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.

Thompson Ropes Resistol Rookie Title in Record Fashion

Oct 24, 2025

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the Year RODEO NEWS Thompson Ropes Resistol Rookie Title in Record Fashion By Ann Bleiker Haiden Thompson is a name people should keep an eye on as she continues to build her career within the Women’s Professional Rodeo...

PRCA, WPRA announce new date, location of 2025 National Finals Breakaway Roping

Nov 26, 2025

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the Year NFBR Update PRCA, WPRA announce new date, location of 2025 National Finals Breakaway Roping November 26, 2025—The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women's Professional Rodeo Association announced...

EHV-1 Update

Nov 26, 2025

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the Year NFBR Update November 24, 2025—Below are the jackpots that have either cancelled, postponed or reschedules as of 2:30pm MT: Scottsdale, AZ 11/27/25 Turquoise DC Breakaway Final – Postponed Scottsdale, AZ 11/27/25...

WPRA Announces 2025 Justin Best Footing Award Winners

Oct 28, 2025

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the Year RODEO NEWS WPRA Announces 2025 Justin Best Footing Award Winners By Ann Bleiker COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (October 28, 2025) – The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association is pleased to announce and congratulate the...

Harman Wins Card Holder Race at WPRA World Finals

Oct 28, 2025

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the Year RODEO NEWS Harman Wins Card Holder Race at WPRA World Finals By Ann Bleiker WACO, TEXAS – Gracen Harman bested all the WPRA card holders over the weekend at the WPRA World Finals at the Extraco Event Center in...

Lindsey Vonn Next Sport Might Be Roping

Oct 28, 2025

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the Year RODEO NEWS Lindsey Vonn Next Sport Might Be Roping By Ann Bleiker Lindsey Vonn, one of the greatest female skiers of all-time, joins TODAY to talk about her comeback season at the World Cup Finals after five...