1 MARCH 2026 WHERE CHAMPIONS RISE | OVER $10.19 MILLION FOR TEXAS YOUTH | TOMORROW’S RODEO STARS SHINE A YEAR TO REMEMBER THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW & RODEO
Across 23 days, more than one million guests passed through the gates to compete, exhibit, shop, eat, listen to music or simply be part of a Texas tradition unlike any other. From record-setting moments to new events, the 2026 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo once again proved why it is Always A Perfect Fit. The year brought challenges that tested preparation and perseverance. Cold winter weather rolled through North Texas during our 23 day run, forcing adjustments behind the scenes and highlighting the grit of exhibitors, staff and volunteers alike. Despite the obstacles the Show never missed a beat, reflecting the resilience that defines agriculture and the Western way of life. Inside the arena, records were broken as top athletes delivered high-level performances. With more than $1.5 million awarded, the PRORODEO Tournament ranks among the richest rodeos, reinforcing Fort Worth’s place on the national rodeo stage. New additions helped make 2026 a milestone year. The inaugural PRORODEO Rookie Rally welcomed emerging athletes to compete under the bright lights, while the introduction of a Collegiate Rodeo brought student-athletes together to showcase the future of the sport. In the barns and show rings exhibitors presented projects shaped by months and often years of hard work. That commitment culminated in another historic Junior Sale of Champions, where a new all-time sale record underscored Fort Worth’s committment to the future of agriculture and Texas youth. Beyond competition, the Stock Show remained a place to connect. Families made memories along the midway, firsttime visitors experienced agriculture up close, and longtime supporters returned for traditions that span generations. Read more about the 129th edition of FWSSR in this issue of Whoa! NEWS BRIEFS The road to the 2027 FWSSR PRORODEO Tournament is already underway. Rodeo athletes have two routes to get here. By finishing the 2026 professional season among the top 49 year-end competitors in their event or by earning a spot through one of seven North Texas rodeos designated as official qualifiers. Success at any qualifier guarantees the chance to compete under the bright lights of Dickies Arena. ELLIS COUNTY LIVESTOCK SHOW & RODEO Waxahachie, Texas March 27-28 PALO PINTO LIVESTOCK ASSN. RODEO Mineral Wells, Texas April 30 - May 2 GLADEWATER ROUNDUP Gladewater, Texas June 11-13 PARKER COUNTY SHERIFF’S POSSE RODEO Weatherford, Texas June 10-13 JOHNSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S POSSE PRCA RODEO Cleburne, Texas June 10-13 WICHITA FALLS PRCA RODEO Wichita Falls, Texas August 21-22 NORTH TEXAS FAIR & RODEO Denton, Texas August 21-23 MARCH 16 – TRADE SHOW VENDOR APPLICATIONS OPEN Trade show vendor applications are being accepted. Go here for more info. APRIL 1 – VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS Volunteer applications open. Go here for more info. APRIL 1 – YOUTH ART CONTEST ENTRIES OPEN Go here for more info. MAY 14 – JUSTIN SCRAMBLE FORE SCHOLARSHIPS Benefits FWSSR youth education programs. Entry deadline is May 11. Entries are limited. Go here to buy teams beginning April 1 SEPT. 14 – RODEO TICKETS ON SALE SEPT. 15 – ENTRIES ACCEPTED / PREMIUM LISTS AVAILABLE ONLINE Livestock, Horse, Poultry, Pigeons and Rabbits. OCT. 1 – SHOOT FOR SCHOLARSHIPS SPORTING CLAY TOURNAMENT — Presented by AgTrust Farm Credit. Support FWSSR Jr. Shooting Sports Competition and Aim for Education scholarships. OCT. 1 – 3 – FWSSR JR. SHOOTING SPORTS COMPETITION AND AIM FOR EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS 4-H and FFA members shoot for a chance at belt buckles, more than $45,000 in premiums, and scholarships. THE ROAD TO THE 2027 PRORODEO FWSSR HORSE SHOW SALUTE National recognitions to the FWSSR Horse Show Department “Top Ten Versatility Ranch Horse Show” honor for the 2025 FWSSR bestowed by Am. Quarter Horse Assoc. The FWSSR’s Paint Horse Show named the third largest Am. Paint Horse Assoc. show for 2025. 2 3 MARCH 2026 NEWSLETTER THE FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW & RODEO Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo January 15 - February 6, 2027 www.fwssr.com A YEAR TO REMEMBER
