2026 Ariat WSTR Title Fights XVI

2026 Ariat WSTR Title Fights XVI — Rancho Rio, Wickenburg, Arizona  

The Team Roping Capital of the World lived up to its name when Yost Events Inc. brought the Ariat World Series of Team Roping Title Fights XVI to Rancho Rio in Wickenburg, Arizona, February 11–14, 2026. Nearly two million dollars — $1,980,600 to be exact — was distributed across eleven divisions over four days of fierce competition, dual-arena action, and the kind of roping that makes Wickenburg winters legendary. Ropers came from across the country to back into the box at one of the most anticipated qualifiers on the WSTR calendar, and the cattle were good, the competition was salty, and the checks were big. Here’s how it all shook out. 

#15.5 WS Qual 

Teagan Bentley, Casper, WY, and Trae Smith, Georgetown, ID, took home the title and $25,020 on a time of 28.47 on four head. Matt Sherwood, Pima, AZ, and Tucker White, Hershey, NE, finished second at 28.62 on four for $17,440, followed by Bill Cody Odell, Liberty, TX, and Whip Peterson, San Simon, AZ, in third at 29.55 on four for $12,880. Blair Lammers, Hartford, SD, and Tel Sorenson, Watford City, ND, took fourth at 30.33 on four for $9,100, and Russell Cardoza, Terrebonne, OR, and Cole Sherwood, San Tan Valley, AZ, rounded out the top five at 30.39 on four for $6,820. 

#14.5 WS Qual 

Chase Massengill, Santa Fe, NM, and Paul Brashears, Casa Grande, AZ, won the 14.5 with a time of 28.21 on four head and a $39,020 payday. Houston Thomas, Wallsburg, UT, and Kory Mytty, Lolo, MT, ran second at 28.43 on four for $29,260, with Blair Lammers, Hartford, SD, and Daniel Castorena, Buckeye, AZ, placing third at 28.89 on four for $21,140. Jake Barnes, Wickenburg, AZ, and Lucas Cruz, Rupert, ID, finished fourth at 29.23 on four for $17,880, and Jarett Warner, Congress, AZ, and Cinch Penrod, West Weber, UT, came in fifth at 29.27 on four for $14,640. 

#13.5 WS Qual 

Brothers Logan Vanderhamm and Jhett Vanderhamm, both of Ingalls, KS, took the 13.5 title with a time of 28.59 on four head, earning $45,040. Kayson Shahan, Pagosa Springs, CO, and Calvin H Taylor, Canutillo, TX, finished second at 30.84 on four for $33,280, followed by Jake Barnes, Wickenburg, AZ, and Nick Coats, Bronte, TX, in third at 31.36 on four for $23,500. Fourth place was a tie at 31.38 on four between Dale Whitlow, San Tan Valley, AZ, and Tyler Whitlow, Kimberly, ID, and Ken Matheson, Mesa, AZ, and Nick Sarchett, Phoenix, AZ, each earning $18,600. 

Cactus #12.5 WS Qual 

Brad Moreno, Casa Grande, AZ, and Chilly Hernandez, Animas, NM, claimed the 12.5 crown with a time of 32.98 on four head for $45,300. Kyle Lincoln, Pearce, AZ, and Taylor Mitchell, Midland, TX, were right on their heels in second at 33.02 on four for $33,500, with Witt Crowser, New Underwood, SD, and Lane Krutzfeldt, Powderville, MT, placing third at 33.4 on four for $23,640. Will James Centoni, San Simeon, CA, and Tucker Donlon, Santa Maria, CA, finished fourth at 33.77 on four for $19,700, and Jake Barnes, Wickenburg, AZ, and Dennis Gatz, Vail, AZ, rounded out the top five at 33.82 on four for $17,740. 

#11.5 WS Qual 

Treg Thorstenson, Lantry, SD, and Kash Reynolds, Rozet, WY, topped the 11.5 with a time of 30.86 on four head and a $47,820 check. Bobby Simmons, Midland, TX, and Nick Coats, Bronte, TX, placed second at 31.46 on four for $36,960, followed by Robert L II Martinez, Stanley, NM, and Justin R Smith, Carpenter, WY, in third at 31.61 on four for $26,080. Edgar Torres and Brady Black, Kimberly, ID, finished fourth at 33.57 on four for $19,560, and Witt Crowser, New Underwood, SD, and Rio Nutter, Rapid City, SD, came in fifth at 34.46 on four for $17,400. 

