PRESIDENT CORNER I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and is looking forward to a prosperous New Year! What an exciting finish to the 2022 rodeo season. Congratulations to Hailey Kinsel, our 2022 WPRA World Champion Barrel Racer and Martha Angelone, our 2022 WPRA World Champion Breakaway Roper. I would also like to congratulate Shelley Morgan and Cadee Williams on winning their first average titles in the barrel racing and breakaway roping at the NFR, respectively. So many great milestones, records and memories were made in Las Vegas, including but not limited to:
As noted last month, 2023 will mark another election year. The directors taking office in 2023 and every three years thereafter will be: Badlands, Great Lakes, Prairie, California, Turquoise and Roping Director. We will be adding a roping director to the board of directors based on feedback we received from the membership. Therefore, be sure to read all information that will be coming out regarding the election and those eligible to run for said offices. Nomination ballots will be going out no later than January 12. These are for anyone you would like to nominate. The two individuals with the top number of votes will move onto the election ballot for the circuit positions. A total of four individuals will make the election ballot for the two roping positions. Following the second round of voting the top vote getter for the circuit positions will assume the board position with the top two taking the positions for roping in March. I can’t stress enough that it is very important for you to read the ballot instructions very closely so that your voice in your Association can be heard. Take the time to read carefully and educate yourself on those running that will be serving three-year positions on your Board of Directors. Any questions, feel free to reach out to me, our Vice President Heidi Schmidt or the office. In 2023 only, members will have a choice to submit their nomination and election ballots either digitally or in hard copy form, so be sure to pay attention to that. Let’s start this New Year on a positive note and safe travels during these winter months.
Both rookies (Bayleigh Choate and Josie Conner) qualifying for the NFR in their respective events and setting new rookie earnings records in both barrel racing and breakaway roping Hailey Kinsel surpassing $1 million in NFR earnings alone and winning her fourth world title in six years WPRA Breakaway Roper Martha Angelone becoming the first rodeo athlete to win a world title at the NFR from the State of Virginia and also being recognized with the other athletes during the 10th round world champions ceremony What a great group of women we had representing the Association this year and I thank each of you for that. Looking for even bigger and better things in 2023. Speaking of better in 2023, I would like to say THANK YOU to Leon Vick, Caroline Lukens and the entire National Western Stock Show and Rodeo team for agreeing to and putting on a barrel racing qualifier this year for their rodeo. We also very much appreciate them offering ride times and dragging every 30 minutes during those ride times. Your hard work and efforts did not go unnoticed, and we are excited to see how the rodeo plays out in January.
6 WPRA NEWS JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2023
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