of the circuits are prior to Sept. 30 due to the timing of their Circuit Finals.

Because of these early cutoff, there are some Texas and California Circuit rodeos that count for 2027 circuit standings with membership dues dates in August. You are able to enter these rodeos on your 2026 membership, but please note if you want to change your circuit designation to Texas or California for standings for the 2027 rodeo year, you will need to purchase your 2027 membership with your circuit designation change by 5 pm MT the day before the 2027 Texas/California Circuit rodeo begins in order for your points to count for 2027 Circuit standings.

Members are eligible to compete on their 2026 membership through December 31, but all points, rodeo count and money won after the determination of the 2026 circuit and national year will be forfeited unless the member purchases her 2027 membership on or before December 31, 2026.



2027 membership applications are available on wpra.com.

Get Your Tickets Today

The Wrangler WPRA National Breakaway Finals tickets are now on sale at Ticketmaster. Do not miss your opportunity to watch the best Breakaway Ropers in professional rodeo battle it out for the title of World Champion Breakaway Roper December 18th and 19th at the newly renovated Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, TX.