PRORODEO Sports News - July 2, 2026

PLAYOFF SERIES

BY KENSIE DARST-TODD, SPECIAL TO PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS TUCKER ALLEN SECURES FIRST CROOKED RIVER ROUNDUP WIN

O ne clean short-round run made the difference for Tucker Allen at the Crooked River Round up. After entering the short round in contention, Allen finished with a 12.4-second aggregate on two head to claim his first title at the Prineville, Ore., PRORODEO Playoff Series ro deo, which ended June 27. The unique setup at one of the Northwest’s signature rodeos rewards horsemanship as much as execution, and Allen put both on display. The 2025 PRCA World Champion aboard his horse Peg Leg captured the Crook ed River Roundup title, edging the

field in one of the PRORODEO’s most distinctive steer wrestling events. Allen entered the short round after placing fourth in the opening round with a 6.5-second run and respond ed with the fastest run of the final go with a 5.9-second effort to secure the average. The victory came by 1.2 seconds over two-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier Justin Shaffer, giving Allen another strong result as the summer run continues. “I’ve got Justin Shaffer on the haz ing side, so no matter what, I know I’m in good hands,” Allen said. “I was riding my horse that I call Peg Leg.

Me and Grant Peterson are partnered on him, and he’s super safe and broke, and Prineville is one of those rodeos where it’s a cowboy contest.” Allen made one adjustment after the opening round. His steer in the first go stepped toward the fence before he could get a clean pass, so he focused on getting closer to the barrier in the short round. The deci sion allowed him to reach his steer in a better position before relying on fundamentals to finish the run. “I told myself to try to push the barrier and give myself a chance to catch him in a good spot,” Allen said.

Tucker Allen competes at the 2026 Crooked River Roundup. PRCA photo by Roseanna Sales

30 PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS DIGITAL MAGAZINE July 2, 2026