The changes include adding women's breakaway roping to the 20-day tournament-style competition. Sanctioned by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association, this event debuted at last year's rodeo but was only held for seven performances.
The Rodeo will also now split its previous one-day Wild Card round into a two-day event, therefore eliminating the Super Shootout from the schedule. The money from the Super Shootout event will now be added to the Super Series purse, increasing the total to $2,178,000.
“Rodeo Houston has been a longtime partner of the Women's Professional Rodeo Association and we are excited to join them in their changes for 2023," WPRA President Jimmie Munroe said in a statement. "The addition of women's breakaway roping to all 20 days is monumental, and the increase in overall prize money for all rodeo athletes will be very beneficial. This is an exciting time for not only rodeo athletes but also their fans.”
Additionally, two new local qualifiers have been added ahead of the 2023 rodeo season: the Fort Bend County Fair and Rodeo in Rosenberg and the Waller County Fair and Rodeo in Hempstead. The two new qualifiers will replace former qualifier Sandhills Stock Show & Rodeo in Odessa. The champions in each of the eight events will be extended invitations to compete at Rodeo Houston in 2023.
"We are committed to making Rodeo Houston the best it can be, for our fans and athletes alike, and as we look at our presentation and the growth across the sport of rodeo, we continue to evolve Rodeo Houston's offerings as well as our presentation," Rodeo Houston President and CEO Chris Boleman said in a statement. "The Rodeo Houston Super Shootout was a great part of our rodeo over the last decade, but with this redistribution in funds, and the inclusion of breakaway roping, our purse in now larger than ever before. We're also excited to welcome Fort Bend County Fair and Rodeo and Waller County Fair and Rodeo as our two new local qualifiers."
The 2023 Rodeo Houston competition is scheduled to run Feb. 28-March 19. To view the complete schedule, click here.
