Week of March 1, 2026
The early months of the year used to be a quiet stretch in professional rodeo. The trucks were parked, the arenas rested, and cowboys took a breath after the National Finals Rodeo.
Those days are mostly gone.
Indoor winter rodeos have transformed the sport’s calendar, giving fans the chance to watch the best cowboys and cowgirls almost every weekend somewhere in the country. A prime example is RodeoHouston, which kicked off this week and will host 18 performances and a total purse exceeding $2.5 million over the month.
Make the championship round and the payday gets serious. First place in each event pays $140,000, while even 10th place still pockets $2,500.
In other words, rodeo isn’t just a lifestyle anymore. It’s big business.
With that momentum rolling, here’s a look at the Top 5 PRCA and WPRA contestants in each event this week, according to the latest standings highlighted on the Territorial Rodeo Update with Derek Beck.
**standings as of 3/3/2026**
Bareback Riding
The bareback riding race is shaping up to be a battle of consistency early in the season.
-
Wacey Schalla – Oklahoma
-
Jacob Lees – Idaho
-
Bradlee Miller – Texas
-
R.C. Landingham – California
-
Cooper Cooke – Idaho
One name missing from the top five for now is reigning world champion Rocker Steiner, currently sitting 23rd. But Steiner has already won three of his last four rounds, and after taking a short break following the National Finals Rodeo, expect his name to start climbing the leaderboard soon.
Steer Wrestling
Momentum is swinging toward one of the sport’s most consistent bulldoggers.
-
Tyler Waguespack – Louisiana
-
Stetson Jorgensen – Idaho
-
Bridger Anderson – North Dakota
-
Justin Shaffer – Texas
-
Tyke Kipp – New Mexico
Waguespack surged into the top spot thanks to strong performances at San Antonio, Mississippi rodeos and early rounds at RodeoHouston. Just outside the Top 5 sits Minnesota’s JD Struxness, currently sixth.
Team Roping – Headers
The header race features a mix of veterans and rising talent.
-
Kaleb Driggers – Georgia
-
Corben Cullen – Iowa
-
Lightning Aguilera – Texas
-
Tyler Tryan – Texas
-
Cory Kidd – North Carolina
Team Roping – Heelers
The heeler standings feature a sizable early lead at the top.
-
Trent Vaught – Arkansas
-
Junior Nunes Nogueira – Brazil
-
Ross Ashford – Texas
-
Carson Johnson – Wyoming
-
Will Woodfin – Texas
Vaught currently holds roughly an $8,000 lead over Nogueira in the early-season standings.
Saddle Bronc Riding
The legendary Wright family is making its presence felt again in the bronc riding race.
-
Rusty Wright – Utah
-
Wyatt Casper – Texas
-
Stetson Wright – Utah
-
Chase Brooks – Montana
-
Kade Bruno – Idaho
Another Wright brother, Ryder Wright, sits just outside the Top 5 in eighth place, meaning the family could soon have multiple bronc riders crowding the standings.
Tie-Down Roping
The tie-down race features a strong group of champions and contenders.
-
Kincade Henry – Texas
-
Haven Meged – Montana
-
Riley Webb – Texas
-
John Douch – Texas
-
Marty Yates – Texas
Meged currently trails Henry by roughly $26,000, but with major rodeos like Houston still unfolding, that margin could tighten quickly.
Barrel Racing
The women’s standings remain extremely tight near the top.
-
Kassie Mowry – Oklahoma
-
Acey Pinkston – Texas
-
Tricia Aldridge – Texas
-
Gracen Harman – Texas
-
Blake Molle – Texas
Mowry is attempting to pull away, but the next four competitors are all within about $3,000, making barrel racing one of the most competitive events on the circuit right now.
Bull Riding
The bull riding race features a familiar name on top.
-
Mason Moody – South Dakota
-
Boudreaux Campbell – Texas
-
Tristen Hutchings – Idaho
-
Luke Mackey – Colorado
-
Cooper James – Utah
Also lurking is Stetson Wright, currently eighth in the world and gaining momentum as the big winter rodeos continue.
Looking Ahead
With massive purses on the line at winter rodeos like Houston, the standings could shift quickly over the next few weeks. For now, though, these cowboys and cowgirls hold the early advantage as the 2026 rodeo season builds steam.
The Territorial Rodeo Update with Derek Beck airs weekly across more than 60 radio stations throughout the Midwest and Great Plains.