Northwest Professional Rodeo-NPRA serving Oregon, Washington, Idaho and N. Calif.

Untitled Document

In the early 1950’s, cowboys and cowgirls here in the Great Northwest decided it was time to standardize the elements that affected their competition and joined together to form the Oregon Rodeo Association. This organization would work to improve arena and stock conditions, as well as develop uniform event rules to make competition fair for all. Written records are incomplete, but some of the founding members are still active participants and they confirm that a general membership vote at the 1956 convention changed the name of the Oregon Rodeo Association to the Northwest Rodeo Association to better represent the area it encompassed. The NRA continued to flourish and grow as more and more rodeos came under its sanction and the number of contestants increased. The sport was rapidly gaining fans and recognition! The following time line charts the major changes and additions to the association’s format that have taken place over the last forty years and shows some of the ways the association has adapted to the growth of the sport of rodeo:


1957 - Officers and directors gathered at the first NRA Convention.	1959 - Happy winners with smiles, buckles and a saddle

Timeline

1950 - The Oregon Rodeo Association was formed.

1956 - The ORA Changed it's name to the Norwest Rodeo Association<

1968 - The NRA was incorporated and improved its business operations.

1978 - The NRA joined the North American Rodeo Commission, a group formed by regional rodeo associations from across the United States.

1979, 1980, 1981 - The NRA sent a team of contestants to Calgary, Alberta, Canada for the World Cup Championship Rodeo. “Team Northwest” was runner-up in ‘79. In both ‘80 and ‘81 the team, then called the Northwest Volcanoes, won the NARC World Cup Championship title. The team concept finals at Calgary only lasted for three years, but Northwest cowboys and cowgirls made their mark proving that there are no better rodeo athletes in the world than what you’ll see right here in the Great Northwest!

1984 - A new rodeo entry method was born. “Dial-A-Rodeo”, a computerized central entry system revolutionized the way contestants entered rodeos. Breakaway roping was added as an optional event this year as well.

1989 - The NRA officially changed its name to the Northwest Professional Rodeo Association.

1997 - The NPRA moved its year-end Championship Finals to the Linn County Fairgrounds in Albany, OR. This new indoor facility enabled the NPRA to host a first-class Championship Finals Rodeo with great success. The “NW Pro Rodeo Roundup” became the offcial newspaper for the NPRA.

The Northwest Professional Rodeo Association is the western United States largest regional rodeo organization. It annually sanctions over 40 rodeos throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada and California. Its membership continues to grow and represents the finest caliber of rodeo athletes in the country! The NPRA rodeo season begins in October with a few indoor rodeos through the winter months, increases to a “multiple rodeos per weekend” schedule through the summer months, and climaxes in September at the Championship Finals. The NPRA is proud of the opportunity it provides for rodeo athletes to compete at the professional level while remaining close to home, families, and weekday jobs.

It promotes a wholesome family atmosphere and continuously works to improve contestant and livestock conditions. It is dedicated to preserving the western heritage that is an integral part of rodeo. The spirit of the west is alive and flourishing at NPRA rodeos throughout the northwest region. Thousands of rodeo fans have discovered that the sportsmanship, the level of competition, the quality of livestock and the exciting rodeo action seen at NPRA rodeos is the “Best in the West”. Watch for an NPRA sanctioned event near you this year and come see for yourself! Bring the whole family and enjoy the fun and excitement of The Great American Sport of Rodeo - NPRA style!

	1960 - Miss NRA, Jan Beamer, presenting All-Around saddle to Mac Griffith.

NPRA Sponsors

Cow Milking Saddle
Gary & Norma Erb, Roy, Washington

Bareback Riding Saddle Norm Bernbeck, Gladstone, Oregon

Tie Down Roping Saddle & Awards
Merial Limited,
Don Blakemoore,
Touchet, Washington

Bull Riding Saddle & Buckle Sponsor

Bull Riding Spur Sponsor

Bull Riding Rifle Sponsor

6th in Bull Riding & Bronc Riding Sponsor

Ryder Gauteraux Boots
Handmade Boots - Sisters, OR
541-588-5007
Award Sponsor

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