PRORODEO Sports News - Nov. 7, 2025

The Cowboys’ Choice Since 1952

National Finals Steer Roping SPORTS NEWS Nov. 7, 2025

Top steer ropers prepare for Mulvane

NFR back numbers revealed

2025 Season Awards Announced

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Nov. 7, 2025

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PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS

TRACY RENCK MANAGER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA Tracy has been a sports journalist for three decades with the last decade-plus consumed by PRORODEO. Tracy previously served three years as editor of the PSN and now leads the communications team for the PRCA.

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Nov. 7, 2025

PRCA file photo

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PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS

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NOVEMBER, 2025

10 BACK NUMBER REVEAL Back numbers for the 2025 NFR 15 PURE ATHLETES Nutrena Horse of the Year Awards pre sented by AQHA 19 TOP STOCK Pendleton Whisky’s Let ‘er Buck Awards

23 TOP ROOKIES Resistol Rookies of the Year Announced 31 CIRCUIT FINALS Circuit Finals taking place 38 SHORT ROUND NFR Livestock Ros ter and more

The Cowboys’ Choice Since 1952

National Finals Steer Roping SPORTS NEWS Nov. 7, 2025

Top steer ropers prepare for Mulvane

NFR back numbers revealed

2025 Season Awards Announced

ON THE COVER Scott Snedecor and Cole Patterson return for another NFSR showdown. (PRCA photo by Makenna Camen)

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06 MANAGER’S MESSAGE Patterson ready to defend NFSR crown

07 READY FOR ACTION PRCA’s top steer ropers gear up for NFSR

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Nov. 7, 2025

MANAGER'S MESSAGE

PATTERSON READY TO DEFEND CROWN AT LUCRATIVE NFSR

T here was a time not long ago when the PRCA Steer Roping World Champion was essentially deter mined before the National Finals Steer Roping started. Sure, the Legend Guy Allen was part of the reason because he captured a single-event record 18 PRCA World Championships – 1977, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1989, 1991 2001, 2003 and 2004. Then, there was the fact that the cowboys couldn’t win enough money at the NFSR to catch the season leader. Es pecially, if the cowboy came in with a sizable money lead. Well, that’s not the case anymore – which is a good thing. When the Top 15 steer ropers get set to do battle Nov. 14 15 at the Kansas Star in Mulvane, the winner, in all likeli hood, will be determined by who does best at the NFSR. “With as much money as there is nowadays at the (NFSR), no lead is safe,” reigning world champion Cole Patterson said. “Obviously, I would like to think I can surely hold my own like I have all year, but you never know what can happen in two days. You can have a bad two days but that can’t change your mindset as you get ready. You have to just keep practicing as hard as you have all year and keep your foot on the gas pedal and don’t look in the rearview mirror, I think that’s when guys get in trouble. They start looking behind them in stead of looking ahead.” Patterson’s line of thinking makes sense. The 2025 NFSR is the richest in the storied event’s his tory with a $550,000 purse up for grabs. Included in that is the following breakdown: Round: Average: $38,885 $116,150 1. $11,277 $33,684 2. $9,332 $27,876 3. $7,388 $22,069 4. $5,444 $16,261 5. $3,500 $10,454 6. $1,944 $5,808 A year ago, Patterson came in with just under a $19,000 lead and then held on with a dramatic performance in Round 10. With a championship hanging in the balance in Round 10, Patterson delivered a 10.6-second run, which split second in the round, and catapulted him to his third PRCA World Championship at the Kansas Star Arena. Patterson, who also won gold buckles in 2021 and 2023,

Cole Patterson is ready to defend his championship at the National Finals Steer Roping. (PRCA photo by Ryan Jae)

needed to finish fourth or better in the round to clinch the world title and that’s what he did to defeat hard-charging Scott Snedecor by $4,141. Patterson enters the 2025 NFSR with a new single-sea son steer roping earnings record of $125,080. He holds a $28,543 lead over Resistol Rookie of the Year Riley O’Rourke. In the past, that would seem like a comfortable lead – but not anymore. Now more than ever, Patterson has to be consistent at the NFSR to keep collecting checks and stay in the average race. It is a challenge he welcomes. “Riley is young and probably the fastest there’s been and he’s dangerous,” Patterson said. “He no doubt is going to leave his mark on the sport. Honestly, the best accomplishment I could give myself is sitting back and watching guys like Riley, Scott Snedecor, and the Fishers (Vin and J. Tom). These veterans are destined to be in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and sometimes I sit back and think, ‘How am I beating these guys?’” He has and whether it happens again will unfold two days in mid-November at the Kansas Star.

TRACY RENCK , Manager of Communications and Media

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PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS

PRCA’S TOP STEER ROPERS SET TO BATTLE AT NFSR FOR COVETED WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP By Tracy Renck

T he stage is set. The Top 15 steer ropers in the PRCA will battle for the coveted gold buckle at the 2025 National Finals Steer Roping at the Kansas Star in Mulvane. The NFSR takes place Nov. 14-15 at 7 p.m. (CT) each day. Cowboys will compete in the first five rounds on Day 1 and conclude the NFSR with the final five rounds on Day 2. Reigning PRCA Steer Roping World Champion Cole Patterson is back to defend his title. He enters the NFSR after setting a single-season earnings record of $125,080. Trying to knock Patterson off his throne will be Resistol Rookie of the Year Riley O’Rourke ($96,537), four-time world champion Scott Snedecor ($75,104), Cody Lee ($74,005), Slade Wood ($67,626) and Vin Fisher Jr. ($65,148). Wood, who is making his fourth appearance at the NFSR – (2021, 2023, 2024, 2025), finished a career-best third last year. He also returns to the Kansas Star aboard Junior, a two-time winner of the Nutrena Horse of the Year Award presented by AQHA in steer roping (2023 and 2025). “Junior had been injured and I didn’t think I would ever get to ride him again,” said Wood, 23. “God had a lot to do with it because he was not sound and out of nowhere, he got sound, and he has been work

