Rodeo: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Features

The National Western Stock Show is officially underway in Denver, Colorado marking the biggest rodeo event of the year so far. Rodeo athletes from across the country have fought to earn a spot here and now that it is more than halfway through, the semi-finals are nearly set.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / January 21

Underdogs Were Name of the Game at First Frontier Circuit Finals

The First Frontier Circuit Finals marked the first big showdown for rodeo athletes in the Northeast. Pennsylvania hosted some of rodeo's best over the

Rodeo News / Rodeo News / January 21

Montie Montana: The Cowboy Who Roped the World

There are legends, and then there are legends who could literally rope a president. Montie Montana wasn’t just a rodeo star. He was a walking, riding, grinning piece of Americana.… The post Montie Montana: The Cowboy Who Roped the World first appeared on Rodeo Life.

Rodeo News / Rodeo News / January 21

Cole Franks and Rocker Steiner Celebrate Waylon Bourgeois’ Third-Round Victory at the 2025 National Finals Rodeo.

By Ted Harbin The only thing separating them as siblings is genetics. They share many of the same passions, primarily centered on rodeo. That’s what brought them together in the… The post Cole Franks and Rocker Steiner Celebrate Waylon Bourgeois’ Third-Round Victory at the 2025 National Finals Rodeo.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / January 20

Youth Barrel Racer Claims Slot Race Win in Unadilla's Fabulous $50k

MR Productions once again brought the Fabulous $50k to life in Unadilla, Ga., where barrel racers made fast runs and earned huge paydays over the recent weekend.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / January 20

Two-Time NFR Bull Rider and Legendary Veterinarian Dr. Ed LeTourneau Passes Away

The rodeo community is in mourning as another National Finals Rodeo legend has passed away. Dr. Ed LeTourneau, a two-time NFR bull rider passed away on Sunday, January 18th at 90 years old.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / January 20

PBR Champion Announces New Role As Carolina Cowboys Assistant GM

Cooper Davis has earned nearly every major accolade and title in professional bull riding. A National Finals Rodeo qualifier, PRCA Resistol Rookie of the Year, eight-time PBR Finals qualifier, and PBR World Champion, Davis has had a storied career.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / January 19

2025 NFR Average Champion Keeps Momentum Rolling in NWSS Bracket Four

The National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colo. is fully underway as the fourth set for the quarter finals just finished up, and the next set of contestants has advanced to the Semi-Finals.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / January 19

Montana Athletes Shine at Circuit Finals, Earning NFR Open Qualifications

Montana is the home state of many elite rodeo athletes and several former National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualifiers claimed wins at the Montana Circuit Finals.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / January 19

Two California Natives Claim Championships at 2026 San Diego Rodeo

After a weekend packed full of concerts, rodeo, and excitement, San Diego Rodeo wrapped up its third annual event Sunday, January 18, at Petco Park. Nine champions were crowned in the ballpark, two of whom were California natives.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / January 19

Following Setbacks, Roper Bryce Derrer Embracing Strong Start to 2026 Season

The idea of quitting never crossed Bryce Derrer’s mind, even as everything seemed to be crashing down around him. In 2024, the Portales, N.M., tie-down roper put together an impressive rookie season.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / January 18

Permit Holder and NFR Champion Excel at Sandhills Stock Show and Rodeo

After nearly 10 days of rodeo action in Odessa, Texas, the Sandhills Stock Show and Rodeo has crowned 2026 champions. Wacey Schalla is hot off his first National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in the bareback riding and is riding that momentum into 2026.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / January 18

J Bar J Mourns the Loss of Their Beloved Bucking Horse

After a storied career, J15 Straight Jacket of J Bar J Pro Rodeo has been laid to rest on the ranch in Circle, Mont. Sparky and Marleen Dreesen mourn the loss of a great one.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / January 18

Razor-Thin Margin Decides Saddle Bronc Semifinals Qualifiers in Denver

The third of eight brackets in the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver, Colo., has concluded, and three athletes in each discipline are now headed to the Semi-Finals.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / January 18

18-year-old Bull Rider Rookie Mason Reine Makes National Western Stock Show Debut

The National Western Stock Show is one of the biggest rodeo stages of the year, and despite it being so early in the season, athletes fight hard to qualify for the biggest rodeo event Denver, Colorado, has to offer.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / January 17

Semi-Finals Qualifiers Shake Up Round Leaderboards in Bracket 2 at NWSS

The second bracket is finished at the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in Denver, Colo. After competing in two back-to-back performances, the top three athletes based on aggregate times and scores in each event will move on to the Semi-Finals.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / January 17

Mayfield Gets Candid About Surgery, Recovery, Growth, and Mental Game

Tie-down roper Shad Mayfield has built an impressive resume in professional rodeo, including seven National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualifications, two World Championships, and over $1.7 million in career earnings.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / January 17

Stetson Wright Headlines First Set of Semi-Finals Qualifiers at NWSS

After the January 16 matinee performance at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo (NWSS) 24 contestants have secured their spot for the Semi-Finals on Saturday, January 24.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / January 16

Following Whirlwind Rookie Season, Jensen Aiming to Keep Bull Riding Momentum Rolling

The lights of Las Vegas were as bright as Bryce Jensen imagined. As the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo got underway back in December, the Huntsville, Texas, native climbed into the bucking chutes for his first appearance at the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s season-culminating event.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / January 16

National Western Stock Show and Rodeo Kicks Off With First Performance in Denver

The National Western Stock Show (NWSS) was established in 1906 and still stands today as one of the premier professional winter building rodeos. Spanning more than two weeks every January in Denver, Colo., the NWSS runs January 10-25, 2026.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / January 16

PRCA Mourning Clayton Macom’s Passing at Age 60 After Grueling Health Battle

Clayton Macom was more than a PRCA judge, he was a father, a grandfather, a competitor, and a man of God. He loved rodeo, his family, and was often speaking on his journey through Christ as he wanted everyone to know Him.

Rodeo News / Rodeo News / January 16

INDOOR RODEOS

By Ted Harbin Indoor winter rodeos offer an escape from the elements, whether it’s blistering cold in St. Paul, Minnesota, or avoiding cold rain and potential ice at Fort Worth,… The post INDOOR RODEOS first appeared on Rodeo Life.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / January 16

Inside the PBR Arena, America Feels United Again

Never has so much beer been consumed at a sporting event…with so few fights. This has become a weekly occurrence at PBR, now on a remarkable run that includes selling out all three days at Madison Square Garden last weekend, following its sold-out Boston debut to start the new year.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / January 15

3-Time World Champion Earns Second Consecutive NFR Average Title

Three-time World Champion Tie-Down Roper Riley Webb humbly earned legendary status when he made the history books at the 2025 National Finals Rodeo (NFR).

Atlanta Falcons News / Rodeo on SI / January 15

Justin Shaffer Replaces 4-Time NFR Qualifier at Cinch Timed Event Championship

The 2026 rodeo season is in full swing and athletes across the country are working hard to get into the biggest rodeos of the year. Timed event athletes