Resistol #10.5 WS Qual 

Ronnie Robinson, Orlando, OK, and Ryon Boatright, Seminole, OK, won the 10.5 with a time of 34.08 on four head, taking home $53,900. Remington Peck, Hooper, UT, and Garrett Riding, St George, UT, finished second at 34.49 on four for $41,660, with David LeBaron, El Paso, TX, and Edgar Eduardo Nevarez placing third at 35.55 on four for $29,400. Steve Smith, Wickenburg, AZ, and Russ Gentry, Sulphur, OK, took fourth at 35.71 on four for $22,040, and Kody Chapman, Rock Springs, WY, and Jace Hildreth, Wittmann, AZ, rounded out the top five at 35.94 on four for $19,600. 

#10.5 Legends 

George Aros, Picacho, AZ, and Dennis Gatz, Vail, AZ, won the Legends division with a time of 33.28 on four head for $23,700. Gary H. Crispe, Keenesburg, CO, and Matt Scogin, Frierson, LA, placed second at 36.61 on four for $16,520, followed by Dan S Borrego, Aguilar, CO, and Benjie Lopez, Las Vegas, NM, in third at 37.23 on four for $12,200. Kevin Huddleston, Memphis, TX, and Travis Patterson, Spearman, TX, finished fourth at 37.86 on four for $8,620, and Casey Lambert, El Paso, TX, and Tony Sandoval, Organ, NM, came in fifth at 39.7 on four for $6,460. 

#9.5 WS Qual 

Siblings Sherina Singer, Winslow, AZ, and Cy Singer, Flagstaff, AZ, made it a family affair in the 9.5, winning on a time of 39.45 on four head for $52,220. Ronnie Robinson, Orlando, OK, and Philip Teague, Rattan, OK, finished second at 39.92 on four for $40,360, with Ricardo Orozco, Rifle, CO, and Jesús Antonio De la Torre Soto placing third at 40.58 on four for $28,480. Butch Wilford, Tucson, AZ, and Evan Leiber, Tucson, AZ, took fourth at 40.86 on four for $21,360, and Nikkie Miller Black, Congress, AZ, and Tim Black, Boise, ID, rounded out the top five at 41.23 on four for $19,000. 

#8.5 WS Qual 

Stevie King, Alma, AR, and Donnie Leflett, Benton, LA, claimed the biggest individual payday of the event, winning the 8.5 with a time of 39.58 on four head for $67,620. Nikkie Miller Black, Congress, AZ, and Josh Longwell, Thermopolis, WY, finished second at 40.43 on four for $52,260, followed by Johnny P Garcia, Bernalillo, NM, and Lonnie Wright, Moriarty, NM, in third at 41.26 on four for $36,880. Courtney Smith, Ben Wheeler, TX, and Chad Mathis, Van, TX, took fourth at 42.9 on four for $27,660, and Harlan Bellander, Coolidge, AZ, and Clark Victory, Chelsea, OK, rounded out the top five at 42.97 on four for $24,600. 

#7.5 WS Qual 

Nick Penrod, Thatcher, AZ, and Pecos Cook, Culbertson, MT, won the 7.5 going away, posting a time of 27.05 on three head for $40,000. Bobby Hull, Brodhead, WI, and Jerry Bliss, Ellisville, MO, placed second at 32.1 on three for $27,680, with Steve Hinson, Jonesboro, AR, and Earl Higgins, Phoenix, AZ, finishing third at 33.76 on three for $21,540. John Theiler, Bosque Farms, NM, and Manuel Gonzalez, Magnolia, TX, took fourth at 36.34 on three for $16,900, and Forde Wakley, Lyman, WY, and Jodi Hill, Kremmling, CO, came in fifth at 37.71 on three for $13,840. 

Open WS Qual 

Brayden Schmidt, Benton City, WA, and Nano Garza, Las Cruces, NM, closed out the event in style, winning the Open on a time of 28.94 on four head for $14,640. Devon McDaniel, Caldwell, ID, and Whip Peterson, San Simon, AZ, finished second at 29.29 on four for $10,980, with the brother-and-sister Arizona team of Wawa Ben and Brandon K Ben, both of Peridot, placing third at 30.24 on four for $7,320. Clayton VanAken, Yoder, WY, and Brock Grashuis, Broken Bow, OK, and Carson Coffelt, Ponce De Leon, MO, and Trey Yates, Pueblo, CO, tied for fourth at 30.65 on four, each earning $1,830. 

For complete results from all divisions, visit wstroping.com.