Every roper who competes at a WSTR Qualifier or the Finale must hold a current WSTR membership card, Key Card, or an active USTRC membership (the two organizations mutually recognize each other's cards) in order to collect winnings. Memberships run on a calendar-year basis, valid from purchase through December 31, with next-season sales opening each October 1 for the Key Card and standard memberships; renewals and first-time applications can be submitted anytime during the year through the WSTR office, by phone, mail, or online at WSTRoping.com. The tiers matter beyond simple eligibility: Key Card and Key Card Max members get the Finale's live pay-per-view stream and individually clipped run videos included at no extra charge, while standard members can add those features à la carte. There's also a Silver Legacy membership offered free to renewing or past WSTR members aged 70 and older. Rules are strict on compliance — a roper without a current card (or an unfiled renewal) is subject to disqualification along with their partner, and Finale entrants specifically must be current-year members before their entry is accepted, regardless of when it's paid; membership fees themselves are non-refundable and non-transferable.
WSTR
WSTR is a national handicapped team roping series. Ropers qualify at local and regional ropings throughout the year, building toward the Ariat WSTR Finale in Las Vegas each December alongside the NFR — one of the largest equestrian events in the world, with $18M+ paid out and thousands of teams competing.
World Series of Team Roping