WPRA 2026 Election Results

Election ballots from the WPRA Election have been tallied by the WPRA’s 3rd party election vendor.

The results are as follows:

Badlands:

Nicole Bice – 11 Votes (100%)

California:

Sheena Robbins – 14 Votes (100%)

Great Lakes:

Melora Potter – 32 Votes (100%)

Prairie:

Cindy Gillespie – 15 Votes (100%)

Turquoise:

Jenna Duhon – 32 Votes (64%)

Betsy Lemaire – 18 Votes (36%)

Central Region Roping:

Christi Braudrick – 22 Votes (100%)

East Region Roping:

Danni Clover – 14 Votes (100%)

Election ballots were sent to 794 eligible WPRA voting members. A total of 158 completed election ballots were received by the WPRA’s 3rd party election vendor, (19.90%). 

Per the WPRA Rule Book, new Directors will be taking office at the first full Board meeting held on March 21, 2026.

Tickets on Sale for 5th Annual Resistol Rookie Roundup - March 20-21

GARLAND, TX — For the fifth consecutive year, Resistol, in partnership with The Cowboy Channel, will host the Resistol Rookie Roundup at the historic Cowtown Coliseum in the Fort Worth Stockyards. The 2026 event will take place March 20-21, with performances beginning daily at 7:30 p.m., and will feature an updated competition format designed to further spotlight rodeo's rising stars.

The Resistol Rookie Roundup will invite the top 10 first-year cardholders from both the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) in each event. Contestants will compete in a two-go-round format with an overall average.

Athletes will compete for a total purse of $100,000, Money won by WPRA members 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.

The Resistol Rookie Roundup has become a premier launchpad for the next generation of professional rodeo athletes, introducing fans to future stars while equipping competitors with the tools needed for long-term success. In addition to competition, rookies will participate in media training, mentorship sessions with top rodeo athletes, professional headshot sessions, and exclusive filming with The Cowboy Channel. Each contestant will also receive a gift bag from The Cowboy Channel and its sponsors, as well as a new Resistol straw hat.

"The Resistol Rookie Roundup is about investing in the future of rodeo," said Resistol President Devin Marcum. "These athletes represent the next generation of champions, and we're proud to provide them with the opportunity to compete at a high level while learning the skills it takes to succeed inside and outside of the arena."

The Resistol Rookie of the Year Award is one of the most prestigious honors in professional rodeo, as PRCA and WPRA members are only eligible to earn the title once in their careers.

Tickets for the 5th Annual Resistol Rookie Roundup are on sale now and can be purchased through the Cowtown Coliseum website.

Qualifying Rodeos Set for 2027 Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo

Now that the 2026 Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo has come to a close it is time to look forward to the 2027 edition. We wanted to make our members aware of the qualifying rodeos for the 2027 edition of this legendary rodeo in both the barrel racing and breakaway roping.

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):

Mark your calendars now to take advantage of this opportunity.

Waxahachie, TX - March 26-28

Mineral Wells, TX - April 30-May 2

Gladewater, TX - June

Weatherford, TX - June 10-13

Cleburne, TX - June 10-13

Wichita Falls, TX - August

Denton, TX - August

Friendly Reminder - Walk-Up Replacements for 2026

If more than one position is being replaced within a performance, the order that each is replaced will be determined by random draw. If more contestants check in with the rodeo secretary than there are positions available, the contestants accepted first will be those that entered the rodeo and were drawn out due to qualification or an entry preference or parameter. A contestant who did not enter the rodeo, can also check in with the rodeo secretary prior to the walk-up deadline by presenting her current active WPRA membership card to the rodeo secretary. After all of the open positions have been replaced by contestants who entered the rodeo and were drawn out due to qualification or an entry preference or parameter, any remaining open positions may be filled by current active WPRA contestants who did not enter the rodeo and who did check in with the rodeo secretary by the walk-up deadline. If more contestants check in than there are positions available, a random draw by the judges will determine which alternates will be accepted.

Rule Spotlight

Helping a WPRA Contestant Into Arena

9.2.13.3. Anyone helping a WPRA contestant into the arena must adhere to the rules of the WPRA including but not limited to; dress code, not obstructing alleyway, and conduct restrictions for professional behavior. Member will be subject to a fine of $100.00.

Please refer to 9.2.13.3 in 2026 WPRA Rulebook

Ground Resource Page

The WPRA Board has officially launched its second informational ground video featuring content from ground expert Jake Van and the new ground resources page on the WPRA website for committees and members to access our ground video library, informational articles, and other ground resources.

The WPRA is very passionate about improving ground, and we hope to continue to build our ground video library and resources each year to help provide educational content that can be used by all our committees to improve ground across the country.

The WPRA Board welcomes your feedback, questions, concerns, and ideas. Please reach out to your Circuit Director, and your emails will be shared with the Board.

Please see the link below to view the entire second video as well as the new ground resources page on wpra.com to select which chapters of the video you wish to view and check out the other available resources.

2026 Circuit Resident/Non-Resident Count

The resident/non-resident circuit counts for all the circuits for barrel racing and breakaway roping are now listed at www.wpra.com. If your goal is to compete at your circuit finals be sure you know the number of rodeos you must compete in to be qualified if you finish in the top 12 of your respective circuit standings.