It’s more than just a rodeo

The Big Bend Ranch Rodeo (BBRR) is committed to preserving western heritage by demonstrating the skills of daily ranch work in a positive and cultural atmosphere. All proceeds from the rodeo and related weekend activities are given to Sul Ross State University (SRSU) through scholarships and gifts designated for students in the university rodeo program. Over the past 24 years the Big Bend Ranch Rodeo has raised more than $325,000 for this program.

The BBRR is a sanctioned Working Ranch Cowboys Association (WRCA) event. The WRCA is committed to the preservation of cowboy heritage and lifestyle and promoting ranching on a national level. The WRCA funds two programs designed to provide working ranch families financial assistance. The Crisis Fund is designed to provide assistance to cowboys and their families in times of serious financial hardship. The Scholarship Fund provides monies to working ranch cowboys and their family members interested in continuing their education.

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Funds provided by the BBRR and WRCA to the Big Bend Area:

  • 2001 WRCA provided financial assistance to Joel Nelson of Alpine, TX after he was kicked by a horse

  • 2002 BBRR gave $2,000 to SRSU

  • 2003 BBRR gave $5,000 to SRSU

  • 2003 Janie Jones of Balmorhea, TX received a WRCA scholarship

  • 2004 BBRR gave $6,000 to SRSU

  • 2005 WRCA provided financial assistance to Amy Cowart of Snyder, TX after a rodeo accident

  • 2005 BBRR gave $9,000 to SRSU

  • 2006 WRCA provided financial assistance to the Ronnie Scott family of Orla, TX for medical expenses

  • 2006 Alicia Daugherty of Marathon, TX received a WRCA scholarship

  • 2006 BBRR gave $11,000 to SRSU

  • 2007 BBRR gave $5,000 to SRSU

  • 2008 BBRR gave $15,000 to SRSU

  • 2009 Asa Daugherty of Marathon, TX received a WRCA scholarship

  • 2009 BBRR gave $17,500 to SRSU

  • 2010 Asa Daugherty of Marathon, TX and Coley Shipp of Alpine, TX received WRCA scholarships

  • 2010 BBRR gave $14,000 to SRSU

  • 2011 BBRR gave $17,500 to SRSU

  • 2011 Coley Shipp of Alpine, TX received the James Marker Memorial Scholarship (WRCA)

  • 2012 BBRR gave $12,500 to SRSU

  • 2013 BBRR gave $16,500 to SRSU

  • 2014 Cody Richardson received a WRCA scholarship to SRSU

  • 2014 BBRR gave $16,000 to SRSU

  • 2015 BBRR gave $18,500 to SRSU

  • 2016 WRCA provided financial assistance to Kiki Aguirre to aid in his recovery after a horse accident

  • 2016 BBRR gave $17,000 to SRSU

  • 2017 BBRR gave $20,000 to SRSU

  • 2018 BBRR gave $15,000 to SRSU

  • 2019 Gage Chaote received a WRCA scholarship to SRSU

  • 2019 BBRR gave $20,000 to SRSU

  • 2020 BBRR gave $18,000 to SRSU

  • 2021 BBRR gave $30,000 to SRSU

  • 2022 BBRR gave $16,500 to SRSU

  • 2023 BBRR gave $25,000 to SRSU