In the late 1890's, as the western lifestyle began to disappear, the popularity of the Rodeo began to grow rapidly.  Cowboys could once again make a proper living and travel simply but doing what they love.  From this came the birth of the Professional Rodeo, and as a result a league was needed to enforce the safety of the riders and animals. This is when the Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association came into action.

Many of the early Cowboys were also fighters and Boxers to make a living, so when the PRCA was trying to introduce a "trophy" in to the sport, the belt buckle was the number one vote. That tradition along with many others is what keeps the tradition of the Rodeo alive and strong.

ProRodeo attracts about 30 million fans, many of whom attend PRCA-sanctioned 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 tennis. Fans can follow professional rodeo all year long through the PRCA’s television coverage on Great American Country and the Pursuit channel, the PRCA’s ProRodeo Sports News and ProRodeo.com as well as other rodeo-related media outlets.

The PRCA’s membership includes more than 7,000 cowboys and performers (including permit holders and contract personnel), the largest segment of the association’s membership – more than 5,300 of who are actively competing. This membership segment includes a full range of contestants, from cowboys who compete in professional rodeo for a living, crisscrossing the country with their own horses or equipment, as well as those who work at other jobs during the week and compete in nearby rodeos on the weekends. The PRCA includes two $3 million earners and more than 80 million-dollar earners, yet most of its competing members participate in fewer than 30 rodeos each year. 

So this weekend make sure to get out to the Santa Ana Star Center to watch all of the fun and excitement of this years 5th Annual PRCA Rodeo!