PRORODEO Sports News February Digital Edition

NATIONAL WESTERN

PARKER FLEET PICKS UP FIRST MAJOR WIN AT NATIONAL WESTERN SINCE RETURN FROM INJURY

By ZACH ALVIRA • PSN EDITOR AND DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST

Zach has over a decade of experience working in sports media and communications, serving as a communications editor and sports editor for many years in Phoenix.

P arker Fleet spent the 2025 season figuring out a way to make ends meet.

The 25-year-old Axtell,

lowing the 2024 season, in which he earned $63,023. His recovery kept him out all 2025, forcing him to resort to building bridges and day work to collect paychecks. Healthy to start the new year, Fleet padded his pockets with $8,316 Sun day, Jan. 25, in Denver, matching Cer vi Championship Rodeo’s R. Watson’s Prairie Fire for an 89.5-point ride to secure the first PRORODEO Playoff Series Rodeo championship of his career. “I had to find a way to stay afloat,” Fleet said of his con struction work in 2025. “I’ve made the short round one other time here and it didn’t really go my way. It’s a great rodeo and I’m happy to be here. It felt great.” Fleet was matched in the Finals Jan. 25 with some of the top saddle bronc riders in PRO RODEO. Ten-time PRCA World Champion Stetson Wright headlined the group. His 89-point ride on Cervi Champion ship Rodeo’s Vitalix Womanizer nearly

Texas, saddle bronc rider had hip surgery fol

After missing the entire 2025 season due to injury, Parker Fleet returned to pick up his first major win in saddle bronc riding in Denver.

PRCA photo by Ric Andersen

14 PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS DIGITAL MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2026