Road to UPRA Finals Rolls On with $48,500 Added at Six Texas Rodeos

As rodeo competitors battle for coveted spots at the 2026 Cinch United Finals Rodeo in Bryan, Texas, the summer run continues with six key United Professional Rodeo Association stops offering more than $48,500 in added money. With every dollar earned playing a role in the year end standings, contestants are looking to capitalize on opportunities in Seminole, Merit, Cooper, Gainesville, Plainview and Hico as the race to qualify for the UPRA Finals intensifies.

The momentum toward Bryan continues after another successful weekend on the UPRA schedule at The Biggest Little Rodeo in Texas in O'Donnell. The rodeo featured $14,000 in added money and welcomed contestants competing in bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, ranch bronc riding and team roping. Sanctioned by the UPRA and New Mexico Rodeo Association, the annual event continues to serve as an important stop for contestants looking to build season earnings while competing in one of West Texas' best rodeos.

With O'Donnell at it’s end, attention shifts to another packed week of rodeos across the Lone Star State, where even more opportunities await competitors hoping to strengthen their position in the standings.

Leading the week's schedule is the Seminole Rodeo, set for July 16-18, with $14,000 added. The three day event provides a great opportunities of the week and is expected to draw many of the association's top competitors looking to make significant gains before the season enters its final stretch.

The Higher Trails Cowboy Church Rodeo in Merit follows on July 17-18, featuring $10,000 added, while the Cooper Rodeo offers $8,500 added during the same dates. Both rodeos present valuable opportunities for contestants to continue climbing the leaderboard with substantial payouts available across multiple events.

Also on the schedule are Rodeo Gainesville, running July 16-18 with $6,500 added; the Plainview Rodeo on July 17-18 with $5,500 added; and the Old Settlers Reunion Rodeo in Hico, scheduled for July 17-18 with $4,500 added. Together, the six rodeos represent one of the busiest weekends on the UPRA calendar, giving contestants multiple chances to earn money and valuable points in the race for a finals qualification. The setup with this many rodeos back-to-back allows contestants to compete at several rodeos in a weekend.

With the 2026 Cinch United Finals Rodeo set for Oct. 23-25 at the Brazos Valley Expo in Bryan, Texas, every qualified ride and fast run becomes increasingly important. As the summer schedule continues, the results from O'Donnell and the upcoming Texas UPRA-sanctioned rodeos will be pivotal in determining which contestants secure a place at the 2026 Cinch UPRA Finals and a chance to compete with the best in the association for the world titles.