PRCA may rope more fans, sponsors

As the producer of the Show Me Center Championship Rodeo and several other rodeo events in the course of a year, Mark Johnson is not about to say anything derogatory about the International Professional Rodeo Association.

One of his rodeo companies still produces shows with the IPRA.

But Johnson made a decision to have this year's Show Me Center rodeo, a three-day event with the first session 8 p.m. tonight, sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

"I thought it would help us with attendance and sponsorship," said Johnson, the proprietor of MFJ Pro Rodeo Productions, based in Jonesboro, Ark. "It's the same association for the summer rodeo in Sikeston, which is a huge rodeo. There will be some contestants from the national finals in Las Vegas who will be in the events. It will be loaded with contestants from all over the country."

The PRCA is the circuit that made a household name of Ty Murray. Or at least put Murray, a bull riding champion who was the PRCA's top all-around cowboy seven times, in position to date an entertainer with one household name, Jewel.

The PRCA's Wrangler ProRodeo National Finals, which take place each December in Las Vegas, are televised extensively by ESPN. "It's like the Super Bowl of rodeo," Johnson said. "You compete for the right to go to Las Vegas and compete for some big dollars."

Topping $4.5 million in prize money, the National Finals event is by far the highest-paying stop on the PRCA circuit.

The rodeo in Cape Girardeau will pay out roughly $20,000 in prize money, Johnson said. It is one of six PRCA sanctioned rodeo events in the nation this weekend and comes just a week before the Wrangler ProRodeo Winter Tour stop in San Antonio.

Thus, some of the circuit's bigger names are elsewhere.

But two of the leading competitors on Winter Tour -- a 12-stop event leading to a May championship event in Las Vegas -- are expected to compete in their home state.

Kenny Hickman of Stark City, Mo., is in the top 30 of bull riders after two tour stops. He rides Sunday in the final session, set for 2 p.m.

Amanda Clayman of Naylor, Mo., is coming off a second-place showing in barrel racing at the National Western Rodeo on Jan. 25 in Denver. She finished behind former world champion Kappy Allen. Clayman competes Saturday.

In addition the rodeo competitions tonight, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, the event will feature Cody Sosebee, former IPRA world champion bareback rider and now a noted rodeo clown.

"It has gotten bigger and better each of the last three years," Johnson said. "This PRCA event will really help us out there."