Attention Members

WPRA 2026 Nomination/Election Cycle FAQ

General Nomination and Election Questions:

1. What is the timeline for the 2026 nomination and election cycle?

Monday, January 26, 2026, by 5pm MT- Nomination ballots are due back to the election vendor - Please reference rule 3.1.1. in the 2026 WPRA Rule Book.

Wednesday, January 28, 2026, by end of business - Nomination ballots will be certified by the election vendor. Nominated candidates are contacted the following business day - Please reference rules 3.2.1 and 3.2.2. in the 2026 WPRA Rule Book.

• The top 2 candidates with the most nominations in each circuit/region that accept nomination will move on to the election ballot.

On or prior to February 1 - The WPRA Office must receive a signed membership application and payment from adult card members by this date to receive an election ballot - Please reference rule 3.3.2. in the 2026 WPRA Rule Book.

On or before Monday, February 9, 2026 - Election ballots will be sent to eligible WPRA members electronically - Please reference rule 3.3.1. in the 2026 WPRA Rule Book.

• The 2026 WPRA election will be digital ONLY.
• Members will vote for 1 of 2 candidates in that circuit/region.

Monday, February 23, 2026, by 5pm MT- Election ballots are due back to the election vendor - Please reference rule 3.3.2. in the 2026 WPRA Rule Book.

Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 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 2026 WPRA Rule Book.

Monday, March 9, 2026 - Election recount period ends- Please reference rule 3.4.9. in the 2026 WPRA Rule Book for a recount by candidate.

Please also note rule 3.4.10. If any date specified herein falls on a date which is not a business day, the date shall be construed to be the next chronological business day.

2. What positions are up for nomination/election in 2026?

Badlands Circuit, Great Lakes Circuit, Prairie Circuit, California Circuit, Turquoise Circuit, Central Region Roping Director (Central Region Circuits: Badlands, Montana, Prairie and Texas), and East Region Roping Director (East Region Circuits: First Frontier, Great Lakes, and Southeastern).Please reference rule 4.1.3.2. in the 2026 WPRA Rule Book.

3. Who will receive ballots during this nomination and election cycle?

• All card members who have returned to the WPRA office their 2026 signed and paid membership application on or before the 1st business day of January 2026 will receive a nomination ballot.
• All card members who have returned to the WPRA office their 2026 signed and paid membership application on or before February 1st 2026 will receive an election ballot. 

4. How will I receive my ballot?

Eligible voting members will receive a digital ballot sent to the email address on file with the WPRA.

Sent from: WPRA Election Coordinator - noreply@directvote.net

• The 2026 WPRA election will be digital ONLY. There will be no physical ballots sent.

5. What if I don’t receive a ballot?

1. Be sure to check your spam/junk folders.
2. Check with the WPRA office to confirm your eligibility and email address.
3. Request a digital ballot re-send through Hannah Miller at the WPRA office.

6. What is my ballot number?

Each eligible voting member is assigned unique credentials to access their digital ballot. These credentials are your voter identifier/ballot number.

7. How do I know if my ballot was submitted?

Once your electronic ballot has been submitted, you will be directed to a confirmation screen. A confirmation will also be emailed to you.

8. Are there text or fax options for me to submit my ballot?

Voting members may only submit their ballot by filling out the digital ballot sent via email.

9. Are my votes confidential?

Yes, only the outside 3rd party election vendor sees and records votes.

10. What if I forget to vote?

The 3rd party election vendor will send out an email reminder to eligible members that have not submitted a ballot:

• Nomination ballot reminder - Monday, January 19, 2026
• Election ballot reminder - Monday, February 16, 2026

11. When does the new Board take over?

The newly elected Board will take office either 20 days following the certification of the election or at the first full Board meeting, whichever is sooner.

12. I have a voting designation that is not up for election in 2026, can I participate? 

Members can only vote for their designated circuit director or roping director. Please reference rule 4.1.3.1., 4.1.3.2. and 3.4.6. in the 2026 WPRA rule book.

13. What are the criteria for running for circuit director?

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. (WPRA Rule 4.1.5.)

To be eligible for Circuit Director, nominees must not be eligible to run for Roping Director (WPRA Rule 4.1.5.1.) (see below).

To be eligible to be a Roping Director,

• Must have competed at 10 or more pro rodeos in the breakaway in the previous year OR 
• Be a roping division card holder or pro rodeo breakaway card holder for the past 5 consecutive years OR
• A gold card holder who designated roping for the past 5 consecutive years OR
• A lifetime member who designated roping for the past 5 consecutive years
• Each Regional Roping Director must reside and declare herself from one of the circuits in her region or if a member’s physical address is not within her declared circuit or region, to qualify as a region’s roping director, a member must be in good standing with a circuit in that region for at least the previous 3 consecutive years. She may be nominated and elected even if her physical address is not within her declared circuit; she then will declare herself from one of the circuits for which she is nominated and serves.
• Also, must not have been found guilty of a major rule violation.

(WPRA Rule 4.1.5.2.)

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

PESI SURVEY DUE BACK JAN. 30

The WPRA Pro Elite Sire Incentive (PESI) is a program designed to reward stallion owners and offspring owners every time a horse is successful at PESI-approved events. PESI helps stallion owners market their stallions to a wide audience, as well as paying bonus money to owners for their stallions’ winning offspring. In addition, the program rewards offspring owners for competing at approved events.

PESI was built with the rodeo horse in mind and is the only incentive program that is included in futurity, derby, open jackpots and professional rodeo. A survey was sent to all current members on January 16 seeking feedback on the PESI program's future payouts.

This survey will close on Friday, January 30th at 5pm MT. We ask that you please participate in this survey as it helps us determine path forward.

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. 

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. 

Nominate Your Rodeo Hero

The colorful history and equally colorful legends of professional rodeo live on at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy in Colorado Springs, Colo. In 2017, WPRA members and equine animals were inducted for the first time.

To be considered for nomination a WPRA member must be a World Champion Barrel Racer® that is retired from full-time competition or a member who has made significant contributions toward the advancement of the WPRA, who are not otherwise eligible in the barrel racing category. Eligibility based on individual’s contributions to the sport of barrel racing and the WPRA.

In addition, horses who have carried a WPRA member to a world championship can also be nominated. For more information click on the nomination form below.

WPRA New Partner - Elite Sunglasses

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Thank you Elite Sunglasses for supporting the WPRA and our members! Support those who support our industry by shopping at www.elitesunglasses.net

Rule Spotlight

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

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. 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. 

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).

FACT VS MYTH

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.