Brady Fielder gets the job done against Snappy (Conaway / Ogden Ranch / Viducic) for 87.20 points as the Texas Rattlers defeated the Austin Gamblers on their home turf during the PBR Teams Series Gambler Days in Austin, TX. Photo courtesy of BullStock Media.
Humps N Horns September 2026
On the Cover - 612 Ridin Solo shows the power and athleticism that made him one of the all-time great bucking bulls. Photo courtesy of BullStock Media.
Humps-Horns.com · 4 · September 2026
HUMPS N HORNS® BULL RIDING MAGAZINE PO Box 34172 Fort Worth, TX 76162 325-500-BULL (2855) www.humps-horns.com
ADMINISTRATIVE Stacie Blake
Publisher/Owner stacie@humps-horns.com
Terry Blake
Editor in Chief/Owner terry@humps-horns.com
Features 9 12
ADVERTISING ads@humps-horns.com
Beau Drake
CIRCULATION
Rider Rundown- CAC Project Group
circulation@humps-horns.com
FEATURE STORY WRITER
John Crimber
Barbara Pinnella barbara@humps-horns.com
All In for the Final Month of PRCA Season
16
612 Ridin Solo
22
PBR Teams Series The Race Is On
PHOTOGRAPHY Andy Gregory Director of Photography andy@humps-horns.com
Thanks for all the Great Rides!
CONTRIBUTORS Georgia Akers Justin Felisko Barbara Pinnella Keno Shrum
Also In This Issue
Bull Pen 16
Practice Pens
28
Classifieds 28 Inspiration Point 14 Livestock Layovers 28 Next Step 15
Rider Rundown Through My Eyes Where’s the Beef
9 8 24
Humps-Horns.com · 5 · September 2026
Andy Gregory Phillip Kitts Kelly B. Robbins Andy Watson
Humps N’ Horns® Bull Riding Magazine reserves the right to alter, edit or reject all advertisement or editorial for it’s content, clarity, and/or length. Viewpoints expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Humps N’ Horns® Bull Riding Magazine. No material may be reprinted or reproduced without first obtaining permission from the publisher and/or editor in chief. All advertisement, editorials, letters, and press releases are accepted with the understanding that the representative, advertiser, and/or advertising agency are authorized to publish the entire contents of submitted material. Not responsible for errors or omissions in any advertisement. Humps N’ Horns® Bull Riding Magazine will not assume responsibility for any late publication due to the printer, the USPS, or an act of God. Under no circumstances will Humps N’ Horns® Bull Riding Magazine be held liable for acts of privacy, plagiarism, copyright, or trademark infringements. Material submitted for publication becomes the property of Humps N’ Horns® Bull Riding Magazine and will not be returned unless prior arrangements are made. USPS #022-617 Periodicals Postage Paid at Fort Worth, TX and additional offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Humps N’ Horns® Bull Riding Magazine, PO Box 34172, Fort Worth, TX 76162. ISSN1554-0162. Publication Number 022-617. ©All rights reserved. Humps N’ Horns® Bull Riding Magazine 2015
Letter from the Editor
September has arrived, and that can only mean one thing in the world of professional rodeo and bull riding—the race is on. For PRCA cowboys, there is precious little time left to make a move. With the regular season entering its final month, every trip down the road and, every eight-second ride carries even greater importance. The road to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is getting shorter, and the pressure is getting higher. For those on the bubble, September is where championships are won—or opportunities slip away. At the same time, the PBR Teams season is heading into its second half, bringing an entirely different kind of intensity to professional bull riding. Ten teams are battling headto-head, and the standings are beginning to take shape. The Nashville Stampede have surged into the league lead, while the Missouri Thunder and others continue to battle for position. The beauty of this time of year is that nothing is settled. One great weekend can change a season. One bad draw, one tough out or one clutch ride can alter the standings and change the trajectory of a rider’s year. That is what makes rodeo and bull riding so special. The clock may be winding down, but the best competitors are just getting started. There is still plenty of dirt to cover, plenty of money to be won and plenty of history waiting to be made. So buckle up. The best is still ahead. Until next time, Terry
Flint Rasmussen makes a surprise appearance at the Banana Ball game with the Indianapolis Clowns.
