AUSTIN, Texas – Rodeo Corpus Christi and WCRA have recently announced an increased payout to over $600,000 in prize money for the 2024 WCRA Triple Crown of Rodeo Event. The May 7-11 lineup of events will also now include the CEAT Specialty Tires Division Youth Showcase Rodeo. Rodeo Corpus Christi coincides with the annual Buc Days Festival and the PBR Velocity Tour Finals at the American Bank Center on the picturesque Corpus Christi Bayfront.

“In four years, Rodeo Corpus Christi and WCRA have collaborated to boost the total added money awarded to athletes at this rodeo by more than 300%,” said WCRA President Bobby Mote.” Including the CEAT DY Showcase Rodeo will strengthen Rodeo Corpus Christi and WCRA’s dedication to promoting and benefiting Texas Youth. This rodeo is a highly sought-after destination market, boasting exceptional facilities, top-notch concerts, and family-friendly entertainment.”

The Triple Crown of Rodeo (TCR) is a series of major rodeo events that includes an annual bonus that will pay $1 million to any one athlete or collection of athletes who win first place in any three consecutive WCRA Major Rodeos. WCRA Triple Crown of Rodeo events are featured yearly in CBS network television broadcasts.

In 2022, RC Landingham, a Bareback Rider hailing from Hat Creek, California, made history by winning the $1 Million Triple Crown of Rodeo, becoming the first athlete to achieve this feat. Currently, Issac Diaz (Desdemona, Texas), a saddle bronc rider, is emulating Landingham's success by securing two consecutive championships. Diaz is now setting his sights on clinching his third victory at WCRA’s Rodeo Carolina in early October.

"We are excited about our continued partnership with WCRA and PBR. The Division Youth Showcase ties perfectly with our mission," said Buccaneer Commission President & CEO Johnny Philipello. "Spotlighting the next generation of Rodeo Athletes under the bright lights of the American Bank Center will further add quality entertainment to the Buc Days experience while supporting youth and education."

In addition to the $545,500 Triple Crown of Rodeo, a purse of over $55,000 will be awarded to WCRA Division Youth (DY) athletes at the inaugural Rodeo Corpus Christi CEAT Specialty Tires DY Showcase Rodeo Presented by King Ranch. This youth rodeo showcase will take place in a special Tuesday night performance in the American Bank Center, followed by a live concert.

According to Mote, the DY Showcase is a remarkable and fiercely competitive platform that provides young rodeo athletes with a unique opportunity to exhibit their skills. This groundbreaking initiative in rodeo extends valuable support to aspiring athletes from various parts of the nation.

“The DY event has the potential to transform the personal and professional growth of these gifted contenders and is anticipated to aid them in reaching new heights in their careers,” said Mote.

The WCRA also announced a modification to the 2024 event format. The Timed Event Qualifying rounds will be substituted with a Wild Card Round. Rodeo Corpus Christi will commence the nightly performances on Wednesday with the "Wild Card" round of competition. During this round, 12 athletes in each discipline will compete for just four spots in the rodeo's upcoming performances on Thursday and Friday. If these athletes succeed in progressing, they will join the top eight on the WCRA Leaderboard for the subsequent two performances.

In the final performance on Saturday night, Rodeo Corpus Christi fans can expect the top seven athletes to compete in the Showdown Round. Each discipline's top three performers will return for the coveted Triple Crown of Rodeo Round.

Rodeo athletes from all over the globe are eligible to qualify to compete at Rodeo Corpus Christi through the innovative WCRA Virtual Rodeo Qualifier (VRQ) mobile application.  VRQ Nominations for Rodeo Corpus Christi will open on October 2 and close April 7, 2024.

The top athletes on the WCRA Rodeo Corpus Christi Leaderboard in each discipline will compete for their piece of the over $545,500 purse, across nine disciplines, which include – Bareback Riding, Women’s Breakaway Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping (Heading and Heeling), Tie-Down Roping, Barrel Racing and Bull Riding.

Format and competition information will be available at wcrarodeo.com on October 2, 2023.

Rodeo Corpus Christi, hosted on the Corpus Christi Bayfront, takes place during the annual Buccaneer Days Festival in early-May, bringing together more than 120,000 attendees to promote tradition and community pride in the Coastal Bend by producing exceptional family entertainment that results in educational scholarships.

Photo courtesy of WCRA