Cowboy Capital of the World PRCA Rodeo

The Cowboy Capital Pro Rodeo Association, head quartered in Stephenville, Texas was formed in the winter of 2013 from the foundation of the Erath County Livestock Association.

The ECLA had hosted rodeos sanctioned under the banners of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Womens Pro Rodeo Association for decades but when it was time for the reins of power to be passed over, the CCPRA was formed. The original board members of: Chad Decker, Charles Turner, Ben Clements, Ronnie Ray, Nathion Griffin, Jeremy Smith, James Andrae, Matt Rhine, Cody Brister, July Danley, Renee Smathers, and Martha Wright hit the ground running with the intentions of having a rodeo that would finally live up to the title of “Cowboy Capital of the World.” 

Since the inception of the CCPRA, the Cowboy Capital of the World Pro Rodeo has grown by leaps, jumps, and bucks! An amazing lineup of sponsors support the rodeo every year and without them the rodeos success would not have been as easily obtainable. Thousands of dedicated rodeo fans annually pack the stands of Lone Star Arena the last weekend of September to witness the best rodeo athletes in the world compete under the bright lights. Nearly 600 professional rodeo athletes journey to the Cowboy Capital every year for over $100,000 in cash, buckles, spurs, and trophy rifles. In 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and again in 2019, the Cowboy Capital of the World Pro Rodeo was honored to be nominated as one of the PRCA’s Top 5 Medium Size Rodeo of the Year. The cowgirls of the WPRA Texas Circuit have also voted Stephenville as having the ‘Best Dirt’ eight times since the Justin Best Footing Award began in the mid 1990’s, having taken the title home the last six years (2014-2019). In 2019, the Cowboy Capital of the World PRCA Rodeo was awarded the title of WPRA Medium Size Rodeo of the Year.

Since September 2013, a weeklong, community wide celebration know as Rodeo Heritage Week takes over and everyone is invited to revel in the Cowboy Capital’s impressive rodeo history. A downtown rodeo parade, mutton busting, dummy roping, western art exhibit, 5K, live music, county team roping, rodeo queen contest, fashion show, the PRCA Rodeo, and a few more events can be found any day of the week. Even though Rodeo Heritage Week only last 7 days, here in the Cowboy Capital of the World, rodeo is celebrated 365 days a year.