The Cowgirl Gathering, WCRA (World Champions Rodeo Alliance) and the WPRA (Women’s Professional Rodeo Association) today announced that they joined forces to coordinate their competition schedules. The unity of the three organizations will allow athletes to compete in the three events with the goal of limited schedule conflict.
“We are lucky that the inaugural year of the Cowgirl Gathering happens to now be in the midst of the largest week in the history of Women’s Rodeo,” APHA’s Steven Hayes said. “We’re excited to be working with WCRA and WPRA to ensure all the cowgirls have an opportunity to run at this kind of this money.”
The blockbuster week of events (Women’s Rodeo World Championship, WPRA World Finals and The Cowgirl Gathering) will showcase one of the largest weekends in women’s rodeo history and combined will pay a projected payout of more than $1.2 million.
WCRA President Bobby Mote says the WCRA is overjoyed to work together to erase all invisible barriers and try their best to reduce schedule conflict. Mote also says it’s important to work together with organizations like the WPRA and The Cowgirl Gathering who are good for cowgirls which in-turn is good for rodeo.
Payout and entry dates for each event is as follows:
Event Total Payout Entry Dates Where to Enter
Women’s Rodeo World Championship $750,000 7/27-10/25 HERE
WPRA World Finals $250,000* 10/1-11/3 HERE
The Cowgirl Gathering $205,000 10/27-11/3 HERE
*Estimated payout based on 2019 entries and added money.
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About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses.
About The Cowgirl Gathering
The Cowgirl Gathering is a celebration in the heart of Fort Worth, designed to showcase
spectacular, inspirational women from all walks of life who embody the spirit of the
American Cowgirl. Whether you are a competitor or just want to experience the spark of
that cowgirl essence, the Cowgirl Gathering is your event. This weekend takeover of the
historic Fort Worth Stockyards highlights cowgirls’ skills in breakaway roping, team
roping and barrel racing, while also showcasing exhilarating and engaging female
speakers, a Western fashion show and much more. It’s her heart and soul that makes a
cowgirl who she is—determined and fierce and ready to take on the world—and we’re
excited to showcase that spirit in the heart and soul of Cowtown this November.
About WCRA
WCRA is a professional sport and entertainment entity, created to develop and advance
the sport of rodeo by aligning all levels of competition. In association with the PBR,
WCRA produces major rodeo events, developing additional opportunities for rodeo-
industry competitors, stakeholders, and fans. To learn more, visit wcrarodeo.com. For
athletes interested in learning more about the WCRA Virtual Rodeo Qualifier (VRQ)
system, visit app.wcrarodeo.com.
About Women’s Professional Rodeo Association
The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association is the oldest women’s sports
organization in the country. The Association started in 1948 with a group of Texas ranch
women who wanted to add a little color and femininity to the rough-and-tumble sport of
rodeo. A major move at the time, 38 women met in a hotel in San Angelo, Texas, on
February 28, 1948, to change the way they were being treated in the male-dominated
world of rodeo. These women banded together to create the very first professional
sports association created solely for women by women—the Girls Rodeo Association
. The GRA 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). Today, it is a computerized association with more than
3,000 members, over 1,700 events and payouts totaling over $7 million. The WPRA,
headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, provides opportunities for women across the
United States and Canada to compete in the timed events of barrel racing, team roping,
breakaway roping, and tie-down roping. For more information on the WPRA and a list of
events visit www.wpra.com