THE JOURNEY TO THE FWSSR All the hard work, the dreams. All the early mornings and late evenings. Feeding, grooming, studying, hoping and praying. It culminates at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. Whether they came on a judging team or with a steer, lamb, rabbit or a robot, they all came to learn, compete and advance their knowledge and education. Some leave without a buckle, trophy or check, but they all leave having been part of something unique to any other youth activity in the world. The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo salutes every youth behind the 11,765 entries from 232 of Texas 254 counties. They are the future. The 4-H and FFA members who are learning, growing and leading by example. JUNIOR SALE OF CHAMPIONS RECAP The 2026 auction presented by H-E-B generated more than $10.19 million in support for Texas youth. The bidding for the Grand Champion Steer didn’t stop until Trico Electric nodded at $550,000 – a new record. Two-Hundred-Ninety-Six youth reaped $10.19 million in auction proceeds. Add to that the $393,000 from the FWSSR’s Ag Development Fund and $1,235,500 in scholarship awards and it’s easy to see the many individuals, companies and foundations that call Fort Worth home are amazing. “A huge ‘thank you’ to the Fort Worth community that support these young men and women,” said FWSSR President and General Manager Matt Carter. “Their support paves the way for our Texas 4-H and FFA members to excel in any career path they choose. The future is in good hands because of the accomplishments of our youth that are supported and encouraged by our awesome financial supporters.” 4 5 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo January 15 - February 6, 2027 www.fwssr.com
Breakaway roper Jill Tanner etched her name into Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo history with a lightning-fast 2.0-second run to claim the championship. The victory carried special meaning. Tanner is the first member of her family to earn a title at Fort Worth since her father, Jimmie Cooper, captured the all-around and tie-down roping championships in 1986. Now living in Stephenville, Tanner added $27,308 to her season earnings and continued to build on a career that blends speed, precision and deep family roots in the sport. Her win was a reminder that at Fort Worth, tradition and the next generation often meet in the same moment. In a finals packed with speed and splitsecond margins, Kincaid Henry stood alone at the top of the tie-down roping leaderboard. Henry stopped the clock in 7.5 seconds aboard a familiar partner — Duals Crescent Boon, a 16-year-old roan gelding known as “Mario.” Mario’s dependability has proven invaluable having also carried Henry to two National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association tie-down roping titles. Henry’s performance earned him $27,517 and capped a composed, methodical trip through the PRORODEO Tournament. While others battled ties and razor-thin margins, Henry’s skills and dependable mount proved unmatched when it mattered most. A FAMILY LEGACY CONTINUES 6 7 MARCH 2026 NEWSLETTER THE FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW & RODEO The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo PRORODEO Tournament once again brought the energy, talent and tradition of rodeo to center stage. Across 18 performances, hundreds of elite athletes competed for their share of the $1.5 million purse, making Dickies Arena a proving ground for the sport’s elite stars. While many competitors earned their place in the tournament through season ending standings, others find their way through seven North Texas qualifier rodeos. QUALIFIER ATHLETES STAND OUT This year, contestants advancing through the qualifier rodeos earned a combined $26,961.88 during the tournament. Six qualifier athletes advanced to the semifinals, with one reaching the finals. Their success underscored the depth of talent across the field and the strength of the PRORODEO Tournament as a whole. Leighton Berry, who qualified from his performance