2025 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo: Champions Crowned in Dickies Arena
The Arena Press
The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo once again delivered an unforgettable display of grit, talent, and high-stakes competition. With over $1.5 million in prize money, the FWSSR ProRodeo Tournament brought the best in the sport to Dickies Arena, where cowboys and cowgirls battled through brackets, wild card rounds, and semifinals to reach the coveted Championship Finals. The 2025 edition was nothing short of spectacular, featuring thrilling matchups, record-breaking rides, and career-defining victories.
Statler Wright is hoping to be the next member of his famous saddle bronc riding family to win a title at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo (FWSSR). After having the high score in round one of Bracket 5, he rode again on Saturday morning and scored 87 points on Calgary Stampede’s Zorta Proud. He will return to Dickies Arena for the Semi-Finals of the FWSSR ProRodeo Tournament. FWSSR photo by James Phifer.
Maverick Potter’s Perfect Run in Bull Riding
The biggest money winner of the rodeo was Maverick Potter, a Texas cowboy whose flawless four-for-four performance set him apart in bull riding. The Waxahachie native has seen his share of ups and downs over the past few seasons, but his 2025 Fort Worth win could be a game-changer. Potter was the only rider in the field to cover all four of his bulls, culminating in an 89.5-point ride on Sutton Rodeo’s Mr. Demon to secure the $20,000 championship check. His total earnings of $30,333 skyrocketed him in the PRCA world standings, putting him back on track for a return to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in December.
Maverick Potter from Waxahachie, Texas, was the only bull rider at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo’s ProRodeo Tournament to have four successful rides. His biggest came at the Championship Finals on Saturday night in Dickies Arena when he scored 89.5 points on Sutton Rodeo’s Mr. Demon for the title. He earned a total of $30,333 during this year’s competition. FWSSR photo by James Phifer
Shad Mayfield Goes Back-to-Back in Tie-Down Roping
Defending FWSSR tie-down roping championShad Mayfield proved once again why he is one of the sport’s best. The 2020 PRCA world champion and reigning All-Around World Champion kept his momentum rolling with a lightning-fast 7.6-second run in the finals to claim his second consecutive Fort Worth title. The victory not only padded his 2025 earnings with $28,433, but it also kept him in strong contention for another NFR qualification as he looks to reclaim the gold buckle in tie-down roping.
Shad Mayfield is the only contestant to win back-to-back titles at the 2025 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. The Clovis, New Mexico native won the tie-down roping in 2024 and again in 2025. This year’s title came with a 7.6-second run in Dickies Arena on Saturday night. The reigning all-around world champion added $28,433 to his earnings. FWSSR photo by James Phifer
Andrea Busby and ‘Derby’ Set the Dirt on Fire
Barrel racing fans witnessed a blazing-fast run from Andrea Busby and her standout mare, Born on Derby Day (better known as “Derby”). The Brock, Texas, cowgirl delivered a championship-worthy performance, stopping the clock at 16.16 seconds—the fastest time of the rodeo. With $27,700 in earnings, Busby’s FWSSR victory adds momentum to what could be another NFR-bound season for the talented competitor.
Jesse Brown’s Lightning-Quick Steer Wrestling Victory
In the big men’s event, steer wrestler Jesse Brown muscled his way to the 2025 FWSSR championship with an impressive 3.6-second run. The Baker City, Oregon, cowboy earned $25,818 for his efforts, proving once again that he’s among the best in the world at taking down steers in record time.
Josie Conner’s Blazing 1.8-Second Run in Breakaway Roping
Breakaway roping was nothing short of spectacular, and Josie Conner delivered a performance that electrified the Dickies Arena crowd. The Iowa, Louisiana, cowgirl roped her calf in a blistering 1.8 seconds, securing the 2025 FWSSR championship and $28,017 in earnings. With breakaway roping continuing to rise in prominence, Conner’s dominant performance solidifies her as one of the sport’s elite.
Tanner Tomlinson and Travis Graves Take Team Roping Title
A new team roping partnership showed immediate success at Fort Worth, as header Tanner Tomlinson and heeler Travis Graves worked together flawlessly to claim the championship. Their 4.9-second run in the finals secured them a $25,350 payday and a major win to kickstart their 2025 season.
Bareback riding saw a spectacular finale, with Wisconsin cowboy Nick Pelke claiming his first FWSSR title after an explosive 91.5-point ride on J Bar J’s Straight Stick. With $26,136 in total earnings, Pelke’s Fort Worth performance could be the momentum shift that propels him to his first-ever NFR qualification.
Kade Bruno’s 92-Point Saddle Bronc Ride Steals the Show
Idaho cowboy Kade Bruno put on a saddle bronc riding clinic at Fort Worth, dominating the finals with a stunning 92-point ride on J Bar J Rodeo’s Straight Moonshine. Already leading the world standings before the rodeo, Bruno’s $27,636 payday extended his lead and put him in prime position for another NFR qualification.
Saddle bronc ride Kade Bruno of Challis, Idaho, was the only contestant in Bracket 1of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo’s ProRodeo Tournament to win both rounds. He scored 87.5 points in each round, riding Brookman Rodeo’s Apollo for the second-round win on Saturday. FWSSR photo by James Phifer
Looking Ahead to 2026
With another FWSSR ProRodeo Tournament in the books, the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo once again cemented itself as one of the premier stops on the rodeo calendar. With champions crowned, records set, and over $1.5 million paid out, this year’s rodeo proved why “This Thing is Legendary.”
