CPRA STRIKES THREE-YEAR DEAL WITH PRCA

By Darell Hartlen and Courtesy of the PRCA
Posted Wednesday, February 14, 2007

First the CPRA Press Release:
The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) is pleased to announce that it has reached a three-year sanctioning deal with its American counterpart, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).
The key component of the deal is that Canadian rodeos will have the option of having money won at their event count towards the PRCA’s world standings.
“I’m pleased that we finally got a deal done,” said CPRA president Dale Leschiutta. “I believe that it’s something that both associations need and it cements a cooperative approach between the two associations for the future. I believe that it’s in everyone’s best interests that we work together. We have a long-standing history and it’s great to see that continue.”
There will also be more spots available for non-resident Canadians at the Canadian Finals Rodeo as part of the new deal.
Up to seven of the 12 spots in each major event will be available to non-Canadians.
A maximum of five contestants will come from the Canadian standings and up to two more will be eligible through the high-profile Canadian Rodeo Tour.
To be eligible for the Canadian Finals Rodeo via the Canadian standings, contestants must compete a minimum of 15 rodeos, regardless of citizenship.
For team roping, a major optional event that is not part of the Tour, only five Finals spots will be available to non-Canadians. The 15 rodeo count will still apply.
Sanctioning fees paid by the rodeo committees will remain intact through the deal.
The PRCA’s commissioner, Troy Ellerman, mirrored Leschiutta’s comments. “We are pleased to have reached this agreement with the CPRA and to continue our long standing partnership,” said the commissioner. “We feel both the organizations and their members will greatly benefit from this agreement and we look forward to working together to take the sport of rodeo to new heights.”

Now the PRCA Press Release:
PRCA, CPRA reach three-year sanctioning agreement

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association have reached a three-year sanctioning agreement for rodeos that wish to be co-sanctioned and have their earnings count toward the ProRodeo Cowboys World Standings.

“We are pleased to have reached this agreement with the CPRA and to continue our long standing partnership,” said PRCA Commissioner Troy Ellerman. “We feel both the organizations and their members will greatly benefit from this agreement and we look forward to working together to take the sport of rodeo to new heights.”

The agreement will be in effect through the 2009 rodeo season. All contestants that compete at a CPRA rodeo must be a member in good standing with the CPRA. If the contestant wants the prize money won at the CPRA Rodeo to count towards the PRCA World Standings they must also be a PRCA member.

Through this agreement the CPRA rodeo committees that wish to be co-sanctioned will pay the PRCA an administrative fee similar to what PRCA-sanctioned rodeos currently pay and team roping must be a standard event at all CPRA rodeos sanctioned by the PRCA.

The agreement also states that there will be seven non-Canadian resident positions available through qualification for the CPRA Finals. Five of the seven positions will be determined by CPRA standings, and the other two positions will come from the “Canadian Tour.” Regardless of whether the qualifier is a Canadian resident or non-Canadian resident, all qualifiers must enter and compete at a minimum of 15 CPRA rodeos.

“I’m pleased that we finally got a deal done,” said CPRA president Dale Leschiutta. “I believe that it’s something that both associations need and it cements a cooperative approach between the two associations for the future. I believe that it’s in everyone’s best interests that we work together. We have a long-standing history and it’s great to see that continue.”