at the 2025 Ellis County Livestock Show & Rodeo, was the highest FWSSR PRORODEO Tournament qualifer money-earner pocketing $8,017.85. A NEW ARENA RECORD Barrel racer Kassie Mowry didn’t just win a championship in Dickies Arena, she rewrote the record book. Mowry clocked a 16.04-second run aboard her horse, Force The Goodbye, known as “Jarvis,” setting a new arena record on finals night. The previous mark of 16.08 seconds was matched earlier in the competition by Carlee Otero. The Fort Worth title marked Mowry’s first championship at the Stock Show and came on the heels of back-to-back world championships. She earned $25,500 for her performance in the tournament. PRORODEO TOURNAMENT: WHERE CHAMPIONS RISE Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo January 15 - February 6, 2027 www.fwssr.com DELIVERED UNDER PRESSURE
With roots going back to the days of the open range, the men and women responsible for handling and caring for cattle have always needed diverse skillsets to meet whatever challenge they face. Skill diversity is rewarded in the arena, too. The legends of rodeo that stand out, do so because of their ability to excel in more than one event. All-around athletes such as Bob Crosby, Jim Shoulders, Bill Linderman, Phil Lyne, Larry Mahan, Ty Murray and more recently Stetson Wright are admired and honored for their accomplishments in two or more rodeo events. Billy and Pam Minick, FWSSR rodeo legends in their own right, recently committed to highlighting such versatility with the creation of a new all-around award to the highest money earning cowboy or cowgirl who qualifies in more than one event at the FWSSR PRORODEO Tournament. Paden Bray of Stephenville, Texas, qualifying in team roping and tie-down roping, claimed the inaugural Billy and Pam Minick All-Around award earning an additional $10,000 to his PRORODEO Tournament winnings and a custom belt buckle. Bray met the challenge by outperforming a talented field of multidiscipline contenders that included Wacey Schalla and Stetson Wright. Bray’s performance solidified his place in FWSSR rodeo history as the first athlete to claim what will prove to be a most prestigious honor in one of rodeo’s most legendary settings. The award, backed by a $100,000 commitment from the Minicks over ten years, will highlight the men and women whose diverse skills set them apart from their peers. The creation of the award further cements the Minick’s decades-long legacy with the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo and their continued investment in the sports future. BAREBACK BRONC RIDING PRESENTED BY FROST Tilden Hooper, Carthage, Texas – $27,418 STEER WRESTLING PRESENTED BY BNSF RAILWAY Bridger Anderson, Carrington, N.D. – $24,042 Trisyn Kalawaia, Hilo, Hawaii – $21,760 BREAKAWAY ROPING PRESENTED BY BOOT BARN® Jill Tanner, Stephenville, Texas – $27,308 SADDLE BRONC RIDING PRESENTED BY TX WHISKEY Rusty Wright, Milford, Utah – $24,617 Darcy Radel, Injune, Australia – $21,435 TIE DOWN ROPING PRESENTED BY R. WATSON BOOTS Kincade Henry, Mount Pleasant, Texas – $27,517 TEAM ROPING PRESENTED BY UMB BANK Corben Culley, Lawton, Iowa and Trent Vaught, Mena, Ark. – $26,400 each BARREL RACING PRESENTED BY CHASE Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas – $25,500 BULL RIDING PRESENTED BY MATTRESS FIRM® Trey Kimzey, Strong City, Okla. – $27,400 ALL-AROUND AWARD SPONSORED BY: BILLY AND PAM MINICK Payden Bray, Stephenville, Texas – $15,675 TOTAL PAYOUT: $1,557,000 2026 FWSSR PRORODEO TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS 8 9 MARCH 2026 NEWSLETTER THE FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW & RODEO PADEN BRAY WINS BILLY AND PAM MINICK ALL-AROUND AWARD Legendary Couple’s Commitment Creates New FWSSR Rodeo Honor Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo January 15 - February 6, 2027 www.fwssr.com