Humps-Horns.com · 6 · September 2026
Flint Rasmussen is back and doing it his way During the Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days Xtreme Bulls barrelman Cody Sosebee called out a special guest. To the surprise of the packed grandstand and a lot of personnel near the bucking chutes, the legendary Flint Rasmussen ran out to join his friend on the dirt. It marked Rasmussen’s second appearance at a PRCA event since he departed for a full-time gig with the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) in 2006. His initial return was under the radar, when he served as an entertainer at the Ute Stampede Rodeo Xtreme Bulls a month earlier on July 8 in Nephi, Utah. These appearances weren’t a one-off, and while Rasmussen doesn’t plan on loading up with a full rodeo schedule, he’s back in the mix – despite retiring from in-arena work after the 2023 PBR season to work at their corporate offices. Now Rasmussen’s eager to get back in the arenas where he fell in love with entertaining PRORODEO fans. “Everybody asks me how retirement was, and I wish I could tell everybody about all of the golf courses I’ve been on and all the beaches I’ve been on, but I’ve been working,” Rasmussen told the PRORODEO Sports News. “I’ve been going to work every day, and it really taught me where my heart lies and what I’m passionate about. “It made me take a breath and look back and go, I want to get back to some of the places that made me fall in love with all of this in the first place.” Even when Rasmussen was away from PRORODEO, he stayed close and maintained his relationships with committees and fans across the country. He hosted his stage show Beyond the Barrel with Flint Rasmussen during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo every year, and his contract stipulated that he get those weeks in December off each year. He also made sure to attend the St. Paul (Ore.) Rodeo regularly – which named him to their hall of fame in 2014 – and hosted a pre-show in one of their beer tents. “I grew up around rodeo,” Rasmussen, a native Montanan, said. “I love watching bareback riding and steer wrestling. That’s been important to me, to maintain friendships and maintain relationships. When I left a lot of those rodeos, I did it the right way, so that I still have that relationship.” Rasmussen wants to get back on the road, but not every weekend. He has bigger goals for this next chapter of his storied career, which includes taking care of his physical and mental health at 58 years old.
He’s booking public speaking gigs, hosting events, expanding his digital presence and returning to the arena. This past weekend, he appeared at a Banana Ball game on behalf of the newly formed Indianapolis Clowns in Oklahoma City. “I’d love a balance of all those things to keep my brain moving,” Rasmussen said. “Through all my 20 years doing my Outside the Barrel talk show at the NFR, that was to set myself up for when I was done in the arena. I just didn’t have everything in place to be able to do that, so I worked for two years at the PBR corporate office.” Rasmussen has done it all. He’s won the PRCA Clown of the Year award eight times and served as the NFR barrelman eight times. He’s performed at the most iconic venues in sports from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, to Madison Square Garden in New York City to the Staples Center in Los Angeles. As he’s gotten older, he wants to get back to his roots in a way, performing at the venues where he cut his teeth like Cheyenne, Wyo., and St. Paul, Ore. “I’ve always been a guy who feels like life is about moments,” Rasmussen said. “There have been some cool moments like running back out in Cheyenne. There’s a fanbase there that still knows who I am. . . There will be some homecoming moments that I won’t really reveal because we’re on the down low, but it’s been fun to do that.” Rasmussen also acknowledged the contract personnel on the road who have established themselves as fan favorites and built relationships with local committees, including John Harrison, J.J. Harrison, Justin Rumford, Matt Merritt and others. And he’s not trying to cut in and steal the show. “This whole group of guys has changed with the times as well,” he said. “Rodeos and fans love them, and I’m acutely aware of that. They’ve established themselves, and if I want to do this, then I’ve got to work my way in there and fit in with what they’re doing. . .I’m friends with them.” Rasmussen has heard it all since he opened this new chapter. He said half the people he talks to tell him he’s crazy and the other half say he’d be crazy not to do this. Regardless of what everybody else has said, Rasmussen is back, and he’s doing it his way. “We’re all blessed with certain skills and traits, and I just feel like I should be using them,” Rasmussen said. “But the ultimate load I haven’t determined yet. Right now, I’m trying to hustle.” Article provided courtesy of the PRCA.
