Rodeo 101: National Senior Pro Rodeo Association (NSPRA)

The National Senior Pro Rodeo Association (NSPRA) is the perfect solution for those who enjoy competing in rodeos but may have a few more years of wisdom under their belt. Just like many other associations, this one has a National Finals event as well as many others throughout the year. This organization is open to anybody who is turning age 40 or above during the calendar year. If you meet this requirement, you can fill out an application on their website and get started soon enough.

Every year, the National Senior Pro Rodeo Association holds rodeos that include nine sanctioned events:  Team Roping, Steer Wrestling, Saddle Bronc, Ribbon Roping, Ladies Breakaway Roping, Ladies Barrel Racing, Calf Roping, Bull Riding, and Bareback. Each event is broken into age groups. Timed events have age groups of 40-50, 50-60, and 60+. Rough stock has groups of 40-50 and 50+. The National Senior Pro Rodeo Association even has a 68+ age group for those who are interested in calf roping. Although the event is non-sanctioned, the association has a 70+ Men’s Breakaway.

How Many Rodeos Can I Enter?

As long as you are a member in good standing of the National Senior Pro Rodeo Association, you can enter every rodeo on the United States schedule as well as all co-sanctioned events in Canada. That being said, you need to become a member of the CSPRA if you are interested in becoming eligible for the Canadian Finals. You can learn more about membership for this group by visiting www.canadaseniorrodeo.com.

Qualifying for the Finals

Every member of the National Senior Pro Rodeo Association shares the goal of taking part in the Finals. To make this dream come true, you must complete in at least five rodeos to meet the first qualification. From there, the top 30 in each age group in timed events (Team Roping, Ladies Breakaway, Ladies Barrel Racing, Ribbon Roping, and Calf Roping) make the Finals. The top 20 in each age group in Steer Wrestling make it. And the top 15 in a combined age group for Saddle Bronc, Bull Riding, and Bareback will qualify. Unfortunately, not everybody who qualifies will enter. For this reason, everyone who wants to go to the Finals should enter.

How Do I Earn Points?

If you are going to participate in the National Senior Pro Rodeo Association you need to know how points are accumulated. If you place in the top six, you will receive place points: 1^st place: 60 points; 2^nd place: 50 points; 3^rd place: 40 points; 4^th place: 30 points; 5^th place: 20 points; and 6^th place: 10 points. Along with this, there are adjusted points that are equal to the number of contestants in your age group. For example, if you place first of 25 contestants you will receive 60 points plus 25 adjusted points for a total of 85 points. All of the points that you earn are counted in the World Standings for the particular event.

What Do I Get With My Membership?

You should be proud to become part of the National Senior Pro Rodeo Association. Once you make a payment, you will receive a membership card in the mail along with a companion pass that allows one additional person to attend all rodeos free of charge (the only exception is the Finals). Along with this, you will receive a rulebook (make sure you read this from front to back), a subscription to The Rodeo News, and a window decal. And of course, with your membership, you are able to enter all National Senior Pro Rodeo Association in the United States as well as rodeos that are co-sanctioned in Canada. This is by far the biggest benefit.

Just because you are getting older, that does not mean you have to leave your desire to compete in rodeos behind. When you become a member of the National Senior Pro Rodeo Association you are in a position to compete on a regular basis.