at the NFSR this year.” Fisher Jr. is making his 22nd appearance at the NFSR and his 18th in a row and he’s thrilled the NFSR has a record purse of $550,000. Round winners at the NFSR this year earn $11,277 and the average champ takes home $33,684. “That’s one awesome thing is the PRCA keeps increasing the purse,” Fisher Jr. said. “Each year the prize money goes up which makes the race more fun because there are guys who are back in the pack that have more opportuni ties to win more money and move up in the standings. “Mulvane is one of the best things that has ever hap pened to steer roping. I love the venue, especially for the friends and family and spectators who are able to come. It makes it so neat because you’re all in the same building with your friends and family for basically a week. You have the hotel, arena, restaurants all right there. Then every year the banquet (on Thursday night) gets better and better. A lot of committees come and people from the PRCA get to mingle with the steer ropers and that means a lot to the sport.” Patterson echoed Fisher Jr.’s thoughts about Mulvane. This will be the 12th NFSR at the Kansas Star, as it made its debut at the facility in 2014. “I think the (NFSR) has found a good home in Mulvane,” said Patterson, who has won all three of his steer roping world titles at the Kansas

ing amazingly. In July, I was not even in the Top 15 and I started rodeoing again and rode him everywhere and I moved to fifth in the world (standings) and it has to do all with

Star (2021, 2023, and 2024). There are restaurants and the casino and things for people to do where it feels like a getaway for them. It’s not Las Vegas by any means, but it has been a great home for us for sure.”

that horse. I’m really excited to see what I can accomplish riding him

Vin Fisher Jr. is one of several steer ropers trying to dethrone Cole Patter son at this year’s National Finals Steer Roping in Mulvane, Kan., Nov. 14-15. (PRCA photo by Laura Storey)

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Nov. 7, 2025

1. COLE PATTERSON HOMETOWN: Pratt, Kansas VITALS: 30, 6-1, 180 lbs. NFSR QUALIFICATIONS: 7 (2019-2025)

4. CODY LEE HOMETOWN: Gatesville, Texas VITALS: 49, 5-10, 190 lbs. NFSR QUALIFICATIONS: 20 (2001, 2007-25)

JOINED PRCA: 2018 2025 EARNINGS: $125,080 BEST SR SEASON OF CAREER: In 2021, Patterson won his first PRCA Steer Roping World Championship and won the NFSR

JOINED PRCA: 1999 2025 EARNINGS: $74,005 BEST SR SEASON OF CAREER: Lee has excelled at the NFSR on multiple occasions as he is a three-time average champion in 2016, 2018 and 2022. CAREER EARNINGS: $1,445,033

average. He earned a single-season earnings mark of $190,242 and earned an NFSR record of $85,726. He also has won steer roping gold buckles in 2023 and 2024.

5. SLADE WOOD HOMETOWN: New Ulm, Texas VITALS: 22, 6-1, 180 lbs. NFSR QUALIFICATIONS: 4 (2021, 2023-2025) JOINED PRCA: 2021 2025 EARNINGS: $67,626

CAREER EARNINGS: $884,791 2. RILEY O’ROURKE HOMETOWN: Skiatook, Okla. VITALS: 6-0, 160 lbs. NFSR QUALIFICATIONS: 1 (2025)

JOINED PRCA: 2024 2025 EARNINGS: $96,537 BEST SR SEASON OF CAREER: O’Ro urke, 21, burst onto the PRCA steer roping scene in 2025. The Resistol Rookie has been phenomenal, winning numerous rodeos this season, in

BEST SR SEASON OF CAREER: 2024 when he finished third in the world standings with $122,467. He won Round 1 at the NFSR with a 10.9-second run. CAREER EARNINGS: $473,924 NFSR QUALIFICA TIONS: 22 (2002-03, 2005-06, 2008-25) JOINED PRCA: 2001 2025 EARNINGS: $65,148 BEST SR SEASON OF CAREER: In 2019, he finished second in the world standings – behind Trevor Brazile – with $121,834. A year ago, Fisher Jr. placed

6. VIN FISHER JR. HOMETOWN: Andrews, Texas VITALS: 43, 6-0, 170 lbs.

cluding the Days of ’76 Landmark Stand Alone Steer Roping in Deadwood, S.D. He is trying to become the first cowboy to win a PRCA Steer Roping World

Championship in his rookie year. CAREER EARNINGS: $97,996 3. SCOTT SNEDECOR HOMETOWN: Fredericksburg, Texas VITALS: 6-0, 160 lbs.

bios

NFSR QUALIFICA TIONS: 24 (2001 2011, 2013-2025) JOINED PRCA: 1996 2025 EARNINGS: $75,104

seventh in the world standings. CAREER EARNINGS: $1,618,407

BEST SR SEASON OF CAREER: Snede cor has won four steer roping world champi onships in 2005, 2008, 2017-18. He also won four average titles in 2005, 2011, 2017 and 2024. CAREER EARNINGS : $2,046,036

PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS NFSR contestant

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7. CHET HERREN HOMETOWN: Pawhuska, Oklahoma VITALS: 43, 5-6, 160 lbs.