Humps-Horns.com · 7 · September 2026
Hey Bull Rider, Don’t be in such a hurry.... Slow down a little bit in your pursuit of a bull riding career. Take the time to conquer the easy type bulls and don’t skip the process of being able to get the proper foundation on the inside of you. The foundation you have will either make or break you in the future. If you watch the top guys you will be able to pick out the ones who have proper foundation and the ones who skipped getting on the right kind of bulls in the process. It’s never too late to get on the right kind of practice bulls. Find ones that you don’t have to put out everything in you just to make the whistle.
bulls in competition the year I won the world and I’ll bet I got on about 50 practice bulls that year. All but a few of the practice bulls were about 17-18 pointers, this lessened the danger factor in the practice pen. My mind and reactions were sharp when I did get on a bucker because my foundation continued to be reinforced and my practice session had great value to my riding. Cody Custer Just a guy who used the process to have a caree
Make your practice session a bit easier so that your mind can be helping you rather than just your reactions. I got on 192
I’ve got a couple spots available at this school. Give me a call to get in the list. Mansfield, TX September 18-19-20 This is an Advanced school, not for beginners. Call Cody Custer 580-729-1962
Humps-Horns.com · 8 · September 2026
Humps-Horns.com · 9 · September 2026
Humps-Horns.com · 10 · September 2026
Humps-Horns.com · 11 · September 2026
By Alex Dodd
John Crimber all in for final month of PRORODEO season
PRCA File Photo by Emily Hilton John Crimber enters the final month of the PRORODEO regular season in good position to qualify for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Tractor Supply Company. But he still has some work to do. The reigning Professional Bull Riders (PBR) champion is eighth in the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings as of Sept. 3 with $162,321. However, he still needs to reach a 40-rodeo threshold for the $65,956 he won at Rank 45 Xtreme Bulls Series events to
count toward NFR qualification. The additional burden of a loaded PBR Teams schedule in September cast doubt on the Resistol Rookie’s ability to secure a spot in the NFR in December. But as part of his new extension with the Florida Freedom announced by the PBR on Wednesday, Crimber will be able to compete at PRCA events full time until the regular season ends Sept. 30.
Humps-Horns.com · 12 · September 2026
“This is awesome,” Crimber told the PRORODEO Sports News on Thursday. “It’s the first month where I can just focus on one thing. It’s been a little rough on my body going to both of them.” The 21-year-old missed time during the heat of the summer run due to a groin injury, which put him behind his pace to meet the rodeo count before the PBR Teams season started. Crimber is trying to thread the needle in the final month of the season, while also trying to resume his climb in the world standings. “I just need to go to as many rodeos as I can,” Crimber said. “The guy who enters me got me set up going to the right ones to make it in enough time. There will be no days off, maybe one or two, but very few of them.” Crimber said his groin is still bothering him intermittently but he feels good and is ready to give it everything he’s got in September. Needing to meet his rodeo count means Crimber will be heading to a few smaller events outside of the PRORODEO Playoff Series. On Thursday night, he’s slated to continue his late-season push at the Sanders County Fair & PRCA Rodeo in Plains, Mont. “I’ve got to go far away for the small ones too so that I can get the rodeo count,” Crimber said. “But I think it’ll be fun as long as I’m riding good bulls and having fun. That’s all that matters anyway.” Crimber also said he enjoys connecting with fans at smaller events and seeing the support at arenas big and small is one of the coolest parts of competing in PRORODEO. He hopes that support carries him to the NFR Dec. 3-12 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. “That’d be awesome. I think that’ll be a sigh of relief for sure,” Crimber said of what it’d mean to reach the NFR. “It’s been a pretty fun experience going out here on the rodeo trail and getting some new exposure. I’ve never done this before, so it’s really cool. “It’s always been a dream of mine to go out here and do it. So I’m just very thankful and very happy to go out here and try to make the NFR. It gets me tickled every time I think about it.” The Decatur, Texas, cowboy doesn’t just want to make the NFR, though – he has his sights set on winning a PRCA Bull Riding World Championship. Fellow Resistol Rookie Noah Lee sits atop the world standings with $328,972 and leads Crimber by $166,651. “I think now is the time when I can take full advantage of focusing on my goals of going to the NFR and trying to get as close as possible to that No. 1 guy,” Crimber said. Article courtesy of the PRCA.
