Rodeo entries are going really good considering the economy, for that we “Thank You.” We are sorry to have some serious injuries already that could use everyone’s prayers and best wishes….. Jared Weedman was hurt at Arlington, Clint Wells at Spray, and Brooks Bateman was hurt in a team roping accident. Tony Lundervold has suffered a loss in his family and we extend our condolences to him and his family. Best wishes for healing and a rapid recovery.

A repeated reminder, if you have your cards purchased before entry day it sure goes smoother for everyone. With the call volume so high during the busy season coming up, having your card number READY when you call is a must. Doing this helps both the waiting contestant as well as the staff at Central Entry.

ROOKIES
The NPRA has awards for a Timed Event Rookie, Rough Stock Rookie and Barrel Racer Rookie of the Year. If you are eligible for these rookie awards please let me know. I'm not sure I caught all the rookies when you bought your card and I know some of you forgot to check that box on your form. Remember the qualifications for rookie are as follows: You must be a first year member in good standing with the most points (not money won) for the current year. You cannot have belonged to any other rodeo other than junior, high school or college associations.

PAYOFF CHECKS
All checks not picked up by the contestant at the rodeo are sent to the association secretary to be mailed. This usually takes about 10 days from the date of the rodeo for you to receive your check. If you wish to receive your check faster you may leave a stamped, self-addressed envelope with the rodeo secretary to have your check mailed directly to you by the rodeo secretary.

Memberships: A helpful tip for the NPRA office-----------When filling out your application for a New Member if you are eligible for Rookie, PLEASE be sure to mark the appropriate spot so you are not missed. Thank you.

Rookies are those first-year members who have not belonged to any other rodeo association or an association co-approving rodeos with the NPRA other than junior, high school or college associations. If you did not declare yourself to be a rookie as well as a new member, please let me know before July 1. After that date changes to “rookie” status will not be accepted. Awards are given for the Rough Stock Rookie of the Year, Timed Event Rookie of the Year and Barrel Racer Rookie of the Year. These awards are based on points rather than money won.

If you qualified from Oregon, Washington, or California to the National High School Rodeo Association Finals Rodeo, in an event sanctioned by the NPRA, you may request a membership card--permit or regular membership card. A completed membership application must be submitted to the NPRA. Just note what event and give the state in which you placed in your association last year.

RODEO SCHEDULE
The listed Rodeo Schedule is Tenative and due to some changes. Be sure to check for changes and updates they will be published both in theCN and,on the NPRA website nwprorodeo.com. You may also call the NPRA office 503-829-8868.

THE COMPETITOR NEWS
Your subscription year now runs from January 1 to December of each year. Only one issue of the paper will be mailed per household unless you request an additional copy. A card will be in your membership packet to return to the NPRA office to do so. This helps keep the costs down for the newspaper. It is critical that you keep your address current with this office because the paper will not be forwarded.

RODEO CONNECTION
Procedures Updated March 1, 2008
Addition to Entry Procedure, 9-1 of rulebook:

Preferences -- You can give two (2) preferences. You may use "slack" as a preference as long as you give a performance as your second or first preference. You may not use "slack or out" as a preference.

An invalid preference will drop a priority by one and contestants will be responsible for fees and fines. Examples of an invalid entry are: entering for slack when there is none, entering for slack with no other preference.

You can give a draw out parameter--if you cannot be up at a certain time you may say "draw out". If you don't get your preference you will be taken out of the rodeo. It is your responsibility to send to Rodeo Connection the central entry fee when you use the "out" parameter and are drawn out. If you fail to send this fee, the fee may be doubled and/or added to the contestant's next rodeo receipt.

Drawn Out of Rodeo --If you are drawn out of a rodeo because your preferences were full when you draw number came up, you will be put on a waiting list for the requested performance. It is your responsibility to check with the on-grounds rodeo secretary to see if there have been any medicals/turnouts for that performance. This must be done before the draw for that performance. The contestant will be placed on the timer's/judges sheet in the turned-out position as "drawn out" not as a late entry.

Random Draw --Rodeos will have a minimum of 10 timed event contestants per performance when slack is available. The number of contestants may be changed to 8 or more with committee request.

After entries close there will be a 1 hour grace period to change entries. If the contestant elects to draw out of the rodeo at that time, the central entry fee needs to be sent to the Rodeo Connection office.