PRORODEO Sports News - October 3, 2025

TILDEN HOOPER SURGES AT NORTH DAKOTA ROUGHRIDER CUP By Alex Dodd

L ife on the bubble isn’t a new experience for Tilden Hooper. The nine-time Wran gler National Finals Rodeo qualifier (2008 09, 2011, 2014, 2018-22) has fought his way onto rodeo’s biggest stage in the closing weeks of the season before, and he knows what it takes. Hooper entered the weekend of Sept. 19-21, 22nd in the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Stand ings in bareback rid ing. And he needed to make a move during the North Dakota Rough Rider Cup. The 37-year-old from Carthage, Texas, paired with Macza Pro Rodeo’s

Tilden Hooper shined in Mandan, N.D., at the North Dakota Roughrider Cup, taking home the bareback riding title. (PRCA photo by Chuck Miner)

Tilden Hooper entered Mandan on the bubble and knew he needed to make up some ground with the season nearing its end. (PRCA photo by Chuck Miner)

end of the season), and I’ve done it a lot of times,” Hooper said. “Of the times I’ve made it to the NFR, sometimes it feels easy and you win a bunch all year long. Sometimes you win a bunch in the winter, nothing in the summer and a little in the fall.” In the midst of scrambling across the country to win enough money to reach the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, it can be difficult to maintain perspective. Hooper said it’s not do or die, but he enjoys the thrill of chasing every dollar as the time to add to his ledger ticks down. “In the moment, it’s a little more nerve-racking,” Hoop er said. “But when you look back at it, the times where it comes down to the last weekend and you get it done, it’s a pretty sweet feeling. I’m just thankful to have that chance again.” Hooper in the Pasadena (Texas) Livestock Show & Rodeo and the lucrative Cinch Playoff Governor’s Cup presented by Texas Precious Metals from Sept. 26-28 in Sioux Falls, S.D. The rodeo had a $1.4 million purse. Other winners at the $507,006 PRORODEO Playoff Series Rodeo included steer wrestler Gavin Soileau (3.8 sec onds); team ropers Andrew Ward/Jake Long (4.7 seconds); saddle bronc rider Damian Brennan (89.5-point ride on C5 Rodeo’s Shattered Lunatic); tie-down ropers Riley Pruitt and Blane Cox (8.1 seconds each); barrel racer Austyn To bey (18.06 seconds); and bull rider Ky Hamilton (89-point ride on Dakota Rodeo’s Sneaky Situation).

OLS Tubs Stevie Nicks on Sept. 21 final performance in Mandan, N.D., and he made it count with a 90-point ride to take the win. “It was better late than never,” Hooper said with a laugh on his way from North Dakota to Texas. “That was just what I needed.” Sam Petersen and Wacey Schalla finished second at the North Dakota Roughrider Cup with a pair of 88.5-point trips. Hooper said he got pretty excited and knew he had a chance to climb to the top of the leaderboard when he saw his draw for the event. “That’s a great horse and she’s been great for a long time,” Hooper said. “I’ve been on her a handful of times. I was probably one of the first guys to get on her when they brought her down here and she was young. I’ve been on her at the NFR once or twice. “I told somebody earlier, she shows up by my name when I really need her and she hasn’t let me down yet. I’m a pretty big fan of hers.” The PRORODEO regular season concluded on Sept. 30, and while Hooper still had work to do to crack the covet ed Top 15 for the 10th time, he’s familiar with the chase. Hooper moved up to 17th place in the world standings and was $2,040 behind Mason Clements whas is in 15th. Hoop er moved up in the standings thanks to earning $18,119 in Mandan. “It’s exciting. I love riding at all of these rodeos (at the

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