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.

2025 Election Information-FAQ

by WPRA Administrator | Jan 22, 2025

2025 Election Information2025 Election InformationWPRA 2025 Nomination/Election Cycle FAQGeneral Nomination and Election Questions: The WPRA Board is sharing some important information and key dates. Please note that this document is a summary and does not replace the...

Thompson Takes All-Around Crown in the WPRA

by Joe Kusek | Jan 22, 2025

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the YearWPRA NEWS Thompson Takes All-Around Crown in the WPRA By Joe Kusek Haiden Thompson estimates she has won 75 championship saddles during her still ascending rodeo career. She’s kept a few that are close to her...

Second World Title for Moreno Just As Sweet

by Kristen M. White | Jan 20, 2025

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the YearWPRA NEWS Second World Title for Moreno Just As Sweet By Kristen M. White The thrill of winning her first team roping heeling world title will always be special to Lorraine Moreno. But the second one comes awfully...

Kenzie Kelton Top Team Roping Header in WPRA

by Ted Harbin | Jan 15, 2025

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the YearWPRA NEWS Kenzie Kelton Top Team Roping Header in WPRA By Ted Harbin For the rest of her career, Kenzie Kelton will be recognized as a WPRA world champion. She’s not even 21 years old, but it’s the culmination of...

Bittersweet Year Ends with Gold Buckle for Mowry

by Ann Bleiker | Jan 12, 2025

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the YearWPRA NEWS Bittersweet Year Ends with Gold Buckle for Mowry By Ann Bleiker Photos by Kenneth Springer As they say, a dog is man’s best friend, well in the barrel racing industry horses are a girl’s best friend and...

Consistent Roping Proves Key to Domer’s 2024 Breakaway Roping World Title

by Ann Bleiker | Jan 6, 2025

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the YearWPRA NEWS Consistent Roping Proves Key to Domer’s 2024 Breakaway Roping World Title By Ann Bleiker Photos by Clay Guardipee Sometimes it pays to not know. The idea of "ignorance is bliss" turned out to be...