RODEO NEWS

WPRA Announces 2026 Justin Best Footing Award Winners

By Ann Bleiker

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (October 28, 2026) – 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 present at the awards ceremony 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. 3 at the South Point Hotel and Casino.

Congratulations to the following rodeo committees being honored in 2026 and the WPRA thanks you for making your ground safe and consistent.

2026 Justin Best Footing Award Winners

Badlands Circuit
First – Killdeer (ND) Mountain Roundup
Second – Range Days Rodeo – Rapid City, SD
Third – Black Hills Roundup – Belle Fourche, SD

California Circuit
First – California Rodeo Salinas
Second – Ramona Rodeo
Third – Santa Maria Elks Rodeo
 
Columbia River Circuit
First – Basin City (WA) Freedom Rodeo
Second – Chief Joseph Days – Joseph, OR
Third – Newport (WA) Rodeo

First Frontier Circuit
First – 1st State Stampede – Harrington, DE
Second – Gerry (NY) Volunteer Fireman’s Rodeo
Third – Goshen (CT) Stampede

Great Lakes Circuit
First – Hamel (MN) Rodeo & Bull Ridin’ Bonanza
Second – Buffalo (MN) PRCA Championship Rodeo
Third – Pioneer City Pro Rodeo – Palestine, IL

Montana Circuit
First – Sanders County Fair & PRCA Rodeo – Plains
Second – McCone County Fair PRCA Rodeo – Circle
Third – Rodeo Billings

Mountain States Circuit
First – Greeley (CO) Stampede
Second – Elizabeth (CO) Stampede
Third – Steamboat Springs (CO) Pro Rodeo Series

Prairie Circuit
First – Kansas Biggest Rodeo, Phillipsburg
Second – Woodward (OK) Elks Rodeo
Third – 101 Wild West Rodeo – Ponca City, OK

Southeastern Circuit
First – 6th Annual White County PRCA Rodeo – Searcy, AR
Second – Crowley’s Ridge Saddle Club – Forrest City, AR
Third – Weekley Brothers Davie (FL) Pro Rodeo

Texas Circuit
First – Rodeo Killeen
Second – West Texas Fair and Rodeo – Abilene
Third – Cowboy Capital of the World, Stephenville

Turquoise Circuit
First – World’s Oldest Rodeo, Prescott, AZ
Second – Roots N Boots – Queen Creek, AZ
Third – Flagstaff (AZ) Pro Rodeo

Wilderness Circuit
First – Mountain Valley Stampede – Heber City, UT
Second – Magic Valley Stampede – Filer, ID
Third – Ute Stampede Rodeo – Nephi, UT

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