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Humps-Horns.com · 13 · September 2026
Inspiration Point
like without God and believed that his life with God was better. Paul believed that circumstances would let you down, but God would not. We may not be relieved from our suffering when we wish. God may keep us in uncomfortable situations to achieve a greater purpose. Hardships shape us, show our true character and prove where our hope comes from. Though trials are never easy, God promises to be with you.
Faith in the Fire
“When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:2 (NIV) Trust in God’s provision and you will find yourself comforted during times of need. Humans are destined to sin and fail, while the character of God is perfection and omniscience.
Trusting God in the hard times is a representation of a faithful life. In the Bible, Paul had many reasons to be mad at God because of the trials he was experiencing. He chose to rely on God’s strength and be an image of His grace.
Prayer is the way we grow closer to God through speaking to Him. He listens to every word, sees every tear and hears every thought. Here is a prayer you can use as guide during times of need.
The apostle Paul has a story like no other. Before turning to Christ and being baptized, he was persecuting Christians in Jerusalem. He hated the church. Paul ended up being baptized after being miraculously healed, and devoted his whole life to Jesus. He took on dangerous missionary journeys across the world. Enduring stoning, a shipwreck, a snake bite and imprisonment, Paul’s journey is clearly filled with a lot of fire.
Dear heavenly Father,
Fire is often used in the Bible as another phrase for trial. “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you,” 1 Peter 4:12 NIV.
You are a kind and careful God. I thank you for your provision in my life, guiding me and watching over me through every step. I admit that I try to take control when I go through hard times, and sometimes I question and doubt your presence during these times. Help me to see how You are working in my life and strengthen my faith through it all. Let everything I do be a reflection of Your merciful and generous heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
This fire represents the adversaries that believers face in tests of their faith. “This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’” Zechariah 13:9 NIV The Lord says that fire refines metal, implying that when metal is refined, it turns to silver. When we go through hard times, God intends for us to come out stronger and uses these experiences to refine us in our faith. We should not view these tests as punishments, but as proofs that our belief in Him is strong. While Paul’s journey was marked with discomfort, fear and danger, Paul did not view these troubles as punishment from God or proof of the distance between them. Instead, Paul chose to view his hardships as opportunities. He saw what his life was
Humps-Horns.com · 14 · September 2026
By Riggin Pearce CAC Project Group
Finding Importance in the Now I think something that’s commonly overlooked today is the value of where we’re at right now. So many times in my own life I’ve found myself wishing I was somewhere else, wishing I was further in my career, wishing I was further into my life, and just wishing I was anywhere other than where I actually was. And by doing this we miss so much. We miss all the blessings we’re living with at that moment. We also miss the part of the journey that forms us into the people God calls us to be. The people he wants to live the life he’s called us to. Reading through 1st Corinthians, Paul writes to us in chapter 7, verse 17: “Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them.” Oftentimes, when talking to other Christians that may be newer in their faith, the question of “why” comes up a lot. This is understandable because we as humans are naturally curious beings. And I don’t think wanting to know why is bad, I think it’s actually a good thing. But when we start to ask “why me” or “why am I going through this?” and other similar questions, it almost exposes our lack of