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.

Jackie Crawford Crosses the $1 Million Mark in WPRA Career Earnings, 1st Roper to Achieve this in WPRA History

May 20, 2025

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the YearBREAKING NEWS Jackie Crawford Crosses the $1 Million Mark in WPRA Career Earnings, 1st Roper to Achieve this in WPRA History By Ann Bleiker This past weekend Jackie Crawford finished fourth in the breakaway roping...

Miller Making Most of Opportunities Presented, Takes Title in Guymon

May 6, 2025

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the YearWPRA NEWS Miller Making Most of Opportunities Presented, Takes Title in Guymon By Ted Harbin Photos by Dale Hirschman Things are coming together quite well for breakaway roper Aspen Miller. She finished the 2024...

WPRA Names Caroline Lukens New Chief of Operations and Board Executive Secretary

May 7, 2025

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the YearWPRA NEWS WPRA Names Caroline Lukens New Chief of Operations and Board Executive Secretary COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO – The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association is pleased to announce Caroline Lukens as the new...

Hart Trailer Now the Official Trailer of the WPRA

Apr 24, 2025

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the YearWPRA NEWS Hart Trailer Now the Official Trailer of the WPRA By Ann Bleiker COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO – If you have ever met a WPRA member you know their most prized possession is their horse/horses and now the...

2025 ProRodeo Hall of Fame Class Announced

May 5, 2025

2025 ProRodeo Hall of Fame Class Announced By Ann Bleiker COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado – While most American’s know April 15 as Tax Day, the following individuals will forever remember April 15, 2025, as the day they got the biggest lifetime refund any rodeo personality...

Rodeo Austin Brands Champions for 2025

Apr 3, 2025

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the YearWPRA NEWS Rodeo Austin Brands Champions for 2025 By Ann Bleiker WPRA photos by Rodeobum.com/James Phifer Each year the winners at Rodeo Austin receive a branding iron depicting the Rodeo Austin brand. WPRA members...