ProRodeo Sports News - Dec. 20, 2024
An official publication of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association
2024 YEAR-END EDITION
SPORTS NEWS
DEC. 20, 2024
THE COWBOYS’ CHOICE SINCE 1952
Winning Hand Shad Mayfield takes home All-Around title
HAVEN MEGED Justin introduced the ‘Roper’ in 1954 and it remains the Choice of Champions today!
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LONG LIVE COWGIRLS.
HAILEY KINSEL 4-TIME WORLD CHAMPION
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O cial Whisky of the Wrangler ® National Finals Rodeo
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Pendleton® and Pendleton® Midnight Blended Canadian Whisky. 40 % - 45% ALC./VOL. ©2024 Pendleton Distillers, Lawrenceburg, IN. Please drink responsibly. LET’ER BUCK and the bucking horse logo are registered trademarks of The Pendleton Round-Up Association. PENDLETON is a registered trademark of Pendleton Woolen Mills.
CONTENTS
DEC. 20, 2024 VOLUME 72, NO. 24
Josh Frost won Round 6 of the Wrangler National
Finals Rodeo presented by
Teton Ridge with a 90-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo Company’s Bill Fick Surprised. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Alexis Cady
Gold Buckle Dreams three seasons, Josh Frost took the next step in 2024. The Randlett, Utah, cowboy captured his first PRCA Bull Rid ing World Champion ship. 56 After finish ing runner up the past
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INSIDE
RODEOS 16 2024 PRCA World 18 2025 PRCA World STANDINGS COVER 26 Las Vegas Wrangler National Finals Rodeo 86 Regina, Sask. Maple Leaf Circuit Finals 88 San Antonio RODEOS 20 Year of Covers 31 State of the PRCA 64 NFR News & Notes 72 NFR Results 108 Passages
PRCA ProRodeo photo by Roseanna Sales The 2024 PRCA and WPRA World Champions pose for a photo with a Polaris Ranger at the conclusion of the National Finals Rodeo, Dec. 14. An NFR for the Ages Nine cowboys and cowgirls surpassed $400,000 in season earnings at the Wrangler NFR. That list was topped by tie-down roper Riley Webb, who earned $475,214, on the way to his second straight PRCA World Championship. 26
2024 YEAR-END EDITION
SPORTS NEWS
DEC. 20, 2024
THE COWBOYS’ CHOICE SINCE 1952
Winning Hand Shad Mayfield takes home All-Around title
ProRodeo Sports News PRCA CEO Tom Glause MANAGER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA
PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS (ISSN 0161-5815; USPS 469-620) is published semimonthly by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, 101 Pro Rodeo Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919-4301. PERIODICALS postage paid at Colorado Springs, Colo. , and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to ProRodeo Sports News , P. O. Box 469025, Escondido, CA 92046. Subscription rate: $45 for one year, 12 issues. Disclaimer: The ProRodeo Sports News carries advertising as a service to PRCA members and PSN readers. However, publication of advertisements in the PSN does not in any way, whether expressed or implied, commit the PSN to guarantee or warrant any of the merchandise or livestock advertised.
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Shad Mayfield struck paydirt at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. Mayfield captured his first PRCA All-Around World Championship, earning $335,474 in 2024. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Click Thompson
Tracy Renck PSN EDITOR & DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST Tanner Barth PRCA ART DIRECTOR Stephen Olver MEDIA REPORTER Alex Dodd SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Anna Mills
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- WHAT WINNERS WEAR -
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WE HAVE TOUGH HANDS Often dirty and gritty but always authentic. The force that drives us is undefinable. It is physical, spiritual and emotional. It calls to us in different ways, but the result is the same. A fever that is never really cured. This lifestyle isn’t a choice, it is a calling.
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©2023 COORS BREWING CO., GOLDEN, CO • BEER
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2024 PRCA RAM WORLD STANDINGS
Official as of Dec. 20, 2024. For the 2024 season (Oct. 1, 2023-Sept. 30, 2024), official rodeo limits are as follows: all-around, 70; bareback riding, 100; steer wrestling, 80; team roping, 80; saddle bronc riding, 100; tie-down roping, 80; barrel racing, 100; breakaway roping,100; and bull riding, 125. Bull riders can count Xtreme Bulls events toward the PRCA World Standings, but not toward the all-around standings.