As the dust settles, all eyes now turn to the road ahead—and for many of these champions, that road leads straight to Las Vegas and the NFR in December. With the 2026 edition of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo already scheduled for January 16 – February 7, rodeo fans can be sure that next year’s competition will be just as thrilling.
Tie-down roper Ty Harris from San Angelo, Texas, won round two of Bracket 6 at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo ProRodeo Tournament. His success here came aboard Daddys Shiner Cat, a 14-year-old gelding owned by Canadian Logan Bird. FWSSR photo by James Phifer.
Canadian breakaway roper Jenna Dallyn is hoping to advance to the Semi-Finals at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo ProRodeo Tournament. Dallyn made the fastest run so far at this year’s rodeo and won the first round of Bracket 6 with a 1.8-second run. FWSSR photo by James Phifer.
Barrel racer Kassie Mowry ran the second-fastest time of the 2025 edition of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo ProRodeo Tournament on Tuesday at 16.13 seconds. The Dublin, Texas, cowgirl did that aboard Force The Goodbye known as “Jarvis,” that took her to a world championship in December. FWSSR photo by James Phifer.
Bull rider Tristan Mize is hoping that 2025 will be his year and with the success he is having so far at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo ProRodeo Tournament, it is looking really good. Mize, from College Station, scored 88 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s Sea of Sorrow to tie for first place in round 2 of Bracket 7. FWSSR photo by James Phifer.
Hali Williams from Comanche, Texas, is hoping to add her name to the champions list at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo ProRodeo Tournament. Her 2.1 seconds won the breakaway roping in round one of Bracket 7. If she has more success on Tuesday, she will advance to the Semi-Finals. FWSSR photo by James Phifer.
There was a big Canadian matchup in the saddle bronc riding in round one of Bracket 7 at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo’s ProRodeo Tournament on Monday. That match between Layton Green of Millarville, Alberta, and Mary Jane, owned by Macza Pro Rodeo of High River, Alberta, resulted in a round-winning 86 points. FWSSR photo by James Phifer.
The 2021 National High School Finals Rodeo all-around champion is having success at the Fort Worth Stock Show Rodeo’s ProRodeo Tournament. Sam Petersen from Helena, Montana, had the high marked ride in Bracket 7 with 86.5 points on Generation Pro Rodeo’s horse named Mini Pearl. FWSSR photo by James Phifer.
Tie-down roper Haven Meged is hoping to win his first Fort Worth Stock Show ProRodeo Tournament title. Meged, who calls Miles City, Montana, home, topped Bracket 4 in Dickies Arena with times of 8.8 and 8.5 seconds. The $4,410 he won advanced him to the Semi-Finals. FWSSR photo by James Phifer.
Tilden Hooper had the fans at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo ProRodeo Tournament on the edge of their seats during Friday night’s bareback riding. The Parker County resident scored 90 points on Smith Pro Rodeo’s horse named Risky Business to take the lead in Bracket 5. FWSSR photo by James Phifer.
Texan Tilden Hooper was all smiles after his 90-point effort on Smith Pro Rodeo’s horse named Risky Business Friday night at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. Hooper won the championship here in 2020 and is aiming for another. FWSSR photo by James Phifer
Emily Beisel of Weatherford, Oklahoma, fell just three one-hundredths of a second short of matching the Dickies Arena record at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo’s ProRodeo Tournament. She rode Ivory On Fire (Liza) to win round one of Bracket 4 with a time of 16.11 seconds. FWSSR photo by James Phifer
The team roping duo of Dustin Egusquiza and Levi Lord are at it again at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo ProRodeo Tournament. Egusquiza and Lord stopped the clock in 3.6 seconds to tie the record in Dickies Arena. FWSSR photo by James Phifer.
The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Pro Rodeo Tournament is looking good for bareback rider Jayco Roper of Oktaha, Oklahoma. Roper finished at the top of round one of Bracket 4 with a 90.5-point effort aboard The Crow from Championship Pro Rodeo. FWSSR photo by James Phifer.
The barrel racing in round 2 of Bracket 3 at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo ProRodeo Tournament was extremely fast. Carlee Otero won for the second consecutive round with the fastest time of the 2025 rodeo so far. Riding Blingolena “Sly,” she stopped the clock in 16.19 seconds. Otero, from Perrin, Texas, qualified for the Semi-Finals with over $4,600. FWSSR photo by James Phifer.
Michael Otero was at the top of the tie-down roping leaderboard at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo ProRodeo Tournament in Bracket 3. Otero, from Lipan, Texas, stopped the clock in 8.7 seconds to tie for the round 2 win. The Perrin, Texas resident is advancing to the Semi-Finals with total earnings of $3,933. FWSSR photo by James Phifer.
Brady Portenier of Caldwell, Idaho, tied for the round 2 win in bull riding in Bracket 7 at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo ProRodeo Tournament on Tuesday night. Portenier won this rodeo the first year it was held in Dickies Arena. His 88-point ride on Cowtown Rodeo’s Big Twist earned him another chance in Wednesday’s Wild Card round. FWSSR photo by James Phifer.
