PRORODEO Sports News - Nov. 7, 2025

Bryce Jensen gearing up for NFR with Boot Barn Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo win By Kensie Darst-Todd, Special to PRORODEO Sports News

T he Boot Barn Texas ting pressure on even some of the most experienced cowboys in PRORODEO. This year, however, it wasn’t a seasoned veteran that showed composure on one of the biggest stages in the PRCA circuit system. Instead, it was Bryce Jensen, a 20-year-old cowboy from Huntsville, Tex as, who just wrapped up the 2025 season as the No. 3 bull rider in the Resistol Rookie standings and is now prepar ing to make his first trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December. Just like he did all season, he made every second count in Waco, opening the Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo with an 85.5-point ride on Lancaster Pro Rodeo’s Grand Theft and followed it with an 84-point ride on Rafter G Rodeo’s Circuit Finals Rodeo in Waco is famous for put

too, but, I just did my job and I’m happy that it worked out.” He credited both the at mosphere of the finals and the competition he competed alongside with made the event memorable. “It’s a really neat experi ence,” he said. “It’s a nice facility and they run the rodeo really well. It was just a really cool rodeo to be at.” Jensen’s rookie season was one for the record books. He’s one of four Resistol Rookie bull riders who will compete in Las Vegas this December. Though, bull riding wasn’t his first passion in rodeo. While Jensen started in roping, his path shifted when bareback rider Bradlee Miller convinced him to try bulls. That decision, along with men torship from Jay Campbell, helped set his course. “I didn’t grow up riding bulls,” Jensen said. “I grew up

Bryce Jensen started his 2026 season strong with a win at the Boot Barn Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo. (PRCA photo by James Phifer)

James Brown. He sealed the deal with an 87-point ride on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Day Money Oct. 10, matching all three bulls for 256.5 points, a $12,817 payday to start the new season and an early championship. “Just do my job and let the rest play out,” Jensen said of his focus every time he nods his head in the chutes. “I don’t look up bulls, so I didn’t think much about it. I just ride them, jump for jump and do my job.” He saved his best ride for last, securing his highest- marked ride of the event on the final night. He credited the matchup more than anything else, though he found a way to add a little extra style. “The bull maybe bucked a little harder, had a little more air and I kind of dressed him up a little bit when he came around, spurred him a little bit,” he said. The win automatically qualifies Jensen for the NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo in Colorado Springs, Colo., next summer. And although the claim to glory as the aggre gate winner at the Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo is pleasing coming off his rookie season, for Jensen, the title is mean ingful beyond the scores on paper. “It means a lot to win the Texas Circuit Finals,” Jensen said. “(Some of the) best bull riders in Texas and other states

team roping and calf roping. Then Bradlee Miller convinced me and my parents to let me get on bulls and the rest is history.” Some competitors measure their success based on world championship titles or making it to the Top 15 at the end of the regular season. For Jensen, even with a rookie season capped by an NFR qualification, he measures success with his bank account. “My goal really wasn’t to make the Finals, I had a money goal,” he said. “I set a goal, a money goal, and whether I hit that in the regular season, whether I made it to the Finals or not, I would’ve been happy if I just made my goal of $300,000.” Other winners from the Boot Barn Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo included all-around cowboy Tyler Waters ($5,121 in team roping and steer roping); bareback rider Bradlee Miller (336.5 points on four head); steer wrestler Shayde Ether ton (15.7 seconds); team ropers Cody Carter/Blake Bentley (26.4 seconds on four head); saddle bronc rider Gus Gaillard (337 points on four head); tie-down roper Blane Cox (38.7 seconds on four head); barrel racer Jordan Driver (62.83 seconds on four runs); and steer roper Seth Schafer (52.1 seconds on four head).

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Nov. 7, 2025