One Last Chance for Cowgirls to Get In
By: Julia Dondero
One last chance for some of the sport’s toughest and most competitive cowgirls to compete for a piece of the record-setting $750,000 payout. Cowgirls outside of the top 20, who have earned points on the Women’s Rodeo World Championship leaderboard prior to the nomination deadline of April 16 are invited to the historic Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas for one last chance to earn their spot at the Women’s Rodeo World Championship.
The Last Chance Qualifier will be held on May 17, beginning at Noon at the Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth. The event will feature a Pro and Challenger Open Barrel Race, Pro and Challenger Breakaway Roping, and Pro and Challenger Team Roping, and will conclude with the Pro and Challenger Barrel Race Buy Back Round. Entry fees will be $150 for the Barrel Racing and $250 for the roping events. The one-day tournament is anticipated to award $40,000.
The Last Chance Qualifier brings unprecedented opportunities for women in rodeo. Women’s Rodeo World Championship Commissioner Linsay Rosser-Sumpter expressed her excitement for the event, “This opportunity provides touch-notch competitors from all walks of life the opportunity to showcase their talents on one of the largest stages for women in rodeo. As a competitor or rodeo fan, you don’t want to miss out on the richest week of women’s rodeo.”
Rosser-Sumpter explained, “We wanted to provide cowgirls with the most opportunities possible to showcase their skills. The Last Chance Qualifier allows high-caliber cowgirls to compete at a major event and take one last shot at qualifying for the WRWC. This year, we are looking forward to hosting this event in conjunction with The Cowgirl Gathering, making this week in the Stockyards all about the women of rodeo.”
The event will take place in conjunction with The Cowgirl Gathering, which serves as the first 2024 WRWC Qualifier Event. The Cowgirl Gathering, which features an open 5D Barrel Race, Team Ropings, and Breakaway Roping was created to showcase inspirational women from all walks of life who embody the spirit of the American Cowgirl. In addition to celebrating the women of rodeo, the Professional Bull Riders Association Finals will also be taking place in Fort Worth.
The Women’s Rodeo World Championship Week kicks off May 14 with the preliminary rounds and concludes May 20 with the Triple Crown of Rodeo Round. With a guaranteed total payout of $750,000 and $60,000 going to each event champion, this event is one competitor and fans alike won’t want to miss out on.
“This week is all about recognizing women in rodeo and celebrating their success, talent, and dedication to the sport. This high caliber of talent deserves to be celebrated and the WRWC is proud to showcase these athletes during a historic week of women’s rodeo” Rosser-Sumpter explained.