ALL-AROUND 1. Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M. ......................... $335,474 2. Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla. ........................ 334,799 3. Junior Nogueira, Pres. Prudente, Brazil ......... 307,711 4. Wacey Schalla, Arapaho, Okla. ........................ 224,680 5. Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz. ..................... 220,067 6. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas ............................. 214,375 7. Tyler Pearson, Atoka, Okla. .............................. 128,912 8. Paden Bray, Stephenville, Texas ...................... 107,547 9. Jake Clay, Sapulpa, Okla. ................................. 101,966 10. Slade Wood, New Ulm, Texas ......................... 97,955 11. Bodie Mattson, Sturgis, S.D. .......................... 92,365 12. Brushton Minton, Witter Springs, Calif. ........... 88,425 13. Zane Kilgus, Watsontown, Pa. ........................ 79,161 14. Marcus Theriot, Lumberton, Miss. .................. 78,875 15. Chet Weitz, London, Texas .............................. 75,545 16. Seth Hall, Albuquerque, N.M. ......................... 61,913 17. Riley Wakefield, O’Neill, Neb. .......................... 60,787 18. Chance Oftedahl, Pemberton, Minn. ................ 56,220 19. Cole Walker, Sparta, Tenn. ............................... 55,038 20. Paul David Tierney, Oklahoma City, Okla. ......... 53,877 BAREBACK RIDING 1. Dean Thompson, Altamont, Utah .................. $412,121 2. Rocker Steiner, Weatherford, Texas ................ 394,187 3. Keenan Hayes, Hayden, Colo. ......................... 372,797 4. Bradlee Miller, Huntsville, Texas ..................... 371,403 5. Jess Pope, Waverly, Kan. ................................ 307,108 6. Cole Franks, Clarendon, Texas ........................ 295,896 7. Weston Timberman, Columbus, Mont. ........... 292,509 8. Leighton Berry, Weatherford, Texas ................ 263,370 9. R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif. ................. 217,190 10. Cole Reiner, Buffalo, Wyo. ............................. 185,524 11. Jacob Lees, Caldwell, Idaho .......................... 178,518 12. Cooper Cooke, Victor, Idaho .......................... 177,502 13. Richmond Champion, Stevensville, Mont. ..... 167,400 14. Taylor Broussard, Estherwood, La. ............... 158,335 15. Garrett Shadbolt, Merriman, Neb. ................. 147,096 16. Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn. .................... 128,747 17. Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba ........................ 127,994 18. Waylon Bourgeois, Church Point, La. ............ 123,039 19. Nick Pelke, Mondovi, Wis. ............................. 103,228 20. Sam Petersen, Helena, Mont. .......................... 97,405 STEER WRESTLING 1. J.D. Struxness, Milan, Minn. ........................ $309,220 2. Will Lummus, Byhalia, Miss. .......................... 307,713 3. Cash Robb, Altamont, Utah ............................ 301,671 4. Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev. ............................. 287,798 5. Rowdy Parrott, Mamou, La. ............................ 272,377 6. Jesse Brown, Baker City, Ore. ......................... 258,553 7. Stetson Jorgensen, Blackfoot, Idaho .............. 218,630 8. Dalton Massey, Hermiston, Ore. ...................... 217,956 9. Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La. .................... 205,619 10. Scott Guenthner, Consort, Alberta ................. 198,787 11. Tucker Allen, Ventura, Calif. .......................... 185,119 12. Don Payne, Stephenville, Texas ..................... 180,469 13. Justin Shaffer, Hallsville, Texas ..................... 177,469 14. Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont. ........................... 172,141 15. Tyler Pearson, Atoka, Okla. ........................... 130,112 16. Tristan Martin, Sulphur, La. ............................. 90,690 17. Tanner Brunner, Ramona, Kan. ........................ 90,180 18. Jacob Edler, Alva, Okla. ................................... 79,560 19. Stephen Culling, Fort St. John, B.C. ................ 79,275 20. Trisyn Kalawaia, Hilo, Hawaii .......................... 76,865 TEAM ROPING (HEADER) 1. Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas ............................. $361,480 2. Clint Summers, Lake City, Fla. ........................ 342,501 3. Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla. ......................... 304,886 4. Kaleb Driggers, Hoboken, Ga. ........................ 294,671 5. Dustin Egusquiza, Marianna, Fla. ..................... 278,925 6. Andrew Ward, Edmond, Okla. ......................... 258,509 7. J.C. Yeahquo, Mandaree, N.D. ........................ 235,999 8. Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz. ..................... 228,612 9. Cody Snow, Los Olivos, Calif. ......................... 223,405 10. Brenten Hall, Jay, Okla. ................................. 221,511 11. Derrick Begay, Seba Dalkai, Ariz. .................. 218,847 12. Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla. ...................... 214,908 13. Jake Smith, Broken Bow, Okla. ...................... 153,493 14. Cyle Denison, Iowa, La. ................................. 138,372
15. Luke Brown, Rock Hill, S.C. .......................... 134,482 16. Nelson Wyatt, Clanton, Ala. ........................... 101,988 17. Riley Minor, Ellensburg, Wash. ..................... 100,100 18. Jr. Dees, Orange, Texas ................................... 98,047 19. Tanner Tomlinson, Mineral Wells, Texas .......... 97,992 20. Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn. ...................... 96,722 TEAM ROPING (HEELER) 1. Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas ............ $361,480 2. Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan. ........................... 345,938 3. Junior Nogueira, Pres. Prudente, Brazil ......... 305,796 4. Logan Medlin, Tatum, N.M. ............................. 291,653 5. Levi Lord, Sturgis, S.D. .................................. 278,925 6. Kollin VonAhn, Blanchard, Okla. ...................... 247,311 7. Jonathan Torres, Ocala, Fla. ........................... 231,483 8. Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo. ............................... 229,211 9. Hunter Koch, Vernon, Texas ............................ 225,416 10. Buddy Hawkins II, Stephenville, Texas .......... 224,492 11. Coleby Payne, Stephenville, Texas ................. 224,022 12. Kaden Profili, Jacksonville, Texas .................. 222,684 13. Tanner Braden, Dewey, Okla. ......................... 154,519 14. Douglas Rich, Herrick, Ill. ............................. 153,493 15. Travis Graves, Jay, Okla. ............................... 129,106 16. Colter Todd Todd, Willcox, Ariz. ..................... 105,069 17. J.C. Flake, milsap, Texas ............................... 101,216 18. Wyatt Cox, Arroyo Grande, Calif. ................... 100,344 19. Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash. ...................... 98,420 20. Patrick Smith, Lipan, Texas ............................. 97,992 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Ryder Wright, Beaver, Utah ........................... $479,957 2. Damian Brennan, Injune, Australia .................. 442,443 3. Wyatt Casper, Miami, Texas ............................ 439,332 4. Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta ................... 362,111 5. Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo. ........................... 345,878 6. Lefty Holman, Visalia, Calif. ........................... 319,884 7. Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta ..................... 304,017 8. Statler Wright, Beaver, Utah ............................ 275,645 9. Kade Bruno, Challis, Idaho .............................. 267,369 10. Brody Wells, Powell, Wyo. ............................ 230,564 11. Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont. ................... 219,764 12. Kolby Wanchuk, Sherwood Park, Alberta ...... 200,727 13. Ben T Andersen, Eckville, Alberta .................. 