World Finals Update

Entries Now Open for 2024 WPRA World Finals in Waco

By Ann Bleiker

Unlike most other professional sports that have an off-season, in rodeo when one season ends the next one begins immediately. So, while we are approaching the end of the 2024 regular season, it is never to early to start planning for 2025 and what better way to get a jump start on the season than competing at the WPRA World Finals in Waco in November.

Whether you are just turning 18 and buying your permit, a first-year card holder or a gold card member of the WPRA, there is something for everyone at the World Finals. The WPRA World Finals will once again be held at Extraco Event Center in Waco, TX, Nov. 7-10 in conjunction with Elite Barrel Racing. To compete in the WPRA races one must be either a 2024 or 2025 WPRA Member.

While the heart of the weekend is to honor, recognize and crown the WPRA world champions in team roping (heading and heeling), tie-down roping, all-around, junior and futurity/derby it is also an opportunity for WPRA members embarking on a run for the NFR to get a jump start on the season. In fact, during the 2023 event two top performing barrel racers, Ashley Castleberry and Abby Phillips, are now on the cusp of qualifying for their first NFR. Castleberry won the first round of the card race in 2023 and finished fourth in the average, while Phillips placed in two rounds and was second in the average.

This year’s Boot Barn Card Only Barrel Race will boast $15,000 in added money and all money won will count toward 2025 Pro Rodeo World Standings, Texas Circuit Standings and the top two in the average will qualify for 2025 Rodeo Houston.

On the breakaway roping side, the 7K Roping Breakaway Roping will boast $8,000 in added money and all money won will count toward 2025 Pro Rodeo World Standings, Texas Circuit Standings and the top two in the average will qualify for 2025 Rodeo Houston. In addition, the top 10 in the average will qualify for the 2025 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

We are also pleased to announce that thanks to our partner Tito’s Handmade Vodka added money in breakaway roping, team roping (both ends) and all-around have all seen an increase from 2023. As already mentioned, the breakaway roping will have $8,000 in added money as will the team roping for both heading and heeling. Contestants that compete in and win money in two (2) or more events during the World Finals will be eligible for a share of the $3,500 WPRA World Finals All-Around bonus. The bonus will pay the top two places with $2,250 paid to the All-Around Average Champion and $1,250 to the reserve average champion.

The 7K Breakaway Roping and Permit only breakaway roping will also offer a side pot off the World Finals Average as an American Contender Series Qualifier. See ground rules for more information to take advantage of this opportunity.

The permit only race in both barrels and breakaway roping is a great opportunity for new members to fill their permits while running only against other permit holders.

Entries are now open and will close Oct. 28 at 11 p.m. MT. Click here: https://www.wpra.com/wpra-world-finals-2024/ for additional information and ground rules. Make plans to join us in Waco.

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