faith. This verse is important when going through situations where these questions might come up, because it tells us what to do. “Live as a believer.” That probably seems very simple and self-explanatory, but if we stop and think about it, what does that actually mean? I think that living as a believer consists of three things: love, trust, and action. In order to live as a believer, I think you need all three. Not one. Not two. All three. Living as a believer in love is very important. First off, we have to remember the love God has for us. One of the most famous verses, John 3:16, sums it up perfectly: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only son so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” There it is perfectly. God’s love for us is summed up in one single verse. God loves us so much that he sent his son to die and pay the price for our wrongdoings, in order for us to have the shot at the greatest gift of all; eternal life
in heaven. It’s important to remember that in our faith, because when we look at our lives and the situations we are in and focus on how “bad” they are, that can take our focus off the one who’s in control, and the love God has for us. This is where trust comes in. In order to live a life for God, we have to understand whether we’re going to go through undesirable situations. Life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. We have to understand that we aren’t the ones in control, so who are we to decide what’s good, and what’s bad in our lives? If we step back and think about the sacrifice Jesus made, and the importance of that, we need to ask ourselves, would he go through that then not work what we are going through for good? I think trust is something that requires evidence to back the credibility of the other side. Today, relationships commonly consist of a lot of “I love yous” but not a lot of actions built on love. This puts you in a very tough position because you hear I love you, but can you see it? And the sacrifice Jesus made out of love for you and me, when we don’t deserve it at all, is evidence of why we should trust God and why we should trust that the things we’re going through now will be used for good. Another verse to back that up that I commonly refer back to is Romans 8:28: “God works all things for the good of those who love him.” All things! Not some or a few things, but all things! The last piece of living as a believer is action. And this might be one of the most important pieces because it requires the other two. Living out our lives for the love we have for Christ and the trust we have in him, should therefore cause us to act on that and live a life for him. The way we live our lives is also evidence of whether we love God and trust God. Like I said earlier, anyone can say they love somebody, but the only way to know is how they show you.
Humps-Horns.com · 15 · September 2026
Continued on Page 20
By Kelly B. Robbins
ridin solo THANKS FOR ALL THE GREAT RIDES! Bull riding fans everywhere are mourning the loss of another PBR legend. Two-time and back-to back PBR YETI World Champion Bull 612 Ridin Solo passed away on August 10, at the age of ten, on the McCoy Ranch in Lane, Oklahoma. As owner Cord McCoy revealed Solo’s passing on social media, he wrote, “Ridin Solo, thanks for all the great rides.”
Texas, where Cord would be TV commentating alongside Craig Hummer for the Gambler Days PBR Teams event at the Moody Center. I asked him to describe Ridin Solo in one word. He immediately replied, “Extraordinary!” Then in the background, Sara yelled out, “Relentless!” Then I heard the voice of Tulsa yell out, “Fun!”
This amazing bovine athlete was a bull that lit up the arena every time they opened the gate. Ridin Solo leaves quite a legacy behind. He was a two-time, back-to-back PBR World Champion Bull in 2022 and 2023, and the 2023 PBR Bull of the Finals. Solo was the 2018 ABBI Futurity World Champion, the 2018 ABBI Cowgirl Futurity World Champion, and the 2019 ABBI Reserve Classic Champion. He competed in seven PBR World Finals, and twice in the NFR. His highest bull score was 47.5, and his lifetime earnings topped $500,000!
