The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association is implementing a change to their Pro Officials Program. This change became effective on March 1.
In the years before, there have been eight pro officials and that number has now been changed to 12. Adding the extra four judges means the number of performances judged by each individual with stay within 65 to 75 performances.
Pro Official judges are contract employees through the PRCA. Another change that will be in effect and start in 2023, is that each year four contracts will be up. This does not mean that they are required to replace four judges, it means that there will be the opportunity for reserve officials to move up with in the Pro Official system.
Of the 12 Pro Officials, five are returning judges while seven are newcomers. The Pro Officials for the 2022 season are Cliff Overstreet, George Gibbs, Joe Bob Locke, Harry Rose Jr., Mike Todd, Paul Cleveland, Terry Carlon, Rocky Steagall, Skip Emmet, Carl Burkholder, Chuck Hoss and Scot Quick.