Justin Boots Championships
River City Rodeo
Omaha, Nebraska
Sept.27-29, 2012
Al-Sar-Ben's River City Rodeo signs letter of intent to host Justin Boots Championships through 2014
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) has signed a letter of intent with Ak-Sar-Ben’s River City Rodeo & Stock Show (ARCR) that aims to keep the Justin Boots Championships presented by Wrangler in Omaha for at least the next three years.
The CenturyLink Center Omaha has been the home of the championships since 2009, and prior to that ARCR hosted the Summer Tour Championships. The Justin Boots Championships feature the top 96 cowboys and cowgirls in the world standings and awards more than $662,000 in prize money.
The 2012 Justin Boots Championships is scheduled for September 27-29, 2012.
“The Justin Boots Championships is recognized as one of the top five premier rodeos in the PRCA,” said PRCA Commissioner Karl Stressman.“A trifecta of credentials establishes this rodeo as one of the sport’s best - the contestants must be the top twelve in the world in each event, prize money per performance tops other rodeos outside of the Wrangler National Finals (WNFR), and the level of stock set it apart.”
“ARCR and the City of Omaha are honored to host this Championship event for the PRCA. The committee and fans have proven their dedication and support of this event and we look forward to continuing to provide them with the best rodeo experience,” said Paul Jessen, Chairman of Ak-Sar-Ben’s River City Rodeo & Stock Show. “Annually, the ARCR has a $20 million dollar-plus economic impact on the City of Omaha and the Justin Boots Championships provides national television exposure for Omaha.”
The Justin Boots Championships serves as the finale of the rodeo regular-season. In 2011 alone, 84 of the 96 contestants that competed in Omaha qualified for the NFR. In addition, this year the Justin Boots Championships provided a ticket to Las Vegas for three contestants who otherwise would not have earned a trip to the Finals.
Steer wrestler Blake Knowles of Heppner, Ore., used the Championships as his stepping stone to the NFR in 2009 and again in 2011. He otherwise would not have qualified. “This is, as a competitor, what you love to do – show up at a place with a great venue, with twelve of the best guys in the world, and see yourself succeed,” says Knowles.
Ak-Sar-Ben’s River City Rodeo & Stock Show is an annual celebration of the region’s heritage that benefits and educates families and youth. For more information, visit
www.rivercityrodeo.com or
Ak-Sar-Ben’s River City Rodeo and Stock Show page on Facebook and
River City Rodeo on Twitter. ARCR is managed by the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation which was established in 1895 with a mission of leveraging collective business leadership to build a more prosperous Heartland.
Playoff and Championships information from the 2011 PRCA Media Guide