PRORODEO Sports News - August 5, 2026

WITH KENSIE DARST-TODD COWBOY GRILLE

B raxton Whitesell, 19, of Walker, La., has made an early impact during his 2026 campaign, climbing to No. 13 in the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings in bull riding. Whitesell opened the year with an 85.5-point ride on Hi Lo ProRodeo’s Little Hat to win Rodeo Columbus in Columbus, Ga., earning $2,554. He added another title at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Rookie Rally, where an 85-point ride on Rafter G Rodeo’s Jelly Roll earned him a $4,700 payday. With $116,973 in season earnings, Whitesell currently ranks No. 4 in the Resistol Rookie Bull Riding Standings, as he strives to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. What do you hope to learn during your Resistol Rookie season? Really, just learning the ropes on how to enter and going to a lot of new places. Who’s someone you look up to in the rodeo business right now? What do you enjoy doing when you’re not rodeoing? I like hunting turkey and fishing and stuff like that. What’s your favorite holiday? Christmas.

How’d you get your start in rodeo? I was probably 8 years old when I started riding calves. I had a little church deal with my brother, and I had a little mighty bucky out there. We wore it out, and my mom finally told my dad we either gotta help him or they’re gonna do it on their own. So, I guess you could say that’s how I got my start. When did you know you could make a career out of rodeo? I always could ride pretty good, but I never was really elite. It was probably my permit year when I won a good bit of money and made the (Southeastern) Circuit Finals when I realized I could do it. Why did you decide bull riding would be your event? I’ve always had a love for bull riding. I really can’t explain why. I did every event, and bull riding was always my favorite. Did you do any other rodeo events growing up? I roped calves, team roped, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding. I’ve tried them all for sure. But I’ve just entered bull riding, and bronc riding. Why did you decide to get your PRCA card this season? I realized that I could do it. It was a challenge for me that I didn’t have enough money to make the Finals, and all my buddies were at the NFR in Las Vegas, so I figured I’d go on and buy my card and make it with them.

What type of music do you like listening to? Country music with Chris LeDoux, or Christian music.

Sage Kimzey and Stetson Wright. I mean, they don’t have that many gold buckles for no reason. What’s one rodeo you want to win before your career is over? The Daddy of ‘em All, (Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days) What’s your favorite movie or TV show? Right now, I’m watching Friday Night Lights, so I’m gonna have to pick that one. What’s your go-to restaurant before or after a rodeo?

After a rodeo, it’s going to always be Waffle House. I must have the All-Star Special. What’s the first vehicle you drove? It was an old, ragged out 7.3 Ford stick shift, and I stalled out at a lot of red lights. Do you have a favorite candy? We’ve been up north, and we’ve been going to a bunch of Mavericks, so it’s gotta be a PB&J Uncrustable.

August 5, 2026 PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS DIGITAL MAGAZINE 27