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.

Calgary Stampede Field Finalized

Jun 30, 2026

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the YearRODEO NEWS Calgary Stampede Field Finalized By Ann Bleiker The 2026 edition of the Calgary Stampede gets underway on July 3 and we now have an official list of those who have earned a spot in this prestigious...

Special Wins in Reno for Beisel and Outhier

Jun 30, 2026

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the YearRODEO NEWS Special Wins in Reno for Beisel and Outhier By Ann Bleiker If the short round of the 2026 Reno Rodeo was any indication of the level of competition expected within the WPRA over the next month of...

Heidi Schmidt talks WPRA National Breakaway Finals

May 20, 2026

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New Home, New Name, New Dates—Still the Crowning Jewel for Professional Rodeo Breakaway Roping

Jun 1, 2026

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the YearRODEO NEWS New Home, New Name, New Dates—Still the Crowning Jewel for Professional Rodeo Breakaway Roping By Ann Bleiker COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO (May 14, 2026) – The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association and...

Unique Awards in ProRodeo

May 20, 2026

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the YearRODEO NEWS Unique Awards in ProRodeo By Ann Bleiker While the traditional trophy buckle remains rodeo's most iconic award, many major ProRodeos now present unique, event-specific prizes that reflect their local...

2026 ProRodeo Hall of Fame Class Announced

May 14, 2026

Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the YearWPRA NEWS 2026 ProRodeo Hall of Fame Class Announced By Ann Bleiker COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado – It seems only fitting as we close out Women’s History Month for 2026 that we announce two WPRA members who will be...