This “extraordinary”, “relentless”, and “fun” champion bucking bull was born in 2016 and raised by Curtis Peoples in southern Oklahoma. Cord and Sara McCoy purchased him in 2017. “I’d heard about this bull,” Cord said, “I saw him bucking at a yearling competition. I remember I left thinking that this bull was the most athletic bull I had ever seen, and I wanted to own him!”
Ridin Solo is celebrated for his explosive power, his intelligence, and his extreme athleticism in the arena. And he is remembered for his soft heart and huge personality outside the arena. He was a bull that the fans just loved. “He always gave 110%,” Cord shared. “He always brought the heat no matter what. We were proud to show up at every event with Solo. We were McCoy Rodeo and we felt we owned the best bull in the world!” “And he really loved what he did,” Cord continued. “He loved going on the trailer, and he didn’t mind the hard, long days. After he won the championship in 2023, I called him my Road Warrior. He went coast to coast over 20,000 miles. No matter how many days on the road and whatever location, hot, warm or cold, whoever the rider was, Solo always gave 110%! I felt like we had the best bull, and it was my fault if he didn’t win, so we tried to keep him out there and give him every opportunity that we could. Words can’t describe how much this humble, smart, tender-hearted, yet tenacious and relentless animal athlete means to us. He gave it his all every single time the gate opened- our hat is forever off to him!” I caught up with Cord as he was driving with wife, Sara and daughter, Tulsa from his ranch in Lane, Oklahoma to Austin,
“I contacted quite a few people, looking for someone to partner with us on this bull,” Cord revealed. “But nobody wanted to do that. We decided to get a bank loan and Sara called her dad, Steve Best, and asked him to put in a good word with the banker. She went on and on about this great little bull, and her father decided to partner 50/50 on the bull right then.” According to Probullstats.com, Ridin Solo had 99 attempts in his career, and was ridden 14 times. His buck-off percentage was 85.86%, and his average ride score was 89.96. “Solo made it easy to retire him in 2025. He already had a legacy, and nothing left to prove. He always gave his all, and having an athletic bull like Solo makes the trainer look like he knows what he’s doing,” Cord laughed. “Although when he was young, I really had my hands full, and he presented quite a challenge. He just wanted out when he was in the chute, and he would try to anticipate when that chute would open. Sometimes this caused him to foul himself and give the riders a re-ride. I was always trying to work on his triggers and help him conserve his energy.” “The reasons we love Solo have changed over the years,” Cord reflected. “When he was young, he was so athletic! Then over time he became such a part of our family. And his intensity and energy never faltered. Just when you thought there was nothing left in the tank, here came Solo doing his thing!”
Humps-Horns.com · 16 · September 2026
Ridin Solo with Cord McCoy. Photo courtesy of McCoy Rodeo.
Humps-Horns.com · 17 · September 2026
odeo photo.
t Ridin Solo a
RCA ProR als Rodeo. P in F l a in o ti ngler Na the 2022 Wra
Humps-Horns.com · 18 · September 2026
Ridin Solo with Sara Best McCoy. Photo courtesy of McCoy Rodeo.
Cord shared that Ridin Solo had two full years of breeding a while back. “About five years ago I remember hauling a trailer of bulls, and I realized that six of those bulls were embryo transfer sons of Ridin Solo. Now there are at least 18 sons of Solo competing at the professional bucking bull level. Wicked Solo, Big Dawg, Dealer’s Choice, and Swingin Solo are some that are doing great! And there is a whole new wave of Solo babies coming up!” “Ridin Solo just came into our lives at a time when he changed our lives,” Cord concluded. “We’re building a new training facility at the ranch, and Solo will be buried there beside it. Solo was the inspiration for this facility.” Sara posted an emotional farewell on Facebook after Solo passed. “My sweet Solo…You were never just a bull to me. You were always so much more…It was so evident you were different. You were always by yourself. Your name fit you
perfectly. You didn’t pay any attention to what the other bulls were doing. You never cared about the noise and the nonsense. You were poised, confident, had a heart of gold, and were the most intelligent animal I’d ever been around. Cord…and you were a relentless pair, and the bond you two had was special… Cord was your coach. I was your mom and oh how I loved caring for you… Solo, your will to win was so incredibly admirable. You did it all and you did it well. You were so special. Thank you for all the miles and memories. McCoy Ranch won’t be the same without you. Rest easy my sweet friend. We’re gonna miss you.” Ridin Solo’s legacy as one of the great ones will live on through his reputation and the countless memories of his dominating, explosive arena appearances. But his legacy will also live on through the many talented, athletic bucking bulls he sired, carrying his intensity, his athleticism, and his unmistakable spirit into the next generation.
