2019 PRCA Media Guide - Intro

PRCA Tours, Series and Championships

Cowboys decide which tours and series they want to participate in, then plan their rodeo entries and travel routes accordingly. Earnings at nearly all PRCA rodeos count toward the PRCA World Standings (within certain limits per event) and the 15 top-earning ProRodeo cowboys (per event) compete at the ultimate championship, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR). The NFR, the sport’s richest and most prestigious rodeo, showcases the world’s best contestants and stock. The 10-day championship, held at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas every December, has enjoyed a sold-out attendance for 30 years . In 2018, 169,171 fans cheered 120 of rodeo’s superstars at the 60th NFR, in which $10 million was paid to contestants who won or placed in rounds or in the average – $10,000 each just for earning their way to Vegas. Cowboys earn their slots at the NFR based on their season earnings at most PRCA rodeos; the Top 15 earners in each event qualify for Las Vegas. Cowboys can count only a limited number of rodeos toward their NFR-qualifying earnings (bareback riding, 100; steer wrestling, 85; team roping, 65; saddle bronc riding, 100; tie-down roping, 85; bull riding, no limit), so experienced rodeo cowboys plan their competition seasons to maximize potential winnings and minimize travel expenses. Read more in the NFR chapter.

2019 PRORODEO Tour. The new tour consists of 55 rodeos. The tour standings are based off a points system for contestants at each qualifying tour rodeo. Points are distributed for placings 1-40 based on total dollars won at the conclusion of the rodeo. If less contestants win money and points are still available , after contestants with money won

receive points, contestants without earnedmoney are ranked (by total score/time and by highest total score/lowest total time) and assigned relevant remaining points. If there is a tie for any point position, points are evenly distributed between the tied positions, as is done with any payoff. Contestants are ranked in the standings from highest to lowest accumulated points. Points are not distributed for go-rounds, average or finals; points are not distributed to contestants with no score/time. The last rodeo of the PRORODEO Tour will be the Tour Finale in Puyallup, Wash. Sept. 5-8.

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INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL INFORMATION