Pro Rodeo Canada Insider

Heading into Spring

Excitement is building as we approach our first CPRA rodeos of the 2022 season. With a schedule that sees the return of virtually all past events, along with the addition of some new ones, Pro Rodeo Canada committees, members, partners and fans are ready to hit the rodeo trail.

We are looking at an exciting Pro Tour roster with upwards of ten rodeos… with a September Finals at the Armstrong IPE and Stampede. As well, our Maple Leaf Circuit — with a Finals also held later in the year — will feature most of the regular rodeos on the schedule.

Congratulations to those athletes who are already enjoying success on the World stage with wins and placings at spring rodeos in the U.S. Several CPRA members are among the top 15 in the World at this point. A number of stand-out rough stock horses have also been in the spotlight at rodeos including Denver, Fort Worth, Rapid City, San Antonio and Houston.

One of the partnerships we’re excited about… and want to remind young rough stock competitors about is the

CPRA — Semi-Pro Rough Stock Agreement. Essentially, members of the CPRA, Wild Rose Association (WRA), Lakeland Rodeo Association (LRA), British Columbia Rodeo Association (BCRA) and the Canadian Cowboys Association (CCA) have an agreement to support young cowboys competing in novice events at CPRA and semi-pro rodeos.

How it works: If a novice competitor is competing in one of the four listed semipro associations in the OPEN rough stock events and also holds a CPRA NOVICE bareback, saddle bronc or junior bull riding card, money won at the semi-pro rodeos will count for the year-end standings in both the mother semi-pro association as well as in the CPRA novice standings. Competitors must have a membership in the CPRA and the semi-pro association(s) of choice (from the list above) before their winnings will count in the standings.

Example: Let's say that you are a bareback rider and you enter Medicine Lodge WRA rodeo. You win the rodeo and it pays you $500. That money will be added to your

Benefits: There is significant money to be won at semi-pro and CPRA rodeos that include novice events. This agreement gives young rough stock athletes the opportunity to compete at many rodeos and have their earnings accumulate in the CPRA novice standings. Young contestants will gain broad experience and mentorship from professional cowboys along the way. This is a huge opportunity for young cowboys.

Contact each Association for more information. Events start in March for the WRA so now is the time to get started.

Have a great start to rodeo season everyone!

-Terry Cooke, President, Canadian Professional Rodeo Association