For pictures from rodeos 7 & 8, go to www.pictureabilene.com.  You can call the photographer, Andy Burrow at 325-232-7654 or 325-338-5540.  E mail is pictureabilene@gmail.com.  Andy is also available for other events such as weddings, sports, website support, and custom made prints are made one at a time.  Contact Andy and ask about a collage of your child's pictures from the WTRA rodeos! 

• Update Wednesday, July 8, 2009 

• Watch for scholarship information for graduating seniors - information will be posted on the website as it becomes available.

• Please check your points and let me know if you have any questions.  Software has been updated! 

• Turn in your finals entries at rodeos 9/10 or mail in by the Friday before.  No exceptions. No late entries.  Team ropers you MUST know who you are roping with. The first go will be at 9 AM Friday, July 24.  Second go 9 AM on Saturday.  Sunday is the awards presentation.
• NOTICE:  You only have to attend 5 rodeos to be able to compete at the finals.....
• Team Ropers - be sure you know who you are roping with and enter on your entry form to reflect your partners. 
• You will have to be signed up by 3:00 pm on the list at the table by the office along with your entry form.  We need you to take care of this please in order to get the partners and points correct.  YOU DO HAVE TO FILL OUT AN ENTRY FORM TO TEAM ROPE.  Thank you for taking time to take care of this!
• Finals plans are being made.  Sign up on the poster for the steak dinner on Saturday night.  It will be paid for by our sponsors.  You MUST bring an auction item for Saturday night.    

• Remember the barrel race jackpot in the outdoor arena on Saturday night to benefit WTRA put on by Kathy Lisenbee.  Exhibitions are $4 and the class is $30 with $25 being jackpotted.  We appreciate all of Kathy and all the helpers hard work to produce these jackpots for the association.  Also remember that there is a team roping jackpot after the age group regular rodeo jackpot.  This jackpot will be run by the stock contractor.  Hope you can make it!   

• Directors and officers met Monday, March 23 at Nolan County Coliseum in Sweetwater.  Prizes for 2009 season were discussed.  Plans are to award even more in 2009!  Here are the prizes tentatively planned:

• Two trailers - one for high point in top 3 events at 2009 Finals All Around Cowboy and one for high point All Around Cowgirl.

• Buckles to year end in each event.  In the past, you could only receive one buckle and they were distributed out so as many as possible could receive buckles.  This will continue for the 5 & Under and 8 & Under age groups only. 

• Buckles to the average in each event at the finals

• Saddles to the All Around in each age group

• 14 Additional saddles for All Around Cowboy and Cowgirl at the finals

• There must be at least 3 in an age group at the finals to get points. We will have a 10 point system during the year at our rodeos too for 2009. Points will NOT drop down to highest WTRA members.

• Team Roping Point Change:  Points will count for the all around from heeling and heading.  Your points will count from your highest heading and highest heeling points.  You can enter two times heeling or two times heading but only one set of points will count for both the All Around and event points.

• There is no longer a $2 gate fee for 2009. In addition, entry fees for the finals will be three times the money - forms will be updated in the future.

• Mens Age groups will change to:  20-39, 40-55 and 56 & over for 2009

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• The calendar for 2009 has been set!  The dates will be:  May 9 & 10, May 30 & 31, June13 & 14, June 27 & 28, July 11 & 12 with the finals being held July 24,25 & 26, 2009.  All rodeos are in Sweetwater at the Nolan County Coliseum

• Directors are:  Rusty Allen, Mac Waddle, Jahew Thorp, Gil Harris and Jamie Smith,  Rod Miller and Darrell Lambert.
• 2009 Event Directors are:
  Barrels - Leslie Murphy; Poles - Kathy Lisenbee; Goat Tying - Jennifer Shultz; Ribbon Roping - Justin Herrington; BAW Roping -Spicer Lewis;Calf Roping - Carter Elliott; Team Roping - Bob Bucholz; Steer Wrestling - Steve Mahaffey