Kansas City, MO: The American Royal Livestock, Horse Show, and Rodeo announced today that it has entered into an agreement to host the Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo as part of the Royal's fall events through 2009. "This represents a major step forward for our professional rodeo event -- which will now feature only the very top competitors who have qualified at other rodeos in the region," said Pete Lemke, incoming Chairman of the American Royal board. Bronc Rumford, an Abbyville, Kansas, rodeo stock contractor and the Chairman of the Prairie Circuit, stated: "We are excited to join the Prairie Circuit Finals with such a well-known and respected venue as the American Royal. Our cowboys and cowgirls will all want to qualify to compete at the Royal, and they will put on a great show for Kansas City .." Representatives of the American Royal and the Prairie Circuit signed the contract and made the announcement today in connection with the American Royal's Annual Meeting.
The Prairie Circuit includes Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, with 54 PRCA rodeos in 2006. The top competitors on this circuit will now advance to the Royal for their Finals event. American Royal officials anticipate that the Prairie Circuit Finals will include an opening reception, four evening rodeo finals performances with a championship celebration on closing night, a convention of rodeo committee members, and a variety of public appearances and promotional events by the cowboys and cowgirls themselves. In advance of the event, rodeo fans will be able participate in the Royal's online "Fantasy Rodeo Contest" to win trips to the Prairie Circuit Finals. The 2007 dates have been set for October 24-27. The evening rodeo finals performances will be followed by concert entertainers, to be announced later. Ticket information and regular updates about the Prairie Circuit Finals events will be available at www.americanroyal.com.
The Prairie Circuit Finals
Over 30 years ago, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) created a "Circuit System" consisting of twelve geographical regions. Each PRCA contestant chooses a home circuit, typically the one where he or she lives. Contestants compete for points throughout the year and points earned within the circuit are applied toward the standings in the circuit. Each circuit's top competitors in each event qualify for the circuit's "finals" at the end of the season.
The American Royal
Rodeo has been a tradition at the American Royal for the majority of its 107-year history. In 2004, the American Royal Rodeo was recognized by the PRCA as one of the top five large indoor rodeos in the nation. The Royal is a not-for-profit 501c3 organization that benefits youth and education, and celebrates our region’s rich agricultural heritage through competition, education, and entertainment. Since 2005, the organization has contributed more than $1.3 million in financial support in the form of scholarships, educational awards, educational programs, community donations, competitive awards, and prize monies and premiums. The Royal is Kansas City’s premier fall event, with an annual economic impact of more than $62 million. In addition to the rodeo, the Royal hosts the world’s largest barbecue contest, one of the Midwest’s largest livestock exhibitions, and the national championship horse show competition.
Cody McGee
Rodeo and Barbecue Event Coordinator
American Royal Livestock ,Horse Show & Rodeo
1701 American Royal Court
Kansas City, Mo. 64102
816.569.4010
www.americanroyal.com
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