Pro Rodeo (NFR)

The Marsh
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Any other rodeo fans out there? NFR started last night. 10 day marathon of each event with each participant going each day. The Wright brothers are dominating but have some competition. It’s also good to see that many of the top guys are young & pretty wild so they will be able to build around this & grow the sport even more.

-Stetson won’t win a Triple Crown for the year because his brother Ryder will win Saddle Bronc. Stetson is 26, Ryder is 27, & Statler is 22. There’s 13 kids in the family so they just keep showing up with new pros each year.

-Bull riding is coming down to Stetson and Wacey Schalla. They finished 1 - 2 last night & Stetson took over first place by $5K. All Around Cowboy is coming down to the same two guys with Stetson up by $60K. Wacey is only 20 with over $800K in career earnings. If you’re wondering about the name, it’s because he’s native.

-Rocker Steiner will win Bareback because he’s just on another level. Started cowboying illegally with forged ID before he was 18. He was also almost banned from rodeo at his first NFR for his attitude, language, & partying. Now he’s 21 with over $1M in career earnings already.

-Last night some of the Louisiana cowboys ended up in the money with good showings. Bareback: Waylon Bourgeois (Church Point) finished second. Kade Sonnier (Carencro) didn’t fare as well but got on the board with a chance in the long run.

Steer Wrestling: Tyler Waguespack (Gonzales) won & closed the gap closer to winning another world title. Rowdy Parrott (Mamou) just out the money by a 1/2 second. Gavin Soileau (Bunkie) broke the barrier but did get a qualified time. Tyler is getting close to retiring so I try to go see him whenever he’s in the area. He’s qualified for the NFR 11 times & won 5 world titles.

Team Roping: Cyle Denison (Iowa) & his partner got 6th & in the money.

Tie-Down Roping: Zack Jongbloed (Iowa) 11th & out of the money.

Mark your calendars for January 8-11, 2026. Mid-Winter returns for it’s 73rd year.

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Any other rodeo fans out there?

No

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Come on! I know everyone on here loves Blackham being a full time rodeo arena!

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I do get dragged to the Midwinter Fair Rodeo once a year by the wife. She grew up in Crowley, so she loves it. It’s not a bad time. I’d rather watch Cajuns basketball in present Blackham conditions than continue to pay CD prices.

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The update nobody is wanting. Before we get started, there’s a new rodeo coming to Louisiana that some of my friends are helping push. The Hondo Rodeo is coming to the Superdome April 10-12. It’s an invite only million dollar rode. Presale tickets go on sale Wednesday.

-All Around for the year, Stetson Wright increasing his lead.

-NFR Bareback: Wacey takes over in the lead after round 4 with Rocker a close second. Bourgeois (Church Point) in 4th after winning round 3. Sonnier (Carencro) sits in 6th.

-NFR Saddle Bronc: Nobody is beating the Wright brothers. Stetson in 1st, Ryder in 2nd, Statler in 5th.

-NFR Steer Wrestling: Waguespack (Gonzales) sits in 5th for the average, Parrot (Mamou) in 7th, and Soileau (Bunkie) in 9th after 4 rounds.

-NFR Bull Riding: Stetson in the lead after riding 3 of 4 so far. Biggest surprise is Wacey in 5th. He was leading for the year coming into the NFR but if he doesn’t keep up with Stetson this week, he will finish 2nd. Stetson in line to win a Triple Crown at the NFR if he keeps this pace going.

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For the non rodeo fans, here’s the story that aired last night about Joey & Kade Sonnier. Kade played baseball at Teurlings then Nicholls before even starting in rodeo.

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Kade Sonnier wins the Bareback Riding last night. Picks up a check for $36,668 with the win. He’s up to $86,151 through 6 rounds of the NFR and now 4th in the world standings for the year.

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Where is the rodeo being televised? Cowboy Channel I’m assuming? I’m also guessing a subscription is needed?

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Televised on The Cowboy Channel (no subscription if you have it) and CowboyChannel+ (subscription streaming service). Some nights they stream free in their YouTube.

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Round 7 Louisiana connection goes to Rowdy Parrot (Mamou) for winning Steer Wrestling.

Wins $36,668 for the round and $47,610 for the NFR while jumping to 2nd in the average. For the year he’s 5th overall in the world.

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Amazing finishes last night!

-Saddle Bronc went down to the brothers. Statler Wright needed to earn a check & hope his brother didn’t win the round. Statler rides for 87.5 for 6th & the round and 1st in the average. Ryder Wright rides for 89.75 and TIES Stetson Wright for 1st so they split the pot. Instead of winning $38,668 Ryder wins $32,824 because of the split tie. Statler wins the World Title by only $346 over his brother!

-Kane Sonnier (Carencro) with another round win in Bareback and finishes 3rd in the average. Climbs all the way to 4th in the World Standings to end the year.

-Rocker Steiner wins the gold buckle in Bareback. Round 7 & 8 were very bad draws that dropped him, plus he was sick. Sam Peterson actually jumped him in the world standings after his ride last night. Only lasted a minute or so because Rocker rides for 90.5. Finishes with a World Title and a record $507,532.59 in winnings for the year. Joins his grandfather (Bobby/Bull Riding) and his father (Sid/Steer Wrestling) as world champions.

-Tucker Allen (Steer Wrestling) just needed a time to win the title. Rowdy Parrot (Mamou) finishes second in the average with some nice cash!

-In Team Roping, Schmidt/Torres missed on the head, didn’t get a time, & lost the world title in the last round. Took a few minutes for everyone to figure it out but Ward/Long win the world title for about $6K.

-Tie Down Roping goes to Riley Webb. Another cowboy just needing a qualified time to win, he clocks 7.7 to finish 3rd in the round and win the average. Shatters his own record by winning $555,543 on the year. It’s his 3rd straight World Title, joining the great Roy Cooper as the only cowboys to accomplish this. Oh yeah, he’s only 22 years old!

-Kassie Mowry wins barrel racing without her horse. Had so large a lead, she could have knocked down barrels and still won.

-Superman, Stetson Wright, returned this year with a vengeance! Wins the World Title in Bull Riding and All-Around. Ky Hamilton had a chance but tore ligaments in my knee during round 9. Still went out there for round 10 but couldn’t finish the ride & had to be help out of the arena again.

-Final 2025 standings for Louisiana cowboys.

Kade Sonnier (Carencro) - 4th in Bareback

Waylon Bourgeois (Chuch Point) - 8th in Bareback

Rowdy Parrot (Mamou) - 4th Steer Wrestling

Tyler Waguespack (Gonzales) - 11th in Steer Wrestling

Gavin Soileau (Bunkie) - 15th in Steer Wrestling

Cyle Denison (Iowa) - 12th in Team Roping Header

Zach Jongblood (Iowa) - 10th in Tie Down Roping

Shane Hachney (Sulphur) - 15th in Tie Down Roping

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Put a court down and roll the ball out.

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Play on the dirt. Real home court advantage.

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I’m ready to be there tomorrow night! Riley Webb, Kade Sonnier, & Waylon Bourgeois!

Really hoping Rocker Steiner is riding the Hondo in the Superdome this year!

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Not a good night for Waylon (bucked off) but Kade moves into 2nd. Some of the softball team in attendance tonight.