COLORADO SPRINGS, CO. - In a joint press conference on June 5, at the Tulsa (Okla.) Expo Square’s Ford Arena, the Tulsa Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Tulsa Expo Square officially welcomed the Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) and their World Finals, scheduled for Nov. 18-22, to the city of Tulsa. The WPRA Wrangler World Finals Rodeo will feature the best women in the rodeo business competing for world titles in team roping, breakaway roping, tie-down roping, bareback and bull riding. Barrel racing will also be featured and an event champion will be crowned but the world champion will be crowned at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Dec. 4-13.
“We are extremely excited to bring this one-of-a-kind championship event to the Tulsa community and with the bonus events we hope this will be the best event yet,” said Jymmy Kay Davis, President of the WPRA. “With the great facilities at the Expo Square and the support of the Tulsa Convention and Visitors Bureau, the decision to move our Finals to Tulsa was an easy one. The community truly embraces the Western lifestyle and we hope this is the beginning of something great.”
Over 1200 contestants are expected to qualify and compete for a total of $750,000 in prize money and awards at the World Finals and it is estimated that over 10,000 people will attend this five-day event. In addition the Finals will be televised on RFD-TV. Beginning July 2, RFD-TV will be home to a new show called Women’s Pro Rodeo Today on Wednesday nights at 9:30 p.m. ET, with replays on Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. ET and a weekend time to be announced. This show will air weekly with updates on the “Road to Tulsa,” so be sure to catch each episode.
“Tulsa is thrilled to host the WPRA World Finals this fall,” said Suzann Stewart, Executive Director/Senior Vice President, Tulsa Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The capability to host a world class equine event is one of the great assets of the Expo Square and the central location Tulsa provides is also a benefit to those traveling to the week-long event.”
Event details and qualifications
To qualify for the 2008 WPRA Wrangler World Finals Rodeo one must be a 2008 WPRA member and for all events excluding the barrel racing, one must be in the top 15 in the WPRA world standings or be in the top five of their circuit standings, in their respective events. To compete in the World Finals barrel racing a member must be in the top 10 of their circuit standings or be in the top 50 of the WPRA Barrel Racing World Standings to qualify.
Money won at the Wrangler World Finals Rodeo will be added to the individual’s 2008 WPRA World Standings and world champions in the events of bareback riding, team roping-heading and heeling, breakaway roping, tie-down roping and bull riding will be awarded to the individual who has earned the most money. In addition to determining the world titles the WPRA Board of Directors have decided that the 2008 WPRA World Standings will be used in determining qualifications for the limited entry rodeos during the 2009 rodeo season. This will include such rodeos as Denver, Colo.; San Antonio, Texas; and Houston, Texas.
This year also marks the 60th Anniversary for the WPRA, so, in honor of this great milestone the Finals will feature a 60th Anniversary Gold Card Barrel Race. The Gold Card barrel race will feature any WPRA Gold Card member or any WPRA member who is 60-years old or over. In addition, to the World Finals activities and the Gold Card Barrel Racing, the WPRA is pleased to announce the return of the $100,000 Richest Run. The 100k Race is open to any WPRA member but is limited to the first 50 entries. This event is a one run for $100,000 and will be filled with great anticipation and excitement and will very much resemble a high-stakes horse race. In 2007, the WPRA first introduced this event and Kay Blandford was the big winner with a run of 16.755 seconds.
“As an association we are thrilled to feature the Gold Card Barrel Racing and the $100k race during our Finals not only for our members but for the fans,” Davis said. “Both of these events will be must see events. We hope everyone will come out and support those who have played an important part in the Association’s history and to witness some amazing horsepower.”
Finals week will also feature the championship for the WPRA Junior Division Barrel Racing and the WPRA Pro Futurity and Pro Derby Finals. The Junior Division will feature cowgirls ages 17 and under from across the United States that hold a WPRA junior membership and are either in the top 20 of the WPRA Junior World Standings or are in the top four in their respective circuit standings. The Pro Futurity and Pro Derby features top trainers on young horses in a competition format designed to produce outstanding rodeo horses. The Pro Futurity features horses in their first year of competition, while the Pro Derby features horses in their second and third year of competition.
Bonus events and expo showcase
Bonus events at the World Finals will include four events for ladies only that will be open to WPRA members and non-members alike. These events include a 5D Flat Out for Flat Screens Barrel Race, as well as breakaway, team roping, and calf roping jackpots. An estimated $50,000 will be up for grabs in cash and prizes for these events alone and as an added incentive all money won in these jackpots will count toward the 2009 WPRA standings for those who have purchased their 2009 membership. This is a perfect opportunity to get a head start on earning world championship points for the 2009 rodeo season.
“The WPRA has always worked hard to feature its barrel racers but with a new year brings a new focus on all women in rodeo,” Davis said. “We will continue to provide new opportunities for barrel racers, but at the same time, we are looking to provide new and exciting opportunities for the number of women in the world that rope. The jackpots at the 2008 World Finals are another step in providing more women a chance to become a WPRA member and compete toward a berth in the WPRA Wrangler World Finals Rodeo and a world title.”
If that isn’t enough the Finals will also feature a WPRA Cowgirl Expo featuring the Pro Elite Sire Incentive Stallion Showcase, a variety of clinics that any cowgirl or cowboy will learn a great deal of information from and enjoy and a Cowgirls Christmas Trade Show with up to 60 vendors selling tack, jewelry, horse supplements, clothing, gifts and everything else a cowgirl needs.
Tickets for the event will go on sale July 1. Official Sponsors for the WPRA World Finals are Wrangler, Montana Silversmiths, Dodge Rodeo and Circle Y Saddlery.
Women’s Professional Rodeo Association
The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association, which started in 1948 as a group of Texas ranch women who wanted to add a little color and femininity to the rough-and-tumble spot of rodeo, is now a computerized association with more than 2,000 members.
In 1948, the group organized and called itself the Girl’s Rodeo Association (GRA). It began with 74 original members with 60 approved contests with a total payout of $29,000. In 1981, the GRA changed its name to the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA). The WPRA provides opportunities for women across the United States and Canada a chance to compete in the timed events of barrel racing, team roping, breakaway roping, tie-down roping and the roughstock events of bareback and bull riding. For more information on the WPRA visit www.wpra.com.
Tulsa Convention and Visitors Bureau
Each year, the tourism industry provides Tulsa a $1.4 billion economic impact and supports approximately 26,000 jobs annually. Together with partners in the hospitality industry, the Tulsa Convention and Visitors Bureau regularly provides a positive economic impact to the Tulsa area economy through attraction of meetings, conventions and major sporting events.
Tulsa Expo Square
Expo Square is the place in Tulsa where Real Entertainment, Real Events and Real Excitement happens! Our mission is to provide families, friends and visitors a wide spectrum of entertainment and educational experiences. With more than 400 events and shows each year, there's something for everyone to enjoy. For more information visit www.exposquare.com.
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