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 following rodeo committees who have gone above and beyond this past year to ensure safe ground for the animal athletes of rodeo, specifically the barrel racing horses. Every year since the early 1990s the WPRA and Justin Brands have honored rodeo committees in each of the 12 circuits with the Justin Best Footing Awards.

The Justin Best Footing Awards® program was created when Tom Feller, director of event marketing for Justin Brands, approached the WPRA about partnering on a program that would focus on the health and well-being of the animal athlete. Not only does the program keep animal athletes performing at the top level, but it also recognizes the hard work and time rodeo committees put into making their ground as safe as possible for the barrel horse and all rodeo livestock.

This award is determined by votes by the WPRA membership and Circuit Directors and represents our members’ voices saying “thank you” for a job well done. The WPRA recognizes the top three rodeo committees in all 12 circuits. Committee awards provided by Justin include cash bonuses (ranging from $400-$1,000), plaques and, at certain award levels, a pair of Justin exotic boots. In addition, names of each winner for each of the 12 circuits are put into a drawing for an additional $1,000 bonus from Justin. The following rodeo committees will be recognized at the WPRA Star Celebration in Las Vegas on Dec. 4 at the South Point Hotel and Casino.

Congratulations to the following rodeo committees being honored in 2025 and the WPRA thanks you for making your ground safe and consistent.

2025 Justin Best Footing Award Winners

Badlands Circuit

First – Ag Expo Pro Rodeo – Watford City, SD

Second – Wild Rides Rodeo – Killdeer, ND

Third – Range Days Rodeo – Rapid City, SD

California Circuit  

First – Clovis Rodeo

Second – California Rodeo Salinas

Third – King City Stampede

Columbia River Circuit   

First – High Desert Stampede – Redmond, OR

Second – Elgin (OR) Stampede

Third – Toppenish (WA) Rodeo

First Frontier Circuit

First – 1^st State Stampede – Harrington, DE

Second – Goshen (CT) Stampede

Third –Painted Pony Championship Rodeo – Lake Luzerne, NY

Great Lakes Circuit

First – Sikeston (MO) Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo

Second – Pioneer City Pro Rodeo – Palestine, IL

Third – Mid-Western Rodeo – Manawa, WI

Montana Circuit

First – Sanders County Fair & PRCA Rodeo – Plains

Second – Richland County Fair & Rodeo – Sidney

Third – Rosebud Treasure Co. Fair Rodeo, Forsyth

Mountain States Circuit  

First – Steamboat Springs (CO) Pro Rodeo Series

Second – Greeley (CO) Stampede

Third – Evanston (WY) Cowboy Days

Prairie Circuit

First – Kansas Biggest Rodeo, Phillipsburg

Second – Elk City (OK) Rodeo of Champions

Third – Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo – Abilene, KS

Southeastern Circuit        

First – 5^th Annual White County PRCA Rodeo – Searcy, AR

Second – Southeastern Livestock Expo – Montgomery, AL

Third – Rotary Rodeo – Starkville, MS

Texas Circuit

First – Rodeo Killeen

Second – Cowboy Capital of the World, Stephenville

Third – Rodeo Austin

Turquoise Circuit  

First – World’s Oldest Rodeo, Prescott, AZ

Second – Roots N Boots – Queen Creek, AZ

Third – Home of the Navajo PRCA Rodeo – Window Rock, AZ

Wilderness Circuit

First – Gooding (ID) Pro Rodeo

Second – Caldwell (ID) Night Rodeo

Third – Lehi (UT) Round Up Rodeo

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