PRORODEO Sports - April 24, 2026 Digital Edition

Riley Webb. Lewis wasn’t the only competitor who took advantage of short-round success. Steer wrestler Jes se Brown, a six-time NFR qualifier, won the final round with a 4.2-second run, then won the average title with a four-run cumu lative time of 18.3 seconds, more than a second ahead of the runner-up, Cody Devers. PRCA Team Roping World Champions Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira utilized their round-win ning run to claim the av erage with an 18.7-second cumulative time on four runs. Bull rider Noah Lee rode Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Smokey Joe for 93 points to win the bull riding short round, then claimed the rodeo’s crown with it. Wacey Schalla earned $13,311 to win the rodeo’s all-around cowboy title, highlighted by him posting a 91-point ride in bareback riding on J Bar J Rodeo’s Damn Straight to win the final round and aggregate championship. Lee’s 93-point ride was a San Angelo Rodeo record, eclipsing the 92-point rides by Eric Bogany (1994) and Ryan Brown (2003). Lee’s 181.5-point ride on two head also set the average record, breaking the mark of 179 points on two head by Zeb Lanham in 2005. Other winners from the PRORODEO Playoff Series rodeo included breakaway roper Danielle Lowman (7.2 seconds on three runs); saddle bronc rider Chase Brooks (176.5 points on two head); and barrel racer Michelle Alley (43.94 seconds on three runs).

AUSSIE TOBY DEUDNEY By Ted Harbin, Special to PRORODEO Sports News SECURES BAREBACK TITLE AT SAN ANGELO CINCH CHUTE-OUT

It was a banner day for Aussie Toby Deudney. PRCA photo by Dave Jennings

T oby Deudney isn’t just carrying the Aus tralian flag as he rides bucking horses in the United States. He’s trying to create something back home while competing 8,500 miles away. He crossed a hemisphere and the Pacific Ocean to live out his dreams. “There’s not very many bareback riders in Australia,” said Deudney, 20, of Tumut, New South Wales. “I’m hoping to build a legacy for bareback riders in Australia so we can have some more. I’m hoping every one at home can look and think, ‘OK, we’re from Australia, but we can make it.’ “ Deudney is making it so far. He arrived in the United States two and a half years ago. On April 18, he scored the biggest ride – and the biggest win – of his young career during the San Angelo Cinch Chute-Out. The driving force was his dance partner, Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Night Crawler, the 2023 and 2024 PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year. The matchup was worth 93 points. “I had some nerves, but I was really ex cited,” said Deudney, who attends Odessa (Texas) College and sits No. 2 in the Cap rock Region’s bareback riding standings. “It The Aussie entered the weekend No. 6 in the Resistol Rookie Bareback Rider of the Year Race. The $7,500 he earned in San Angelo will move him into the top five. He is not among the top 50 in the PRCA | Bill was just a blast the whole time. “This will be one to remember.”

Fick Ford World Standings, but he is now. “It’s been kind of a rough year,” he said. “I’m just trying to build on it. I bought my card, because I thought it was time. Well, it’s time. I guess that was just the right time, and now I’m just going to build it from there.” Night Crawler is an electric bay that has been featured in the “TV pen” of bareback horses at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Deudney was the first contestant out in the championship round, setting the tone early. He’d like that to continue so he can join the Pickett horse in Las Vegas soon. The last Australian bareback rider to make it to the NFR was Jamie Howlett. The 35-year-old from Roma, Queensland, qualified in 2020. “I’m planning on making them yellow bucking chutes,” Deudney said. “I hope to be a world champion.” OTHER WINNERS were steer wrestler Tyler Waguespack (3.9 seconds); tie-down roper Tom Crouse, who won the tie-breaker with Kyle Lucas (7.5 seconds); barrel racer Jana Bean (14.35 seconds); team ropers Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres (16.1 sec onds); saddle bronc rider Blake Steuck (88 points on J Bar J Rodeo’s Straight Moon shine); and bull rider Tristen Hutchings (86.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Bone Tomahawk in the first round; none of the bull riders had qualified rides in the chute out round).

APRIL 24, 2026 PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS DIGITAL MAGAZINE 43