Humps-Horns.com · 19 · September 2026
But going through this injury, God revealed Himself to me so much in so many different ways, and it became necessary for me to take a huge step in my faith. During this time, it would have been really easy to forget the love God had for me, distrust His plan, and act for myself rather than Him. But I’m so blessed to have been surrounded by so many great people and great spiritual encounters and moments that, despite the bad situation, my focus was the most focused on God’s love and my trust in Him that it had ever been. Continued from Page 15
Just like Paul writes in Galatians chapter 5, there is a distinct difference between people who live by the spirit and live for their flesh. And you know this by looking at the consistent actions and choices someone makes. This is also true with recognizing if you love and trust God. Does your life reflect a life of fulfillment, love, and trust? Or does it reflect a life of pity, sorrow, and lack of faith? You may be struggling to recognize what your life reflects but simply analyze the actions, thoughts, and choices you consistently make. So many times throughout my own life, I’ve found myself overlooking the love God has for me, distrusting the path God’s taking me on, acting for myself, and not basing those actions on love and trust in the Lord. I think it’s something that’s very common for a lot of people and a struggle that can be found in many areas of life.
God has so much in store for us despite how it may look. It’s easy to focus on all the negatives in our lives and allow that to take hold of us. We may wish we were somewhere we are not. But when we live as believers, despite rhetorical circumstances, this takes our focus off all these negatives, and puts it back on to the love, trust, and action we should have for the Lord. I encourage you to look at your lives and ask yourself what you’re living with: love, trust, and action, or pity, sorrow, and distrust.
My name is Riggin Pearce, and I’m from Sheridan, Wyoming. I am a follower of Christ who’s blessed with the ability to ride bulls and use that as my platform to share the Good News. I am incredibly excited to have the chance to do that through my youth ministry program, Next Step. I can’t wait to encourage and help y’all get to know Jesus for the first time or take the next step in your relationship with Him.
I think there’s definitely moments now and then where I feel this way, but the moment I remember the most goes back to my last serious injury. In the fall of 2024, I broke my leg at a rodeo after getting bucked off and stepped on. Going through this was the big moment I needed to open my eyes to the life God has for me. And I felt like, “Okay, I didn’t want this to happen, but I’m going to trust God that I needed this.” Without that moment, I would not be where I’m at in my faith today. Fast-forward to the spring of 2025. I was riding great, and life was good. I had some trouble at a high school rodeo that Friday and Saturday, so I went and got on a couple of practice bulls that Sunday. I made a good ride on my first bull which was exactly what I needed after the weekend I had had, but as I was getting off, I dove away from my riding hand and the bull came back into to me right as I did it, causing me to land at an awkward angle and dislocating my elbow. For me, this moment was sort of a “what the heck God?” moment. I had just gone through another injury and I had started diving into my faith and genuinely making an effort to seek Him, and now I was right back where I started, hurt and unable to ride bulls. When looking at the facts of the situation, it didn’t look good, and you’d think I would have had a negative reaction to being where I was at that moment.
Humps-Horns.com · 20 · September 2026
Continued from Page 11
Below - Alex Cerqueira makes the most of a re-ride opportunity with 89.15 points on Mayor of Hogeye (Viducic / Ogden Ranch / Rankin) during the PBR Teams Series Freedom Days in Sunrise, FL. Photo courtesy of BullStock Media.
