In rodeo, there are two major organizations, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA). The two have been affiliated since the late 1940s. (more from Wikipedia on PRCA and WPRA.) There are about 6,000 members of the PRCA and about 2,000 members of WPRA (open only to women).
The PRCA board of directors voted on August 16th to sever its partnership of 60 years, and form a competing subsidiary.
The women aren't taking it lying down.
The WPRA, one of the oldest women sports organizations, has nearly 2000 members and sanctions over 600 barrel racings across the nation. The PRCA will look to take over the WPRA members and its sanctioned rodeos by implementing and activating rules that would preclude an event from sanctioning their organization. The PRCA has also ousted them from the culminating Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas beginning in 2007.
"This is an atrocity to the sport and the women athletes of professional rodeo" said Tammy Key, a top barrel racing competitor and director of the WPRA. "Our organization has been representing the women of our sport, standardizing our competition and ensuring a professional environment for decades…and it has been doing a great job."
The WPRA plans on following all possible recourse to protect its business, its members and its relationships with the fans and the rodeo committees. It is not going to take this lightly. "From its inception, this organization has had to fight again and again to maintain its existence and autonomy; to protect its all women sanctity; and to ensure equal prize money. We believe that the committees, the sponsors and the public will not allow the maverick business practices of yester years to go unchecked’ said Jymmy Kay Davis. "So in turn we are asking for a ‘National Call to Action’ for our Women Athletes."
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