PRORODEO Sports - April 24, 2026 Digital Edition

chest out at the NFR and say, ‘That’s my kid.’ Awards are just icing. Billy Jones has come on as our ranch manager the last 10 years and the bulls I bought were mediocre. With his background we have really increased the quality of our bulls. I think the last couple of years, we have taken more bulls to the NFR, and we had the Bull of the Year (in 2023). Even though (Billy) loves horses now, probably more than bulls, he still has a great eye for bulls. I think I have a better eye for horses, so I think it is a good combination. “I think Pete Carr Pro Rodeo brings experience to rodeos. We have John Gwatney as our arena director, to Sandy Gwatney who has been secretary and timer of the year and Billy (Jones) has been flanking for years. I sur round myself with the best people possible because I’m not that good at anything. If you surround yourself with great people, really good things will happen.” Although Carr has had a boatload of successful livestock

compete at the NFR, it does not come without nervous moments. “When you are flanking horses and guys are getting on your animals at the NFR you’re scared to death because these guys are riding for their livelihood, for world cham pionships, money to feed their families,” Carr said. “You know your horse is going to do a good job and you are trying to not mess anything up. You get past that and you take a lot of pride; it is very emotional. Rodeo is a two hour thing, but there are 22 other hours in the day and a lot of days in between that you have to do a lot of the ‘not so fun stuff’ that people don’t really talk about. It is hard work and there are a lot of ups and downs. “When you get to that Super Bowl (the NFR) and your animal is bucking and they are 89 or 91 points and you get to go get a buckle, it is pretty magical.”

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE There’s no question Pete Carr has become one of PRO RODEO’s top stock contractors. He has the resume to prove it. Carr was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and Texas Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2026, two years after Pete Carr Pro Rodeo was inducted. He’s been nominated 17 times for the PRCA Stock Contractor of the Year, and was named Xtreme Stock Contractor of the Year twice (2023, 2025). In 2024 he was named the Resistol Man of the Year. That same year personnel from his stock contracting firm and Dirty Jacket were inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame. Carr is a two-time recipient of the WPRA Stock Contrac tor of the Year Award (2014, 2021), and in 2023 Bayou Bengal was named the Bucking Bull of the Year. Other accolades include Deuces Night (2012), Big Tex (2010) and Real Deal (2005) all being named the Bareback Horse of the Year. Riverboat Annie was the Reserve Bareback Horse of the Year in 2007. Dirty Jacket was top-three in voting four years in a row from 2012-2015. But despite the accolades, Carr remains humble. “I don’t feel like I have made it yet,” Carr said. “When I do, I think I will be done. So, you’re always pushing to get

Riverboat Annie has been a cornerstone of Pete Carr Pro Rodeo and a standout in the rodeo world. Bred mark as one of the most sought-after bucking horses in the sport, known for her sheer power and drive. from Tan Line and Cadillac Jack, she made her

22 PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS DIGITAL MAGAZINE APRIL 24, 2026