PRORODEO Sports News - March 21, 2025

Rodeo Recap

Xtreme Bulls. He bucked off his first bull in the initial Xtreme Bulls round, matched against Stockyards ProRodeo’s Insurrection, but came back strong to win the second round, then followed suit to winning the bareback event. “That’s rodeo,” he said. “It just gave me more drive. My goal is a gold buckle, and every ride is a step closer.” Schalla is currently leading the bull riding PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings and is 43rd in bareback riding. But he plans to be sitting in the Top 15 for both events come the end of the season. Navigating the rodeo trail is no easy feat, especially with grueling schedules that keep competitors on the road for weeks at a time. For Schalla, who balances the workload of being a dual rough stock cowboy, he embraces the grind, knowing it’s all part of the journey “I try to enter everywhere the same day so I can get in and get out, but a lot of times they split you up over multiple days,” he said. “That’s just part of being an all-around cowboy.” With major stops ahead, including Rodeo Austin and RodeoHouston, before heading west for the spring run, Schalla remains focused on the bigger picture. “I have a good family on my side, and I’ve been blessed to stay healthy,” he said. “My family and traveling partners keep me confident and keep me going.” For Schalla, the road to a gold buckle continues, one ride at a time. Other Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show & Rodeo winners included Schalla as the all-around cowboy ($4,637, bareback riding and bull riding); steer wrestler Cody Devers (3.5 seconds); team ropers Clay Tryan/Nicky Northcott (3.9 seconds); saddle bronc rider Brody Cress (87.5 points on Macza Pro Rodeo’s Molly Brown); tie-down roper Richard Newton (7.6 seconds); barrel racer Fallon Taylor (15.48 seconds); bull rider Ky Hamilton (88 points on TNT Pro Rodeo’s Whistle Pig)

Wacey Schalla, shown here at the 2024 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge in Las Vegas, shined at his first Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show & Rodeo, taking home titles as all-around cowboy and bareback riding winner. ( PRCA photo by Click Thompson. ) PRCA photo by Click Thompson )

Wacey Schalla makes the most of first Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show & Rodeo BY KENSIE DARST-TODD SPECIAL TO PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS

THE RIO GRANDE Valley Livestock Show & Rodeo is a tradition unlike many others. The Mercedes, Texas, rodeo allows various walks of life to come together for the thrill of action, where roughstock load the chutes, the arena dirt hangs thick in the south Texas air and the Payne Auto Group Arena hums with exhilaration. The scene was perfect for every cowboy competing March 13-15. But 19-year-old Wacey Schalla made it his own. Schalla, of Arapaho, Okla., delivered a standout performance with an 87.5-point ride on Penthouse Pro Rodeo’s Brazos in bareback riding. The win added $4,406 to his season earnings. “I knew that horse has been through a couple different stock contractors,” Schalla said. “She’s been really good, so

I was expecting her to be really good. Just didn’t know she was going to be that good.” The rodeo marked an important milestone for Schalla, who missed the event last year due to his rookie status. Now, with more experience and confidence under his belt after qualifying for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2024, he’s making sure to take advantage of every opportunity he can to return to the yellow bucking chutes in December. “Last year, I wasn’t getting into everything I needed to be,” Schalla explained. “This year, I’m entered everywhere I can be. It’s all about capitalizing when you get the chance.” Schalla’s weekend in Mercedes didn’t come without its challenges. In addition to competing in the bareback event, he competed in the Rio Grande Valley (Texas) Livestock Show & Rodeo

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