Top barrel racers earn six-figure salaries.
The iconic image of the rodeo cowboy holds a special place in the cultural fabric of the American West but what about the cowgirl? The reputation of the iconic cowboy is well established as a cow rustling, bronco busting rodeo star but women also play an important role in the world of rodeo. Barrel racing draws some of the largest crowds in the all of rodeo and is a traditionally female competition. While compensation varies widely across the sport the top-earning barrel racers today can earn millions over their career.
Barrel Racing
According to barrel racing authority and historian Gail Hughbanks Woerner, organized barrel racing was first seen in Texas in the 1930s. Over the decades this sport, which requires riders to circle a course of barrels positioned in a cloverleaf configuration, has evolved from a little-recognized pastime to highly professional and well-compensated profession for a handful of top barrel racers.
Top WPRA Earnings
The Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) represents the highest level of barrel racing competition on the planet. Members often compete at WPRA exclusive events or with male rodeo performers on the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) rodeo circuit. As of August 2011, the top earning barrel racer, Brittany Pozzi, earned a total of $111,838 in the sport. Lindsay Sears followed with $94,343 in annual earnings and Brenda Mays ranked third on the money-list with $87,960.
Average WPRA Earnings
Through the first eight months of 2011 the top 500 WPRA barrel racers won $3.867 million in combined prize money. That breaks down to an average annual compensation of $7,734 per WPRA barrel racer. The top 10 racers all earned more than $58,000 while the bottom 10 all earned less than $517. The WPRA consists of the best barrel racers in the world and the women are compensated as such. Most women barrel racers compete at local or regional levels and earn only several hundred dollars for a top performance at best.
Top Career Earnings
In 2010 Sherry Cervi set the record for career race earnings with $1,964,821 over her 25-year career. Eleven-time world champion Charmayne James holds the second-place spot on the career money list and became the first women to win over $1 million in a career in 1990. Lindsay Sears holds the single season earnings record of $184,756.
Tags: barrel racers, barrel racer, barrel racing, Lindsay Sears, Professional Rodeo