PRORODEO Sports News - August 5, 2026

MANAGER’S MESSAGE P. 4 RESISTOL ROOKIES TAKING PRORODEO BY STORM IN 2026 BY TRACY RENCK PSN HQ MANAGER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA Tracy Renck MEDIA REPORTER Alex Dodd DIGITAL PUBLICATIONS MANAGER Lisa Cush 6 THE NFR OPEN AT THE PIKES PEAK OR BUST RODEO NFR Open winners include Kade Bruno, Cooper Cooke, Traver Johnson, Jake Smith/ Nicky Northcott, Haven Meged, and Gavin Knutson. BY ALEX DODD COVER STORY

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PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS DIGITAL MAGAZINE

Wilderness Circuit crowned National Circuit Champions

Kade Bruno won the 2026 NFR Open with an 88.5-pt. ride on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics’ Atomic Blonde. PRCA photo by Kay Miller

DEAN THOMPSON P. 15

HE SAID •SHE SAID P. 18 WHO KNOWS DAMIAN BRENNAN BEST?

THE COWBOYS’ CHOICE SINCE 1952 BRAXTON WHITESELL ON THE MOVE IN BULL RIDING BY KENSIE DARST-TODD 20 SPORTS NEWS DIGITAL MAGAZINE 5 AUGUST 2026 COWBOY GRILLE P. 27

BAREBACK RIDING WORLD CHAMPION CANCER FREE BY TED HARBIN

BY PRCA STAFF

HALL OF FAME

ON THE COVER Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo has been a Colorado Springs tradition since 1937 and it continues making history today as the NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. Proceeds from the rodeo help support service mem bers and their families in the Pikes Peak Region. PRCA photo by Kay Miller The stars converged July 18 at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame as it opened its doors for the 2026 induction class. BY PRCA STAFF PRORODEO HALL OF FAME 2026 INDUCTION CLASS

Brigadier General Andrew Morgan, Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, kicked off the 2026 NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. PRCA photo by Nicole Stevens

The NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo ProRodeo Hall of Fame INDUCTS 2026 CLASS WORLD CHAMPION CANCER FREE Resistol Rookies TAKING PRORODEO BY STORM IN 2026

August 5, 2026 PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS DIGITAL MAGAZINE 1

August 5, 2026 PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS DIGITAL MAGAZINE 3