By Derek Beck, Territorial Rodeo Update
The biggest story in professional rodeo this week isn’t who won a rodeo. It’s who won’t be competing for the foreseeable future.
Defending PRCA Bareback Riding World Champion Rocker Steiner is expected to miss approximately three months after undergoing neck surgery, creating a major shakeup at the top of the world standings just as outdoor rodeo season begins to heat up.
Steiner has been one of rodeo’s most dominant competitors over the past two seasons. The Texas cowboy rewrote the record books in 2025, earning a bareback riding record $507,533 on his way to a world championship. He carried that momentum into 2026 and currently sits atop the PRCA world standings with more than $122,000 in earnings, including a massive $72,750 payday at RodeoHouston.
His absence opens the door for the rest of the field as contestants begin the long summer push toward National Finals Rodeo qualification.
Bradlee Miller currently sits second in the standings, while Wacey Schalla remains within striking distance. Jacob Lees and Leighton Berry round out this week’s Top 5 in bareback riding. With Steiner sidelined, the race for the gold buckle suddenly became much more interesting.
While Steiner’s injury dominated rodeo conversations this week, action continued across the country. One of the standout performances came at the Xtreme Bulls event in Palmer, Alaska, where Colorado bull rider Luke Mackey split the average title with rookie sensation Mossy Waite.
Waite continues to gain attention throughout rodeo circles and looks poised to become one of the sport’s rising stars in the years ahead.
Several major rodeos are on tap this weekend, including McKinney, Texas; Heritage, Utah; and the Navajo Nation Rodeo in Arizona. Meanwhile, Territorial Rodeo Update will be on location at Adrenaline Rush, the Indian National Finals Rodeo Tour event in North Platte, Nebraska.
The battle for the top spot in steer wrestling remains one of the closest races in rodeo. Tyler Waguespack and Holden Myers continue their season-long duel atop the standings, followed by Mike McGinn, Stetson Jorgensen and Tyke Kipp.
Team roping saw little movement this week. Korbin Rice continues to lead the headers, with Kaleb Driggers, Jake Smith, Tanner Tomlinson and Dustin Egusquiza completing the Top 5. On the heeler side, Cooper Freeman remains No. 1, followed by Junior Nogueira, Douglas Rich, J.C. Flake and Ross Ashford.
In saddle bronc riding, Rusty Wright maintains roughly a $5,000 lead over brother Stetson Wright. Chase Brooks, Kade Bruno and Damian Brennan continue to chase the Wright brothers as the summer season gains momentum.
Tie-down roping remains heavily influenced by Texas talent. Riley Webb leads the standings, with fellow Texans Kincade Henry, John Douch and Joel Harris holding four of the Top 5 positions. California’s Bruston Minton remains third.
In barrel racing, reigning world champion Kassie Mowry continues to lead the way. LaTricia Duke sits second, while Emily Beisel, Hayle Gibson-Stillwell and Hailey Kinsel round out the Top 5.
Bull riding remains a tightly contested battle. Idaho’s Tristen Hutchings leads the standings ahead of Stetson Wright, Noah Lee and Jake Gardner. Mackey’s strong showing in Alaska vaulted him back into the Top 5 this week.
With Cowboy Christmas now just weeks away and the outdoor rodeo season officially underway, every dollar earned becomes increasingly important. And with Steiner sidelined, one of the biggest questions in rodeo now becomes who will capitalize on the opportunity his absence creates.