North Platte, Ne – For nearly 50 years, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association has been headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where the PRCA Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy opened in 1979 and became a home for the sport’s modern history.
Now, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association is taking a serious look at what comes next.
Cheyenne, Wyoming, where rodeo is officially recognized as the state’s professional sport, has emerged as a leading contender should the organization relocate. The proposal includes a purpose-built campus with space for both administrative offices and a new Hall of Fame, along with upgraded conference facilities. Supporters of the move point to Cheyenne’s central location in the West, a business-friendly environment and a community where western heritage remains part of daily life.
PRCA leadership has emphasized that the discussion is not about abandoning the past in Colorado Springs, but about positioning the organization for the future of professional rodeo. Any potential move would follow additional evaluation and formal approvals.
While those conversations continue, the Territorial Rodeo Update returned to its roots this week with a special focus on top competitors from the program’s original seven-state territory, highlighting athletes who continue to make an impact early in the season.
- In bareback riding, Nebraska’s Garrett Shadbolt sat fifth in the world standings, joined by North Dakota’s Clay Jorgensen in 19th and South Dakota’s Shane O’Connell in 26th.
- The bulldogging race featured North Dakotans Seth Peterson and Rope Smith at 11th and 17th, with Wyoming’s Payden McIntyre close behind in 21st.
- Team roping from the territory remained competitive across both ends of the rope. On the header side, Wyoming’s Kellan Johnson ranked 10th, followed by Nebraska’s Mitch Barney in 13th and South Dakota’s Logan Olson in 14th. Among the heelers, Colorado’s Trey Yates stood fourth in the world, with Wyoming’s Carson Johnson ninth and South Dakota’s Jade Nelson 12th.
- Wyoming cowboy Brody Wells led the territory in saddle bronc riding at fourth overall, with Colorado’s Coleman Shallbetter ninth and Missouri’s Blake Steuch 13th.
- In tie-down roping, Missouri’s Tom Crouse checked in at 12th, Kansas’ Luke Potter at 17th and Nebraska’s Riley Pruitt at 29th after a recent National Finals Rodeo appearance.
- The women’s barrel racing standings saw Colorado’s C.J. Vondette leading the territory at 24th, followed by Kansas’ Chelsea Moore in 27th and South Dakota’s Summer Kosel in 28th.
- Bull riding proved to be the strongest event for territorial competitors, with Kansas’ Colton Byram third in the world, Wyoming’s Colton Coffman fourth and South Dakota’s Mason Moody fifth.