•
8/28/10 - King
City, CA 9/4- 9/5/10 has been cancelled.
• 8/27/10
- Brooksville,
FL 9/24 - 9/25/10has
been cancelled. •
8/25/10 -Location
Correction, Mt. Hope, AR 9/3 - 9/4/10 has been revised
to Mt. Hope, Alabama. •
8/25/10 -
Albuquerque, NM 9/16-9/25/2010 is now approved.
Click here
for details •
8/24/10 -
Ocala, FL 9/3-9/4/10 slack is Sept 2 at 4:00pm. •
8/11/10 -San Carlos, AZ 8/20 - 8/22/10 co-approved and
futurity events have been rescheduled to 9/10 -
9/12/10.
New opportunities abound in the WPRA Futurity and Derby program for 2009 5/5/09
As we head into spring we wanted to remind our members about the WPRA Futurity and Derby program and introduce some very exciting additions and changes to the program for 2009. These changes will give members the opportunity to compete through a variety of avenues while maintaining the integrity of the program and holding our developing rodeo horses to the highest competition standards.
These changes include:
Sidepot expansion: In 2008, the WPRA approved sidepot futurities held in conjunction with the larger jackpots across the country. While producers used this option sparingly in 2008, the sidepot futurity option is already exploding for 2009.
Unlike regular futurities, where horses are verified at check-in, riders are on the honor system to ride the correct horse at a WPRA Futurity Sidepot. Before a contestant is eligible to enter a sidepot futurity, they must have a nomination form on file with the WPRA office. This form, which verifies the futurity horse, includes a sworn statement that contestants will indeed ride nominated horse. Penalties for not riding the nominated horse will be enforced.
Also new for the 2009 season is that all sidepot futurities must have at least two participants to count as a class. Points at sidepot events will be less than co-approved or stand-alone futurities with five points being awarded for first down to one point for fifth.
Co-approvals: Due to costs of producing a stand-alone event, the WPRA will co-approve futurities open to 5-year-olds that use a 2D format. Points will be awarded through 15th place with 15 points for first down to one point for 15th.
Awards: Each circuit that has 10 or more events during the futurity/derby season will give circuit champion awards in the respective program.
Derby eligibility: Horses only have two years of derby eligibility. A horse that starts his career as a 5-year-old has two years of derby eligibility as a 6- and 7-year-old. A horse that starts his competitive career as a 4-year-old also has two years of eligibility, but as a 5- and 6-year-old.
Pro Elite Sire Incentive (PESI): The most exciting development in the WPRA’s futurity program is the expansion of the PESI. The program has come under the management of Robin Hofmann, who is best known for her Silver and Gold Cup Futurities as well as the XL Enterprises Stallion Incentive.
At Hofmann’s recommendation, the WPRA has opened the program to an unlimited number of stallions. In previous years, the program was limited to just 50.
She’s also implemented discounted fees for stallion owners who have supported the program. Stallions that have been paid into the program for three consecutive years will receive a $250 discount and pay only $750 to maintain their enrollment for their fourth, fifth and sixth season. After six consecutive years of participation, the stallion enrollment fee will be reduced to just $500.
This year $25,000 in PESI bonuses will be distributed in the futurity program. At least five sidepot futurities will receive $1,000 each and three regular futurities will have $5,000 bonuses. The futurity at the Women’s National Finals Rodeo will have $5,000.
For rodeo horses, bonuses will be awarded to PESI enrolled horses qualifying for and/or competing at one of the 12 Dodge circuit finals rodeos. How the projected $500 bonus will be awarded will be announced at a later date.
If a PESI enrolled horse qualifies for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, a $2,500 bonus will be awarded for competing in at least three rounds. Should that horse win the world championship or average, the bonus increases to $5,000.
Bonuses are distributed as 75 percent to the owner, 15 percent to the breeder and 10 percent to the stallion owner.
Within the next six years, Hofmann hopes to have at least one futurity and one rodeo in each circuit with substantial PESI bonuses. The PESI was created for the futurity program with the intent to eventually award rodeo barrel horses and all-women’s timed event horses as well.
“We have a six year plan in place,” Hofmann said. “Our goal is to expand the program to include horses competing in all WPRA disciplines. Within three years we hope to be paying out to rope horses as well as futurity and rodeo horses. If you look at all successful disciplines, they are all backed by strong breeding industries. In the past 15- to 20-years, barrel racing has changed from fast ranch horses and rejects from other sports to horses bred specifically for barrel racing. You’re starting to find breeding specifically for timed event horses as well, and there’s a lot of crossover in the roping events.”
Upcoming Futurity/Derby Events *More information available in the approval section
May 9
Sherburn, Minn.
WPRA Futurity/Derby sidepot
May 16
Broken Bow, Neb.
WPRA Futurity/Derby sidepot
May 23-24
Williams, Ariz.
WPRA Futurity/Derby sidepot
May 30
Waterloo, Iowa
WPRA Futurity/Derby sidepot
June 13
Fergus Falls, Minn.
WPRA Futurity/Derby sidepot
July 18
Rapid City, S.D.
WPRA Futurity/Derby sidepot
The Women’s Pro Rodeo Association | 431 South Cascade | Colorado Springs, CO 80903 | (719) 447-4627 | (719) 447-4631 (fax)
