WPRA NEWS

Sammy Thurman Brackenbury – 1933 – 2024

We are saddened to read that 1965 World Champion Barrel Racer and 2019 ProRodeo Hall of Fame Inductee Sammy Thurman Brackenbury has passed away. She recently celebrated her 91st birthday on Dec. 11. She lived life to the fullest from chasing mustangs on the deserts of Arizona and Nevada, to a WPRA Barrel Racing World Championship, to roping and falling off horses in the movies Sammy Thurman Brackenbury did it all.

Sammy Thurman Brackenbury

Brackenbury qualified for the National Finals Rodeo 11 consecutive times, winning the world title in 1965. The only daughter of PRCA cowboy Sam Fancher, Brackenbury became one of the first women to rope in an RCA rodeo when her father entered the team roping at the Santa Maria Rodeo and his partner failed to show.

Race to the Finish

Sep 16, 2025

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the Year RODEO NEWS Race to the Finish By Ann Bleiker Professional rodeo isn’t for the faint of heart and every individual within range of the top 15 is laser focused on the goal at hand to make the Top 15 and earn a trip...

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the Year – Presented by Montana Silversmiths Now Being Accepted

Sep 12, 2025

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the Year RODEO NEWS Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the Year – Presented by Montana Silversmiths Now Being Accepted By Ann Bleiker The backbone of any rodeo is no doubt the rodeo committee and their...

Clutch Performances by Lide and George in Puyallup

Sep 9, 2025

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the Year RODEO NEWS Clutch Performances by Lide and George in Puyallup By Ann Bleiker Photos by Kent Soule WPRA Barrel Racer Halyn Lide went to her first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo last year ranked ninth but with only...

Entries Opened for the WPRA World Finals on Sept. 8

Sep 5, 2025

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the Year WPRA NEWS Entries Opened for the WPRA World Finals on Sept. 8 By Ann Bleiker While the 2025 regular season is wrapping up this month, the 2026 season planning is getting underway and you won’t want to miss the...

Billy, Pam Minick to Share Honor of 2025 Legend of ProRodeo

Sep 3, 2025

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the Year RODEO NEWS Billy, Pam Minick to Share Honor of 2025 Legend of ProRodeo Courtesy PRCA ProRodeo Billy and Pam Minick have been named as the recipients of the 2025 Legend of ProRodeo award, awarded to a cowboy or...

September Shuffle: Ellensburg Rodeo Pivotal Win for Angelone and Kosel

Sep 3, 2025

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the Year RODEO NEWS September Shuffle: Ellensburg Rodeo Pivotal Win for Angelone and Kosel By Ann Bleiker The Ellensburg Rodeo was a front runner in bringing breakaway roping to rodeo fans, adding it to their rodeo in...