NPRA HISTORY

OUR HISTORY

In the early 1950’s, cowboys and cowgirls here in the Great Northwest decided it was time to standardize the elements that affected their competition and joined together to form the Oregon Rodeo Association. This organization would work to improve arena and stock conditions, as well as develop uniform event rules to make competition fair for all.

Written records are incomplete, but some of the founding members are still active participants and they confirm that a general membership vote at the 1956 convention changed the name of the Oregon Rodeo Association to the Northwest Rodeo Association to better represent the area it encompassed.

The NRA continued to flourish and grow as more and more rodeos came under its sanction and the number of contestants increased. The sport was rapidly gaining fans and recognition! The following time line charts the major changes and additions to the association’s format that have taken place over the last forty years and shows some of the ways the association has adapted to the growth of the sport of rodeo:

1950
OR Rodeo Assoc

The Oregon Rodeo Association was formed

1956
NRA

The ORA Changed it’s name to the Northwest Rodeo Association

1968
NRA Incorporated

The NRA was incorporated and improved its business operations

1978
Joined the North American Rodeo Commission

The NRA joined the North American Rodeo Commission, a group formed by regional rodeo associations from across the United States.

1979 - 1981
Team Northwest

The NRA sent a team of contestants to Calgary, Alberta, Canada for the World Cup Championship Rodeo. “Team Northwest” was runner-up in ’79. In both ’80 and ’81 the team, then called the Northwest Volcanoes, won the NARC World Cup Championship title. The team concept finals at Calgary only lasted for three years, but Northwest cowboys and cowgirls made their mark proving that there are no better rodeo athletes in the world than what you’ll see right here in the Great Northwest!

1984
Dial-A-Rodeo

A new rodeo entry method was born. “Dial-A-Rodeo”, a computerized central entry system revolutionized the way contestants entered rodeos. Breakaway roping was added as an optional event this year as well.

1989
NPRA

The NRA officially changed its name to the Northwest Professional Rodeo Association.

1997
Finals to Linn County Fairgrounds

The NPRA moved its year-end Championship Finals to the Linn County Fairgrounds in Albany, OR. This new indoor facility enabled the NPRA to host a first-class Championship Finals Rodeo with great success

2019
Finals Moved to Salem, OR

In 2019, with the assistance of Plus 1 Productions, the NPRA Finals moved to Salem, OR. Plus 1 Productions have produced the Finals Since.

 

https://nprarodeo.com/history/

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