PRORODEO Sports News February Digital Edition

SHADBOLT WINS CHASE HAWKS ROUGH STOCK RODEO FRESH OFF NFR By Kensie Darst-Todd, Special to PRORODEO Sports News T he Chase Hawks Rough Stock Rodeo in Billings, Mont., once again brought together top competitors and pre mier stock for a high-paying winter-season showdown, including a Nebraska bareback rider who had left the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo just a week earlier. Despite the demands of back-to-back rodeos, 29-year old Garrett Shadbolt earned the Chase Hawks bareback riding title with an 86.5-point ride on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics’ Mustard on Dec. 20. “I’m not gonna lie, I’m feeling pretty sore,” Shadbolt said. “But, you know, it’s just such a good rodeo and I can’t turn it down. I’ve been every year, and I’m never disap pointed. It’s always worth going to it.” That stage was set up perfectly for Shadbolt and Mus tard, a horse he had been eyeing for some time. The matchup delivered. With Mustard fresh and firing, Shadbolt matched her from start to finish. “She delivered,” he said. “She had one of the best trips I’ve ever seen out of that horse and she was all there. Kin da tried me pretty hard out there, but we managed to seal the deal and win the rodeo.” The win came by the slimmest of margins as Shadbolt edged out R.C. Landingham and Mason Stuller, who split second with 86-point rides. “You just never know how things are gonna shake out,” Shadbolt said. “R.C. made a really nice ride. At the end of the day, you just make the best ride you can and hope for the best. Squeaking by with a half-point win is really special.” COLEMAN SHALLBETTER KICKS OFF NEW YEAR WITH BUCK & BALL WIN By Ted Harbin, Special to PRORODEO Sports News C oleman Shallbetter has some lofty goals for the 2026 PRORODEO campaign. “I’m not really shooting (just) to make the Finals this year,” he said. “I want one of those gold buckles on my belt really bad, and I want to win about $700,000 this year. Those are my goals. I want a world title so bad I can taste it. I’m just going to go about it with a good mindset and surround myself with some good people.” While most in his position would be happy with a Re sistol Rookie of the Year title, Shallbetter is attacking the new year with a different approach. He got a nice boost by winning the saddle bronc riding title at the New Year’s Eve Buck & Ball on Dec. 31, in Gillette, Wyo. He won both rounds to clinch the championship in the

Now beginning a new season, Shadbolt is motivated by his family and competition. “A lot of my motivation comes from my kids and my family,” he said. “The only way to find out what you’re really capable of is to give it your all.” Shadbolt finished 11th in the 2025 PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings with $211,676. He earned $43,415 at the NFR. Other winners at the Chase Hawks Rough Stock Ro deo were saddle bronc rider Rusty Wright (88 points on Powder River Rodeo’s Miss Valley) and bull rider Dustin Boquet (85.5 points on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Ge netics’ Blitz). Garrett Shadbolt, fresh off the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, took home the title at the Chase Hawks Rouch Stock Rodeo to begin his 2026 season. (PRCA photo by Hailey Rae)

Saddle bronc rider Coleman Shallbetter kicked off his 2026 cam paign with a win at the New Year’s Gillette, Wyo. (PRCA photo by Alaina Stangle) Eve Buck & Ball in

unique format. He claimed $4,732 for winning the first round with an 88-point ride on Bailey Pro Rodeo’s Candy Coated, then walked away with the crown after a 90-point ride on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Cat Walk, worth another $3,000. “Cat Walk is awesome,” said Shallbetter, 21, of Gunni

Continued on page 26

44 PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS DIGITAL MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2026