Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Rules Of Association Protect Lincoln Riding Club
LINCOLN — The 2018 Lincoln Rodeo sanctioned by both the International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) and American Cowboys Rodeo Association (ACRA) is among many events co-sanctioned by the two organizations.
Lindsay Whelchel works out of the IPRA Oklahoma City, Okla. office for Membership/Communications. She said the IPRA takes more of a supportive role as a second sanctioning body for the Lincoln Rodeo.
“This rodeo is an ACRA first sanction,” Whelchel stated in an email. “Of course we want to see all rodeos we are involved with succeed to the best of their ability, and there are a lot of factors that go into that from scheduling, sponsorships and local support, the weather and so much more.”
Sideways With Sanctions
Occasionally, rodeo organizers get sideways with a sanctioning body. When attendance began falling at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Houston rodeo committee requested a waiver from the Professional Cowboys Rodeo Association (PRCA) in 2008. Under the agreement Houston would still remit 6 percent of the rodeo purse to the PRCA, but they were allowed to change the format and registration system.
PRCA-sanctioned rodeos required certain events be held, dictated the general structure of the rodeo, and insisted that each organizing committee use the PRCA national registration system. This meant that rodeo producers did not know which contestants were going to be appearing, or on which days.
With the waiver in effect rodeo producers were able to identify who would be competing on which days, and they could market those individual appearances. As a result attendance at the rodeo skyrocketed. The waiver expired in 2011 with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo parting ways with the PRCA.
Yet, such occurrences are rare and generally limited to major market events. For the most part benefits of sanctioning tend to far outweigh any impositions rodeo organizers might become sensitive towards.
IPRA Sanctioning Rules
A rodeo producer making application for approval by the International Pro Rodeo Association headquartered in Oklahoma City, Okla., must pay annual dues plus delinquent penalties, and submit a detailed résumé of the company’s complete rodeo history, rodeos produced, stock leased, production experience and evidence of good character and reputation.
Verifying Rodeo Stock
Other documents required by the IPRA are a company financial statement for the previous two years, and a letter stating what stock will be leased and from what rodeo stock contractor. A letter of verification from stock contractor stating what stock has been leased must accompany producer’s letter.
All stock used must be that of an IPRA approved stock contractor. An exception may be granted if an approved stock contractor is not available to provide stock. In that case the rodeo producer may lease stock from an unapproved stock contractor pending approval from the IPRA.
Payout Protection
In the early years of rodeo before the formation of sanctioning organizations competitors often learned the prize payouts were not as advertised after arriving at a rodeo. IPRA rules and those of virtually every sanctioning rodeo association, contain provisions to thwart such practices.
According to IPRA rules, rodeo producers must submit three letters of recommendation, including one from an approved stock contractor, post a $2,000 cash bond for a period of 12 months, and submit an irrevocable letter of credit covering the added money at their largest added money rodeo.
Contractual Obligations
All sanction contracts submitted for approval by the IPRA must be signed by the rodeo producer and the rodeo stock contractor providing stock. All requirements must be fulfilled 90 days prior to the first rodeo to be sanctioned by the IPRA. Upon receipt of the requirements, the application is submitted to the combined board for review.
Following approval, the rodeo producer is placed on 12 months of probationary approval status with annual reviews thereafter and yearly notifications of such from the IPRA. Any producer who has not sanctioned an IPRA rodeo during the previous fiscal year will relinquish approval status during the annual review; and will be required to meet new producer requirements.
Producer Responsibilities
Unless otherwise provided in the sanction contract, the rodeo producer assumes full responsibility for production added money and personnel at all rodeos under contract with the IPRA. The same stipulation applies to the stock contractor for stock used at all rodeos under contract with the IPRA unless otherwise provided in the sanction contract.
When an unapproved stock contractor is used, full responsibility for production, added money, personnel and stock shifts to the rodeo producer.