Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association
Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association
Main page
1954131

Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association

logo
Community Hub0 subscribers
What are your thoughts?
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) is the largest rodeo organization in the world. It sanctions events in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with members from said countries, as well as others. Its championship event is the National Finals Rodeo (NFR). The PRCA is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States.

The organization was created in 1936 when a group of cowboys walked out of a rodeo at the Boston Garden to protest the actions of rodeo promoter W.T. Johnson, who refused to add the cowboys' entry fees to the rodeo's total purse. Johnson finally gave in to the cowboys' demands, and the successful "strike" led to the formation of the Cowboys' Turtle Association. That name was chosen because, while they were slow to organize, when required they were unafraid to stick out their necks to get what they wanted, like turtles might do. Among the organizers was a woman; Alice Greenough Orr, a four-time national bronc riding champion.

In 1945, the Turtles changed their name to the Rodeo Cowboys Association, and in 1975, the organization became the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

The PRCA staff consists of about 70 full-time employees, but grows to nearly 100 during the peak rodeo season.

The PRCA headquarters, established in 1979 in Colorado Springs, also houses the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy.

In 2006, the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame inducted the PRCA into its hall of fame.

Events are divided into roughstock and timed events.

Note: Steer roping is publicized separately and its finals are held separately at the National Finals Steer Roping (NFSR). The National Finals Breakaway Roping (NFBR), held in conjunction with the NFR since 2020, has been held to determine the WPRA's world champion breakaway roper.

See all
User Avatar
No comments yet.