10. BLAKE DECKARD HOMETOWN: Eufaula, Okla. VITALS: 36, 5-10, 160 lbs. NFSR QUALIFICATIONS: 2 (2024, 2025)

13. BILLY GOOD HOMETOWN: Wynnewood, Okla. VITALS: 34, 5-10, 180 lbs.

NFSR QUALIFICA TIONS: 20 (2002, 2006, 2008-2025) JOINED PRCA: 2001 2025 EARNINGS: $64,797 BEST SR SEASON OF CAREER: In 2002, Herren won the NFSR average. Herren had a huge payday at

NFSR QUALIFICA TIONS: 3 (2020, 2023, 2025) 2025 EARNINGS: $50,973 BEST SR SEASON OF CAREER: A year after finishing 16th in the world standings, Good makes his return to

JOINED PRCA: 2014 2025 EARNINGS: $56,693 BEST SR SEASON OF CAREER: In 2024, Deckard made his NFSR debut, finishing 14th in the world standings with $70,818. He earned $21,915 at the NFSR. CAREER EARNINGS: $291,506 NFSR QUALIFICA TIONS: 5 (2019, 2020, 2021, 2024, 2025) JOINED PRCA: 2014 2025 EARNINGS: $52,309 BEST SR SEASON OF CAREER: Finished 9th in 2021 world standings with $67,399. CAREER EARNINGS: $367,001 2025 EARNINGS: $50,973 BEST SR SEASON OF CAREER: That is 2025, because he is making his NFSR debut. A year ago, he made a charge at the NFSR finish ing 20th in the world standings. CAREER EARNINGS: $147,179

the NFSR for the third time. Back in 2023, he amassed a career-high $76,291 in season earnings, finishing 11th in the world standings.

the inaugural Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup presented by Texas Precious Metals, Sept. 27, in

Sioux Falls, S.D., earning $15,500. CAREER EARNINGS: $1,295,480 8. JAKE CLAY HOMETOWN: Sapulpa, Oka. VITALS: 26, 6-0, 195 lbs.

11. THOMAS SMITH HOMETOWN: Barnsdall, Okla. VITALS: 33, 5-10, 160 lbs.

CAREER EARNINGS: $296,575 14. TYLER WATERS HOMETOWN: Stephenville, Texas VITALS: 38, 6-4, 190 lbs. NFSR QUALIFICATIONS: 1 (2025)

NFSR QUALIFICA TIONS: 1 2025 EARNINGS: $64,647 BEST SR SEASON OF CAREER: That would be 2025 as he’s making his NFSR debut. Clay’s no stranger to the big stage as he competed in the 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. He was a NFSR QUALIFICA TIONS: 3 (2022, 2024, 2025) JOINED PRCA: 2004 2025 EARNINGS: $57,246 BEST SR SEASON OF CAREER: Made his NFSR debut in 2022 and finished sixth in the world standings with $96,560.

2025 EARNINGS: $48,603 BEST SR SEASON OF CAREER: Once again it is 2025, because like Riley O’Rourke, Jake Clay and Kelton McMil len, Waters is making his NFSR debut this year. After earning only $2,189 in steer roping

12. KELTON McMILLEN HOMETOWN: Weatherford, Okla. VITALS: 32, 5-10, 180 lbs. NFSR QUALIFICATIONS: 1 (2025)

in 2024, Waters had a breakout season in 2025 that culminates at the Kansas Star in Mulvane. CAREER EARNINGS: $352,393 15. JESS TIERNEY HOMETOWN: Hermosa, South Dakota VITALS: 43, 6-1, 190 lbs. NFSR QUALIFICATIONS: 13 (2011-16, 2019-25) JOINED PRCA: 2003 2025 EARNINGS: $47,505

team roping header for heeler Tyler Worley. CAREER EARNINGS: $610,911 9. CLAY LONG HOMETOWN: Stephenville, Texas VITALS: 41, 6-5, 210 lbs.

BEST SR SEASON OF CAREER: In 2015, he won four rounds at the NFSR and finished third in the world standings with $97,195. He also won four rounds at the 2020 NFSR. CAREER EARNINGS: $1,102,199

CAREER EARNINGS: $399,539

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Nov. 7, 2025

2025 Wrangler NFR Back Numbers Revealed PRCA Staff C OLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The smaller the number, the higher the honor when it comes to back numbers at the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. lowing numbers to the back of their shirts or vests at the Wrangler NFR at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Dec. 4-13.

This year, for the first time since 2001, a pair of roughstock cowboys will compete for the PRCA All Around World Championship in the same year. Just over $30,000 separates eight-time PRCA World Cham pion Stetson Wright (bull riding and saddle bronc riding) and Wacey Schalla (bull riding and bareback riding) in the race for the PRCA All-Around World Championship.

PRORODEO athletes who qualify for the NFR are assigned a back number based on the amount of mon ey earned throughout the regular season, and the back numbers for the 2025 Wrangler NFR have been made official along with the 2025 PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings with the completion of the annual audit. The Top 15 competitors in each event will pin the fol

2025 NFR Back Numbers

1. Stetson Dell Wright 2. Wacey Schalla 3. Ky John Hamilton 4. Riley Mason Webb 5. Rocker Shane Steiner 6. Ryder Wright

25. Emily Beisel 26. Kincade Henry 27. Tanner Tomlinson 28. Hailey Kinsel 29. Dylan Hancock 30. T.J. Gray 31. Statler Ray Wright 32. Brody Cress 33. Hudson Bolton 34. John Douch 35. Megan McLeod- Sprague 36. Weston Patterson 37. Kade Sonnier 38. Dustin Egusquiza 39. Hayes Weight 40. Lisa Lockhart 41. Garrett Shadbolt 42. Dean Thompson 43. Derrick Begay 44. Carlee Otero

49. Qynn Andersen 50. Jade Corkill 51. Clint Summers 52. Levi Lord 53. Brushton Minton 54. Jordan Wacey Spears 55. Q Taylor

73. Lefty Holman 74. Tyler Wade 75. Wesley Thorp 76. Jesse Petri 77. Jacek Frost 78. Halyn Lide

97. Mason Clements 98. Tilden Hooper 99. Kyle Lucas 100. Shane Hanchey 101. Andrea Busby 102. Luke Brown

7. Tristen Hutchings 8. Damian Brennan 9. Dawson Hay 10. Shad Mayfield 11. Zeke Thurston 12. Sam Petersen 13. Kade Bruno 14. Brody Wells 15. Bradlee Miller 16. Jess Pope 17. Kassie Mowry 18. Cole Franks

