NFR: PRCA sets 2004 season

Thursday, Dec. 4, 2003 | 10:58 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- An expanded schedule and format are the new features of the PRCA ProRodeo Tour when it starts its fifth season in 2004. The PRCA ProRodeo Tour will retain its winter and summer series, with each culminating in a championship event, but the number of events in each series has been expanded to 12 from 10. A new twist is that each contestant can select up to 10 events in each series as his/her official Tour entries.

"Each year, we have tailored the format of the ProRodeo Tour to fit the needs of our contestants and rodeos, as well as our fans," said Steven J. Hatchell, commissioner of the PRCA. "By allowing our members to pick 10 out of 12 rodeos, we are giving the contestants more control over their schedule and enabling them to compete at times and places that work best for them.

"Ever since we started the Tour, we have had more rodeos interested in being a part of the Tour than we have had space. We have had a lot of rodeos that have stepped up their monies and support for the cowboys and the stock contractors so they can become a part of the Tour.

"Expanding the number of rodeos included in each of the two segments provides additional opportunities to our rodeos, and we hope to expand it even more in the coming seasons. I see this change as win-win."

The 12 rodeos for the winter series of the ProRodeo Tour, and the dates for the Tour (final) round, are:

Jan. 25 -- National Western Rodeo, Denver; Feb. 8 -- Black Hills Stock Show, Rapid City, S.D.; Feb. 22 -- San Antonio (Texas) Stock Show and Rodeo; Feb. 28 -- San Angelo (Texas) Stock Show and Rodeo; Feb. 29 -- La Fiesta de los Vaqueros, Tucson, Ariz.; March 20 -- RodeoHouston (Texas); March 27 -- Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo, Austin, Texas; April 4 -- Laughlin (Nev.) River Stampede; April 11 -- Clark County Fair and Rodeo, Logandale, Nev.; April 18 -- Red Bluff (Calif.) Round-up; April 25 -- Clovis (Calif.) Rodeo; and May 2 -- Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days.