Why did the Elite Rodeo Association Start?
The ERA started because a few professional cowboys wanted to improve the rodeo world and simplify competition life for rodeo athletes. Trevor Brazile, Jade Corkill, Patrick Smith, Charmayne James, Tuf Cooper, Fred Whitfield, Bobby Mote, and Tryan announced the creation of the ERA on February 2015 in Dallas. They established this association so that it would be more profitable for the rodeo athletes. It is also more convenient with only 15 rodeos in the season. These rodeos will also be televised by Fox making a larger audience for the rodeo world.
Why does the Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association have a problem with it?
The PRCA is mad because the ERA is taking well known competitors from the PRCA to create interest in their new association. After many months of fighting, the PRCA won in court against the ERA. They finalized that anyone with shares in the ERA cannot be a member of the PRCA. The barrel racing is not affected because the PRCA gets its barrel racing competitors from the Women's Pro Rodeo Association. The WPRA has not made any claims against the ERA, so the barrel racers are still able to compete and go to the NFR.
How does this affect the competitors?
The PRCA has a chance to shed light on some new talent, because the ERA as recruited some of the top cowboys in the PRCA. These athletes who have a share in the ERA are taking a risk by leaving the PRCA. This association has made them famous an now they are giving up a comfortable, well-established association to start a new one in hopes that they will make a better association.
Who are the competitors in the ERA?
Bareback Riders: Richmond Champion, Steven Dent, Kaycee Feild, Austin Foss, Ryan Gray, Tilden Hooper, Will Lowe, Justin McDanial, Bobby Mote, Steven Peebles and Wes Stevenson.
Tie-Down Ropers: Trevor Brazile, Clif Cooper, Tuf Cooper, Shane Hanchey, Monty Lewis, Cody Ohl, Matt Shiozawa, Caleb Smidt, Stran Smith, Fred Whitfield and Marty Yates.
Steer Wrestling: Bray Armes, Luke Branquinho, Hunter Cure, Stockton Graves, Nick Guy, Kyle Irwin, Casey Martin, Sean Mulligan, Tyler Pearson, Jake Rinehart and Todd Suhn.
Team Roping Header: Jake Barnes, Derrick Begay, Trevor Brazile, Charly Crawford, Kaleb Driggers, Chad Masters, Turtle Powell, Nick Sartain, Aaron Tsinigine, Clay Tryan and Speed Williams.
Team Roping Heeler: Allen Bach, Clay O'Brien Cooper, Jade Corkill, Travis Graves, Martin Lucero, Jhett Johnson, Ryan Motes, Junior Nogueira, Rich Skelton, Patrick Smith and Kollin VonAhn.
Saddle Bronc: Tyler Corrington, Isaac Diaz, Chad Ferley, Bradley Harter, Chet Johnson, Taos Muncy, Cort Scheer, Wade Sundell, Zeke Thurston, Jesse Wright and Spencer Wright.
Barrel Racing: Chayni Chamberlain, Kassidy Dennison, Britany Diaz, Callie Duperier, Taylor Jacob, Charmayne James, Lisa Lockhart, Sarah Rose McDonald, Ashley Schafer, Fallon Taylor and Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi.
Bull Riding: Kanin Asay, Brant Atwood, Chandler Bownds, Cody Campbell, Brian Canter, Beau Hill, Neil Holmes, Zach Oakes, Ty Pozzobon, Caleb Sanderson and Steven Woolsey.
