Choosin Texas -

WPRA World Finals in Waco this November

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 open on September 7 and will close on October 29 and will once again be held in conjunction with Elite Barrel Racing. 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. 

2026 Playoff Series Schedule

The 2026 Playoff Series, which qualifies contestants to Puyallup, Washington and Sioux Falls, S.D. at the end of the season, is winding down. Here are a few dates to keep in mind.

• The cutoff date for Sioux Falls will be Monday, September 21, which will be the Monday after the completion of Mandan and Pendleton.

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

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.

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. 

2027 Member Dues Dates



It is time to prepare for the 2027 rodeo season! The WPRA office will start accepting 2027 membership applications September 1, 2026.

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.

Please Note: Online Membership renewal through the Member Portal will be coming soon for the 2027 season! Members will be able to conveniently renew their membership online through their member portal. Stay tuned for more details and updates on when online renewals become available.

Road to the 2027 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

Qualifying rodeos for the 2027 edition of Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo in both the barrel racing and breakaway roping has concluded except for at the WPRA World Finals as noted above.

The champion contestant (winner of the barrel race and breakaway roping) from these 7 Texas Circuit PRCA Rodeos in 2026 that enter will be accepted (drop down until filled):

Results

Waxahachie, TX - March 26-28 - Keyla Costa (barrels), Delani Kay Beatty (breakaway)

Mineral Wells, TX - April 30-May 2 - Sissy Winn (barrels), Delani Kay Beatty (breakaway)

Gladewater, TX - June 11-13 - Stephanie Fryar (barrels), Adisyn Henderson and Carlee Martinez (breakaway)

Weatherford, TX - June 10-13 - Kappie Bryant (barrels), Carlee Martinez (breakaway)

Cleburne, TX - June 10-13 - Jimmie Smith (barrels), Madelyn Richards and Tibba Smith (breakaway roping)

Wichita Falls, TX - August 21-22 - Ilyssa Riley (barrels), Madelyn Richards (breakaway roping)

Denton, TX - August 21-23 - Ashley Castleberry (barrels), Halle-Mae Gaudry

WPRA National Breakaway Finals Tickets Now On Sale

The moment so many have been waiting for – 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 Coliseum in Fort Worth, TX.