The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association’s board of directors is pleased to announce that ladies barrel racing will become a major rodeo event, effective for the 2007 rodeo season.

Until now, barrel racing has been considered a major optional event in Canada, along with team roping. As a major event, barrel racing is now mandatory at all CPRA-approved rodeos and must have prize money equal to the other major events.

“I am thrilled to death!” exclaimed Merry Ann Stoney, the ladies barrel racing representative on the CPRA’s board.
continue reading "Barrel Racing becomes ‘Major’ Event"

A Texan woman has paid more than $150,000 USD to clone her retired barrel racing horse who won the world title 10 times. Charmayne James now has a foal clone from her champion gelding Scamper.

The first four attempts to produce a clone failed, but success came with the successful birth of a foal on August 8. It was named Clayton, after her childhood hometown in New Mexico. The company that carried out the cloning was ViaGen, based in Austin, Texas. It specializes in animal genetics.
continue reading "Top Barrel Racing Horse Cloned"

by Darell Hartlen

When the Calgary Stampede announced that they were revising their rodeo’s format, limiting entries to 20 contestants per event and upping the pot to the tune of $1.6 million, they knew that they’d attract the best-of-the-best in the sport of professional rodeo.

So how do you go about gathering 20 of the top cowboys and cowgirls in the world? You take the top five money earners from the Canadian Finals Rodeo, match them up against the top ten from the National Finals Rodeo, invite the winner from your spring indoor rodeo (Rodeo Royal) and then hand-pick four more contestants to round out the bill, that’s how.
continue reading "Top Money Brings ‘em in: Barrel Racers Run for Calgary Stampede Cash"