Regardless of the sport, even the superstar athletes spend countless hours, not only practicing, but competing before small crowds in small towns for small rewards before they reach the big time. It’s certainly true for a sport with rural roots. The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo brought many of these athletes out of the shadows to compete on some of rodeo’s biggest stages in 2026. Two new rodeo formats – the FWSSR Collegiate Rodeo and the PRORODEO Rookie Rally reinforced FWSSR’s role as the place where the future of the sport meets its storied past. “If you want to see what the future of rodeo looks like, the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is the place to be,” said FWSSR President and General Manager, Matt Carter. “Tomorrow’s superstars invaded Dickies Arena and Will Rogers Coliseum to the delight of our loyal rodeo fans.” HIGH STAKES RODEO RETURNS TO WILL ROGERS COLISEUM The FWSSR Collegiate Rodeo marked a historic first, bringing the team competition into the FWSSR lineup for the first time in its 129-year history. Held Feb. 2–4 in the newly renovated Will Rogers Coliseum, the event presented by 7NOW Delivery returned evening rodeo to the fabled venue for the first time since professional rodeo moved to Dickies Arena. Tarleton State University rose from the field of seven colleges that included Ranger College, Cisco College, Sul Ross State University, Angelo State University, Vernon College and Weatherford College, claiming both men’s and women’s team titles. Three athletes captured clean sweeps in their respective events by winning the first round, finals and overall championships. Tarleton’s Devon Moore owned Bareback Bronc riding with rides of 84.5 and 87.5 points. Another Tarleton Texan named Devon – Devon Hay – won saddle bronc riding. Sul Ross State University steer wrestler Cameron Haumea matched times of 3.6 seconds in both rounds to claim his title, while Tarleton bull rider Zane Monnett stood out as one of only two TOMORROW’S RODEO STARS SHINE TODAY AT FWSSR competitors to ride both bulls, winning his event by 23 points. The tie-down roping title was earned by Angelo State University’s Sam Lewis and Ranger College team ropers Paycus Raulston and Duke Norby took their event championship. The women’s events brought added excitement. Tarleton teammates Emilee Charlesworth and Jenna Fulton tied for the breakaway roping championship, while Faith Lundberg secured the goat tying title. Weatherford College’s Emily Ward ran the fastest barrel racing time of the rodeo at 16.70 seconds and took the overall title with a time of 33:51 on two runs. WHERE PRO CAREERS LAUNCH The FWSSR PRORODEO Rookie Rally presented by HOLT CAT debuted as a spotlight for first-year professional rodeo athletes. The event featured top PRCA and WPRA rookie athletes who competed across eight events inside Dickies Arena. Each Rookie Rally champion earned an automatic qualification into the 2026 FWSSR PRORODEO Tournament. Leveraging the $100,000 purse, the event gave first-year professionals a rare opportunity to fast-track their path into the tournament field and its $1.5 million payout. Thayne Elshere of Sturgis, S.D., made the most of that opportunity, winning saddle bronc riding and placing second in bull riding to earn more than $8,000. Other Rookie Rally champions included: Bareback Riding – Daxtyn Field, Roosevelt, Utah; Steer Wrestling – Colin Fox, Manvel, Texas; Breakaway Roping – Lucy Richards, Hereford, Texas; TieDown Roping – Ace Reece, Aquilla, Texas; Team Roping – Jet Toberer, Lipan, Texas and Cody Eguisquiza, Uvalde, Texas; Barrel Racing – Jaylan Neatherlin, Brock, Texas; Bull Riding – Braxton Whitesell, Walker, La. Both the men’s and women’s teams from Tarleton State University won the team championships at the FWSSR College Rodeo. 10 11 Thayne Elshere of Sturgis, S.D., was the biggest money winner of the Rookie Rally. Elshere won the saddle bronc riding and was second in the bull riding. Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo January 15 - February 6, 2027 www.fwssr.com