79. Cooper Cooke 80. Tayla Moeykens 81. Zack Jongbloed 82. Joel Braden Harris 83. Tricia Aldridge 84. Jayco Roper 85. J.D. Struxness 86. Luke Mackey 87. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell 88. Waylon Bourgeois 89. Ty Harris 90. Haven Meged 91. Stetson Jorgensen 92. Tyler Waguespack 93. Dillon Graham

103. Trey Yates 104. Jake Smith 105. Brady Minor 106. Riley Minor

56. Marty Yates 57. Clay Smith 58. Bryce Jensen 59. Mason Moody 60. Justin Shaffer 61. Tucker Allen 62. Ben Andersen 63. Cyle Denison 64. Lane Mitchell 65. Rowdy Parrott 66. Tom Crouse 67. Travis Graves 68. Coleby Payne 69. Andrew Ward 70. Rawley Johnson

107. Dakota Eldridge 108. Kolton Schmidt 109. Lightning Aguilera 110. Jonathan Torres

111. Kaden Profili 112. Douglas Rich 113. Kyle Irwin

114. Scott Guenthner 115. Chance E Howard 116. Bridger Anderson 117. Gavin Blake Soileau 118. Ty Erickson

19. Kaleb Driggers 20. Junior Nogueira 21. Zac Dallas 22. Sage Newman 23. Will Lummus 24. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi

45. Riley Pruitt 46. JR Stratford 47. Colter Todd 48. Jesse Brown

94. Dawson Graham 95. Wenda Johnson 96. Katelyn Scott

71. Jake Long 72. Anita Ellis

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PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS

Don’t just wear any brand. Wear the one made for you. Built for cowboys. Worn by the best.

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Nov. 7, 2025

HISTORIC ANNIVERSARY STEER ROPER SCOTT SNEDECOR WON WORLD TITLE BY $1.67 OVER LEGENDARY GUY ALLEN 20 YEARS AGO By TRACY RENCK T his wasn’t supposed to happen this way. The Legend Guy Allen was the odds-on favor ite to capture his 19th PRCA Steer Roping World Championship at the 2005 National Finals Steer Roping in Amarillo, Texas. it was going to get.” With the odds against him, Snedecor went to work trailing Allen by $16,148. Snedecor placed fourth in Round 1 (11.9 seconds); won Round 2 (10.7); was fourth in Round 3 (12.2); was third

Allen had won 18 steer roping world championships – a single-event record in PRCA history. He also won a PRCA-record 11 consecutive world championships from 1991-2001 and started another streak winning two in row from 2003-2004. Relatively unheralded steer roper Scott Snedecor was well aware of Allen’s prowess when he arrived at the Amarillo National Center. Snedecor was making his fifth appearance at the NFSR as he gone previously four years in a row. He finished a career-best third in the world standings in 2003 behind Allen and Trevor Brazile, the King of Cow boys. Coming into the 2005 NFSR, Snedecor was second in the world

in Round 5 (10.5) and was sixth in Round 6 (11.9). “I get by the first day by placing in almost every round,” Snedecor said. “I was coming back the second day and then they’re talking about (me) having a chance, and this and that. And I’m still thinking this probably ain’t real, you know?” Allen was solid initially in Amarillo, placing third in Round 1 (11.8); fifth in Round 2 (11.6); fourth in Round 4 (13.4) and second in Round 5 (10.4). The pair entered the final day, which consisted of Rounds 7 through 10, with Allen still leading and Snede cor in position to snare the average title. Snedecor didn’t flinch. The Texas cowboy placed fourth in Round 7 (10.8), Round 8 (13.6) and Round 9 (12.6). Meanwhile, very uncharacteristically, Allen didn’t place in Round 7 and then recorded no times in Rounds 8 and 9. That set the stage for the dramatic Round 10. “I had to catch and tie the last steer to win

standings with $47,532. Allen was atop the standings with $63,680 and Brazile was third with $36,345. Despite his talent – and his po sition in the standings – Snedecor didn’t have lofty expectations for the 2005 NFSR. “That year I didn’t have any hope of winning the world title because he (Allen) was $16,000 ahead of me and back then it (the NFSR) didn’t pay as good as it does now, so it wasn’t like everybody had a chance. He would go in and he was the guy and to win second was probably as good as

the average and give myself a chance (to win the world championship), and (Allen) couldn’t win anything. I had a steer that wasn’t very good, and I wasn’t very excited about it.” Excited or not, Snedecor knew he had to take care of business.

“That (steer) runs all the way to the left wall over there, and I tie him down right against the left wall,” Snedecor said. “I don’t even remember what the time was,

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PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS

probably 12 seconds or something.” He actually stopped the clock in 13.6 seconds. Then, Allen did the unthinkable and registered another no time. When Round 10 was complete Snedecor placed sixth in the round and more importantly, he won the average with a 123.4-second time on 10 head. Snedecor’s NFSR’s earnings totaled $21,850, the most of any cowboy at that year’s NFSR, and it included $11,400 for winning the average. Allen earned $5,700 at the NFSR and when the cal culations were complete the improbable became proba ble. Snedecor edged Allen by $1.67 to win his first gold buckle. “When they finally announced (I had won by) $1.67, I was like, that’s unbelievable. You know, everything you’ve ever dreamed of just came to a head right there,” Snedecor said. Fast-forward 20 years and Snedecor has won four PRCA

