COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado – The backbone of any rodeo is no doubt the rodeo committee and their countless volunteers that donate their time and skills to put on a good show for the fans. While the contestants and animals are the stars, they would never shine if it were not for the work of a large supporting cast of volunteers that come together, working for a common goal of making the event a success.

The Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR) kicks off today through Saturday, Oct. 18 in Las Vegas at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center. More than just a rodeo, the INFR represents a living celebration of Indigenous heritage, athleticism, and community spirit. With top contestants from across the United States and Canada, rich traditions, and prize money that spans the million-dollar mark throughout the season, this year’s Finals are shaping up to be unforgettable.

Natalie Morales, who is now a correspondent for CBS News, decided to take her love for horses and riding to a new level. She got her start riding English but then got connected with WPRA barrel racer and stuntwoman Tonia Forsberg to take on the sport of barrel racing. Check out how it went. Natalie – we hope you continue to craft your barrel racing skills and thanks for featuring a sport we love!

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 to Las Vegas in December. Two individuals eyeing a first time NFR qualification in the barrel racing are Tayla Moeykens and Tricia Aldridge.

WPRA Barrel Racer Halyn Lide went to her first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo last year ranked ninth but with only three weeks left in the 2025 rodeo season she is in a mad dash to earn a second qualification. A clutch performance at the Cinch Playoffs in Puyallup, Washington over the weekend has her knocking on the door at 16th. Not only was the cash super important that she collected but she guaranteed herself a spot in the Governor’s Cup the last weekend of September in Sioux Falls, S.D.

As the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a Day. The same can be said for good barrel racing ground at ProRodeos. No one knows this better than Julie Herman, who for the past 15 years has served as the Wilderness Circuit Director and in March took over the reins as WPRA Vice President.

In 2023, a second Roping Director was added to the WPRA Board of Directors to support breakaway rodeo approval growth and breakaway member representation. Today, the WPRA Board of Directors is pleased to announce the addition of a third Roping Director into the upcoming 2026 election process.

There could not have been a better time of the year for 2023 WPRA Breakaway Roping World Champion Shelby Boisjoli-Meged to regain her confidence in her roping.

WPRA barrel racer Megan McLeod-Sprague has been in the sport a “hot-minute,” but this is the first year she has landed atop the barrel racing leaderboard for most money won over the Fourth of July, a week known in rodeo as Cowboy Christmas.

With a payout of over $750,000, the Reno Rodeo is a must stop on any contestant’s schedule trying to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at season’s end. Celebrating 106 years this year, the rodeo has traditionally marked the real start of the summer rodeo run, so not only is the payout important but so is the momentum.

There’s something about the desert climate that is attractive to Shayna Wimberly. She was raised in Arizona – a graduate of Wickenburg High School – and moved to Big Spring, Texas, two years ago to attend Howard College on a rodeo scholarship. The dry, arid region is not only appealing, but it also offers opportunities.

This past weekend Jackie Crawford finished fourth in the breakaway roping at Liberty Hill, Texas, and while not a No. 1 finish it will be a run she will always remember as it propelled her over the $1 million mark in career earnings in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. The 2.0 second run earned her $2,153 to bring her career earnings to $1,001,149. She becomes the first roper in WPRA history to cross this milestone. All others that have crossed this mark have been barrel racers. Crawford has collected all of her earnings with a rope – breakaway, team roping and tie-down roping.

Things are coming together quite well for breakaway roper Aspen Miller. She finished the 2024 WPRA campaign 25th in the ProRodeo World Standings, which not only helped build confidence in the young cowgirl but also helped create momentum heading into this season. She won San Antonio and picked up some decent checks at two other major Texas rodeos in Austin and Houston.

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO – The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association is pleased to announce Caroline Lukens as the new Chief of Operations and Board Executive Secretary.

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO – If you have ever met a WPRA member you know their most prized possession is their horse/horses and now the WPRA has partnered with Hart Trailer as a safe and reliable way to transport those equine athletes. Hart Trailer is now the Official Trailer of the WPRA and is the presenting sponsor of the highly sought after WPRA ProRodeo Barrel Racing World Standings.