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Page 6 Wednesday, April 13, 2011 Red Bluff Daily News PRCA: The leader in professional rodeo Talk To A Lender Who Speaks Your Language The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Associ- ation (PRCA), headquartered in Colorado Springs, is the largest and oldest rodeo-sanc- tioning body in the world. The recognized leader in professional rodeo, the PRCA is committed to maintaining the highest stan- dards in the industry. The PRCA sanctions about 600 rodeos annually in 37 states and three Canadian provinces, and ensures that every PRCA-sanctioned event is managed with fairness and competence and that the livestock used is healthy and cared for to the highest standards. Northern California Farm Credit Red Bluff (530) 527-1941 Chico (530) 895-8698 Willows (530) 934-7071 Here are some key facts about ProRodeo and the PRCA: Fans — ProRodeo attracts about 30 mil- lion fans, many of whom attend PRCA-sanc- tioned rodeos around the country annually. According to the Sports Business Daily, rodeo is seventh in overall attendance for major sporting events, ahead of golf and ten- nis. Fans can follow professional rodeo all year long through the PRCA’s television cov- erage on ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPN Deportes and the In Country Television net- work; the ProRodeo Sports News; and Pro- Rodeo.com and ESPN3.com. Cowboys — The PRCA's membership includes nearly 8,000 cowboys, the largest segment of the association’s membership. This membership segment includes cowboys who compete in professional rodeo for a liv- ing, crisscrossing the country with their own horses or equipment, as well as those who work at other jobs during the week and com- pete in rodeos on the weekends. World champions — "World Champi- on" is the most coveted title in ProRodeo. The sport s world champions are crowned at the conclusion of the Wrangler NFR, based on total season earnings at PRCA rodeos across the continent, including monies earned at the Wrangler NFR. The PRCA crowns eight world titlists, each of whom receives a gold buckle and a specially crafted trophy saddle. The eight 2009 PRCA world champions had 2009 earnings ranging from $80,923 to $310,219. Contract personnel — The personnel working a rodeo include the bullfighters, who help bull riders escape from powerful rodeo bulls; the barrelmen, clowns and specialty acts, who entertain the crowds; Judges, who ensure all rules of competition and livestock welfare are followed; stock contractors, who provide rodeo’s livestock; announcers who call the action; arena secretaries, who handle administrative duties; and timers, who oper- ate the clocks for the timed and roughstock events. Committees — Local rodeo committees organize the PRCA-sanctioned rodeos held across the continent. Most are run by dedicat- ed groups of volunteers who make the rodeos work from behind the scenes, procuring local sponsors for events, awards and programs; setting up safe facilities; staffing various functions and making the contestants and attendees feel at home. Charities — PRCA-sanctioned rodeos annually raise many millions of dollars for local and national charities, from college scholarships for local students to the national- Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign against breast cancer. FanZone — The ProRodeo FanZone. presented by Cabela's, is the official fan club of the PRCA. Among the many membership benefits: access to an exclusive Web site with blogs, a forum, a photo gallery and a behind- the-scenes look at the world of ProRodeo; exclusive quarterly contests and giveaways for members only; and a welcome package containing a FanZone koozie, hat pin, lan- yard and personalized membership card as well items from PRCAnational sponsors. Sponsors — The PRCAs loyal national sponsors support all aspects of rodeo, from entire events like the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo and Justin Boots Playoffs and Championships to the Montana Silversmiths gold buckles awarded to world champions each year. Demographics— The PRCA's nearly 4 million royal attendees across the U.S are about 49 percent and 51 percent female; 63 percent have household income of $50,000 or more and 50 percent have children in the household. In surveys, 81 percent report that they have had a soft drink in the previous 30 days, 50 percent had a beer in the previous 30 days and 95 percent have eaten at a fast food restaurant in the previous 30 days. ProRodeo fans come from all walks of life, but as a group, they are demographically similar to NASCARfans, and are likely to also enjoy hunting, fishing and camping. ProRodeo.com — The PRCA maintains a Web site with the latest news stories, cow- boy blogs, world standings, rodeo results, cowboy and livestock bios. and tons of other information.

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