WPRA Announces 2023 Justin Best Footing Award Winners

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 – 80^th 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 – 95^th 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

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