Walk-Up Guideline Reminders

Update from the WPRA Board as of March 2025:

• Walk-up replacements will now be allowed at all 1 go-round rodeos including limited entry rodeos (provided the rodeo wants walk-ups).
• Limited Entry Rodeos utilize the 30-hour replacement policy and use a “replacement list” based on the rodeo qualifications and contestants who entered. For those positions that are not filled under the 30-hour replacement policy, if the rodeo accepts walk-ups, walk-ups would be able to fill the remaining positions.

To be eligible for a walk-up:

• Must have been eligible to enter the rodeo, which includes meeting the membership dues date for the rodeo.
• Members can walk-up and replace an open position (notified turnout or release) if they simply did not enter the rodeo or were drawn out due to preferences or a parameter.
• Walk-up replacements are only available in performances not in slack, and only if it states in the WPRA’s ground rules that the walk-up replacement policy is in effect on the WPRA website.
• Must meet the eligibility criteria for that rodeo (e.g., permits cannot walk-up at a cards only rodeo).
• You must be a member in good standing (e.g., no past due account balances).
• To be a walk-up replacement, you are to physically check in with the rodeo secretary in the rodeo office no later than 2 hours prior to the performance by presenting your current active WPRA membership card to the rodeo secretary.
• If more people walk-up than positions are available, it will be a random draw for the open position(s) in the performance.
• Walk-up contestants must pay entry fees.
• Barrel replacements will be placed at the end of the draw and random drawn if more than one. Breakaway replacements will be placed in the open position and run in the position of the contestant that they are replacing and random drawn if more than one. 
• Members are NOT eligible to be a walk-up replacement at a rodeo if they are turning out of another rodeo on the same day. Keep in mind, a contestant can compete at a rodeo as a replacement and at another rodeo with a “same day” conflict as long as she does NOT turnout of either rodeo. If they do compete as a walk-up replacement AND are a turnout at another rodeo on the same day, they will be disqualified and fined. 

If a contestant is a walk-up replacement and is ineligible and competes at the rodeo, she will be drawn out of the rodeo, but will still be required to pay entry fees plus subject to either a minor or major rule violation fine as noted below. 

• If she won money, she will be removed from the results and all winnings, points, and prizes will be redistributed. In addition to this redistribution, the contestant will be subject to a minor rule violation and $250 fine for the first offense if ineligible for membership reasons (WPRA Rule 9.2.9) or will be subject to a major rule violation per WPRA rule 9.3.21. and will receive a minimum of a $1,000 fine for second and subsequent offenses for membership ineligibility and all financial ineligibility offenses.

Tariffs and Horse Industry from Canadian Quarter Horse Industry

As some of our members start gearing up for rodeos in Canada we wanted to share with all the information recently put out by the Canadian Quarter Horse Association.

April 3, 2025

Dear Members of the Canadian Quarter Horse Community,

We have important news to share regarding the movement of horses between the U.S. and Canada. As part of recent updates to the United States’ tariff structure, horses that meet the requirements under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will continue to cross the border without incurring any tariffs. This important update is a continuation of the long-standing agreement that facilitates cross-border trade.

For further details, you can read the full announcement here: White House Fact Sheet.

This decision ensures that horses eligible under the USMCA will remain tariff-free, preserving the unrestricted flow of horses across the U.S.-Canada border. The Canadian government has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining this arrangement, ensuring that horses continue to benefit from the tariff exemptions set forth in the USMCA.

The strength of the Quarter Horse industry in both Canada and the U.S. is built on the dedication and collaboration of breeders, competitors, and enthusiasts on both sides of the border. We are thankful to those who have worked to protect this vital trade relationship, including those advocating for AQHA on Capitol Hill.

Please ensure that you have all necessary documentation when transporting horses, including proof of foaling location (whether in the USA or Canada). If you encounter any difficulties at the border, please contact us immediately so we can assist you.

We will keep you informed of any further updates as we continue to monitor the situation closely.

Sincerely,

Canadian Quarter Horse Association

Release Option Now Available on Entry Portal

We are happy to report that there is now a release button in the member entry portal, so members don't have to call Procom to release. It should look like this in the portal.

Circuit Spokeswomen

At the Spring Board Meeting the list of Circuit Spokeswomen were approved.

4.2.2. WPRA spokeswomen (who must be national card members in good standing) will be appointed by each Circuit Director and passed on for approval by the entire Board of Directors. Spokeswomen’s duties will be to aid and assist rodeo administration and to represent membership in the absence of Director.

1.4. WPRA Roping Spokeswomen

1.4.1. WPRA Roping Director shall have the ability to appoint regional spokeswomen. WPRA Roping spokeswomen shall be approved by the WPRA Board of Directors. WPRA Roping spokeswomen will have full authority in the field in the absence of the WPRA Roping Director.

To see what individuals are on this list click the link below.

How do I qualify for the Calgary Stampede - Barrels and Breakaway

We wanted to share with our members the ways you can qualify for the 2025 Calgary Stampede. Each event will take 30 contestants. The breakdown in qualifications is as follows:

• 4 - from the 2024 Canadian Professional Rodeo Association Standings (drop down until filled)
• 15 - Top 15 in the 2024 WPRA World Standings (will not drop down - if someone drops out, it goes to 2025 World Standings)
• 5 - Top 5 in 2025 WPRA World Standings as of April 1, 2025 (will drop down until filled)
• 2 qualifiers from the Western Regional - Salina, UT - April 10-13 (will drop down until filled with two unique individuals)
• 4 qualifiers from the Calgary qualifier in June - breakaway June 3-4 and barrels June 10-11 (will drop down until filled with two unique individuals)

Rule Spotlight

Turnout vs Release options

As your rodeo schedule gets busier, this is a reminder of the options available to you if you are unable to make it to your rodeo after you have entered:

• Turnout through the online entry system (no later than 3 hours prior to your slack or performance)
• Release through the online entry system (as of April 2025) or by calling Procom (no later than 3 hours prior to your slack or performance)

Each option has different fees associated with them. Please be familiar with the full release and turnout sections 10.7. & 10.8. in the 2025 WPRA Rule Book.

Statement from WPRA on 2025 Prairie Circuit Finals

The WPRA is saddened to hear that the Chisholm Trail Rodeo will not be hosting the 2025 Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo per contract with the PRCA. We appreciate their commitment over the years and will continue to value their partnership. Both the WPRA and the PRCA are committed to ensuring each and every circuit has a circuit finals. That information will come in a timely manner, but rest assured, both associations will work together on this and continue our strong partnership for all rodeo athletes.