OGALLALA, Neb. — Rodeo’s grand theater of grit and horsepower continues to draw record crowds nationwide, fueled by a blend of Western heritage, prime-time pop culture and, above all, star power inside the arena.
This week’s Territorial Rodeo Update spotlighted another milestone for Utah’s Stetson Wright, who recently surpassed $4 million in career earnings, becoming just the second cowboy in history to reach the mark. Only rodeo legend Trevor Brazile, with more than $7 million in earnings, stands ahead of him on the all-time list.
Major rodeos in Sioux City, Iowa; Tucson, Arizona; and Grand Island, Nebraska, are helping shape this week’s leaderboard across events.
Here’s a breakdown of the current Top 5 in each category: Next week on the program, Derek talks with new number 1 in the bull riding, Mason Moody.
Bareback Riding
-
Wacey Schalla
-
Bradlee Miller
-
Jacob Lees
-
R.C. Landingham
-
Tilden Hooper
Schalla and Miller remain locked in one of the tightest battles in professional rodeo, separated by less than the price of a decent pair of boots.
Steer Wrestling (Bulldogging)
-
Bridger Anderson (North Dakota)
-
Justin Shaffer
-
Tyke Kipp
-
Trisyn Kalawaia
-
Stetson Jorgensen
Team Roping — Headers
-
Corben Culley (Iowa)
-
Tanner Tomlinson
-
Dustin Egusquiza
-
Jake Clay
-
Jet Toberer
Arthur, Nebraska’s Jhett Trenary currently sits sixth, just outside the Top 5.
Team Roping — Heelers
-
Trent Vaught
-
Will Woodfin
-
J.C. Flake
-
Jake Edwards
-
Coleby Payne
Saddle Bronc Riding
-
Rusty Wright
-
Wyatt Casper
-
Chase Brooks
-
Gus Gaillard
-
Brody Wells (Wyoming)
Wright, the eldest of the Wright brothers, holds a commanding $14,000 lead heading into the weekend slate.
Tie-Down Roping
-
Kincade Henry
-
Haven Meged
-
Marty Yates
-
Blane Cox
-
Riley Webb
The Texas contingent remains strong in the event, though Meged continues to apply pressure near the top.
Barrel Racing
-
Kassie Mowry
-
Hailey Kinsel
-
Gracen Harman
-
Tricia Aldridge
-
Makenzie Mayes
Bull Riding
-
Mason Moody (Letcher, South Dakota)
-
Luke Mackey (Colorado)
-
Lane Vaughan
-
Bryce Jensen
-
Stetson Wright
Moody claims the No. 1 ranking in bull riding for the first time in his career, marking a milestone moment for the South Dakota cowboy. Mackey sits close behind, while Wright continues to climb in multiple events.
With earnings races tightening and marquee rodeos stacking up on the calendar, the 2026 season is already shaping into a sprint rather than a jog.
The Territorial Rodeo Update airs across multiple radio stations throughout the Great Plains and is available on Facebook and major podcast platforms.
(Cowboys/Ladies in Parenthesis, are from the “Territory”)