Greetings from the rodeo trail! Here’s a look back at our “Rodeo Road Trip” travels through a record-breaking March:
Cinch Timed Event Championship – Guthrie, Okla.
The Cowboy Crew was onsite at the Lazy E Arena for the 2026 Cinch Timed Event Championship. Known in the prorodeo world as “The Ironman,” this event is a true throwback to the era of the cowboy who could do it all. It’s a grueling test of skill where each contestant must compete in all five timed events in every round: heading, tie-down, heeling, steer wrestling, and steer roping.
Over three days and five rounds, a stellar field of 25 athletes—including World and Ironman Champions—battled for the title. When the dust settled, 31-year-old Taylor Santos captured his second Ironman title (his first was in 2020), walking away with the $100,000 winner’s check.
The Next Generation: Running alongside the main event, 10 of rodeo’s “young guns” competed for bragging rights in the Jr. Ironman. Congratulations to Illinois cowboy Leo Loucks for capturing the Jr. Ironman title and a $20,000 payday.
For three days and eight performances, we were proud to have a front-row seat. The Cinch Timed Event and The Museum share a common mission: preserving the history of our sport while celebrating today’s stars.
Trail Notes
- Hall of Fame Connections: Four TEC legends, representing 16 of the event’s 42 historical titles, are enshrined in the National Rodeo Hall of Fame: Leo Camarillo (1985, 1989); Paul Tierney (1987, 1991, 1997, 2000); Jimmie Cooper (1988, 1992, 1994); and Trevor Brazile (1998, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009).
- Diverse Audience: The CTEC is unique in that its fan base is spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with many fans making travel plans a year in advance.
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
This stop was hard to encompass… the numbers are mind-boggling, and the energy is something you truly need to experience to understand. I’ll “boggle” you with the stats in a moment, but what left the deepest impression was the volunteers.
RodeoHouston, the rodeo with the largest total payout outside of the NFR, boasts a massive $2,533,500 purse. They pull off a 21-day run with the help of 36,000 volunteers. Every single one we encountered was smiling, happy to serve, and made the experience better.
Highlights of our trip included a behind-the-scenes tour by Lifetime Vice President Curtis Clerkley, and attending the reception honoring the 2026 RodeoHouston Hall of Fame inductees: the legendary National Rodeo Hall of Famer Ty Murray and Bodacious (Andrews Rodeo Company).
- The Four Pillars of HLSR: Agriculture, Education, Entertainment and Western Heritage.
- By the Numbers: 36,000 Volunteers; 109 Committees; 2,621,765 in total attendance; $30,353,380 committed to Texas youth; 33,513 Livestock Show entries; and 3,800 kids participating in Mutton Bustin’.
Rodeo Austin
While the city itself is transitioning toward a more urban feel, Rodeo Austin celebrates roots firmly established in the Western world. Austin rolled out a big Texas welcome, from lunch at the famous Guero’s Taco Bar on South Congress to dinner in The Founder’s Club prior to the rodeo.
We always love bumping into National Rodeo Hall of Famers on the road. We caught up with Bennie Beutler (Beutler & Son Rodeo), who was serving as the Rodeo Austin Chute Boss. A major highlight was witnessing brothers-in-law Dustin Egusquiza and JC Flake set a new PRCA team roping world record of 2.9 seconds! There was a palpable moment of silence as the arena collectively stared at the Jumbotron before the place absolutely erupted.
- Rodeo Austin Mission: To grow the next generation… it’s in our roots! (Since 1938).
- Did You Know? Some downtown Austin hotels have a “Boots to Borrow” program, offering visitors a complimentary pair of stylish cowboy boots to “strut in” while exploring the city.
Bob Feist Invitational, Guthrie, OK
We ended the month right back where we started: the Lazy E Arena for the Bob Feist Invitational. Seven days of the biggest names in team roping, horsepower that would make any horseman weep with envy, and millions in payouts. And of course, we would be remiss in recognizing Bob Feist as a National Rodeo Hall of Famer.
In conjunction with the BFI, the Lazy E celebrated the grand opening of the Equinety Center, a 30,000-square-foot multipurpose space designed to expand the future of equine excellence. The Cowboy Crew was privileged to play a small part in this development by creating the 36-foot timeline highlighting the Lazy E’s historic rise. Positioned at the intersection of the arena and the new center, it serves as a powerful reminder of where they began and where they are headed.
- Did You Know? From 1984 through 2019, the BFI was held in Reno, Nevada. During the 2020 pandemic, it moved to the Lazy E Arena and found its new home.
- Fast Fact: The BFI is often called “The Feist,” and it remains one of the most prestigious open team roping events in the world, known for its long scores and hard-running steers that truly test a header’s reach and a heeler’s timing.
What’s Next?
After that whirlwind of a March, a nap sounds pretty good! But the Cowboy Crew is already gearing up for the Western Heritage Awards, April 10 – 11. Often referred to as the “Oscars of the West,” this year’s awards have distinct ties to the rodeo world.
- “Boley Rides Again” is this year’s honoree for Western Lifestyle Magazine Article. Caleb Gayle tells the sweeping story of Boley, Oklahoma—a once-thriving all-Black town—and its historic rodeo’s fight to keep their shared heritage alive. Established in 1903, Boley Rodeo is recognized as the oldest Black rodeo in the country. This year, the Museum is hosting the inaugural Boley Rodeo Day on May 22. (More info to come on this!)
- “Break-A-Wave: A Cal Poly Rodeo Documentary” is the honoree for Film/Television, Western Lifestyle. This powerful documentary by Makeline Productions follows the Cal Poly Rodeo Team as they produce a one-of-a-kind rodeo on Pismo Beach. It’s a story of academic excellence, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bonds of a team. I met Coach Ben Londo at the NFR watch party in Las Vegas, so stay tuned for a dedicated “Postcards From The Rodeo” post later this year featuring the Break-A-Wave Rodeo!
I hope to see you down the rodeo trail,
Joey
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