Additional performance and tour status added to Sheridan WYO Rodeo

The Sheridan WYO Rodeo Board of Directors announced the 80th Annual Sheridan WYO Rodeo (SWR) will be one of 22 rodeos on the Million Dollar Tour of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). The decision to join the tour brings with it additional opportunities for the contestants to win an even greater purse. "We will be adding not only additional prize money to each of our 8 events, we will also be adding an additional performance on Wednesday night" stated President, Billy Craft. "We see this as an opportunity to allow the SWR to continue to grow and bring in the elite of the profession" Craft continued. The additional performance will accompany a change in format. The new format called "back-to-back" will allow the timed event competitors to have two chances to perform on the same day, combining the average of both runs. "Using the back-to-back format, the fastest 12 contestants during each morning’s slack will move to that evening’s performance, with the remainder completing their second run during the day" stated Craft, "With this format, you get to see the best contestants each night, and a potential SWR event winner any given night". As there are numerous rodeos on the same weekend, tour rodeos will be given higher priority for scheduling of the top rated performers, to ensure they can make it to all the tour rodeos. "With a different set of top ranked contestants coming in each night, every night important".

The Million Dollar Tour participation allows PRCA contestants to count the money earned in tour rodeos toward two separate "Playoff" or “Tour Finals” rodeos. The first in Puyallup, WA with the top 24 tour earning contestants in each event being invited. The second will feature the top 12 tour earning contestants in each event competing in Omaha, NE. All money earned during the year at tour and playoff rodeos counts toward qualifying for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas in December. "The opportunity to qualify for and win at the playoff rodeos, make each tour rodeo especially important"

With the addition of the fourth performance, the SWR will undoubtedly need additional volunteers to make the entire week flow smoothly. "We definitely need more people to participate in the greatest week in Sheridan" stated Sam Summers, Board member and Committee Chairperson of the SWR volunteer group called the SPURS. "We will be running morning and night, all week long. We have always asked for more volunteers to support this event, and need them now more than ever".   Click here to sign up to be a SPUR!

The SWR has been virtually sold out the last 4 years and demand for tickets is at an all time high with a record setting attendance in 2009. "The Sheridan WYO Rodeo is a cornerstone event of this community and the board believes the community deserves to have the best rodeo possible." commented Craft.