2026 is just beginning, but the world of rodeo is in full swing as athletes are already fighting for their chance to head to the National Finals Rodeo in December.
One of the biggest barrel racing event draws of the winter in the Southeast is the Rob & Teresa Stopanio Memorial Barrel Race. The 15th Annual event was recently held in Ocala, Fla., showcasing some of the best barrel racing action of the year so far.
Although they have changed names and locations over the years, the "Arizona futurities," now held at Buckeye Equestrian and Events Center, are one of the main stops each year for barrel racing futurity competitors.
The Ashley Brooks Memorial Show in Memphis, Tenn., is a barrel race with purpose. Brooks passed away unexpectedly in 2019 and was a decorated all-around cowgirl and barrel racer.
Summit Pro Rodeo had a successful trip to the Buck and Ball in Gillette, Wyo. Competitors won both the bareback riding and saddle bronc riding aboard their horses, Game Trail and Cat Walk.
Truly Epic, the 2021 gray stallion by $6 million sire Epic Leader, has a new owner and new jockey for the 2026 season. Out of legendary Dash Ta Fame daughter, Famous Silk Panties, "Truly," competed in barrel racing futurities in 2025.
When a trainer starts finding success on a young horse, it is hard to contain excitement over the future and what possibilities are to come. That is exactly how CJ Vondette felt with her homegrown mare Zsa Zsa.
Montana is well known for their summer rodeo run that hosts some high dollar payouts with beautiful scenery. But what happens when the state turns cold for the winter?
While so much of life and social media can feel needlessly heavy, entertainment comes in the unlikeliest forms. For rodeo and Western lifestyle fans, one of the bright spots recently is a quirky 20-year-old sorrel gelding.
Fresh off the 2025 National Finals Rodeo (NFR), Canadian cowboy Kolton Schmidt was set to compete at his fifth Cinch Timed Event Championship (CTEC) in March 2026.
The former home of Teton Ridge's multi-million-dollar breeding program is under new ownership in 2026. In early 2025, Teton Ridge announced that they would be closing the doors to their equine breeding operation, which included a full liquidation of the horses involved in that program.
The rodeo community has already lost a legend this year, on January 3rd ProRodeo Hall of Fame tie-down roper and three-time RCA World Champion, Glen Franklin passed away in his home at 89 years old. Throughout his career, Franklin set a new bar in tie-down roping.
The National Finals Rodeo marked the end of Tricia Aldridge and Adios Pantalones’ first season ever together in the professional rodeo circuit. The pair quickly started making history books as he became the only stallion to ever cross the $1 million in earnings mark as fast as he did.
The professional rodeo season may have begun on October 1, 2025, but there are just a few major rodeos in the last quarter of the calendar year. Aside from several circuit finals and high-paying standalone events across the country, it is the slowest part of the year for many competitors.
There isn't a barrel racer on the planet who doesn't brag on their equine partner and Mindy Holloway is no exception to that rule. Holloway might not have stolen headlines at this year's National Finals Rodeo, but her teammate sure did: Heavens Got Credit aka Cornbread.
By Lori Bizzell Photos courtesy of American Hat Co. In an arena where speed is celebrated and pressure is unforgiving, Riley Webb has built his career on something quieter: steadiness,… The post The Making of Riley Webb first appeared on Rodeo Life.
In the world of Facebook, Instagram and every other social media, there are thousands upon thousands of outside voices and critics ready to announce their opinions to everyone that will read them.
The National Finals Rodeo may have marked the end of the 2025 rodeo season, but the race for 2026 started back in October, and January kicks off with some of the biggest rodeo events of the winter, with big payouts and ways for athletes to get a jump start on their NFR qualification.
In 2024, bull rider T.J. Gray made his National Finals Rodeo (NFR) debut, placing in three of the rounds and finishing fourth in the world. When the 2025 PRORODEO season rolled around, Gray showed that he had added something new to his riding style– confidence.
The 5th Annual Lone Star Shootout at Circle T Arena in Hamilton, Texas, featured a $25,000 added Futurity, $5,000 added Derby, Slot Race, and more. Hallie Hanssen rode home-raised Sweet N The Deal (The Kandyman x Frenchmans Azalea) to the Round 1 win for $3,579.
The Cinch Timed Event Championship is a rodeo competition in its own elite category. Invited cowboys compete in five rounds of heading, heeling, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, and steer roping.