Top Athletes on the VRQ Leaderboard invited to complete at $800,000 Rodeo-
The WCRA has announced an exciting new opportunity for athletes ranked on its leaderboard, powered by the Virtual Rodeo Qualifier (VRQ). The San Diego Rodeo has extended invitations to the top-ranked athletes on the VRQ Leaderboard to compete in the 2025 event. This prestigious rodeo, hosted at Petco Park from January 10-12, marks its second edition in 2025 and boasts a trailblazing $800,000 payout.
Since its launch in 2018, the VRQ has been the driving force for qualification to WCRA major events, showcasing top athletes who have competed in rodeos such as Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo, Women’s Rodeo World Championship, Rodeo Corpus Christi, Rodeo Carolina, and more. The platform has also played a pivotal role in awarding over $19.7 million to rodeo athletes, solidifying its impact on the sport.
“This marks a significant milestone for us, as it is the first time a major rodeo has remained independent while embracing our global qualification platform,” said WCRA Vice President Scott Davis. “We launched the VRQ six years ago as a points-based system that considers any ride or run, at any event, regardless of status or sanctioning body. Today’s announcement is a significant step in our mission to make every ride count. The athletes on the VRQ Leaderboard earned their spots through diverse competitions, and this invitation to San Diego highlights their achievements.”
Top athletes in the current VRQ Standings (Rodeo Corpus Christi Leaderboard) as of December 19, 2024 in each discipline will be extended an invitation to compete for their piece of the $800,00 prize money across nine disciplines which includes – bareback riding, women’s breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping (heading and heeling), tie-down roping, barrel racing, and bull riding.
The following athletes from the VRQ Leaderboard accepted the invitation to compete in the San Diego Rodeo:
| DISCIPLINE | NAME |
| BAREBACK RIDING | NICK PELKE |
| SADDLE BRONC | ISAAC DIAZ |
| BULL RIDING | JOAO HENRIQUE LUCAS |
| TIE-DOWN ROPING | BLAKE CARTER |
| STEER WRESTLING | CODY DOESCHER |
| TEAM ROPING HEADER | JAKE SMITH |
| TEAM ROPING HEELER | BUDDY HAWKINS |
| LADIES BREAKAWAY | KARRIGAN CAGLEY |
| LADIES BARREL RACING | JORDAN DRIVER |
In 2024, the San Diego Padres, in collaboration with C5 Rodeo Company Inc. and OutRiders, hosted the inaugural rodeo at Petco Park. Petco partnership, rooted in a shared passion for rodeo, aimed to bring an authentic Western experience to downtown San Diego. Petco Park’s open-air setting provided a unique and vibrant backdrop, blending traditional rodeo culture with the city’s dynamic atmosphere.
“We see tremendous value in the objectives of the VRQ, which is why we’ve invited their top athletes to compete in our rodeo next month,” said Rodeo Organizer, Josh Shockey, Outriders Presents. “Our goal is to produce the best rodeo possible, and this invitation opens exciting new doors. We look forward to exploring how the VRQ can play a role in future qualification opportunities for our event.”
Currently, the VRQ serves as a groundbreaking platform for rodeo, capable of considering results from any rodeo or single-discipline event with publicly available results. The platform has already attracted more than 27,000 registered users, showcasing its growing influence and inclusivity in the rodeo world.
Since launching in May 2018, the WCRA and its partners have awarded more than $19,700,000 in new money to rodeo athletes. Respectively, each event using the VRQ for qualification remains subject to its independent official Ground Rules. All rodeo athletes interested in learning more about the VRQ should visit app.wcrarodeo.com.
