The WCRA (World Champions Rodeo Alliance) announced that the world-famous Tryon International Equestrian Center and Resort in North Carolina will host a 2023 Triple Crown of Rodeo (TCR) event.

With a total guaranteed payout over $400,000, the event on Oct. 6-7, 2023, will be the richest rodeo east of the Mississippi River and creates more opportunities for athletes outside the traditional annual rodeo season.

The Triple Crown of Rodeo, presented by Lazy E Ranch and Arena, is a series of annual major rodeo events which includes a bonus that will pay $1 million to any one athlete or collection of athletes who win first place in three consecutive WCRA Major Rodeos. WCRA Triple Crown of Rodeo events are all featured in CBS network television broadcasts each year.

“This landmark addition to the Triple Crown of Rodeo creates the richest rodeo east of the Mississippi and takes world class rodeo to the East Coast,” said WCRA President Bobby Mote. “This facility has long been a resort destination for the equestrian industry and is surrounded by exciting family entertainment activities. The timing of the event is also an advantage being outside of the regular rodeo season.”

Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort is one of the most picturesque equestrian facilities in the country and located within the Blue Ridge Foothills of Mill Spring, North Carolina. The year-round event venue features multi-discipline international and national equestrian competitions alongside live music, arts and entertainment, and holiday events.

With onsite shops, diverse dining options, plus a robust entertainment calendar, non-equestrian visitors are equally marveled by the Tryon Resort experience.

Tryon International Equestrian Center and Resort spans 1,600 acres, boasts 13 competition arenas, 1,400 permanent stalls, and a variety of restaurants, shops, and lodging options. The Tryon Resort family of brands is completed by a nearby sporting clay course at Cleghorn Gun Club as well as the Cleghorn Golf & Sports Club.

“We are thrilled to host the Triple Crown of Rodeo and build the most iconic rodeo on the east coast,” said Sharon Decker, President of Tryon International Equestrian Center. “We look forward to growing this marquee rodeo for years to come highlighting our facility and the Carolinas on a CBS Sports to Millions.”

Rodeo athletes from around the globe are eligible to qualify to compete at Triple Crown of Rodeo events by using the Virtual Rodeo Qualifier (VRQ) mobile app.

The top athletes on the WCRA Leaderboard in each discipline will compete for their piece of the prize money at the WCRA Triple Crown of Rodeo events across nine disciplines which include – bareback riding, women’s breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping (heading and heeling), tie-down roping, barrel racing, and bull riding.