As some of you may have heard the IPRA has joined forces with the World Champions Rodeo Alliance (WCRA) in their efforts to create opportunities for Rodeo Athletes to qualify for some unique events with very large payouts. Attached is a document that lays out the basic parameters of how to qualify and what special opportunities have been negotiated for IPRA members. If you have additional questions myself and the IPRA staff will try to answer them, but you will also notice that there is contact info for the WCRA at the bottom of the attached document.
All IPRA sanctioned rodeos will count if you nominate them, and it’s very simple how to register and get started qualifying. Follow the instructions on downloading the WCRA Virtual Rodeo Qualifier (VRQ) App and set up your account. Make sure and follow the instructions and go to the website to get the App because it’s an internet based app and not available in the Apple App Store or Google Apps. You must go to app.wcrarodeo.com to download it. Once you download it and set up your account you can save it to your home screen. You can start nominating events now at any rodeo that entries have closed. Once you’ve downloaded the App you can follow the nomination process and it will tell you what the nomination fee is for that rodeo based on its classification.
Each athlete’s first opportunity to qualify through the VRQ is less than 70 days away at the $1 million Komatsu Equipment Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo presented by Zions Bank held July 19-21, 23-24, 2018 in Salt Lake City.There are 20 spots available (4 in bull riding) to this $1 million event that can only be qualified for by using the WCRA Virtual Qualifier. Athletes are encouraged to register today and start nominating so they can compete at this great event.
We will have more details soon regarding the first “Win and You’re In” IPRA event for 2018 that will send event winners directly to the first $500,000 semi-finals event in Guthrie, OK (in November).
Good luck and safe travels!
Our alliance allows us to offer our membership direct qualification opportunities to WCRA semi-finals events, and in some rare cases major events, through the”Win and You’re In” designated events we currently organize.
Through our Alliance, our members who choose to nominate at our events are also eligible for “Nomination Consolation Points”. For instance, our members who nominate at an event, but aren’t successful enough to earn points at the event, will receive the minimum “consolation” points as a reward for nominations. Whereas, if an athlete competes at a event that is not aligned, they don’t receive these consolation points. In a points race for the $500,000 Semi-Finals in each segment, every point matters – our members should see the direct benefits!