PRORODEO Sports News March 2026 Digital Edition

MANAGER’S MESSAGE

PRORODEO’S 90TH YEAR WILL BE CELEBRATED IN PAGES OF PSN

Rodeo has a rich sto ried history that some say was born in 1869 when two groups of cowboys from neighbor ing ranches met in Deer Trail, Colo., to settle an argument over who was the best at performing everyday cowboy tasks, including breaking wild horses to ride for ranch work – a common cow boy task that evolved into rodeo’s saddle bronc riding event. The PRORODEO timeline started on Oct. 30, 1936. By joining ranks to boycott a rodeo in Boston, a group of

Trevor Brazile is the King of Cowboys with 26 world titles – (All-Around 2002-04, 2006-15, 2018; Tie-Down Roping 2007, 2009-10; Team Roping Header 2010; Steer roping 2006-07, 2011, 2013-15, 2019-20). Trevor’s father Jimmy was a four-time qualifier for the National Finals Steer Roping (1979, 1980, 1982, 1983). Some other historical nuggets to chew on are below: 1959: The year the National Finals Rodeo

The Cowboys’ Turtle Association signaled the birth of what is now the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. This year, the PRCA is celebrating its 90th anniversary. (PRCA File Photo)

was created. The NFR had only six rounds and took place in Dallas, Texas. However, team roping, steer roping and barrel racing were held that year in Clayton, N.M. 1962: The first-time father and son team roping teams competed together at the NFR. The NFR was eight rounds and Carl Arnold (father) and Art Arnold (son) from Arizo na were in the field and earned $72 each at the NFR. They were joined by the California father/son duo of Byron Gist (father) and Gary Gist (son). The Gists earned $414 each at the NFR. 1979: The PRCA tried an 11-round NFR. This was done to try and increase attendance. It worked, but because of the increasing popularity of the sport they determined they did not need the 11th round. That was the only year NFR qualifiers competed in 11 rounds. 1985: The NFR was moved from Oklahoma City, Okla., to Las Vegas, Nev. The NFR celebrated its 40th year in Vegas in 2025. The one gap in the Vegas

cowboys and cowgirls forced the promoter to improve judging and increase the prize money. They picked the name Cowboys’ Turtle Association in reflection of the fact that they had been slow to act but had finally stuck their necks out for the cause. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association offi cially became the sanctioning body’s name in 1975. Fast-forward to the present and PRORODEO is cele brating its 90th birthday in 2026. Throughout the year, the PRORODEO Sports News will have stories about the history of PRORODEO over the past 90 years. One thing for sure is PRORODEO is rooted in family. The Steiner family is the only family to have three generations of world champions in father Bobby Steiner (bull riding, 1973), son Sid Steiner (steer wrestling, 2002) and grandson Rocker Steiner (bareback riding, 2025). The Wright family now has 18 world championships to their name. Stetson has 10 world championships – six in all-around (2019-23, 2025); three in bull riding (2020, 2022, 2025); and one in saddle bronc riding (2021). The rest of the family have all won world titles in saddle bronc riding. Ryder (2017, 2020, 2024); Cody (2008, 2010); Jesse (2012); Spencer Wright (2014) and Statler (2025). Fun Fact: the Wrights don’t have the most PRCA world championships for families who have competed in PRORODEO. That honor goes to the Braziles.

NFRs was in 2020. The NFR was moved to Globe Life in Arlington, Texas, because of COVID-19 restric tions in the state of Nevada. This trip down memory lane is a sample of what you can

read in the pages of the PSN the rest of this year – enjoy.

TRACY RENCK • MANAGER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA

Tracy has three decades of experience in sports journalism with the last decade-plus consumed by PRORODEO. He previously served three years as editor of PRORODEO Sports News.

MARCH 2026 PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS DIGITAL MAGAZINE 5