JUNIOR DIVISION
It remains one of the most indelible images of WPRA history. Blonde curls bobbing, bat clinched firmly between her teeth, a barely teenaged Clayton, N.M., cowgirl roared into the history books of barrel racing. Charmayne James was just 14 when she and super horse Scamper won the first of a record 10 straight world championships. Along the way, she captured the hearts of rodeo fans across the nation. The site of young girls guiding their top equine partners flaw- lessly through a barrel pattern disappeared in the mid-nineties when the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association initiated a mandatory age limit of 18 years of age for competitors at PRCA sanctioned rodeos. Due to the relationship between the two sanctioning bodies at the time, the WPRA followed suit and little girls no longer had a place in professional rodeo. Beginning in 2007, the WPRA instituted the WPRA Junior Division for all girls aged 17 and under. The junior division introduces a whole new group of members to the ranks of professional competition and
allows mothers and daughters to compete for world points at some of the same events. Juniors run in WPRA Junior sanctioned races as well as co-sanctioned divisional races and rodeos to earn points for the WPRA World Finals. Juniors can only earn points in WPRA Junior Division races, in co-sanc- tioned rodeos, and in the 1D of co-sanctioned divisional races. Juniors do not compete against WPRA members for points are not eligible to enter WPRA events or rodeos. Among the big name races co-sanctioned for the WPRA juniors is the world renowned Josey Junior World Championship barrel race. Hosted by legends RE and Martha Josey, the 1980 WPRA World Champion, this race has played host to thousands of aspiring barrel racers through the years, many of whom have gone on to tremendous success in the ranks of the WPRA.
WORLD CHAMPIONS
2022– Skylar Alves, Camarillo, CA 2021– Abigail Poe, Fitzgerald, GA 2020 – London Gorham, Cotulla, TX 2019 – McKenzie Morgan, Maryville, TN 2018 – Patton Ann Lynch, Crawford, Texas 2017 – Laney Robinson, Mars Hill, N.C.
2016 – Laney Robinson, Mars Hill, N.C 2015 – Merrill Mundy, Parrish, Fla. 2014 – Jackie Ganter, Abilene, Texas 2013 – Kylar Terlip, Frontenac, Kan. 2012 – Brookelyn Owens, Muldrow, Okla. 2011 – Kylar Terlip, Frontenac, Kan.
2010 – Callie duPerier, Bandera, Texas 2009 – Lake Mehalic, Oro Valley, Ariz 2008 – Tara Timms, Leedy, Okla. 2007 – Madison Montchal, Atalisa, Iowa
1988 –February - A USA vs Canada rodeo was held in conjunction with the Winter Olympic Games in Calgary, Alberta. Results in Barrel racing: Gold - Marlene McRae Silver – Charmayne James Bronze – Martha Josey
1987 - Charmayne James became the first barrel racer to wear the No. 1 Back Number at the NFR. Of the 620 approved rodeos by the PRCA only 18 didn’t have barrel racing. 1990 - Effective Dec. 1, 1990 for the 1991 season WPRA members must be at least 14 years old 1993 - Charmayne James and Scamper win their 10th consecutive world title (1984-1993)
1988 - December - Rachael Myllymaki becomes the second youngest NFR qualifier at the age of 11.
1996 - Effective Dec. 1, 1996 for the 1997 season WPRA members must be at least 18 years old 1998 - For the first time ever the barrel racing event paid out the same amount as ALL the men’s events at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. The WPRA Celebrates 50 years.
1995 - Sherry Potter Cervi became the second barrel racer to wear the No. 1 Back Number at the NFR.
1996 - Scamper became first Barrel Horse inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and until 2017, the only barrel racing recognition in the Hall
54 WPRA NEWS MARCH 2023
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