163,908 14. Zachary Dallas, Las Cruces, N.M. .................. 146,220 15. Logan James Hay, Wildwood, Alberta ........... 144,041 16. Ryder Sanford, Sulphur, La. .......................... 125,307 17. Logan Cook, Alto, Texas ................................ 122,081 18. Allen Boore, Axtell, Utah ................................ 103,339 19. Layton Green, Millarville, Alberta ..................... 94,177 20. Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas ........................ 90,980 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Riley Mason Webb, Denton, Texas ................ $475,214 2. Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M. ............................ 397,408 3. Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont. ..................... 387,791 4. Ty Harris, San Angelo, Texas .......................... 342,097 5. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La. .......................... 288,738 6. Dylan Hancock, San Angelo, Texas .................. 267,963 7. Joel Braden Harris, San Angelo, Texas ............ 265,905 8. Zack Jongbloed, Iowa, La. .............................. 228,598 9. John Douch, Huntsville, Texas ........................ 217,965 10. Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas ................... 210,151 11. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas ........................... 208,803 12. Quade Hiatt, Canyon, Texas ........................... 195,836 13. Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla. ......................... 176,923 14. Kincade Henry, Mount Pleasant, Texas .......... 174,322 15. Cole Clemons, Okeechobee, Fla. .................... 122,111 16. Marcos Costa, Iretama, Brazil ......................... 99,339 17. Bryce Derrer, Portales, N.M. ........................... 98,988 18. Brushton Minton, Witter Springs, Calif. ........... 94,999 19. Macon Murphy, Keatchie, La. ......................... 90,671 20. Luke Potter, Maple City, Kan. ........................... 89,373 STEER ROPING 1. Cole Patterson, Pawnee, Okla. ...................... $152,928 2. Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas ........... 148,787 3. Slade Wood, New Ulm, Texas ......................... 122,467 4. John E Bland, Okarche, Okla. .......................... 112,878 5. J. Tom Fisher, Andrews, Texas ........................ 110,033 6. Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas .............................. 103,874
7. Vin Fisher Jr., Andrews, Texas ........................... 94,403 8. Trenton Johnson, Blue Mound, Kan. .................. 94,095 9. Clay Long, Stephenville, Texas .......................... 90,867 10. Chet Herren, Pawhuska, Okla. ......................... 79,057 11. Jess Tierney, Hermosa, S.D. ........................... 77,290 12. Brodie Poppino, Big Cabin, Okla. .................... 75,322 13. Thomas Smith, Barnsdall, Okla. ...................... 72,525 14. Blake Deckard, Eufaula, Okla. .......................... 70,818 15. Dalton Walker, Clyde, Texas ............................ 69,610 16. Billy Good, Wynnewood, Okla. ......................... 46,769 17. Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla. ......................... 42,727 18. Logan Cole Currie, Wharton, Texas ................. 40,196 19. Tuff Hardman, Atoka, Okla. .............................. 38,771 20. Kelton McMillen, Weatherford, Okla. ............... 37,833 BULL RIDING 1. Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah ............................ $476,887 2. Hayes Weight, Goshen, Utah .......................... 400,061 3. Cooper James, Erda, Utah .............................. 371,302 4. T.J Gray, Dairy, Ore. ........................................ 350,381 5. Tristen Hutchings, Monteview, Idaho .............. 323,734 6. Jace Trosclair, Chauvin, La. ............................ 315,333 7. Wacey Schalla, Arapaho, Okla. ....................... 257,887 8. Jeter Lawrence, Council Hill, Okla. .................. 256,341 9. Tyler Bingham, Howell, Utah ........................... 256,237 10. Clayton Sellars, Fruitland Park, Fla. .............. 252,140 11. Trey Kimzey, Strong City, Okla. ..................... 225,661 12. Trevor Reiste, Linden, Iowa ........................... 207,889 13. Chase Dougherty, Canby, Ore. ....................... 196,204 14. Jordan Wacey Spears, Redding, Calif. .......... 194,331 15. Creek Young, Rogersville, Mo. ...................... 131,609 16. Dustin Donovan Boquet, Bourg, La. ............. 131,352 17. Jake Gardner, Fort St. John, B.C. .................. 120,448 18. Luke Mast, Hutchinson, Kan. ........................ 114,779 19. JR Stratford, Byers, Kan. .............................. 112,392 20. Brody Yeary, Morgan Mill, Texas ................... 111,900 BARREL RACING 1. Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas ........................ $457,809 2. Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas ........................... 430,353 3. Andrea Busby, Millsap, Texas ........................ 343,706 4. Ashley Castleberry, Montgomery, Texas ......... 287,273 5. Emily Beisel, Weatherford, Texas ................... 261,806 6. Carlee Otero, Lipan, Texas .............................. 361,441 7. Leslie Smalygo, Skiatook, Okla. .................... 251,547 8. LaTricia Duke, Zephyr, Texas ........................... 211,395 9. Tiany Schuster, Krum, Texas .......................... 208,511 10. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D ........................... 187,292 11. Shelley Morgan, Eustace, Texas ..................... 176,610 12. Abby Phillips, Marshall, Texas ...................... 165,164 13. Halyn Lide, China Spring, Texas .................... 157,503 14. Dona Kay Rule, Minco, Okla. ........................ 140,174 15. Wenda Johnson, Pawhuska, Okla. ................. 127,970 16. Tayla Moeykens, Three Forks, Mont. ............ 104,740 17. Jordon Briggs, Tolar, Texas ........................... 103,193 18. Paige Jones, Wayne, Okla. ........................... 101,587 19. Summer Kosel, Glenham, S.D. ....................... 93,451 20. Sara Winkelman, Big Lake, Minn. ................... 88,073 BREAKAWAY ROPING 1. Kelsie Domer, Dublin, Texas ......................... $168,758 2. Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas ............ 165,505 3. Josie Conner, Iowa, La. .................................... 165,046 4. Shelby Boisjoli-Meged, Miles City, Mont. ........ 160,729 5. Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, Texas ............... 157,106 6. Taylor Munsell, Alva, Okla. .............................. 143,686 7. Macy Young, Wittmann, Ariz. .......................... 121,099 8. Hali Williams, Comanche, Texas ...................... 118,983 9. Maddy Deerman, Hope, N.M. .......................... 117,389 10. Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, Ariz. ..................... 112,355 11. Rylee A. George, Oakdale, Calif. .................... 106,641 12. Rickie Fanning, Spearfish, S.D. ..................... 105,559 13. Kendal Pierson, Wardlow, Alberta ................... 99,137 14. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, Springtown, Texas ...... 95,235 15. TiAda Gray, Portales, N.M. .............................. 93,110 16. Sarah Angelone, Lipan, Texas ......................... 72,261 17. Bradi Good, Abilene, Texas ............................. 69,604 18. Bailey Bates, Tohatchi, N.M. ............................ 66,374 19. Joey Williams, Volborg, Mont. ........................ 63,023 20. Braylee Shepherd, Fitzhugh, Okla. ................... 60,184
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2025 PRCA RAM WORLD STANDINGS
Unofficial as of Dec. 20, 2024. For the 2025 season (Oct. 1, 2024-Sept. 30, 2025), official rodeo limits are as follows: all-around, 70; bareback riding, 100; steer wrestling, 80; team roping, 80; saddle bronc riding, 100; tie-down roping, 80; barrel racing, 100; breakaway roping,100; and bull riding, 125. Bull riders can count Xtreme Bulls events toward the PRCA World Standings, but not toward the all-around standings.
