The top women in professional rodeo will saddle up and head to Tulsa, OK, November 10-14, for the Women’s Pro Rodeo Association’s (WPRA) World Finals Rodeo presented by Wrangler.

Leading the field of more than 600 women is Jackie Hobbs of Abilene, TX.

Hobbs will defend her titles as World Champion All-Around Cowgirl and World Champion Tie-Down Roper. She’s in a tight race for another all-around title, just $255 ahead Jolee Lauteret of Kingman, AZ. Hobbs leads Oklahoma cowgirl Jackie Jo Adams by less than $600 for a second consecutive tie-down roping world title and is ranked third in breakaway roping.

The five-day competition at Tulsa Expo Square will determine world championships in seven categories ­– the All-Around, breakaway roping, junior barrel racing, tie-down roping and team roping (both header and heeler) as well as the barrel racing pro futurity and pro derby divisions.

While the WPRA’s 2009 World Champion Barrel Racer will be determined at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, NV, in December, many of North America’s elite barrel racers will be competing in Tulsa.

The top 50 in the world championship standings along with the top 10 from each of 12 geographic circuits qualify for the World Finals Barrel Race. Winnings in this event are applied to the 2010 world championship.

 In the three roping events, the top 15 in the world standings will compete along with the top five from each circuit and in the Dodge Junior Division, the top 20 barrel racers age 17 and under will be joined by the top four from each circuit.

World Finals week in Tulsa includes two rounds of competition in each of the barrel races and three rounds in the roping contests, plus the World Finals Trade Show and the ProElite Sire Incentive (PESI) Stallion Showcase.

Nearly 50 stallions are enrolled in the program, which offers cash incentive bonuses to winning barrel racing and roping horses descended from the member stallions.

A concert featuring rocking country artist Thomas Martinez and the Wild Frontier follows the Friday night performance, with the audience invited to enjoy the music either from the seating area or on the arena floor, where there is room for dancing. The concert is sponsored by Sycamore Springs Ranch.

You don’t even have to be a WPRA member to join some of the competition in Tulsa. There are also three separate open 4D barrel races and women’s open ropings planned during the week.

An open 4D barrel race kicks off the week on Tuesday night. This race is BBR approved and offers a minimum of $500 added money. Two women’s open 4D barrel races are scheduled for Friday and Saturday mornings with $1,500 added money each day.

Women’s open ropings are scheduled for Saturday morning with $750 added money in both breakaway and tie-down roping, plus $1,500 added money in team roping.

Winners at the 2009 WPRA World Finals Rodeo will earn more than $350,000 in cash and awards including Montana Silversmiths trophy buckles and trophy saddles by Circle Y. Other sponsors for the World Finals include Stallion Oil, Cavender’s and Rocko Sportswear.

A complete schedule and additional information is available online at www.wpra.com. Tickets are available online at www.exposquare.com, by calling 918-376-6000 or in person at the Expo Ticket Xpress box office.

 Tickets for the Friday, November 13 rodeo performance and Thomas Martinez concert are $15 for adults and $5 for children age 12 and under. Tickets for Saturday, November 14’s final championship round are $10 for adults and $5 for children.