your belt, that was icing on the cake. I told those guys, if I never win another one shoot, I’m good with it.” Especially defeating The Legend, Allen. He’s the gold standard for all steer ropers past and present. “It was unbelievable, and I still look up to him. I still call and visit with him,” Snedecor said. “If (I’m) having problems, I call him and still bounce stuff off him. So, yeah, it was unbelievable, Buster (Record Jr.) beat him back in 2002 and broke his streak of 11 in a row. Then I traveled with Buster. So, I got to see that gold buckle hanging in that trailer for two or three years. And I was like, ‘Man, I’d sure like to have one of those.’ Then to finally get it was just unbelievable.” Adding to the drama of Snedecor’s 2005 world cham pionship was his horse – Sunny Dee Bueno, a 12-year-old sorrel he just bought that September. “That horse served his purpose there,” Snedecor said. “He wasn’t a big horse, he

wasn’t a great horse, but he was a good horse. I rode him at the last rodeo of the season, and then I rode him at the (NFSR) that year. He was just good and honest, he wouldn’t move on you. His drag was good every time. A strong little horse and he served his purpose. He let me tie 10 steers in a row right there when I needed it.” Snedecor, who was a PRORO DEO rookie in 1996, has now qualified for the NFSR 24 times (2001-2011, and 2013-25). He

Steer Roping World Cham pionships (2005, 2008, 2017 and 2018) but he still has fond memories of his inaugural gold buckle, which is still the smallest margin to win a world championship in PRCA history. “It is nothing that you can play out,” Snedecor said. “You hear people roping the dummy saying, ‘This is the last round

you got to beat (this time to win),”’ Snedecor said. “But $1.67 that’s a little tight right there, you can’t even go get a bottle of water for $1.67 You can’t buy anything.” To Allen’s credit, he offered no excuses about the world championship slipping through his grasp. “I just didn’t get it done,” Allen said in the Dec. 21, 2005, PRORODEO Sports News. “He (Snedecor) just roped really outstanding, and he deserved to win it. His horse worked really good and he used everything that he had. I just couldn’t get much done, really. It was just one of those deals where he roped outstanding and was hard to beat.” The narrow world championship reinforced Snedecor’s mindset of the importance of every run in the arena. “I do my schools, and I tell everybody, don’t give up on your run. Never give up on a run,” Snedecor said. “Then after that, I was for sure, like, you never know when you’re going to need that little bit. Don’t ever quit, never give up on anything. “So, yeah, it was dang sure a dream come true. As a kid roping, growing up, you’d watch calf roping and I roped calves a bunch. I team roped a bunch and then didn’t start roping steers until I was in college,” Snedecor said. “Every kid goes to the practice pen and ropes the dum my, thinking, what it would be like to be a world cham pion, you know? And to finally get that (gold) buckle on PRCA File Photo

enters the upcoming NFSR third in the world standings and would love nothing more than to add gold buckle No. 5 to what has been a Hall of Fame career. “I still think I can get a gold buckle,” said Snedeor, 50. “You know, it’s got to go my direction all the time. I’m not going to be the guy that’s just hanging on by a thread just because he loves the sport. I can go do something else, or go hunting, but I still have that competitive drive. I never like to lose. It doesn’t matter if you’re skipping rocks across there. I have that competitive drive. “I like making horses. That’s my fun part at home is making horses and seeing when I come to a spot like (the National Circuit Finals Steer Roping in Torrington, Wyo.), you know, I might have four or five horses that I’ve trained out there. So, to see them get to the top end is pretty good for me and it keeps me going at home. You know, when I do my practice runs and then I have people coming by for (his roping) schools, that keeps me staying younger. You can’t just lay back now and say, ‘Well, I’m too old or I’m 50 years old, I’m too old to do this.That is just a number to me. As long as I’m healthy, and I have good horses, I’ll still be here (roping).” And hopefully making more PRORODEO history like he did in 2005.

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NUTRENA HORSES OF THE YEAR: THE TOP HORSES IN PRORODEO By Zach Alvira and Alex Dodd S uccess in rodeo doesn’t fall on just the cowboys and cowgirls. Horses play just as big of a role when they step into a PRORODEO arena. The Nutrena Horse of the Year Awards presented by AQHA recognize PRORODEO’s top horses.

PRCA photo by Click Thompson

PRCA photo by John Pyle

STEER WRESTLING TELLE EM PYC “BANKER” Owner: Justin Shaffer Rider: Justin Shaffer, Tucker Allen, Jesse Brown, Hold en Myers and Jace Melvin Why the horse is special: Banker sets himself apart from other horses with his speed out of the box, his discipline and his ability to adjust to different riders. His intelligence allows him to be successful in every arena he enters. That was on display multiple times this season, in cluding the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls, S.D., where Justin Shaffer won the steer wrestling crown. Banker is 10 years old. He’s 15.5 hands and weighs 1,150 pounds. This is his first Nutrena Horse of the Year Award. Hear it from Justin: “He’s very deserving. Just hav ing that conversation with Tucker about the exciting news … Tucker Allen rode him all year. It’s very deserving to the horse whether I own him or not. I take a lot of pride in owning him but the horse himself deserved it.”

TEAM ROPING HEADER MR. JOES SHADOW BAR “JOE” Owner: Clint and Darren Summers Rider: Clint Summers Why the horse is special: The best word to describe Joe is consistent. He doesn’t try to stray away from tech nique during a run. When Summers rides Joe, he knows exactly what he’s going to get out of him. Whether he is during a slower time of the season or in the middle of a summer run, Joe always provides the opportunity for Summers to score at rodeos. Joe is 14 years old and 15.1 hands. It’s the second time Joe has been named Nutrena Horse of the Year, as he also won in 2023. Hear it from Clint: “He’s got a lot of grit and a lot of try to him. Every steer, no matter how many miles or hours he has been on the trailer, he still gives you every thing he’s got. He’s always on your team. That makes a difference.”