ALL-AROUND 1. Paden Bray, Stephenville, Texas........................... $9,601 BAREBACK RIDING 1. Chad Rutherford, Hillsboro, Texas..................... $20,040 2. Taylor Broussard, Estherwood, La....................... 14,926 3. Waylon Bourgeois, Church Point, La................... 14,731 4. Jayco Roper, Oktaha, Okla................................... 13,106 5. Nick Pelke, Mondovi, Wis.................................... 11,677 6. Tyler Ferguson, Deer Trail, Colo........................... 11,080 7. Anthony Thomas, Houston, Texas....................... 10,451 8. Dean Thompson, Altamont, Utah......................... 10,160 9. Kade Sonnier, Carencro, La.................................. 10,078 10. Bradlee Miller, Huntsville, Texas............................. 9,873 11. Andy J. Gingerich, Aberdeen, S.D.......................... 9,662 12. Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn............................. 9,554 13. Bryce Eck, Redfield, Kan........................................ 9,258 14. Jacob Lees, Caldwell, Idaho................................... 8,887 15. Mason Clements, Spanish Fork, Utah.................... 8,535 16. Clay Jorgenson, Watford City, N.D......................... 8,102 17. Jacob Raine, Mount Pleasant, Tenn....................... 7,756 18. Dylan Riggins, Kadoka, S.D................................... 7,485 19. Luke Barlow Thrash, Bastrop, La........................... 6,530 20. Darien Johnson, Riverside, Utah............................ 6,349 STEER WRESTLING 1. Cody Devers, Perryton, Texas............................ $12,962 2. Justin Shaffer, Hallsville, Texas............................ 11,657 3. Kyle Irwin, Westville, Fla...................................... 11,496 4. Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La............................ 8,900 5. Kodie Jang, Townsville, Australia........................... 8,416 6. Rowdy Parrott, Mamou, La.................................... 8,365 7. Levi Rudd, Chelsea, Okla....................................... 8,202 8. Heath Thomas, Hemphill, Texas............................. 7,663 9. Tristan Martin, Sulphur, La.................................... 7,623 10. Landon Beardsworth, Red Deer County, Alberta.... 7,158 11. Landris White, Angleton, Texas.............................. 7,036 12. Clayton Hass, Weatherford, Texas......................... 7,014 13. Stetson Jorgensen, Blackfoot, Idaho..................... 6,699 14. J.D. Struxness, Milan, Minn................................... 6,671 15. Cimarron Thompson, Hobbs, N.M......................... 6,410 16. Brandon Harrison, Cheek, Texas............................ 6,399 17. Matt Reeves, Cross Plains, Texas.......................... 6,371 18. Austin Madison, Onawa, Iowa................................ 6,228 19. Ben Kilburg, La Motte, Iowa.................................. 6,228 20. Sawyer Strand, Sioux Falls, S.D............................. 6,227 TEAM ROPING (HEADER) 1. Brenten Hall, Jay, Okla....................................... $12,617 2. Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas.................................... 12,080 3. Colby Lovell, Midway, Texas................................ 11,975 4. Koby Sanchez, Ethel, La....................................... 11,233 5. Dustin Egusquiza, Marianna, Fla.......................... 10,352 6. Jace Bland, Turkey, Texas...................................... 9,441 7. Keven Daniel, Franklin, Tenn.................................. 9,148 8. Clay Ullery, Valleyview, Alberta.............................. 9,080 9. Garrett Rogers, Baker City, Ore.............................. 8,683 10. Quinton Parchman, Cumberland City, Tenn............ 8,525 11. Logan Allen, Mount Ayr, Iowa................................ 8,060
12. Bradley Massey, Perry, Fla..................................... 7,817 13. Austin Crist, Fountain, Colo................................... 7,575 14. Braxton Culpepper, Sylvester, Ga........................... 7,365 15. Kavis Drake, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan................ 6,950 16. Tanner Tomlinson, Mineral Wells, Texas................ 6,910 17. Braden Pirrung, Hartford, S.D................................ 6,704 18. Cory Kidd V, Statesville, N.C.................................. 6,583 19. Bodie Mattson, Sturgis, S.D.................................. 6,542 20. Spunk Sasser, San Antonio, Fla............................. 6,529 TEAM ROPING (HEELER) 1. Kaden Profili, Jacksonville, Texas...................... $17,279 2. Ty Arnold, Midway, Texas.................................... 12,755 3. Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas.................... 12,080 4. Trace Porter, Leesville, La.................................... 11,233 5. Levi Lord, Sturgis, S.D........................................ 10,352 6. Tyson Thompson, Munday, Texas.......................... 9,441 7. Tyce McLeod, Waldeck, Saskatchewan.................. 9,080 8. Dustin Davis, Terrell, Texas.................................... 8,913 9. Bo Patzke, Lostine, Ore.......................................... 8,683 10. Casey McCleskey, Guthrie, Texas........................... 8,068 11. Trent Vaught, Mena, Ark........................................ 8,060 12. Zack Mabry, Piedmont, Ala.................................... 7,817 13. Bryton Scheller, Ault, Colo..................................... 7,575 14. Brad Culpepper, Sylvester, Ga................................ 7,365 15. Adam Plyler, Pageland, S.C.................................... 7,127 16. Garrett Smith, Mount. Juliet, Tenn......................... 6,961 17. Denim Ross, Botha, Alberta................................... 6,950 18. Dylan Hart, Flandreau, S.D..................................... 6,704 19. Trae Smith, Georgetown, Idaho............................. 6,542 20. Karter Kagel, Summerfield, Fla.............................. 6,529 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta........................ $35,814 2. Kade Bruno, Challis, Idaho................................... 31,866 3. Ryder Wright, Beaver, Utah.................................. 27,578 4. Statler Wright, Beaver, Utah................................. 20,732 5. Ryder Sanford, Sulphur, La.................................. 16,431 6. Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo................................. 14,154 7. Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas............................. 14,082 8. Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D........................... 13,889 9. Weston Patterson, Waverly, Kan.......................... 13,814 10. Ira Dickinson, Rock Springs, Wyo....................... 12,932 11. Logan Cook, Alto, Texas...................................... 10,881 12. Chase Brooks, Deer Lodge, Mont........................ 10,578 13. Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont........................... 10,550 14. Joe Harper, Paradise Valley, Nev............................ 9,881 15. Damian Brennan, Injune, Australia......................... 9,024 16. Bailey Small, McArthur Calif.................................. 8,749 17. Jake Finlay, Goondiwindi, Australia........................ 8,215 18. Shea Fournier, Raceland, La.................................. 7,442 19. Treyson Antonick, Overton, Texas.......................... 6,676 20. Kody Rinehart, Rienzi, Miss................................... 6,675 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. John Douch, Huntsville, Texas........................... $20,885 2. Pecos Tatum, La Plata, N.M................................. 16,735 3. Riley Mason Webb, Denton, Texas....................... 16,237 4. Riley Istre, Vinton, La.......................................... 16,161
5. Ryan Jarrett, Comanche, Okla.............................. 15,183 6. Blane Cox, Stephenville, Texas............................. 14,625 7. Jerry Adamson, Cody, Neb.................................. 12,499 8. Polo Bacque II, Scott, La..................................... 12,443 9. Garrett Elmore, Springer, Okla............................. 11,333 10. Tom Crouse, Gallatin, Mo.................................... 10,993 11. Ty Harris, San Angelo, Texas............................... 10,854 12. Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M.................................. 10,437 13. Cory Solomon, Prairie View, Texas...................... 10,373 14. Roy Lee, Marshall, Mo......................................... 10,258 15. Riley Pruitt, Gering, Neb........................................ 9,705 16. Cole Clemons, Okeechobee, Fla............................. 9,471 17. Tanner Green, Cotulla, Texas.................................. 9,015 18. Hagen Houck, Henrietta, Texas.............................. 8,644 19. Joel Braden Harris, San Angelo, Texas................... 8,411 20. Bo Pickett, Caldwell, Idaho.................................... 8,034 STEER ROPING 1. Cole Patterson, Pawnee, Okla............................ $27,942 2. Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas................ 22,046 3. Ryan Rochlitz, Pine Bluffs, Wyo........................... 15,831 4. Tanner Stec, Bassett, Neb.................................... 14,885 5. Thomas Smith, Barnsdall, Okla............................ 13,858 6. Billy Good, Wynnewood, Okla.............................. 12,303 7. Vin Fisher Jr., Andrews, Texas............................. 12,272 8. Jess Tierney, Hermosa, S.D................................. 11,671 9. Ora Taton, Rapid City, S.D.................................... 11,037 10. Reo Lohse, Kaycee, Wyo....................................... 9,216 11. Slade Wood, New Ulm, Texas................................ 9,117 12. Blake Deckard, Eufaula, Okla.................................. 8,857 13. John Clark, Pecos, Texas....................................... 7,456 14. Clay Long, Stephenville, Texas............................... 7,441 15. Trenton Johnson, Blue Mound, Kan....................... 7,428 16. Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas.................................... 7,094 17. Brodie Poppino, Big Cabin, Okla............................ 6,954 18. Brian Garr, Grandview, Texas................................. 6,642 19. Will McBride, Ogallala, Neb................................... 6,600 20. Seth Schafer, Comanche, Texas............................. 6,342 BULL RIDING 1. Rawley Johnson, Swan Valley, Idaho................. $16,795 2. Wacey Schalla, Arapaho, Okla.............................. 14,742 3. Trey Benton III, Richards, Texas.......................... 13,026 4. Scott Wells, Synder, Texas................................... 12,574 5. Clayton Sellars, Fruitland Park, Fla....................... 12,126 6. Riley Barg, Lewisville, Idaho................................ 12,020 7. Jace Trosclair, Chauvin, La................................... 11,758 8. Lija Gore, Moore Haven, Fla................................. 11,331 9. Kolt Achenbach, Prairie Du Chien, Wis................ 11,258 10. Cody McElroy, Loretto, Ky................................... 11,100 11. Mason Moody, Letcher, S.D................................. 10,345 12. Jesse Hopper, Mangum, Okla................................ 9,228 13. Brandon Ballard, New Hope, Ky............................. 9,017 14. Fulton Rutland, Westville, Okla.............................. 8,712 15. Mason Spain, Forney, Texas.................................. 8,476 16. Ethan Paul Skogquist, Elk River, Minn................... 8,463 17. Jeter Lawrence, Council Hill, Okla.......................... 8,377 18. Jacob Carige, Rockhampton, Australia.................. 8,318 19. Colby Demo, Red Bluff, Calif.................................. 7,904 20. Sam Southern, Snyder, Texas................................ 7,741
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T Parker cashes in with Denver victory
Legend Passes Grated Coconut was a Six-Time PRCA Horse of Year
1 Images of ’23 PRCA Photographers Share Top Shots
Parker’s Place
Rock On!
