The World Champions Rodeo Alliance Division Youth (WCRA DY) is bringing an exciting new opportunity to the Hooey Junior Patriot with the introduction of the Top Hand Bonus—rewarding top-performing athletes with cash prizes, awards, and VRQ (Virtual Rodeo Qualifier) Bucks. Competitors will have the chance to earn up to an additional $1,000, along with a Smarty Rodeo Training Product and a Turtlebox Premium Speaker.

To be eligible, athletes must:

• Nominate the Semi-Finals/Finals round in the VRQ before the first round of competition.
• Compete in multiple disciplines to increase their chances of securing the bonus.

The athlete with the highest points in a single discipline over the Semi-Finals/Finals round will win a portion of the Top Hand Bonus. WCRA Division Youth (DY) will award the following:

Bull Riding competitors will be eligible for $500 cash plus $200 VRQ Bucks for first place, followed by $300 VRQ Bucks for second and $200 VRQ Bucks for third.

In Barrel Racing and Pole Bending, the top athlete will receive $1000 cash plus $200 VRQ Bucks, with additional payouts extending to the top ten competitors.

Similarly, athletes competing in Team Roping (Open & 10.5), Tie Down, Steer Wrestling, Breakaway Roping, and Goat Tying will see the first-place winner awarded $1000 cash plus $200 VRQ Bucks, with prize distributions extending through the top ten finishers.

Nominating with WCRA, an athlete’s performances are tracked through the VRQ system, allowing them to earn leaderboard points and qualify for WCRA DY events, where they can compete for substantial cash payouts and championship titles. VRQ Bucks are redeemable towards the purchase of Nominations with WCRA. When you nominate, they are redeemed on the WCRA App on the pay screen.

The 2025 WCRA DY season features two major events where athletes can earn big money and world titles. The $55,000 CEAT Rodeo Corpus Christi Division Youth Showcase will take place on May 6, 2025, at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. This event will feature the top eight athletes from each discipline on the DY Junior Leaderboard as of April 10. Athletes can qualify by nominating in the VRQ and accumulating leaderboard points. The champion of the event will earn $2,000, $1,500 will be awarded to second place, $1,000 to third place, and $500 to fourth place.

The Cinch World Championship Junior Rodeo Presented by Montana Silversmiths returns to Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma, from July 22-26, 2025, with an estimated $400,000 payout, including $215,000 in guaranteed added money. The event will feature both Junior and Youth Divisions, with the Junior Division offering up to $15,000 per discipline in added money and the Youth Division offering $5,000 per discipline. In addition, $56,000 in bonus payouts will be awarded to competitors, including World Champion, Event Champion, and JR Ironman bonuses. All 2025 WCJR Winners will receive an invitation to the Jr Patriot in 2026.

The World Championship Junior Rodeo is open to athletes ages 13-19 in the Junior Division and13-15 in the Youth Division. Competitors must be 13 to nominate through the VRQ by June 22, 2025, to earn leaderboard points toward the DY World Championship bonus payout. Early bird entry opens on March 17 with a $100 discount on each entry. Open entry is available for any athlete age 10 and above.

Smarty Rodeo and Turtlebox have had a connection even before this partnership through the Top Hand Bonus, with Smarty serving as an official distributor of Turtlebox’s rugged, premium audio gear at Smarty Supply Company.

Smarty Rodeo, a leader in innovative training products, is proud to introduce its latest breakthrough: the Smarty Rodeo Super Shorty. This cutting-edge hybrid combines the best features of the Heel O Matic Gen 2 Super Slider and the iconic Smarty Shorty, setting a new benchmark for roping practice equipment. Designed with both durability and performance in mind, the Super Shorty provides ropers with a realistic, high-quality training experience. With features such as a life-size head, interchangeable horns, and a stable frame that holds up through tight turns, this tool ensures competitors and enthusiasts can refine their skills at the highest level.

To celebrate the launch, Smarty Rodeo is partnering with the WCRA Youth Division to award a Super Shorty to the top male and female competitors at the Junior Patriot. This collaboration reinforces Smarty Rodeo’s commitment to fostering the next generation of roping champions and supporting youth athletes dedicated to the sport.

Turtlebox was born out of necessity after breaking every so-called “loud” speaker on the market during outdoor adventures. Originally built in a garage for personal use, it became clear that nothing else could handle the elements and deliver the volume needed for environments like beaches, boats, and ATVs. Recognizing the demand, Turtlebox set out to create the world’s loudest, most rugged outdoor portable speaker—built to go anywhere and be heard everywhere. For more information, visit TurtleboxAudio.com.

Since its inception in 2019, WCRA DY has awarded nearly $1 million in new money to youth rodeo athletes. All information on the bonus can be found HERE.