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PRCA photo by Hailey Rae

TIE-DOWN ROPING MARKED UP CAT “RUDY” Owner & Rider: Riley Webb

PRCA photo by Mallory Beinborn

TEAM ROPING HEELER CUT OFF MY SPOTS “COON” Owner & Rider: Coleby Payne Why the horse is special: The reunification of Coon and Payne in 2022 has paid dividends for the pair. Coon was originally sold by Payne at 6 years old. At 13, Payne bought him back. Coon’s speed in any arena – big or small – has been key for the pair’s success in accom plishing goals Payne set for himself in his rodeo career. Coon is 16 years old. He is 15 hands and weighs 1,000 pounds. Coon and Payne are making their second Wran gler National Finals Rodeo appearance together. Hear it from Coleby: “This horse means everything to me. He’s helped me accomplish a lot of goals that I’ve dreamed of my whole life. I hope we’re nowhere near finished but without that horse, I wouldn’t have accom plished those things. He’s family to me.”

Why the Horse is Special: In an event heavily re liant on horsepower, Rudy hasproven to be a force to be reckoned with for the last few years, thanks to his versa tility and consistency. Rudy has led Webb to back-to-back PRCA World Championships in the tie-down roping and a regular season earnings record this past year. Rudy performs well in long and short arenas, is tailor-made for fast starts and is a winner. Rudy is 12 years old. He’s 15 hands and weighs 1,200 pounds. This is his first Nutrena Horse of the Year Award. Hear it from Riley: “I bought him the same year I won my first world title and it changed my career. I won both of my world titles on him and that (decision) changed everything and the trajectory of where I was headed… Everything that I have and that I own now is because of him.”

PICKUP MAN BABY HES HOT “BABY” Owner: Tyler and Vanessa Kraft Rider: Tyler Kraft

Why the Horse is Special: Baby displayed the heart and grit necessary in a standout pick up horse. Last season, Baby suffered an injury in Texas, and Tyler Kraft wasn’t sure if he’d be able to perform in the arena again, but he returned later in the summer. He’s one of the most traveled pick up horses in PRORODEO, venturing as far north as Alaska, as far south as Texas, and as far east as St. Pete, Quebec, Canada. Baby is 12 years old. He weighs 1,200 pounds and is 15.1 hands. The Krafts have owned Baby since he was 3 years old. It’s his second time winning the Nutrena Horse of the Year Award and his first since 2023. The Krafts’ pickup horses have won the last three years. Hear it from Tyler: “He’s just tough and gritty and can run a hole in the wind. He’s just a lot of fun. It doesn’t matter if it’s in small arenas or in Pendleton, Ore., he can get them gathered up. He’s kind of like riding a race car, he can go from 0 to 60 in no time flat and he can throttle back.”

PRCA photo by Billie Jean Duff

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PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS

PRCA photo by Ryan Jae

PRCA photo by Clay Guardipee

STEER ROPING SON OFA GLO “JUNIOR” Owner & Rider: Slade Wood

BREAKAWAY ROPING STYLISH DRIFTER “DUTCH” Owner & Rider: Josie Conner Why the horse is special: In a lightning-fast event, Dutch takes a lot of time out of a run. He runs hard and flat, while still getting in position to break off the rope. The horse has a unique ability to hold the calf and break the rope in good time. Dutch is 16 years old. He’s 14.3 hands and weighs 1,100 pounds. This is the second straight year Dutch has won the Nutrena Horse of the Year Award. Hear it from Josie: “This is Dutch’s second consec utive year to win it, and it means so much. This is such a prestigious award and highlights how great our animal athletes are because we can’t do our job without them. It is extra special this year because Riley’s (Webb) horse (Marked Up Cat “Rudy”) won the tie-down roping award, so for the first time both horses in our barn are 2025 Horse of the Year winners, so that is pretty cool.”

Why the Horse is Special: Junior is one of the most resilient horses in PRORODEO. After the horse was taken out of the arena due to injuries last year, Wood wasn’t able to ride him at the National Finals Steer Roping. But this season, Junior made a tremendous comeback to push Wood into the top five of the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings and to the NFSR for the fourth time. Junior is 17 years old. He weighs 1,200 pounds. He showed tremendous grit to return to the pinnacle of the sport this season to win his second Nutrena Horse of the Year Award. His first came in 2023. Hear it from Slade: “In July, I was not even in the Top 15 and I started to rodeo again and got to ride him every where. I moved to fifth in the world, and it has everything to do with that horse. So it’s pretty cool for him to win it again. I wanted him to win it, not for me, but for him.”

BARREL RACING DM SISSY HAYDAY “SISTER” Owner & Rider: Hailey Kinsel Why the horse is special: This is the second time Sister has received the award. Her first came in 2018. In 2025, she placed in 20 out of the 21 rodeos she went to and won five. Sister is also the highest-earning quarter horse of all time with $3.4 million in lifetime earnings. Sister is 14 years old. Hear it from Hailey: “Humbled, honored and proud all at once. It has been a lot of years since the last one. What an incredible field of horses that was up for this award this year. This is the best news ever. It was as close as we’ve gotten to a perfect season by percentage. She’s 14 this year and just keeps craving it more.”

PRCA photo by Click Thompson

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TOP STOCK: PENDLETON WHISKY’S LET ‘ER BUCK BUCKING STOCK OF THE YEAR RECOGNIZED By Zach Alvira

E very year, the Pendleton Whisky’s Let ‘er Buck bull in the PRCA. Thousands of stock compete for the honor, but only the three best are recognized ahead of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. This year’s winners feature heavy hitters in PRORODEO, horses and bulls that rou tinely produce championship rides at some of the PRCA’s biggest events. Brookman Rodeo’s Lunatic Heaven, a descendent of famous bloodlines, was named the Bareback Riding Horse of the Year, while C5 Rodeo’s Virgil took home Saddle Bronc Riding Horse of the Year honors. Magic Touch of Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics was named Bull of the Year. Bucking Stock of the Year Awards recognizes the best saddle bronc and bareback horses, as well as the best

