Starting in 2010 you will need a $40.00 World Series Membership to collect your winnings at qualification ropings. If you don’t want to join you will be able to pay $10 for an Event Permit and still be able to rope. You can compete and win money on a permit - YOU CANNOT QUALIFY FOR THE LAS VEGAS FINALES WITH A PERMIT. Even though we know the commitment and pitfalls (classifications) involved with this move, we believe it is necessary for several reasons. We need computer software to run the ropings, and we need classifications to work with that software. We also need to be able to advertise as we see fit. Clearly membership is the only answer to solving all these problems.

We want you to know that we aren't trying to make money off your membership. We are allocating half the membership to your Spin To Win subscription, 1/4 to the producing contractor and 1/4 to the classification contract. If you consider our office operation and data management (programming, internet services, etc), we are operating your membership at a loss.  Obviously we are passing the costs on, but we promise to keep this as close to operational costs as we can.

Communications is a major component and we have made our decision to put our money with Spin To Win as our primary communications tool. They are a sponsor of our Finale in Vegas, and we have grown large enough that we just can’t keep sending all these direct mail pieces. You need a place where you can find our schedule, advertisements and occasionally a few stories. This magazine is independent and certainly will not act as our mouthpiece, but will embrace our effort to bring business to their publication.

For the past four years we have been pretty satisfied to let USTRC do the heavy lifting on classifications. As we enter our 5th year it has become clear that we need to fine tune classifications and promoted the idea of a plus system. This concept has caught on in the industry, but we can see that there is going to be quite a bit of difference in opinion on how we see the Plus vs. the USTRC Elite. We just really feel our time can be better spent on our business rather entering into discussions of tachometers, and what should or shouldn’t be called data. It appeared to be safer for us to make our own decisions on classifications. The old-fashioned way of looking at classifications, the one-by-one approach, doesn’t work for everyone, but with only 3,000 ropers and limited entry it seems to fit us well.

As we all know, classifications are the most painful and controversial part of the business. We have replaced our reluctance to face classifications and have accepted that it is a customer service we need to provide. In the meantime, Arkie Kiehne was available and agreed to head up our classifications. If you will remember he was the classification troubleshooter for us from 1990 to 1998. I can’t guarantee that you will agree with all of our decisions, but I will guarantee we will give everyone a good and fair hearing. You will see us fine-tuning a little on the softer side to start with, but feel many borderline ropers will sort themselves with tighter adjustments toward the second half of each year. The focus of our classification evaluations will be focused on our three divisions, limited entry, and with potential team combinations in mind for Las Vegas.

You will need to have a Classification Card in your possession, or have submitted an application, including appropriate fees to our office or to the roping producer, prior to the event or division you are entering. The price of the Classification Card will be $40.00. You can download and mail in membership form from the "forms" section of this website. You may also phone a credit card purchase to our office daily 8 to 5, 505-898-1755. As a third option you will be able to purchase a membership card at the roping at the time that you enter.

Double Numbers are Free, But.......

If you ask for them when you apply for the membership they are free. But if you ask for them after you have received you initial card and we have to make the phone calls again, print an additional card and do the work---then $10.00. Makes sense huh?