WCJR ANNOUNCES 2025 KEY DATES AND EVENT FORMATS
The WCRA (World Championship Rodeo Alliance) and The Lazy E Arena are excited to announce the return of one of the richest youth rodeos in the world—the Cinch World Championship Junior Rodeo presented by Montana Silversmiths (WCJR)—to Guthrie, Oklahoma, from July 22-26, 2025. This premier event boasts an estimated payout of nearly $400,000, including $215,000 in guaranteed added money.
WCJR Payout Details below details below:
| Categories | Junior | Youth | Total |
| Junior Timed Events Added Per Discipline | $ 10,000.00 | $ 80,000.00 | |
| Junior Riding Events Added Per Discipline | $ 15,000.00 | $ 45,000.00 | |
| Youth Timed Events Added Per Discipline | $ 5,000.00 | $ 40,000.00 | |
| WCRA DY Men’s All-Around World Champion Cash Bonus | $ 4,000.00 | $ 2,000.00 | $ 6,000.00 |
| WCRA DY Ladies All-Around World Champion Cash Bonus | $ 4,000.00 | $ 2,000.00 | $ 6,000.00 |
| WCRA DY World Champions Per Discipline Cash Bonus | $ 2,000.00 | $ 1,000.00 | $ 3,000.00 |
| WCJR Men’s All-Around Champion Cash Bonus* | $ 2,500.00 | $ 2,500.00 | $ 5,000.00 |
| WCJR Ladies All Around Champion Cash Bonus* | $ 2,500.00 | $ 2,500.00 | $ 5,000.00 |
| Jr. Ironman | $ 5,000.00 | $ 5,000.00 | |
| Total | $ 215,000.00 | ||
How to participate in the 2025 WCJR:
Youth athletes will have three ways to participate the 2025 WCJR:
- Top 12 on the DY25 Leaderboard
- Generic Qualification from a DY Qualifier Series event
- OPEN entry – no nomination required
Leaderboard Qualification:
Athletes can also qualify by nominating their rodeo performances and earning points on the WCRA DY25 Leaderboard via the Virtual Rodeo Qualifier (VRQ). The nomination period closes on June 22, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. The top 12 athletes in each discipline on the leaderboard will advance directly to the semi-final round with no entry fees
Qualifier Series:
The DY Qualifier Series Events consists of a series of events held prior to the 2025 WCJR. Athletes who nominate their efforts and secure the top spot in their discipline at a DYQS event will earn a generic qualification to the Championship with no entry fees. Details for the qualifier series can be found here.
Open Entry:
Athletes can also enter the event through open entry, competing in the qualifying rounds for a chance to advance to the Semi-finals.
New for 2025, the aggregate winners from the open rounds will secure a spot in the Championship Round.
Open Entry Key Dates:
- Early Bird Entry: March 17–31 – $100 discounted entry fee per discipline
- Open and Jr. Ironman Qualifier Sidepot Entry: April 1–July 9
- Payment Plan Option: April 1–May 1
- Late Entry: July 9–17 – $50 late fee per discipline
Qualifying Rounds Details:
The WCJR Qualifying Rounds will be timed events only and consist of two rounds. The top two competitors in each discipline per round, along with the top six in the aggregate, will advance to the semi-finals. They will join the top 12 seeded athletes from the WCRA DY25 Leaderboard.
All event advancement details can be found here.
Riding event athletes must earn a position in the Top 12 of the WCRA DY Leaderboard.
For complete details, including the event advancement chart, visit WCJRodeo.com.
Since its inception in 2021, the WCJR has awarded over $1 million in new money to rodeo athletes, solidifying its commitment to providing more opportunities for youth athletes in the sport.