LUNATIC HEAVEN: BROOKMAN RODEO 2025 BAREBACK HORSE OF THE YEAR From the moment she first entered a bucking chute at a PRCA-sanctioned event at 6 years old, the Wieferich family – owners of Brookman Pro Rodeo – knew they had something special in Lunatic Heaven. Now just over a year later, the 7-year-old mare is preparing for her second trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas in December. But it’s her first trip as the PRCA Bucking Horse of the Year. “It’s really exciting, I know Marv is up there smiling somewhere,” said Tate Wieferich, the grandson of Brook man Pro Rodeo founder Marvin Brookman and next in line to hold stock contractor’s member card. “She was firing like that from the beginning. You could tell she wanted to do something and she learned and just

Lunatic Heaven. (PRCA photo by Roseanna Sales)

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VIRGIL: C5 RODEO’S 2025 SADDLE BRONC RIDING HORSE OF THE YEAR He’s become one of the most sought-after matchups for cowboys at every rodeo he attends. Virgil, the famous bucking horse from C5 Rodeo, is responsible for multiple rodeo championships, re cord-breaking rides and a now a legacy that includes hon ors of Saddle Bronc Riding Horse of the Year and twice recognized as the Bareback Horse of the Year. “I knew we had a chance, but I was shocked,” said C5 Rodeo owner Vern McDonald. “There’s a lot of good hors es out there, but Virgil is a special horse. He’s a horse that, if you ride him, you’re going to win something.” Virgil’s legacy widely comes from his time in bareback. He set a new world record with Rocker Steiner when the two matched for a 95-point ride in Darby, Mont. in 2022. But at 17 years old, the infamous 1,600-pound grey bucking horse returned to saddle bronc on a more consis tent basis for the first time since 2021. He came out of the chutes five times that year. In 2025, he had three qualified rides on four outings with an average stock score of 44.75. His highest marked ride came in July at the Calgary Stampede. That’s when Zeke Thurston rode Virgil for 92.5 points to win the rodeo. Virgil becomes the sixth horse to have won both PRCA Bareback and Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year honors. He joins the likes of Lonesome Me, King sway Skoal, Spring Fling, Cool Alley and Xplosive Skies. “We’re very honored to have that happen to C5 rodeo. The horse has been great for us,” McDonald said. “I be lieve it was meant for us to have that horse. I think God laid the path for us to own that horse. We’ve taken good care of him.”

got better at it. Over time she just got stronger. We knew she was going to be special.” Lunatic Heaven is already building a strong legacy in PRORODEO, much like her mother, Continental Drift, and sire, Lunatic Bait, the son of legendary bucking horse Lunatic Fringe who were all part of the legendary breeding program established by Brookman, a 2005 Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame inductee. She made her first trip to the NFR in her “rookie” sea son out of the chutes. This past season, she turned it up a notch. She kicked off her 2025 season at the Fort Worth (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo, followed by the Dixie National Rodeo in Jackson, Miss. She bucked off Rich mond Champion at the PRCA Xtreme Bares & Broncs in Watford City, N.D., last March, then two months later led Sam Petersen to a win at the inaugural Music City Rodeo in Nashville, Tenn., with an 88-point ride. That ride jumpstarted what was an impressive stretch of rodeos for the mare, as she went on to lead Kade Berry to a win at Cheyenne Frontier Days and a new arena record with a 93.5-point ride in the finals. Her last big ride came in Puyallup (Wash.) in September, when Jacek Frost took home the title after a 91.5-point ride. The 1,400-pound horse has quickly become a favorite of bareback cowboys. Wieferich said there is no ceiling for how good she can be. “I can’t put a ceiling on how good she can be because I don’t know how much better she can get at it,” Wief erich said. “We treat her like the true athlete she is and make sure she stays healthy so she can get stronger as she goes.”

Virgil. (PRCA photo by Roseanna Sales)

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Virgil is making his eighth NFR appearance this year. It’s his first in saddle bronc. MAGIC TOUCH: SANKEY PRO RODEO & PHEN OM GENETICS 2025 BULL OF THE YEAR One of the top bulls in the PRCA the last two seasons, Magic Touch of Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics has been responsible for three 90-plus point rides in 2025. The 1,700-pound bull has a 60% buck off rate this sea son, with an average stock score of 44.75 and overall score of 90. “If you ride him, you’re winning,” co-owner of Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics’ Matt Scharping said. “For that animal to have that mentality of, ‘Hey, I’ll do it again.’ That’s pretty special. That’s hard to do.” Magic Touch helped several of the PRCA’s top bull riders win key Playoff Series rodeos this season. Ky Hamilton’s 91.5-point ride aboard Magic Touch at the Pendleton (Ore.) Xtreme Bulls Tour Finale secured the Rank 45 Xtreme Bulls Tour championship for the Australian cowboy. Hayes Weight’s 93-point ride aboard Magic Touch helped secure the victory at the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo in Salt Lake City in the middle of the summer run. And Tristen Hutchings’ 90-point ride on the bull secured the victory at the St. Paul (Ore.) Rodeo. “He just wants to go do his job,” Scharping said of Magic

Touch. “He doesn’t get stressed out, he doesn’t get mad in the box. He comes and does it every time. For that animal to put together the year he did, it’s super special to me because I know how hard it is. “He drew perfect, too. He drew the best guys everywhere we went. If it isn’t for those bull riders showing him off, he doesn’t win.” 2024 WINNERS Bareback Riding Horse of the Year 1. Lunatic Heaven – Brookman Rodeo 2. Disco Party – Calgary Stampede 3. Boot Barn’s Night Crawler – Pickett Pro Rodeo Saddle Bronc Riding Horse of the Year 1. Virgil – C5 Rodeo Company 2. Larry Culpepper – Pete Carr Pro Rodeo 3. THE Black Tie – Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics Bull of the Year 1. Magic Touch – Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics 2. Mr. Priefert – Rosser Rodeo 3. Richard Slam – Pete Carr Pro Rodeo

Magic Touch. (PRCA photo by Bill Lawless)

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22 PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS Pendleton® Blended Canadian Whisky. 40% - 45% Alc./Vol. (80-90 proof). ©2025 Pendleton Distillers, proximospirits.com. Please drink responsibly. LET’ER BUCK and the bucking horse logo are registered trademarks of The Pendleton Round-Up Association. PENDLETON is a registered trademark of Pendleton Woolen Mills.