Sellars wins San Antonio title with electric ride
Riley Webb & cowboys roll through the lucrative winter run
Lightning Strikes Twice
Lonestar Limelight
Steiner goes back-to-back in Fort Worth
Yates
Hall Bound
Mr. T
Stone
Tanner Aus captures glory in Austin Aus Marks the Spot Patrick Gottsch 1953-2024 PSN YEAR IN COVERS Better Than Good Billy Good wins first NCFSR title Six-time Bareback World Champ Kaycee Feild tops 2024 Class Arnold Andrews Diefenbach
McRae
Day
Cooke-ing Cooper stays red hot with San Angelo title
Darby Dandy Reiner nabs Yellowstone Xtreme victory
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’Tis the Season Harris repeats record-breaking run during Cowboy Christmas
Viva Las
Sizzling Ride Landingham delivers 94-point trip to win Calgary Stampede title
Vegas! PRCA, LVE reach deal to extend Wrangler NFR
Wyoming Winnings
Coleman Proctor takes all-around title in Cheyenne
Casper wins back-to-back Xtreme Broncs Finals
Selling Out Clayton Sellars nabs Ellensburg XBulls title
Double Play
The Cup Sellars wraps regular season with Cinch Playoffs title
Playoff Push Jess Pope
Texas Two-Step Rutherford shines at RAM Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo
nabs bareback riding crown at Cinch Playoffs
2024 NFR PREVIEW EDITION
2024 YEAR-END EDITION
SPORTS NEWS
DEC. 20, 2024
THE COWBOYS’ CHOICE SINCE 1952
Fiesta Time
Mayfield has sights set on more gold buckles Focused
Winning Hand Shad Mayfield takes home All-Around title
Crouse strikes paydirt at coveted Cinch Roping Fiesta
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Gold Buckle Winners The 2024 PRCA World Champions stand on stage in the center of the Thomas & Mack Center during the closing ceremony after Round 10 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. – PRCA ProRodeo photo by Roseanna Sales
2024 WORLD CHAMPS
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ProRodeo Sports News January 2025
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ProRodeo Sports News January 2025
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WRANGLER NFR RECAP
Memorable NFR
BY PRCA STAFF C heck another career box off for ultra-talented roper Shad Mayfield. The Clovis, N.M., cowboy won his inaugural PRCA All-Around World Championship in dramatic form Dec. 14 before 17,227 fans at the Thomas & Mack Center. Mayfield finished atop the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $335,474. He edged second-place Coleman Proctor by a mere $675. Mayfield claimed the all-around title by competing in tie-down roping, steer roping and as a team roping header. “There was a lot going on before the tie-down roping started,” said Mayfield, 24. “I believe I needed to place at least fourth in the round and stay where I was in the average (to win). After Quade Hiatt went, I had a chance to move past him in the average by tying a calf in 10 (seconds) flat. That became the game plan pretty quickly.” Mayfield clocked a 9.6-second run in Round 10, which allowed Mayfield nabs coveted PRCA All-Around title
Shad Mayfield makes his run during Round 3 of the tie down roping at the NFR. The 7.7-second run earned him a share of sixth in the go-round and put him one step closer to the PRCA All-Around World Championship. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Roseanna Sales
FROST SNARES LONG-AWAITED PRCA BULL RIDING TITLE Josh Frost officially got it done on Dec. 14 during Round 10 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. After three straight runner-up finishes, Frost held serve throughout the Finals and won his first PRCA Bull Riding World Championship. “It’s pretty cool to come here, win the average and get that gold buckle. After three straight years of finishing second, it feels really good to come out on top,” he said. Frost finished the season with $476,887 to end the grueling stretch at the Thomas & Mack Center atop the PRCA | RAM World Standings. WADE/THORP CAPTURE TEAM ROPING CHAMPIONSHIP Perhaps no event had as many scenarios, projections and question marks as team roping entering Round 10 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. The door stayed wide open for a host of teams to walk through and earn a PRCA | RAM World Championship. After another roller-coaster round, header Tyler Wade and heeler Wesley Thorp stood above the rest to earn gold buckles for the second straight year. “I can’t believe it. It’s crazy. I never thought we’d win one, so to win two is beyond belief,” Wade said. “I’ve been stressed all week going back and forth. I’ve been fast on nights and missed the next… The good Lord has blessed us
him to finish fourth in the average with a 94.6-second time on 10 head. That $40,751 fourth-place average check vaulted Mayfield to the crown since Proctor and his team roping heeler Logan Medlin received a no time earlier in the evening. That dropped Proctor/Medlin to eighth in the average with 28.5 seconds on seven head and gave them a $8,150 average check. This is Mayfield’s second career gold buckle – he was the 2020 PRCA Tie-Down Roping World Champion. TIE-DOWN ROPER RILEY WEBB CLAIMS SECOND-CONSECUTIVE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Riley Webb entered the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge as a man on a mission and left as a champion. The 21-year-old tie-down roper finished his trip to Las Vegas with a second-straight PRCA World Championship, the NFR average championship and a new event-best season earnings record. “It’s just so wild,” Webb said. “I’m so blessed to be here with any gold buckle or average title. Whatever it is, it just makes me want to work harder to get a chance to be here next year.” Webb finished the season with $475,215 – besting the standard of $452,852, he set in tie-down roping in 2023 – and outgained runner-up Shad Mayfield by $77,806.
