West Hills rodeo star to compete in Las Vegas Professional Rodeo Association event

The top five Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Permit holders in each rodeo event have been invited to compete for a chance to win $21,000. Those top five include Cameron Messier, member of the West Hills College Coalinga Rodeo team, who is sitting at first place in saddle bronc riding.

“WHCC Rodeo is proud of Cameron and wants to congratulate him on a great year in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association,” said Justin Hampton, WHCC Rodeo Coach. “In our industry, this is a huge accomplishment for a young cowboy, and it puts him in line for some great opportunities in the future.”

Messier qualified in saddle bronc riding after finishing the 2017 rodeo season sitting in first-place in the Permit Standings with $20,905. The WHCC student is working towards an Associate’s in General Education and has been able to balance competing at college rodeos, as well as participating in ProRodeos.

“It has been great to be able to ride against the best in the business, while on my Permit,” said 19-year-old Messier.

Helping him to qualify for the Permit Challenge, Messier won five ProRodeos in the 2017 season. He won the Socorro County Fair & PRCA Rodeo (Socorro, NM), Oregon Trail Rodeo (Hastings, NE), Folsom Pro Rodeo (Folsom, CA), Mother Lode Round-Up (Sonora, CA), and the 2016 California Circuit Finals (Lancaster, CA).

The eighth annual Permit Member of the Year Challenge will be hosted in conjunction with the Benny Binion's Bucking Horse & Bull Sale. Taking place on Dec. 7th at the South Point Arena, the rodeo will begin at noon, with two rounds for each event. The top five Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Permit holders in each rodeo event will compete for a total purse of $21,000. Following the rodeo, a winner’s presentation will take place in the arena.

To purchase a PRCA membership card contestants must fill their permit, meaning they must win $1,000 at a PRCA sanctioned rodeo. They can then buy their PRCA card and compete in hopes to qualify for the “Super Bowl” of rodeo, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Many contestants choose to compete for their Permit for a full year to gain experience before their rookie year as a PRCA card holder and to qualify to compete at the Permit Challenge.

To learn more about PRCA, visit http://www.prorodeo.com/.