It is crunch time in the PRCA and Stetson Wright has a giant lead in the AA race with over $300,000 won as of mid-July. He is way ahead of Wacey Schalla, who is about $120,000 behind him; however, Wacey is sidelined with injuries and will be out of competition for some time. Money earned in most of the events seems to be way up, plus we are seeing a lot of new names on the winners’ lists these days. Every so often we see a changing of the guard, so to speak, in who is in the running for the coveted Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, and this is going to be one of those years with many rookies bringing on their skills to make the big show. Records have been broken in many events with the close of the 2026 season soon (September 30).
Team Roping has a large list of new competitors that are in the top 20 as of this writing and are making a bid for their first NFR. The team of Korbin Rice and Cooper Freeman are having some kind of year by claiming the Houston title and adding Calgary Stampede to their success stories of 2026. This has put them at the top of the Bill Fick World Standings at this point. Not bad for a team that has never been to the WNFR. I would say that there is a pretty good chance that we will be seeing them there in December with a serious shot at a world title.
Many names that we are used to seeing in the top 50 at this time of year are not present. Many names that we have just assumed would be in the top 50 at this point are not. Some guys are just not winning, and there are a few who felt that, given their age and the high cost of travel this year, maybe this was the time to stay closer to home and family. Team Roping has come so far in the past few years that the talent list in this event is stronger than ever before. Many of the young ropers have come up through the ranks of the association jackpot competition as well as college rodeo and have decided to hit the road and take a shot at the big leagues. I will have to say that they couldn’t have chosen a more expensive year to travel, with the cost in every factor being above normal. About the only thing that is not higher is hay. A tip of my RESISTOL to those that give the effort to try and make the WNFR.
It is awesome to see the talent of Taylor Santos coming to the top in the Steer Roping Standings. As of this writing, he is in second place behind World Champion Cole Patterson. Taylor has shown his skill in this event by making the Steer Roping Finals three times previously. It is also one of his strongest events when competing in the Timed Event Championship (Iron Man), which he won in 2023 and 2026. Taylor has also been to the WNFR in the Tie Down Roping twice and is an avid contender in the Team Roping event at both ends.
Was sad to hear of Walt Woodard getting his thumb in his dally recently, and hopefully he is doing well. He is a great champion and mentor of team roping to many. He has taught schools all over the world, and at the age of 70 is still displaying tremendous talent in the toughest of competitions. My thoughts and prayers go out to a speedy recovery for this icon. Most guys his age are tied on and limit themselves to Senior ropings. Not Walt, as he holds his own amongst the top ropers in the open competitions today. Heal fast, Champ.
I am headed to Colorado Springs for the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame inductions in July. Among those being inducted is Jeff Medders, who has been a longtime friend of mine and is also in the commentary line of work. Jeff has been a mainstay in the business for years and has shared the mic with co-host Butch Knowles at many of the major telecasts. Others to be recognized this year at the Hall are: Rodeo San Angelo Rodeo Committee; Butch Myers, Steer Wrestling; Jerome Davis, Bull Riding; Killer Bee, Livestock; Ike Sankey, Stock Contractor; Keith Isley, Contract Personnel; Bobby Goodspeed, Notable; Maryl Burger, Barrel Racing; Loretta Mamuel, Barrel Racing. Troy Weekley will receive the Ken Stemler Pioneer Award. Congratulations to all of the inductees.
I was saddened by the passing of Dick Yates, father of J.D. and Kelley Yates and grandfather to Trey. Dick was very supportive of the BFI and attended the first one and many more. In the early 70’s I was introduced to Dick by the late E.V. Dorsey, who had convinced me to go to Colorado and introduce Ropers Sports News to the ropers from that area. Butch and Charlene Morgan were my first road employees, and they were from Colorado, so it seemed fitting. Dick was very supportive of the first team roping publication and helped introduce me around the state at the many jackpot arenas. He was a great horseman and a winner. Always a gentleman, he would accommodate you any way he could to help you out. I will never forget when Dick and J.D. showed up at a roping with a new camper on their pick-up. It had a state-of-the-art pop-up camper, and Dick was quite proud of it! When it was in the stowaway travel mode, it had way less wind resistance. On its maiden voyage, Dick and J.D. popped up their new camper and prepared to set up camp. Somehow there was a propane leak, and when they lit the stove, the thing exploded. It looked like a Jiffy Pop container! Fortunately, no one was seriously injured. RIP, Champ.
Safe travels to all of you, and best of luck if you are competing.
Sincere thank you to RSN owner and publisher, Dee Yates, for letting me write a few words for her publication.
Bob Feist founded Ropers Sports News in 1968, making it the first team roping publication, and he created the Bob Feist Invitational, one of the most prestigious team ropings in the world. He continues to write his column, A Letter From Bob, in every issue of the magazine.
The 2026 PRCA regular season closes on September 30, with the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo following in December in Las Vegas.
As of mid-July, Stetson Wright held a large lead in the all-around race with more than $300,000 won, roughly $120,000 ahead of Wacey Schalla, who was sidelined with injuries.
Korbin Rice and Cooper Freeman sat atop the Bill Fick World Standings after winning both the Houston title and the Calgary Stampede, a strong showing for a team that has not yet qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
The 2026 class includes Jeff Medders, the Rodeo San Angelo Rodeo Committee, Butch Myers in steer wrestling, Jerome Davis in bull riding, Killer Bee in livestock, Ike Sankey as stock contractor, Keith Isley in contract personnel, Bobby Goodspeed as a notable, and Maryl Burger and Loretta Mamuel in barrel racing. Troy Weekley received the Ken Stemler Pioneer Award.
