Who We Are

Founded in 1995, the Working Ranch Cowboys Association exists to preserve and promote the lifestyle of the working ranch cowboy. Created by ranchers, for ranchers, WRCA represents the men and women who work cattle, steward the land and sustain America’s ranching heritage. Through its events and outreach efforts,  WRCA ensures that the cowboy way of life remains relevant and thriving in a society that is increasingly disconnected from where its food comes from and from the people who make that food possible.

What We Do

The pinnacle of WRCA’s efforts is the annual World Championship Ranch Rodeo, held every November in Amarillo. To qualify for the championship, ranch teams must compete in WRCA-sanctioned ranch rodeos held across the country. The teams who punch their ticket to the big show compete in ranch bronc, stray gathering, team penning, team branding, and the fan-favorite wild cow milking. 

Why It Matters

All the rodeo fun and fanfare have a greater mission: supporting the WRCA Foundation, the benevolent arm of the association. The mission of the WRCA Foundation is to provide financial and other assistance to working ranch cowboys and their immediate families who are suffering from significant hardships. To date, the Foundation has given “a hand up, not a hand out” of nearly $6 million to cattle ranching families.

The organization also awards multi-year scholarships to cowboys and their immediate family members for collegiate, trade or vocational programs. In 2025, the WRCA Foundation reached a milestone, awarding 81 scholarships totaling approximately $127,000 for the 2025-2026 academic year—the highest number of scholarships in its history.