PRORODEO Sports News March 2026 Digital Edition

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. Culley, a 25-year-old header from Lawton, Iowa, rebounded from an early miscue in Bracket 6, where he broke the barrier in the opening round. In the finals, he stayed aggressive and regrouped quickly. “I missed the barrier and just went and caught him,” Culley said. “I figured he was going to throw pretty fast. When he got him down, and I turned and saw we were 5.4, I thought we had a chance.” Vaught, a 31-year-old heeler from Mena, Ark., said the win exceeded his expectations entering the week. “When we rode in the arena, I never thought we’d win it. I was just hoping to win a good check,” Vaught said. “It’s crazy how it works sometimes.” Horsepower played a role in Fort Worth. Vaught rode his 11-year-old horse, Gunner, whom he has owned for four years, while Culley competed on Pistol, a recent pur chase from David Beck that has performed well in recent weeks. For both ropers, the victory stands as a benchmark moment. “This is for sure my biggest PRCA win,” Vaught said. Pressure was no match for team ropers Corben Culley/Trent Vaught with their win in Fort Worth. (PRCA photo by James Phifer) RUSTY WRIGHT CONTINUES HEATER WITH FORT WORTH WIN Rusty Wright couldn’t have asked for a better start to the 2026 winter season. On Feb. 7, he added another milestone to his near two-decade career in PRORODEO, winning the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo with a 91-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Dandy Delight. Wright split the title with Australian cowboy Darcy Radel, who shined in his ride on J Bar J’s Shady Jacket. “It’s always awesome to be 91,” Wright said. “And to do it here at Fort Worth, and to do it with one of your bud dies, you can’t ask for much more. This is what rodeo’s all about.” The matchup carried history. Dandy Delight had al ready been tested by the Wright family at the 2025 Wran gler National Finals Rodeo, where Ryder Wright posted

season.” Anderson, a three-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier, delivered his championship run aboard his trusted partner “Whiskers,” who has been by his side since high school. Together, the pair topped one of the most demanding rodeos in the Texas Swing. “Anytime you can win Fort Worth, it means some thing,” Anderson said. “There’s no easy rounds here, and you have to show up every time.” The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo marks one of the opening legs of the Texas Swing, where winter rodeos stack opportunity on top of pressure. With $1,272,000 added money on the line from Jan. 23 through Feb. 7, every run demanded precision. Athletes battled through a bracket-style format that rewarded consistency and speed, ultimately crowning champions who survived one of the deepest fields in PRORODEO. Standing in the winner’s circle in Dickies Arena, Kala waia carried more than a buckle; he carried his culture. “It’s pretty cool to be here in Texas and represent (Ha waii),” he said. “There are a lot of people back home in Hawaii, so to represent up here means a lot.” CORBEN CULLEY/TRENT VAUGHT CLAIM BIG WIN IN FORT WORTH Corben Culley and Trent Vaught delivered when the pressure tightened, stopping the clock in 5.4 seconds in the championship round to secure the team roping title at the Trisyn Kalawaia became the first Hawaiian cowboy to win the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. Bridger Anderson matched Kalawaia’s time to share the Fort Worth crown. (PRCA photo by James Phifer)

10 PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS DIGITAL MAGAZINE MARCH 2026