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with a ton of opportunities. “And the competition is so tough now that those guys at the top have literally made me step my game up.” The tandem finished 11th in the NFR Average with 23 seconds on six head. Clint Summers and Jake Long locked up the average championship at 44.3 seconds on nine head. Wade finished with $361,480 to best runner-up Summers and win his second world title. Thorp also finished with $361,480 to top runner-up Long. The duo set new single-season earnings records, besting the previous mark of $340,708 set by Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira in 2022. RYDER WRIGHT WINS SADDLE BRONC TITLE Ryder Wright needed a quality out in Round 10 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge to break through and win the world. Wright did that and more in his final ride of the season on Andrews Rodeo’s All or Nothin. The duo paired for 89.5 points to tie for the round win with Lefty Holman and lock up Wright’s third PRCA Saddle Bronc World Championship. “After I got bucked off (in Round 2), they tried to shut the door on me,” Wright said. “I stuck my foot in there, scratching and clawing my way back into this fight. I won my first gold buckle (2017) with two no scores, so I’m no stranger to this environment. Yeah, I was just gunning for go-rounds every night and it paid off.” It marked Wright’s third world title and first since 2020. He racked up $479,958 in the process and finished seventh in the NFR average at 786.5 points on nine head. THOMPSON STUNS FIELD, WINS FIRST BAREBACK TITLE Dean Thompson needed everything to go his way in Round 10 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. It did. After entering championship Saturday fourth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings, Thompson recorded an 88.5-point ride on J Bar J’s Straight Stick to finish second in the final go. When the dust settled, the ride proved enough to propel him to the top
and earn Thompson his first PRCA | RAM World Championship and NFR Average Championship. “Like I said all week, people say you’re in the
hunt for the world title right now, and it kind of shocks me that they didn’t know I was already in the hunt from Round 1,” Thompson said. “But it’s a different thing when it all works out. You almost can’t even imagine it.” Thompson finished the season with $412,121, besting runner-up Rocker Steiner by $17,934. STEER WRESTLER J.D. STRUXNESS CLAIMS WORLD TITLE Steer wrestler J.D. Struxness needed the pieces to fall into place in Round 10 to win his first world championship. And they did. Struxness placed second in the round with a 3.6-second run to collect a $26,624 check and then moved into the final hole in the average to add another $8,150, thanks to having a 36.0-second time on 10 head. Calculating all the earnings and Struxness finished atop the world standings with $309,220. He edged Will Lummus who came in second with $307,713. “We’ll find out when I wake up, it’s still settling in right now, still in the hustle n’ bustle,” said Struxness, 30, about winning his first career gold buckle. “When we get a second to sit down and relax a little bit, I’m sure it will sink in, been waiting a while to hear that.” Struxness was quick to credit his horsepower. He was riding Crush the Nutrena Horse of the Year presented by AQHA in steer wrestling. MOWRY ADDS TOP GUN TO FIRST WORLD TITLE In addition to winning her first world title, Kassie Mowry also claimed the RAM Top Gun Award as the top money earner at the NFR. Over 10 nights, she earned $295,526, including five rounds wins. “This is a great opportunity to come here and win just about what I won all year,” Mowry said. “I went out there and just tried to make the best of every single night. My dad did put a little tidbit in my ear about winning a truck if this were to happen and it did. So, I just might have to get that truck.”
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Tie-down roper Riley Webb gets off to make his Round 5 run at the NFR. He clocked the run in 9 seconds to stay in the average and set him up for an other PRCA World Championship. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Hailey Rae
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WRANGLER NFR SCENE
Barrel racer Kassie Mowry clocked the fast est run of the Wrangler NFR in Round 7. Mowry put together a 13.19-sec ond run on her standout horse Jarvis. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Hailey Rae
Unforgettable 2024 NFR pulls out contestants’ raw emotions
Dean Thompson pumps his fist after his second-place finish in Round 10 of the NFR. His 88.5-point ride on J Bar J’s Straight Stick proved enough to clinch the NFR Average and PRCA World Championship.
unfold.
know I was already in the hunt from Round 1,” Thompson said. “This is what dreams are made of, I mean are you kidding me,” Thompson said. “You almost have to start your career with a naive arrogance that you’re going to win. When someone says you have a bad horse you have to say maybe for you but not for me. You have to learn it’s not luck it’s just perseverance.” Perseverance was a common theme this year in Las Vegas. Perseverance inside the arena but also outside of it as well. Dublin, Texas, cowgirl Kassie Mowry was a prime example of that during the 2024 PRORODEO season. Mowry faced devastation head on during the heart of the rodeo season when she lost her fiancé Michae Boone to an accident in early June. She pushed through, qualifying for the NFR with just
Bradlee Miller began piling round money on top of round money, putting himself in position for a gold buckle in his NFR debut. But the man not many people were talking about entering Round 10 was Altamont, Utah, cowboy Dean Thompson. He was fourth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings at the start of the competition. But he didn’t back down from the challenge. Thompson did all he needed to do, and everything fell into place for the young Utah cowboy to walk away with his first PRCA World Championship. He never once doubted his chances to win a gold buckle even when the lights were dim at times throughout the 10 nights. You could tell he carried a chip on his shoulder. “Like I said all week, people say you’re in the hunt for the world title right now, and it kind of shocks me that they didn’t
BY TANNER BARTH T he 10-day marathon that is the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge is not for the faint of heart. It’s full of emotional ups and downs that put even legendary cowboys and cowgirls to the ultimate test. The 2024 edition inside the Thomas & Mack Center was no different.
