DENVER —
The early-season picture in professional rodeo is beginning to take shape as athletes stack earnings following the opening weeks of the 2026 campaign.
The National Western Stock Show launched its 120th edition on Saturday, Jan. 10, marking both a historic milestone and a major early stop on the road to the National Finals Rodeo. The event also unveiled The Legacy, a new four-story, 115,000-square-foot headquarters for the Western Stock Show Association, cementing the National Western’s long-term role as a cornerstone of Colorado’s livestock and rodeo traditions.
The Denver rodeo features 16 performances running through Friday, Jan. 23, and is one of the first major competitions impacting standings in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.
With competitors also fanning out to early-season stops such as the Sandhills Rodeo in Odessa, Texas, points and prize money remain tightly bunched across several events.
Bareback riding
Huntsville, Texas, cowboy Bradlee Miller sits atop the standings, followed by Luke Thrash and Mason Stuller. Dean Thompson ranks fourth, with Nick Pelke rounding out the top five. Nebraska’s Garrett Shadbolt is just outside the top five in sixth place.
Steer wrestling
Indiana’s Shayde Tree Etheron leads the bulldogging race, with Florida’s Clayton Culligan in second. Rowdy Parrott is third, followed by Jesse Brown and Garrett Stevens in fourth and fifth, respectively.
Team roping
On the header side, Garrett Tonozzi leads Kevin Daniel, with Brenten Hall in third. Blair, Nebraska, cowboy Mitch Barney sits fourth, while South Dakota’s Logan Olson holds fifth. The top five are separated by less than $3,000.
On the heeler side, Parker Carabajal leads the standings, followed by Kaden Profili. South Dakota’s Jade Nelson ranks third, Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, cowboy Butch Levell is fourth, and Chase Graves rounds out the top five.
Saddle bronc riding
Texas cowboy Wyatt Casper sits in first place, with Montana’s Chase Brooks second. Rusty Wright ranks third, followed by Wyoming’s Brody Wells and Kade Bruno in fourth and fifth.
Tie-down roping
Bryce Derrer and Blaine Cox occupy the top two spots, separated by less than $200. Chet Weitz is third, Illinois cowboy Coltin Rauch fourth, and Brey Yore fifth.
Barrel racing
In the WPRA barrel racing standings, Gracen Harman leads the field. Kathy Grimes, Tricia Aldridge, Morgan Bagnell and Makenna Shook follow closely behind, occupying second through fifth.
Bull riding
While many top bull riders are expected to begin their seasons later at major events such as Houston, the early standings are led by Huntsville, Texas, cowboy Bryce Jensen. Trent Ferreira sits second, followed by Colton Coffman of Lusk, Wyoming, in third. Jestyn Woodward of Custer, South Dakota, is fourth, with Utah’s Cooper James rounding out the top five.
The weekly standings were featured on the Territorial Rodeo Update with Derek Beck.
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