WCRA (World Champions Rodeo Alliance) will enter the 2023 Division Youth (DY) Series with a new title partner for the organization’s DY Showcase events through a multi-year partnership with CEAT Specialty Tires, a leading agriculture tire manufacturer, sold in more than 115 countries worldwide.
The 2023 Series will feature CEAT Specialty WCRA DY Showcase events in Mill Spring, North Carolina, and Fort Worth, Texas. Each event will pay $55,000 and feature the top eight from the Junior DY Leaderboard (19 and under) in each discipline. The 2024 series will feature showcase events at each WCRA Triple Crown of Rodeo stop.
“This sponsorship of the new WCRA Division Youth Series builds on our support of young rodeo competitors,” said CEAT Specialty Chief Executive Amit Tolani, noting that the company has been sponsoring several individual junior rodeo competitors for several years. “Our growing support of rodeo is part of CEAT Specialty’s overall commitment to improve the life and livelihood of American farmers and ranchers.”
At each event, athletes will battle it out in one round of competition, with each champion taking home a minimum of $2,000. The Showcase will crown champions in each of the 11 DY Junior disciplines: Bareback Riding, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping (Heading/Heeling), Saddle Bronc Riding, Tie-Down Roping, Ladies Pole Bending, Ladies Goat Tying, Ladies Breakaway Roping, Ladies Barrel Racing, and Bull Riding.
Payout per discipline:
| Place | Payout |
| 1st | $2,000 |
| 2nd | $1,500 |
| 3rd | $1,000 |
| 4th | $500 |
WCRA DY rodeo athletes recently rewrote the youth rodeo record books when the organization capped off their first full year of WCRA DY as they wrapped up the 2023 Cinch World Championship Junior Rodeo presented by Montana Silversmiths in Guthrie, Oklahoma. The youth world championship event shelled out more than $407,000- creating the richest youth rodeo in over two decades.
“While the main focus of the DY athletes is qualifying for the $200,000 added money Cinch World Championship Junior Rodeo, these are additional earning opportunities at WCRA Triple Crown of Rodeo events for the top eight on the Junior Division leaderboard,” said WCRA President Bobby Mote. “We are proud that CEAT Specialty Tires sees the value in the DY Showcase Series, and we look forward to a long-lasting relationship with their brand on this property.”
The first showcase rodeo will occur in early October at WCRA’s Rodeo Carolina in Mill Spring, North Carolina. Athletes can qualify by nominating any age-restricted youth rodeo and earning points for the WCRA Junior Leaderboard (DY24 Leaderboard) positions using the VRQ (Virtual Rodeo Qualifier). Each discipline’s top eight on the leaderboard will qualify for the event. Those who are eligible must pay a $300 entry fee (100% payback). Athletes can learn how to nominate and earn points HERE.
The 2023 showcase schedule and deadlines are as follows:
| Date | Location | Event | Leaderboard Deadline |
| October 7, 2023 | Mill Spring, NC | Rodeo Carolina | September 10 |
| November 4, 2023 | Fort Worth, TX | Cowtown Showcase | October 19 |
WCRA DY is a year-long leaderboard race of rodeo events worldwide, culminating at the Cinch World Championship Junior Rodeo (WCJR). The 2023 event will have over $200,000 in added money and will take place in Guthrie, OK, at the Lazy E Arena the July 23-27, 2024. Athletes can qualify by nominating their rodeo efforts and earning points for the WCRA DY leaderboard positions using the VRQ (Virtual Rodeo Qualifier). Athletes can nominate their rodeo efforts until Sunday, June 23, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. to nominate and earn points. The top 16 on the leaderboard will qualify for the event with no entry fees.
