WPRA NEWS

WPRA and PRCA Agree to Three Year Agreement

By Ann Bleiker

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO (Dec. 10, 2025) – The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association are pleased to announce a new agreement between the two Associations to continue to bring the best in professional rodeo to members, committees, fans and sponsors.

The WPRA and PRCA have been working diligently to craft a new agreement based on today’s circumstances and tomorrow’s challenges that will work to the benefit of all of our respective constituents. This new agreement will continue for the next three years with the option to extend an additional three years in 2028.

“The PRCA is happy to execute this three-year agreement with the WPRA and continue to elevate the profile of PRORODEO moving forward,” PRCA CEO Tom Glause said.

The biggest change in the new agreement is that under the old agreement women’s breakaway roping was a revenue share between the two. Starting in 2026, that discipline will be completely under the WPRA umbrella similar to the barrel racing. Instead of a revenue share it will be a pay-for service agreement, which is how barrel racing has been for decades.

“Under the current contract, which began in 2020, the breakaway roping was a collaboration between the two entities. After the last six years of building the event together, it just feels right to have breakaway roping solely under the WPRA in the future,” stated Heidi Schmidt, WPRA President. “We are the oldest women’s sports organization in the world, so it only makes sense that women’s breakaway roping would fall under our authority. We are very appreciative of the PRCA and rodeo committees who have added this second women’s event and look to continue to grow the prize money for these ladies.”

Under the expiring agreement PRCA agreed to work to expand and develop breakaway roping at PRCA sanctioned rodeos throughout the country. In 2019, prior to the start of the agreement, breakaway roping was held at 35 PRCA Rodeos. In 2025, the event was featured in 560 rodeos with 80-percent offering equal money including the majority of Playoff Series rodeos, that encompasses the top 60 rodeos, as well as individual circuit finals and the NFR Open in Colorado Springs.

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