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Contestants Rise to the Top at Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

ByRoberta Johnston

By Susan Kanode for the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

FORT WORTH, Texas (Jan. 30, 2026) — With two performances Friday at the Fort Worth Livestock Show & Rodeo, fans saw the depth of talent on display as competitors jockeyed for advancement in the FWSSR ProRodeo Tournament inside Dickies Arena.

Carlee Otero tied the Dickies Arena record with a 16.08-second barrel racing run at FWSSR
Carlee Otero tied the Dickies Arena record with a 16.08-second barrel racing run at FWSSR. FWSSR photo by James Phifer
Rusty Wright of Milford, Utah, won Bracket 5 round two saddle bronc riding at FWSSR.
Rusty Wright of Milford, Utah, won Bracket 5 round two saddle bronc riding at FWSSR. FWSSR photo by James Phifer

Wright Dominates Saddle Bronc Riding in Bracket 4

Rusty Wright of Milford, Utah, put together a commanding Bracket 4 performance in saddle bronc riding. After winning round one Thursday night, Wright returned Friday afternoon to capture round two, posting scores of 91 and 88 to earn $5,000 and a coveted spot in next week’s Semi-Finals.

Wright joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) in 2014 and competed at Fort Worth that same year, finishing second behind his world champion father, Cody Wright. Now the oldest of Cody Wright’s three bronc-riding sons, Rusty is once again making his mark in Dickies Arena.

Otero Ties Arena Record in Barrel Racing

Barrel racer Carlee Otero continued her winning ways in Bracket 4, capturing both rounds of competition on two different horses. Otero won Thursday night riding Blingolena, known as Sly, then returned Friday afternoon aboard an eight-year-old mare named Cathys Kandy (Twix).

Otero stopped the clock in 16.08 seconds, tying the Dickies Arena record originally set by Wenda Johnson in 2022. With wins in both rounds, Otero advances to the Semi-Finals and will face a strategic decision on which horse to ride next week.

Qualifiers Shine in Steer Wrestling and Tie-Down Roping

Friday night featured contestants who earned their FWSSR ProRodeo Tournament berths through the Parker County Sheriff’s Posse Frontier Days Rodeo in nearby Weatherford—one of several qualifying events that feed competitors into Dickies Arena.

In steer wrestling, Boyd Sawyer of Thedford, Nebraska, capitalized on his opportunity with a blazing 3.9-second run, putting him in position to advance to the Semi-Finals.

In tie-down roping, Trenton Smith of Bigfoot, Texas, posted the fastest time of the night at 8.5 seconds. Both Sawyer and Smith return to competition Saturday morning with Semi-Finals advancement on the line.

Welsh Posts Top Bull Riding Score

Rookie bull rider Hayden Welsh of Gillette, Wyoming, delivered the highest bull riding score of the tournament so far, earning 88.5 points aboard Riser from Rafter G Rodeo. The ride significantly boosted Welsh’s chances of advancing to the Semi-Finals.

Unofficial Results

FWSSR ProRodeo Tournament — January 29, 2026

Bracket 4 — Round Two

Bareback Riding

  1. Jess Pope, Waverly, Kan. — 85.5, Indecent Exposure, $2,518
  2. Tristan Hansen, Dillon, Mont. — 85, $1,918
  3. Ty Fast Taypotat — 83, $1,518
  4. Nick Pelke, Mondovi, Wis. — 82, $1,018
    Semi-Finals: Pope, Hansen • Wild Card: Pelke

Steer Wrestling

  1. Justin Shaffer, Hallsville, Texas — 3.9, $2,500
  2. Bridger Anderson, Carrington, N.D. — 4.0, $1,900
  3. Kyle Irwin, Westville, Fla. — 4.4, $1,500
  4. Landon Beardsworth, Alberta — 4.7, $1,000
    Semi-Finals: Shaffer, Anderson • Wild Card: Irwin

Breakaway Roping

  1. Samantha Fulton, Miller, S.D. — 2.0, $2,518
  2. Kinlie Brennise — 2.1, $1,918
  3. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, Springtown, Texas — 2.2, $1,518
  4. Cadee Williams, Big Timber, Mont. — 2.6, $1,018
    Semi-Finals: Brennise, Williams • Wild Card: Fulton

Saddle Bronc Riding

  1. Rusty Wright, Milford, Utah — 88, Blue Chip, $2,575
  2. Chase Brooks, Deer Lodge, Mont. — 83.5, $1,975
  3. Leon Fountain, Lemitar, N.M. — 83, $1,325
  4. Tanner Butner, Daniel, Wyo. — 83, $1,325
    Semi-Finals: Wright, Brooks • Wild Card: Fountain

Tie-Down Roping

  1. Cory Solomon, Prairie View, Texas — 8.2, $2,518
  2. Riley Istre, Vinton, La. — 8.4, $1,918
  3. Treg Schaack, Edgemont, S.D. — 12.2, $1,518
  4. Hagen Houck, Henrietta, Texas — 8.5, $1,018
    Semi-Finals: Solomon, Haven Meged • Wild Card: Michael Otero

Team Roping

  1. Jake Orman, Miss. & Caleb Green, Texas — 6.0, $2,635 each
  2. James Arviso, Ariz. & Rance Doyal, Okla. — 6.3, $2,025 each
  3. Cash Duty, Texas & Calgary Smith, Ore. — 7.1, $1,625 each
    Semi-Finals: Arviso/Doyal; Duty/Smith • Wild Card: Orman/Green

Barrel Racing

  1. Carlee Otero, Perrin, Texas — 16.08, $2,500
  2. Acey Pinkston, Stephenville, Texas — 16.19, $1,900
  3. BryAnna Haluptzok, Ardmore, Okla. — 16.41, $1,500
  4. Makenna Shook, Needville, Texas — 16.49, $1,000
    Semi-Finals: Otero, Shook • Wild Card: Pinkston

Bull Riding

  1. Tristan Mize, Bryan, Texas — 84, Inflation, $3,000
  2. Luke “Colorado Kid” Mackey, Ignacio, Colo. — 83.5, $2,400
  3. Patterson Starcher, Fort Scott, Kan. — $2,000
    Semi-Finals: Mackey, Dustin Boquet • Wild Card: Mize

Bracket 5 — Round One (Highlights)

  • Bareback Riding: Sam Peterson, Helena, Mont. — 87.5
  • Steer Wrestling: Boyd Sawyer, Thedford, Neb. — 3.9
  • Tie-Down Roping: Trenton Smith, Bigfoot, Texas — 8.5
  • Bull Riding: Hayden Welsh, Gillette, Wyo. — 89.5

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