Justin Puts Its Best Foot Forward in Supporting the Entire Rodeo Industry Through the WPRA Justin Best Footing Award

By Ann Bleiker

The Justin Best Footing Award dates back to the early 1990s, when Tom Feller, director of event marketing for Justin Brands, approached the WPRA about partnering on a program that would focus on the health and well being of the animal athlete. As a result, the Justin Best Footing Awards® program was born; and it continues to thrive today.

Not only does the program keep animal athletes performing at the top level, but also it recognizes the hard work and time rodeo committees put into making their ground as safe as possible for the barrel horse and all rodeo livestock.

Every year the WPRA membership recognizes the top three rodeo committees in all 12 circuits as well as the most improved ground committee in each circuit, which puts forth the extra effort to ensure their rodeo has the safest most consistent ground possible for barrel racing. Committee awards provided by Justin includes cash bonuses (ranging from $350-$1,000), plaques and, at certain award levels, a pair of Justin exotic boots. Each winner will be recognized at the WPRA Star Celebration in Las Vegas on Dec. 7 at the South Point Hotel and Casino.

Congratulations to the following rodeo committees and the WPRA thanks you for making your ground safe and consistent.

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2017 Justin Best Footing Winners

Badlands Circuit

First – Sitting Bull Stampede, Mobridge, SD
Second – Roughrider Days Rodeo, Dickinson, ND
Third – Sioux Empire Fair Rodeo, Sioux Falls, SD
Most Improved – Range Days Rodeo, Rapid City, SD

California Circuit

First – California Rodeo Salinas, Salinas, CA
Second – Norco Mounted Posse PRCA Rodeo, Norco, CA
Third – Red Bluff Round-Up, Red Bluff, CA
Most Improved – Folsom Pro Rodeo, Folsom, CA

Columbia River Circuit

First – Farm-City Pro Rodeo, Hermiston, OR
Second – Elgin Stampede, Elgin, OR
Third – Lynden PRCA Rodeo, Lynden, WA
Most Improved – Molalla Buckeroo Rodeo, Molalla, OR

First Frontier Circuit

First – Painted Pony Championship Rodeo, Lake Luzerne, NY
Second – Allegheny Mt. Championship Rodeo, Kellettville (Tionesta), PA
Third – Coy Lutz Memorial Scholarship Fund, Centre Hall, PA
Most Improved – North Star Pro Rodeo, Marshfield, MA

Great Lakes Circuit

First – Pioneer City Rodeo, Palestine, IL
Second – American Royal ProRodeo, Kansas City, MO
Third – Heart of the North Rodeo Spooner, WI
Most Improved – Lexington Rodeo, Lexington, KY

Montana Circuit

First – NILE ProRodeo, Billings, MT
Second – Montana’s Biggest Weekend, Dillon, MT
Third – Eastern Montana Fair PRCA Rodeo, Miles City, MT
Most Improved – Big Sky Pro Rodeo, Great Falls, MT

Mountain States Circuit

First – Cody Stampede Rodeo, Cody, WY
Second – Larimer County Fair & Rodeo, Loveland, CO
Third – A Tribute to the Great American Cowboy, Casper, WY
Most Improved – Rooftop Rodeo, Estes Park, CO

Prairie Circuit

First – Kansas Biggest Rodeo, Phillipsburg, KS
Second – Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo, Vinita, OK
Third – Longford Rodeo, Longford, KS
Most Improved – Elk City Rodeo of Champions, Elk City, OK

Southeastern Circuit

First -Peace River Pro Rodeo Classic, Wauchula, FL
Second – Lowry’s 4L Ranch Rodeo, Summerville, GA
Third -Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo, Arcadia, FL
Most Improved – Southeastern Livestock Exposition, Montgomery, AL

Texas Circuit

First – Cowboy Capital of the World PRCA Rodeo, Stephenville, TX
Second – Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show, Fort Worth, TX
Third – Austin Co Fair and Rodeo, Bellville, TX
Most Improved – Walker County Fair & Rodeo, Huntsville, TX

Turquoise Circuit

First – Cave Creek Rodeo Days, Cave Creek, AZ
Second – Annual Fourth of July Celebration PRCA Rodeo, Window Rock, AZ
Third – Roots N’ Boots Queen Creek Pro Rodeo, Queen Creek, AZ
Most Improved – Flagstaff Pro Rodeo, Flagstaff, AZ

Wilderness Circuit

First – Golden Spike Rodeo, Tremonton, UT
Second – Cache County Fair & Rodeo, Logan, UT
Third – Mountain Valley Stampede, Heber City, UT
Most Improved – Ogden Pioneer Days, Ogden, UT

Courtesy of WPRA