2024 Calgary Stampede Qualifications Parameters Released

Calgary – The WPRA Board of Directors approved the 2024 Calgary Stampede qualification parameters during their recent Board meeting in Colorado Springs. A total of 30 contestants will earn an opportunity to compete at the Greatest Show on Dirt north of the border in Calgary.

The breakdown for those 30 will be as follows:

• 4 – Top four (4) from the 2023 Canadian Professional Rodeo Association final standings (drop-down until filled)
• 15 – Top fifteen (15) from the 2023 Women’s Professional Rodeo Association Pro Rodeo final standings (no drop down- if someone drops out, it goes to 2024 World Standings)
• 5 – Top five (5) from the 2024 Women’s Professional Rodeo Association Qualifications standings as of April 1, 2024, not already qualified (drop down until filled)
• 2 – Top two (2) from the 2024 Women’s Professional Rodeo Association Western Region Event Qualifier not already qualified (drop down until filled)
• 4 – Top four (4) from the 2024 Calgary Stampede Ladies Barrel Racing and Breakaway Roping Qualifier not already qualified (drop down until filled).

Entries are currently open at www.saddlebook.com for the WPRA Western Region Barrels and Breakaway and will close on April 5 at 11 p.m. MT. The Calgary Stampede qualifier at the Western Region Event in Salina, UT, is open to WPRA members only and participants must also be entered in the WPRA barrel race or WPRA Breakaway Roping. Please note that contestants pre-seeded based on the parameters listed above will not be eligible to enter the Calgary Qualifier in Utah.

While a WPRA permit holder is eligible to enter the Calgary Qualifier in the United States, they must purchase their WPRA card by the membership dues date for Calgary to compete at the Calgary Stampede.           

The Calgary Stampede will be hosting their own Ladies Breakaway Roping Qualifier June 4 -5 and the Ladies Barrel Racing qualifier June 11- 12 at the Nutrien Western Event Centre.

For more information on the Western Region Event visit: https://wpra.com/2024-wpra-western-regional-salina-ut/ and visit the rodeo approval information for the Calgary Stampede at www.wpra.com.

Entries Now Open for the WPRA Western Region and Calgary Stampede Qualifier

Calgary – Get ready to race and rope your way to The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, entries are now open for the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) Western Region Barrels & Breakaway and Calgary Stampede qualifier. This brand new, high-caliber event is a partnership between the Calgary Stampede and the WPRA and provides the women of rodeo with another path to qualify for the Stampede’s prestigious Rodeo and Rocky Mountain Cup.

“The Calgary Stampede is committed to continuing to promote and elevate barrel racing and breakaway roping, as a reflection of their growing popularity across Canada and the United States,” says Kristina Barnes, Manager of Agriculture & Western Events for the Calgary Stampede. “We are excited to partner with the WPRA on this great new opportunity for athletes to saddle up and take the reins on the road to the Calgary Stampede.”

Taking place in Salina, UT April 11-14, the inaugural competition is open to WPRA barrel racers and breakaway ropers from across the United States and Canada. The marquee event for the weekend will be the Calgary Stampede qualifier with the top two finishers, not already qualified, earning a spot to compete in their respective events at the 2024 Calgary Stampede. Only 30 women in barrel racing and 30 in breakaway roping will get the honor to compete in July in Calgary.

”We are excited about this new WPRA event for our members and adding the Calgary Stampede qualifier to the weekend is a great addition,” stated Jimmie Munroe, WPRA President. “We hope that our members will take advantage of this opportunity.”

Official entries are being taken through www.saddlebook.com. Entries will remain open until April 5, 2024. Non-WPRA members are welcome to compete during the weekend in the following races:

• Futurity Race – $5,000 added
• Derby Race – $2,500 added
• Open 5D – $10,000 added ($5,000 each day April 13 and 14)

Find more information on entries and ground rules for the Western Region Event here.

This U.S. based competition compliments the successful Calgary Stampede Barrel Racing Qualifer, which has been taking place in Canada since 2021. This year, the Stampede will host its Ladies Barrel Racing qualifier June 11- 12 at the Nutrien Western Event Centre on Stampede Park. The top three from this event, not already qualified, will earn a spot at the World’s Largest Outdoor Rodeo.

Breakaway roping made its Stampede debut in 2023, as an addition to the Rocky Mountain Cup. A Stampede hosted qualifier gave the four fastest ropers a chance to compete in Canada’s richest day of roping. This year, the Calgary Stampede Ladies Breakaway Roping Qualifier will take place June 4 -5 at the Nutrien Western Event Centre.

Tickets are also on sale for the 2024 Stampede Rodeo and Evening Show, July 5-14. For the best seats in the house, get yours today by visiting CalgaryStampede.com/tickets.

Calgary Stampede and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association announce new Barrels & Breakaway Event

By Ann Bleiker

The Calgary Stampede, in partnership with the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA), is thrilled to announce a new opportunity for the women of rodeo to compete for an exclusive spot at The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.

“The Calgary Stampede is proud to showcase the best-of-the-best rodeo athletes in the world,” said Joel Cowley, Calgary Stampede’s CEO. “This year we’re pleased to add another path for both rising stars and familiar faces to qualify for our prestigious Rodeo and Rocky Mountain Cup.”

The inaugural WPRA Western Region Barrels & Breakaway competition will take place in Salina, UT April 11-14. This brand new, high-caliber event is open to barrel racers and breakaway ropers from the WPRA across the United States and Canada. The marquee event for the weekend will be the Calgary Stampede qualifier. Competitors will have the chance to enter the Calgary qualifier if already entered in the WPRA Card or Permit Only race as well as the WPRA Breakaway. The top two finishers in the average standings in the Calgary qualifier barrel race and breakaway roping not already qualified will earn a spot to compete in their respective events at the 2024 Calgary Stampede. Only 30 ladies in barrel racing and 30 in breakaway roping will get the honor to compete in July in Calgary.

“The Calgary Stampede, a longtime partner of the WPRA, has always worked diligently with our association to provide as many opportunities as possible for our members to qualify into their prestigious event,” said Jimmie Munroe, WPRA President. “It’s very exciting to collaborate with them on a qualifier here in the United States. We hope that many of our members will take advantage of this great opportunity.”

Entries will open on March 1, 2024 at www.saddlebook.com and will close on April 5, 2024. Non-WPRA members are welcome to compete during the weekend in the following races:
• Futurity Race – $5,000 added
• Derby Race – $2,500 added
• Open 5D – $10,000 added ($5,000 each day April 13 and 14)

For more information on entries and ground rules for the Western Region Event click here.

This new opportunity in the United States builds off the success of the Calgary Stampede’s Barrel Racing Qualifier, which has been taking place since 2021. Canada’s Calgary Stampede’s qualifier continues to give athletes the opportunity to race for their chance to be part of the World’s Largest Outdoor Rodeo. In addition to this opportunity at the Western Region Event in the United States, the Calgary Stampede will be hosting their Ladies Barrel Racing qualifier June 11- 12 at the Nutrien Western Event Centre. The top three from this event, not already qualified, will earn a spot in the Calgary Stampede.

Last year, breakaway roping made its Stampede debut. The event was an added feature to the Rocky Mountain Cup, and the Calgary Stampede hosted a qualifier to give the four fastest ropers a chance to compete in Canada’s richest day of roping. This year, the Calgary Stampede Ladies Breakaway Roping Qualifier will take place June 4 -5 at the Nutrien Western Event Centre.
Tickets are also now on sale for the 2024 Stampede Rodeo and Evening Show, July 5-14. For the best seats in the house, get yours today by visiting CalgaryStampede.com/tickets.

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