The United States Team Roping Championships (USTRC) begins its season Finals series in June and millions of dollars in prize money and awards will be offered to its members.

Beginning with the West Coast Regional Finals June 24-27 in Paso Robles, Calif., through the National Finals of Team Roping in Oklahoma City, Okla., October 23-31, USTRC members can expect to see an estimated $5 million paid in cash and prizes.

To sweeten the pot for its members, USTRC provides every member, including Gold Plus, Gold Spur, Lifetime and Junior Looper members, an opportunity to compete in its showcase “Shoot-Out” ropings at the Regional and/or National Finals events through the purchase of their membership. Gold Spur, Lifetime and Junior Looper members receive $1,000 in Flex Earnings that can be combined with a roping partner’s earnings to reach the necessary $2,000 to qualify for a Regional Finals Shoot-Out position. With the purchase of a Gold Plus membership, USTRC’s best membership value, members receive $3,000 in Flex Earnings that, again in combination with a partner’s earnings, can be used to total the $6,000 in earnings required to qualify for a National Finals Shoot-Out position.

“Members should realize, however, that the millions of dollars can easily slip through their grasp if they miss out on participating during the regular season,” says USTRC President Kirk Bray.

As per Section 5, Rule 5.3.4, Shoot-Out Eligibility: In order to be fully eligible to compete in a Regional or National Finals Shoot-Out division, a roper must be a current USTRC member in good standing and have competed in a USTRC sanctioned or affiliated event during the season,” he said. “We have more than 80 sanctioned events and 350 affiliate ropings that take place throughout the season, so it’s not at all difficult to gain eligibility for Shoot-Outs. Ropers are also able to participate in preliminary ropings at each of the seven Regional Finals and/or the National Finals in order to gain eligibility for entry into a Shoot-Out, pending classification approval.

For more information and a full schedule of events, go to www.ustrc.com or call 254.968.0002.

The United States Team Roping Championships, headquartered in Stephenville, Texas, is the Official Home of America’s Cowboy Sport, representing more than 35,000 competitive team ropers across the country. USTRC brings the sport of team roping to the national stage by providing competition with integrity and sets the standard as the trusted source of team roping competition rules and classifications. USTRC events paid more than $19 million in 2009 to team ropers from all walks of life.

USTRC Main Office P.O. Box 1198 Stephenville, Texas 76401 Office: (254) 968-0002