Each year going into the NFR we all think we have an idea of who will leave Las Vegas as the world champion. I’ve learned that those predictions rarely come to fruition. Take the bareback riding race for example. All eyes were on defending PRCA World Champion Keenan Hayes and the No. 1 ranked cowboy in the world headed into the NFR, Rocker Steiner. After a few nights under the bright lights in Vegas a different story started to
PRCA ProRodeo photo by Click Thompson
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WRANGLER NFR SCENE
In the quest for his first gold buckle, Coleman Proctor and partner Lo gan Medlin had a 3.8-sec ond run to win Round 9 in the team roping. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Click Thompson
Team roping header Coleman Proctor and partner Logan Medlin needed a solid qualified run in Round 10 for Proctor to capture the coveted all-around gold buckle and to have an outside shot at the team roping title. The steer took a slight step to the left and Proctor’s loop slipped off the horn of the steer, which resulted in a no-time. The unfortunate sequence of events pushed the team roping pair to eighth in the average. Putting them out of contention for the team roping title and Proctor second to Shad Mayfield in the all-around gold buckle race by a mere $675.74. Proctor spoke to his supporters on social media after Round 10, saying he came into the night with a plan and wouldn’t have done it any differently. “It was an emotional loss last night, but man I got to say I wouldn’t change my approach any,” Proctor said. “We had to be 3.4 (seconds) in order for us to win the team roping. I had already made my mind up that we were playing for both of us to win a world title. So, that’s why I went at him. He stepped left and got me. Tip of the hat to Shad (Mayfield) because I was in the clubhouse with a $40,000 lead.” You never know what stories will arise at the NFR, but one thing I know for sure is that it won’t be without heartstrings being pulled in one way or another.
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279rodeos under her belt. Despite the challenges she faced, she said there’s no place Michael would’ve rather seen her than competing on their horse Jarvis on the sport’s biggest stage. “When I went to leave for the summer rodeos, it took every ounce of me to leave my driveway. I didn’t want to go,” Mowry said. “But I knew that he (fiancé Michael Boone) wanted me to show off this horse and I had more rodeos to get to. “I got out there and it was my fellow competitors that guided me. These girls and my horse lifted me up through this. Anytime something didn’t go right, and I was looking for a reason to go home, my horse wouldn’t let me leave. He would turn around and continue to show off like he’s done all year.” It almost felt like fate that Mowry would go on to win five of 10 rounds on the way to her first world championship. But with success also comes failure, not every contestant can be a world champion. That’s the harsh reality of sports at the highest level. You can do everything right for 364 days and one slip up in the Thomas & Mack Center can see all those dreams come crashing down.
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PRCA OVERVIEW
PRCA OVERVIEW
From the CEO BY TRACY RENCK T om Glause, PRCA Chief Executive Officer, highlighted the numerous positive things that happened in the organization in 2024 during his State of the PRCA address at South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa Grand Ballroom, Dec. 3, in Las Vegas. “2024 was truly a remarkable year,” Glause said. “We hit a goal with membership. We’ve had the highest membership we have had since 2011 with 6,665 members. We’re really proud that our membership continues to trend in the right direction. We also had the highest payout in the history of the PRCA, thank you to all the (rodeo) committees for helping us achieve that goal. We had $2.5 million in new added money, and I thank the rodeo committees for bringing that to our contestants. That’s really a stronghold.” Glause said the PRCA’s revenues exceeded $45 million, which is up more than 50 percent since 2019. “The projected revenues and expenses for 2024 are $45.7 million and sponsorship continues to be the biggest portion of our revenue, and we have $43 million in expenses,” Glause said. “We push that money back out to our membership. We are not trying to pad our bank account; we are looking to grow membership. We are looking to put that money back to work to attract new members and make our productions better. “We are pleased to sign new contracts with Wrangler, Cinch, Choctaw and Teton Ridge. We are especially proud to welcome Teton Ridge as our new media sponsor. They just purchased our media license from Rural Media Group.” Glause also pointed out that the 2024 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge met a new goal by paying out $12.5 million to contestants and $3.7 million to stock contractors making the total purse $16.2 million, which includes guaranteed prize money of $1.2 million for NFR qualifiers. In June, Las Vegas Events and the PRCA announced that the NFR will stay in Vegas through 2035. Over the term of the contract, a total payment to contestants and stock contractors will be more than a quarter of a billion PRCA CEO Tom Glause speaks during his State of the PRCA address Dec. 3 at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa Grand Ballroom in Las Vegas. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Hailey Rae
Glause talks about 2024 as a ‘remarkable year’
dollars – $264,323,474 to be exact. “The organization (the PRCA) is trending in the right direction,” Glause said. “We have 2.5 million followers on social media, and we have had tens of millions of video views of our social media videos, so we are happy with that. We have seen more than 71 million views of videos on social media. That’s tremendous growth and we are happy that we are engaging new fans.” Glause addressed how PRCA membership has increased with events like the Uvalde, Texas, qualifier where everyone has the opportunity to enter Uvalde with a chance to qualify for the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. The Rookie Roundup also has helped boost membership as has the Permit Finals in Waco, Texas. The Permit Finals winners get a prestigious invite to RodeoHouston. “These are examples of what we are doing to try and create new opportunities for our members and in return, grow membership,” Glause said. Glause said PRCA’s biggest membership numbers come from team ropers and tie-down ropers, followed by steer wrestlers and then the roughstock events. “What I’m really proud of is we have seen growth in every category since 2022. In bareback riding, we had 290 members in 2022 and had 302 (in 2024). In saddle bronc riding we have gone from 468 members in 2022 to 496 in 2024. Bull riding has gone up from 703 in 2022 to 752 in 2024. We are seeing growth in our roughstock events. We have also seen a boon in our permit holders and that’s something that has continued to grow.” Glause did mention that the PRCA has also seen a reduction in turnouts. “(Turnouts) are one of the challenges we face, and we continue to search for answers and reasons and ways to reduce that number,” Glause said. Glause concluded his State of the PRCA looking forward to the future. “We’ve seen many new heights, and we are looking forward to even greater success in the future years,” he said. “We couldn’t do this without the (rodeo) committees. We need your help. We need your volunteers and everyone working together to allow this organization to continue the success that it has enjoyed for many, many years.”
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