There is a new rodeo in town—the North Dakota Rough Rider’s Cup in Mandan, North Dakota—and it may shake up the WPRA World Standings just a few short days before the close of the 2024 regular ProRodeo season.
While the event hasn’t been approved by the WPRA yet, The Breakaway Roping Journal was able to round up a few details on the event thanks to press releases and the WPRA member newsletter.
When is the North Dakota Rough Rider Cup?
The North Dakota Rough Rider Cup is taking place Sept. 20–22. This is one week prior to the close of the regular ProRodeo season, which is concluded with the Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, that paid $25,000 to the Champion last year.
In short, there is more money than ever available to breakaway ropers in the last few weeks of the ProRodeo season, and a handful of checks earned at these events can mean the difference in World Champion territory and not making the Top 15.
What’s the North Dakota Rough Rider Cup format?
The Rough Rider Cup’s format is a one-header rodeo with no short go or aggregate payout.
“Each night will feature 12 different athletes in each of the eight rodeo disciplines putting it all on the line for more than $30,000 in combined cash and prizes,” the press release detailed.
There will be 36 breakaway ropers competing, with 12 ropers in each performance.
Who gets in to the North Dakota Rough Rider Cup?
In a member newsletter distributed by the WPRA on Friday, July 26, the top 32 breakaway ropers in the World Standings seven days prior to entries closing will be invited.
The remaining four ropers will qualify for the event at four Badlands Circuit rodeos.
“Keep in mind based on the application received for the September event, this information is preliminary and pending approval by the WPRA Board of Directors as more is learned,” the newsletter noted.
The Proposed Qualifying Rodeos Are:
Roughrider Days Rodeo, Dickinson, ND – June 28-30
Mandan Rodeo Days, Mandan, ND – July 2-4
Dacotah Stampede Rodeo Aberdeen, SD – August 12-13 – entries open July 30 – August 1
Range Days Rodeo, Rapid City, SD – August 26-28
Stay tuned for more information on this event as it develops, here at The Breakaway Roping Journal.
