For Immediate Release
Women's Professional Rodeo Association
October 23, 2023
Contact: Ann Bleiker - 719-330-4293
WPRA Announces 2023 Justin Best Footing Award Winners
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (October 23, 2023) – The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association is pleased to announce and congratulate the following rodeo committees who have gone above and beyond this past year to ensure safe ground for the animal athletes of rodeo, specifically the barrel racing horses. Every year since the early 1990s the WPRA and Justin Brands have honored rodeo committees in each of the 12 circuits with the Justin Best Footing Awards.
The Justin Best Footing Awards® program was created when Tom Feller, director of event marketing for Justin Brands, approached the WPRA about partnering on a program that would focus on the health and well being of the animal athlete. Not only does the program keep animal athletes performing at the top level, but it also recognizes the hard work and time rodeo committees put into making their ground as safe as possible for the barrel horse and all rodeo livestock.
Rodeos across the country are continuing to step up and either provided a hand rake or a tractor drag halfway through during their performances. As a result, there continues to be arena records set with the improved ground conditions allowing the horsepower in the WPRA to run at an elite level.
This award is determined by votes by the WPRA membership and Circuit Directors and represents our members’ voices saying “thank you” for a job well done. The WPRA recognizes the top three rodeo committees in all 12 circuits as well as the most improved ground committee in each circuit. Committee awards provided by Justin include cash bonuses (ranging from $350-$1,000), plaques and, at certain award levels, a pair of Justin exotic boots. In addition, names of each winner for each of the 12 circuits are put into a drawing for an addition $1,500 bonus from Justin. The following rodeo committees will be recognized at the WPRA Star Celebration in Las Vegas on Dec. 7 at the South Point Hotel and Casino.
Congratulations to the following rodeo committees being honored in 2023 and the WPRA thanks you for making your ground safe and consistent.
2023 Justin Best Footing Award Winners Badlands Circuit
First – Mandan (ND) Rodeo Days
Second – Range Days Rodeo – Rapid City, SD
Third – Rodeo Rapid City, SD
Most Improved – Mandan (ND) Rodeo Days
California Circuit
First – California Rodeo Salinas
Second – Red Bluff Round-Up
Third – 80th Annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo
Most Improved – Marysville Stampede
Columbia River Circuit
First – Elgin (OR) Stampede
Second – High Desert Stampede – Redmond, OR
Third – Tonasket (WA) PRCA Rodeo
Most Improved – Crooked River Roundup – Prineville, OR
First Frontier Circuit
First – Goshen (CT) Stampede
Second – Apple Hill Stables Rodeo, Levante, ME
Third – Gerry (NY) Volunteer Firemen’s Rodeo
Most Improved – Painted Pony Championship Rodeo – Lake Luzerne, NY
Great Lakes Circuit
First – Sikeston (MO) Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo
Second – Tri State Rodeo – Fort Madison, IA
Third – Buffalo (MN) Championship Rodeo
Most Improved – Jackson County Pro Rodeo – Bellevue, IA
Montana Circuit
First – Rosebud Treasure Co. Fair Rodeo, Forsyth
Second – Northeast Montana Fair and Rodeo - Glasgow
Third – Dawson County Fair & Rodeo - Glendive
Most Improved – Eastern Montana Fair and Rodeo – Miles City
Mountain States Circuit
First – Steamboat Springs (CO) Pro Rodeo Series
Second – Greeley (CO) Stampede
Third – Westcliffe (CO) Stampede Rodeo
Most Improved – Rooftop Rodeo – Estes Park, CO
Prairie Circuit
First – Kansas Biggest Rodeo, Phillipsburg
Second – Elk City (OK) Rodeo of Champions
Third – Longford (KS) Rodeo
Most Improved – Dodge City (KS) Roundup Rodeo
Southeastern Circuit
First – 95th Annual Arcadia (FL) Rodeo
Second – Southeastern Livestock Exposition – Montgomery, AL
Third – Silver Spurs Rodeo, Kissimmee, FL
Most Improved – Bill Hoy Kiwanis Rodeo – Clarksville, TN
Texas Circuit
First – Cowboy Capital of the World, Stephenville
Second – San Angelo Rodeo
Third – Parker County Frontier Days & PRCA Rodeo - Weatherford
Most Improved – West Texas Fair & Rodeo - Abilene
Turquoise Circuit
First – Roots N’ Boots Pro Rodeo, Queen Creek, AZ
Second – World’s Oldest Rodeo, Prescott, AZ
Third – The City of Champions Professional Rodeo – Artesia, NM
Most Improved – Parada del Sol – Scottsdale, AZ
Wilderness Circuit
First – Gooding (ID) Pro Rodeo
Second – That Famous Preston (ID) Night Rodeo
Third – Jerome (ID) County Fair and Rodeo
Most Improved – Caldwell (ID) Night Rodeo