O’Rourke headlines 2025 Resistol Rookies of the Year By Zach Alvira and Tracy Renck

Traver Johnson

Sage Allen

Riley O’Rourke

T he Resistol Rookie of the Year award remains one of the most prestigious honors in PRORODEO. It’s a distinction that can only be earned once during a rodeo athlete’s first year as a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) or Women’s Professional Rodeo Asso ciation (WPRA) cardholder. Each year, Resistol recognizes the top first-year PRCA and WPRA competitors who achieve the highest season earnings in their respective events, including winnings from the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR). As the official hat of the PRCA and one of its original sponsors, Resistol proudly continues honoring these athletes with the annual Resistol Rookie of the Year Lun cheon. Now in its 11th year, the celebration will take place at 11:30 (PT), Dec. 9, at the South Point Hotel & Casino during the Wrangler NFR in Las Vegas. Guests will enjoy live music, a meal and a program hosted by industry lead ers, featuring past Rookies of the Year and World Cham pions who will share their advice and encouragement with the new class. A PRCA rookie is a cowboy competing in his first year as a full member of the organization. Cowboys first join under the PRCA’s permit system, which allows them to compete for some time without becoming full-fledged members. Once a cowboy has “filled his permit” by winning $1,000 at PRCA-sanctioned rodeos he can apply to become a full member. The PRCA’s Resistol Rookies of the Year are the first season cowboys who earned the most money in their

events during that season. The Resistol All-Around Rookie of the Year is the rook ie who earned the most money among all rookies who won $3,000 in each of two or more events. From 1956 through 2010, the PRCA also gave an Overall Rookie of the Year to the rookie who earned the most money in any one or more events. Starting with the 2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, money earned at the Wrangler NFR counted in the rookie standings. In 2025, that means that the Bull Riding Rookie of the Year will not be decided until the completion of the NFR, which runs from Dec. 4-13 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas where Resistol Rookies Hudson Bolton, Qynn Andersen, Bryce Jensen and Luke Mackey are competing for the coveted world championship. There have been nine cowboys who have won world championships in their rookie years: - Harry Charters, steer wrestling, 1959 - Bill Kornell, bull riding, 1963

- Roy Cooper, tie-down roping, 1976 - Tee Woolman, team roping, 1980 - Joe Beaver, tie-down roping, 1985 - Sage Kimzey, bull riding, 2014 - Stetson Wright, all-around, 2019 - Haven Meged, tie-down roping, 2019 - Keenan Hayes, bareback riding, 2023

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Buck Calhoun

Gus Galliard

Haiden Thompson

Makenzie Mayes

Nicky Northcott

James Arviso

ALL-AROUND & STEER ROPING: RILEY O’ROURKE “I’m glad that I won both of them, it’s exciting. Some people I rodeo with like Thomas Smith, he won the Rookie (of the Year). He and his dad (Tom) won (steer roping) back-to-back (2014-15). And for All-Around, one of my good buddies, Slade Wood, won the all-around and steer roping his rookie year (2021). So, it’s pretty cool we were both able to do that.” BAREBACK RIDING: SAGE ALLEN “It’s one of those things you hear them talk about all the time at rodeos, ‘This kid was Rookie of the Year.’ So it goes to show how big of an accomplishment it is. And for me to be able to accomplish that is pretty awesome.” SADDLE BRONC RIDING: GUS GAILLARD “It’s one of those deals you always dream of as a kid. You only get one chance. I tried to set my goals a little higher, but I didn’t quite make it to the NFR. But on the way to that I was trying to win Rookie of the Year. I’m just extremely happy and blessed.” TEAM ROPING HEADING: JAMES ARVISO “You only get one chance at winning Rookie of the Year. So when you’re able to achieve it, it’s a good feeling. That was half my goal this year for the summer. The people around me, everyone who has helped out and helped me along the way is the only reason I was able to do this. I can’t thank the people backstage enough for this.” TEAM ROPING HEELING: NICKY NORTHCOTT “It means a lot. I’ve been wanting to do well in rodeo my whole life and make it far. I just tried to rope and do

my best and try to win. To win Rookie of the Year, it’s a great accomplishment.” TIE-DOWN ROPING: BUCK CALHOUN “I knew throughout the whole year in the back of my head that Rookie of the Year was in the conversations. The start of the year I set a goal to make the NFR. I figured if I made enough for that, Rookie of the Year would take care of itself. It’s such a prestigious award because there’s only one chance to win it. To be able to pull that off, it means so much to me.” STEER WRESTLING: TRAVER JOHNSON “Winning Rookie of the Year means a lot because it was a goal of mine. It means I get to follow in the footsteps of some of the legends of the sport. It’s an award every rodeo cowboy only gets one shot at and I’m just very bless that I had the support from God, my family and friends and we were able to get it done.” BREAKAWAY ROPING: HAIDEN THOMPSON “Super cool. Beginning of the summer that was my main goal was to win the rookie title. I traveled with Martha An gelone from the College Finals on and it was a blast going with her. I learned a lot from her, and she was a huge help to me.” BARREL RACING: MAKENZIE MAYES “It was definitely something different as before this year I had never left home for more than a week so going on the road for four months was pretty hard. It is an award I have always wanted to win, so I waited until the time was right for me and I had the right horses. It is something you only get one shot at so was pretty awesome to win it.”

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