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.

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...

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...

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...

Mayes Makes Most of First Year in the WPRA

Oct 21, 2025

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the Year RODEO NEWS Mayes Makes Most of First Year in the WPRA By Ann Bleiker The Resistol Rookie of the Year title is a prestigious award because individuals only have one shot at winning it and it is won in an athlete’s...

WPRA Announces 2025 Outstanding Committee Woman of the Year presented by Montana Silversmiths

Oct 17, 2025

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the Year RODEO NEWS WPRA Announces 2025 Outstanding Committee Woman of the Year presented by Montana Silversmiths By Ann Bleiker COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado - The backbone of any rodeo is no doubt the rodeo committee and...

WPRA, INFR, and PRCA Expand Partnership to Promote Native Athletes in PRORODEO

Oct 14, 2025

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the Year RODEO NEWS WPRA, INFR, and PRCA Expand Partnership to Promote Native Athletes in PRORODEO By Ann Bleiker The Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR) kicks off today through Saturday, Oct. 18 in Las Vegas at the South...