AMARILLO, TEXAS -- The Working Ranch Cowboy Association, the Amarillo Convention & Visitor Council and the City of Amarillo are pleased to announce a three-year renewal agreement to keep the World Championship Ranch Rodeo in the Amarillo Civic Center through November 2012.

"The World Championship Ranch Rodeo started in Amarillo in 1995 and has become one of our city's premier events. We are delighted that the WRCA Board of Directors has agreed to a new three-year contract," Mayor Debra McCartt said.

This event is one of Amarillo's biggest single pieces of Western tourism business, according to Jerry Holt, Vice President of the Amarillo Convention & Visitor Council. The nearly $2.5 million economic impact of the World Championship Ranch Rodeo is felt across the entire Amarillo economy.

New to the World Championship Ranch Rodeo in 2009 will be hosting all the horses at the Amarillo Civic Center.

"Visitors will be able to see and enjoy over 150 of the cowboys' horses, as well as the Budweiser Clydesdales, at the Amarillo Civic Center each day. Entry to see the horses, events and exhibits will continue to be free. We only require a ticket for the rodeo," Mandy Morton, WRCA Association Manager, said.

Tickets for the 2009 World Championship Ranch Rodeo go on sale June 1st through Panhandle Tickets. Ticket prices will range from $16 to $30, depending on the seat location and the night of the performance.

The 2009 World Championship will be dedicated to the Women of Ranching, Randall Whipple, president of the WRCA Board of Directors, announced.

"This dedication will give us the opportunity to recognize the women who have contributed so much to the ranching industry and ranching families," Whipple said. "Our organization has grown to the point where we are making a difference in many people's lives and we can now thank those who have done so much."

Whipple also announced a new initiative for the WRCA: creation of a Retirement Ranch for cowboys who have worked on a ranch all of their lives. It will be their chance to live out life on a working ranch instead of having to sell their horses and move to town. The WRCA's Retirement Ranch will provide a place to continue riding, work cattle, and receive medical care.