Tulsa World: How 'bout them cowgirls

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How 'bout them cowgirls
Tulsa re-ropes rodeo world finals

Julie James of Wyoming walks her horses Cash (left) and Linc back to their trailer Tuesday after warming up for barrel racing in advance of the Women's Professional Rodeo Association's World Finals, which take place through Saturday at Expo Square. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

By KEVIN CANFIELD World Staff Writer
Published: 11/11/2009 2:23 AM
Last Modified: 11/11/2009 5:29 AM

The Women's Professional Rodeo Association World Finals are back in Tulsa this year.

And for those who think of women's rodeo as some kind of novelty act, it's time to think again.

"We are 61 years old this year," said the association's president, Kathi Myers. "We are the oldest women's sporting association in the country. We're even older than the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association)."

The event brings together about 400 competitors from across the country to vie for more than $350,000 in cash and prizes.

World champions will be crowned in all-around, breakaway roping, junior barrel racing, tie-down roping, and team roping as well as in barrel-racing pro futurity and pro derby divisions.

The most hotly contested events are expected to be the World Champion All-Around Cowgirl competition and the Junior Division Barrel Racing competition.

Less than $2,000 separates the top five women in the All-Around Cowgirl finals. In the Junior Division Barrel Racing, $302 separates the top four cowgirls.

For the first time, the WPRA finals will include an event that teams former world champions with youth champions from Oklahoma and Kansas in breakaway roping and barrel-racing competitions.

This is the second year in a row that Tulsa has hosted the WPRA finals. The event is headed to another city next year as the association attempts to rotate the event among two to four cities. Myers said Tulsa is being considered as part of the rotation.

For this week, however, she expects the event to go well as participants compete for the $10,000 to $15,000 that champions can walk away with. And for those who aren't so lucky, Myers said competitors can take comfort in the event's new sponsorship deal with the Hard Rock Casino and Hotel Tulsa.

"Rodeo is a gamble, you know," she said. "So if girls happened to have a bad day in the arena, they can go to the casino and see if they can turn their luck around before they come back the next day to compete here."

If you go

What: Women’s Professional Rodeo Association World Finals

Where: Expo Square’s Mustang and Ford Truck arenas

When: Wednesday through Saturday

*Ticketed events: Friday, 7 p.m., Ford Truck Arena, rodeo and concert by Thomas Martinez; adults, $15, children 12 and younger, $5. Saturday, 6 p.m., Ford Truck Arena, final round and awards ceremony; adults $10, children 12 and younger, $5. Tickets are available at tulsaworld.com/exposquare or by calling (918) 376-6000.

Kevin Canfield 581-8313
kevin.canfield@tulsaworld.com By KEVIN CANFIELD World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment Few Clothes, America (11/11/2009 9:34:41 AM) I do like cowgirls a lot.
	Report Comment lucky girl, mine (11/11/2009 9:36:07 AM) giddy up

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