12 AND TO MANY MORE SUPPORTERS WHO HELP MAKE THE STOCK SHOW A WORLD-CLASS EVENT. MAJOR SPONSORS A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR OFFICIAL STOCK SHOW PRODUCTS & SERVICES • Western Apparel: Ariat • Beer: Anheuser-Busch • Casino and Resort: Choctaw Casinos & Resorts • Automotive: North Texas Chevy Dealers • Workwear: Dickies® • Satellite and Streaming Video Service: DIRECTV • Mattresses and Massage Chairs: Mattress Firm® • Energy Provider: Reliant • Bank: Simmons Bank • Health System: Texas Health • Whiskey: TX Whiskey • Soft Drink: Pepsi® MEDIA SPONSORS • 95.9 The Ranch / 92.1 Hank FM Grounds Announcements and Music • La Grande 107.5 FM / Puro Tejano Fierro 107.5 HD2 co-presents Best of Mexico Celebración and Dia de la Familia • NBC 5 presents Rodeo Leaderboard • New Country 96.3 • Telemundo 39 co-presents Best of Mexico Celebración, Dia de la Familia and presents Cowboys of Color Rodeo • WBAP 820 AM STOCK SHOW ART CONTEST SPONSORS • The Amon G. Carter Foundation • Debbie and Albon Head • Marsh McLennan Agency • Whataburger SPECIAL EVENT SPONSORS • 7NOW Delivery presents the FWSSR College Rodeo with event sponsors Mattress Firm, R. Watson and Don’t mess with Texas. • Adventure Powersports UTV provider • AgTrust Farm Credit presents Chuck Wagons, Livestock Appreciation Day Luncheon, Mustang Magic, Texas High School Rodeo Shootout and Shooting Sports • American Airlines presents opening night of the FWSSR PRORODEO Tournament • American Warrior Asssociation: R3 CrowdSync Light Show experience • Ariat presents Auditorium Entertainment Series, presents Best of the West Ranch Rodeos, Ranching Heritage Weekend and Ariat Alley • Bank of Texas Chuck Wagon Sponsor • Big Tex / Trailers Direct presents Ranch Rodeo Champion Team Trailers • BNSF Railway presents Steer Wrestling • Boot Barn® presents Breakaway Roping • Brumbaugh’s Furniture & Design Ranch Rodeo Awards • Cavender’s Boot City Chuck Wagon Sponsor and Arena Crew Shirts, Shooting Sports • Central Market presents the Moo-seum Experience and supports Vine 2 Wine “Wine Camps” • Chase presents Barrel Racing • Chicken Express Chuck Wagon Sponsor • Chick-fil-A Rodeo Crowd Engagement Sponsor • Choctaw Casinos & Resorts presents Aerial Rodeo Camera • Classic Wine wine storage sponsor • Dickies® Chuck Wagon Sponsor and Dickies Day • Enterprise Mobility Foundation Scholarship Programs • Frost presents Bareback Bronc Riding and Justin Mutton Bustin’® • Gomez Western Wear copresents Hispanic Heritage Competitions • H-E-B presents Junior Sale of Champions, supporting sponsor of The Milking Parlor, School Tours and High School BBQ Competition • High School Rodeo Event Sponsors: Mattress Firm and R. Watson Boots • HEYDUDE supporting sponsor • Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services presents Pony Up! 50/50 Raffle and supporting sponsor of Junior Sale of Champions • Hillwood, A Perot Company presents Military Appreciation Day • HOLT CAT presents PRORODEO Rookie Rally, Tower Promenade and Scholarship Programs • Junior Agricultural Mechanics Project Show and Texas M.A.D.E. Sponsors: Andes Coil Processors, Big Tex, Harris Products Group, HOLT CAT, Lincoln Electric, Norfolk Iron & Metal, Miller/Hobart, ONEOK, Priefert, RDO Equipment Co., Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Saint-Gobain, United Ag & Turf and UTA West. • Junior Ag Robotics Challenge: Lockheed Martin Corporation and Meta • Justin Brands, Inc. presents Scramble Fore Scholarships, Justin Sportsmedicine Team and co-presents Justin Mutton Bustin’® and Calf Scramble • Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP Scholarship Programs • Mattress Firm® presents Bull Riding, Rodeo Replay and Petting Zoo • Michelob Ultra® Roadhouse and Busch Light® Chuck Wagon Sponsor • National Farm Life Insurance presents Poultry, Pigeon and Rabbit shows • North Texas Tollway Authority presents TollTag Tuesdays • R. Watson Boots presents Tie-Down Roping • Standard Meat presents High School BBQ Competition • Sundance Square presents Contestant interviews and Rodeo Countdown • Oncor presents Mobile Jumbotron • PlainsCapital Bank presents Bulls’ Night Out • Texas Department of Agriculture presents GO TEXAN Market • Texas Farm Bureau Insurance® sponsors Doorways to Agriculture produced by Texas Farm Bureau® • Texas Health Chuck Wagon Sponsor • Texas Hot Tub Company supports International Wine, Shooting Sports and High School BBQ Competition • Texas Mutual Insurance Co. co-presents Calf Scramble • TX Whiskey presents Saddle Bronc Riding • UMB Bank presents Team Roping and Heifer Superintendent’s Beef Challenge • Visit Fort Worth presents Music Experience • Zimmerer Kubota presenting sponsor Rodeo Tractor Drag
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