Calgary Stampede and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association announce new Barrels & Breakaway Event

The Calgary Stampede, in partnership with the Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA), is thrilled to announce a new opportunity for the women of rodeo to compete for an exclusive spot at The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.

“The Calgary Stampede is proud to showcase the best-of-the-best rodeo athletes in the world,” said Joel Cowley, Calgary Stampede’s CEO. “This year we’re pleased to add another path for both rising stars and familiar faces to qualify for our prestigious Rodeo and Rocky Mountain Cup.”

The inaugural WPRA Western Region Barrels & Breakaway competition will take place in Salina, UT April 11-14. This brand new, high-caliber event is open to barrel racers and breakaway ropers from the WPRA across the United States and Canada. The marquee event for the weekend will be the Calgary Stampede qualifier. Competitors will have the chance to enter the Calgary qualifier if already entered in the WPRA Card or Permit Only race as well as the WPRA Breakaway. The top two finishers in the average standings in the Calgary qualifier barrel race and breakaway roping not already qualified will earn a spot to compete in their respective events at the 2024 Calgary Stampede. Only 30 ladies in barrel racing and 30 in breakaway roping will get the honor to compete in July in Calgary.

“The Calgary Stampede, a longtime partner of the WPRA, has always worked diligently with our association to provide as many opportunities as possible for our members to qualify into their prestigious event,” said Jimmie Munroe, WPRA President. “It’s very exciting to collaborate with them on a qualifier here in the United States. We hope that many of our members will take advantage of this great opportunity.”

Entries will open on March 1, 2024 at www.saddlebook.com and will close on April 5, 2024. Non-WPRA members are welcome to compete during the weekend in the following races:

• Futurity Race - $5,000 added

• Derby Race - $2,500 added

• Open 5D - $10,000 added ($5,000 each day April 13 and 14)

For more information on entries and ground rules for the Western Region Event visit www.wpra.com.

This new opportunity in the United States builds off the success of the Calgary Stampede’s Barrel Racing Qualifer, which has been taking place since 2021. Canada’s Calgary Stampede’s qualifier continues to give athletes the opportunity to race for their chance to be part of the World’s Largest Outdoor Rodeo. In addition to this opportunity at the Western Region Event in the United States, the Calgary Stampede will be hosting their Ladies Barrel Racing qualifier June 11- 12 at the Nutrien Western Event Centre. The top three from this event, not already qualified, will earn a spot in the Calgary Stampede.

Last year, breakaway roping made its Stampede debut. The event was an added feature to the Rocky Mountain Cup, and the Calgary Stampede hosted a qualifier to give the four fastest ropers a chance to compete in Canada’s richest day of roping. This year, the Calgary Stampede Ladies Breakaway Roping Qualifier will take place June 4 -5 at the Nutrien Western Event Centre.

Tickets are also now on sale for the 2024 Stampede Rodeo and Evening Show, July 5-14. For the best seats in the house, get yours today by visiting CalgaryStampede.com/tickets.

About the Calgary Stampede

The Calgary Stampede celebrates the people, the animals, the land, the traditions and the values that make up the unique spirit of the west. The Calgary Stampede contributes to the quality of life in Calgary and southern Alberta through our world-renowned Stampede, year-round facilities, western events and several youth and agriculture programs. Exemplifying the theme We’re Greatest Together, we are a volunteer-supported, not-for-profit community organization that preserves and celebrates our western heritage, cultures and community spirit. All revenue is reinvested into Calgary Stampede programs and facilities.

About the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association

The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) is the oldest women’s sports organization in the country. The Association started in 1948 when 38 women met in a hotel in San Angelo, Texas, on February 28, to change the way they were being treated in the male-dominated world of rodeo. These women banded together to create the very first professional sports association created solely for women by women – the Girls Rodeo Association (GRA). In 1981, the GRA changed its name to the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA). The WPRA, headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO, provides opportunities for women across the United States and Canada to compete in the timed events of barrel racing, team roping, breakaway roping, and tie-down roping. For more information on the WPRA visit www.wpra.com.

For more information, please contact:
Ann Bleiker
Director of Communications
Women’s Professional Rodeo Association
T 719.330.4293
E ableiker@yahoo.com

Shannon Greer
Manger, Communications and Media Relations
Calgary Stampede
T 403.585.0467
E sgreer@calgarystampede.com