PRORODEO Sports News - June 1, 2026

EARLY SUCCESS Before Wacey even received his PRCA permit, he was already turning heads on the back of bulls. Bennie Beutler of Beutler & Son Rodeo called Wacey when he was 16 years old asking him to practice on a pair of bulls that were preparing to go to the NFR. Wacey matched them. The natural talent Wacey had was recognizable right away. His ability to fill his permit at a fast rate began to garner comparisons to nine-time PRCA World Champion roughstock cowboy Ty Murray. At 18, Wacey made his first NFR, quali fying in bull riding. It’s a moment he and his parents will never forget.

“I kind of get choked up thinking about it,” Luke said. “It’s something that I worked my whole life for but never got to the NFR. But it’s really cool. It’s hard to picture him going out and and doing all these great things and being the star of rodeo. He’s still my boy.” In 2024, he placed in just two of 10 rounds. His second trip to Las Vegas a year later wasn’t ideal, either, as he had two qualified rides in the bull riding last December. Bareback riding, however, made up for it as he placed in six rounds and won Round 4. He began to dabble in bareback during the 2024 season. He won close to $60,000 during his Resistol Rookie year.

Madison practices Roman riding on the Schalla ranch.

The two horses have become Madison’s trusted partners in the arena, allowing her to do various maneuvers that keep the audience on the edge of their seats, including Roman riding. The support Madison has is something that doesn’t go unnoticed. It starts with Luke and Nikki, who is admitted ly nervous when Madison performs. Wacey, when he isn’t distracting her with antics on the back of Athena, is one of her biggest supporters, too. “We have a blast,” Madison said. “It’s really fun when we

are the same event because we just hang out, have fun and he helps me in the arena. I watch him from the sidelines and cheer him on.” Similar to Madison, Wacey got his start on the back of horses. His sister claims he did some trick riding back in the day … or at least tried. Wacey denies her claims. But he did take to bull riding right away. He competed in junior rodeos across the country and at 14 years old approached Luke with the goal of having $50,000 in his bank account so he could rodeo when he turned 18. The two came up with the idea of buying, selling and trading bucking bulls. Luke bought Wacey his first set. Most were sold for a large profit. The idea took off and Wacey met his goal. “I think he had right about $60,000 when he was ready to go,” Luke said. “He had a plan and he stuck with it.”

Madison Schalla at the 2025 Music City Rodeo in Nashville. PRCA photo by Kathryn Coleman

JUNE 1, 2026 PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS DIGITAL MAGAZINE 41