The Women’s Ranch Rodeo Association (WRRA) is moving their year-end finals to Wichita, KS. The finals, previously held in Kansas City, will be held in Wichita at the Kansas Coliseum on October 17th and 18th, 2008. Cowgirls must qualify for the finals by competing throughout 2008 in WRRA rodeos held across the country. The two-day event will feature cowgirls riding, roping, sorting, penning cattle, and displaying other skills they use in every day ranch work.
“We’re excited about getting to move our finals to Wichita,” said Billie Franks, WRRA spokesperson and founding member. “The Wichita area is much closer to home for most of our contestants, sponsors, and spectators. We have strong connections here.”
For those unfamiliar with Women’s Ranch Rodeo, it is a rodeo where women compete in teams of four, not as individuals as in a "regular" rodeo. There are five different events, all involving the cowgirls riding horses to rope, pen, sort, or otherwise handle cattle.
While most of the women in the WRRA are actively involved in ranching, it is not a requirement for joining or competing in the rodeos.
“Our membership is open to any interested woman,” Mrs. Franks explained. “She doesn’t have to be currently employed in ranch work. However, almost all of our members do live or work on a ranch, or are frequently employed with day work (working for a ranch on a day-to-day or as-needed basis). It’s how they get those roping and riding skills they use in the arena.”
Although only in its fourth year, the Women’s Ranch Rodeo Association is proving to be popular not only with contestants but with spectators, too.
“It’s a great show for spectators,”
The Women’s Ranch Rodeo Association (http://www.womensranchrodeo.com) was founded in 2005. It is their goal to educate and perpetuate the sport of women's ranch rodeo in recognition of the skills and lifestyle of women actively involved in the cattle or ranching industries.