Humps-Horns.com · 21 · September 2026
By Staff Writer
The Race Is On: PBR Teams Hits the Midway Mark By the time the PBR Teams season reached the halfway point, one thing had become clear: there is no such thing as a safe lead in team bull riding.** The 2026 PBR Teams season has delivered everything fans have come to expect from professional bull riding — big rides, spectacular wrecks, unexpected heroes, rising stars and enough momentum swings to keep the championship race wide open. With five regular-season stops completed and Thunder Days in Ridgedale, Missouri, marking Stop No. 6 and the official halfway point of the season, the Nashville Stampede have established themselves as the team everyone is chasing. But the Missouri Thunder are closing fast, and several other teams remain within striking distance of the top.
Perhaps no moment better illustrated Nashville’s character than its opening night at Stampede Days. With the team locked in a tight battle with the Arizona Ridge Riders, Silva delivered an 87.55-point ride aboard Po Campo in the fifth and final frame to produce a walk-off victory. Earlier in the game, de Souza had posted a 90.5-point ride on Freedom Fighter, while Venâncio contributed an 89.35. That is what has made Nashville so dangerous: when one rider doesn’t get the job done, somebody else steps up. The Thunder Are Coming The biggest story of the second half of the opening portion of the season may be the Missouri Thunder.
Nashville entered the halfway point with a 10-4 record and the league lead. Missouri was right behind at 9-5, while the Carolina Cowboys also stood at 9-5. The Arizona Ridge Riders sat fourth at 8-6, followed by the Texas Rattlers and Florida Freedom at 7-7.
After struggling early, Missouri has transformed itself into the hottest team in the league. The Thunder arrived at their Ridgedale homestand riding a franchise-record six-game winning streak, including perfect 3-0 weekends in both Nashville and Austin.
In other words, the race is far from settled.
That run propelled Missouri from seventh place to second.
Nashville Sets the Pace
During the six-game streak, the Thunder covered 18 of 30 bulls — a remarkable 60% — and averaged 264.10 points per game. At Gambler Days in Austin, Missouri covered 10 of 15 bulls, coming within one ride of the league’s single-event record.
If the first half of the season belongs to one team, it is difficult to argue against the Nashville Stampede. The Stampede opened the season with an impressive combination of consistency and firepower. At one point, Nashville ripped off eight consecutive victories — a franchise record — while covering nearly 58% of its bulls during the streak. The team’s success has not been built around one superstar. It has been a genuine team effort. Riquelmi Silva has emerged as one of the league’s most impressive performers, while Rogério Venâncio, Alan de Souza and Daniel Feitosa have repeatedly supplied the rides Nashville has needed in pressure situations.
Leading the charge is Paulo Eduardo Rossetto. Rossetto has been one of the revelations of the 2026 Teams season. The versatile Brazilian has been nearly automatic, going 11-for-14 heading into Thunder Days and sitting second in the Teams MVP race with 971.1 aggregate points. His ability to ride with either hand depending on the matchup has added another dimension to his already impressive skill set. Missouri isn’t simply riding hot. It is riding with confidence. And that makes the Thunder particularly dangerous during the second half.
Humps-Horns.com · 22 · September 2026
Riquelmi Silva goes for 90.90 points on Big Mac (McCoy Rodeo / Phil Dahl) to lead the Nashville Stampede to victory during the PBR Teams Series Stampede Days in Nashville, TN. Photo courtesy of BullStock Media. Leme Looks Like the Man to Beat While Nashville owns the top spot in the team standings, Austin Gamblers star Jose Vitor Leme has made perhaps the strongest individual statement of the season. The three-time PBR World Champion has been exceptional in the Teams format. Entering the halfway point, Leme had covered 12 of 14 bulls and accumulated 1,063.2 MVP points, good enough for the top spot in the individual MVP race. An 85%-plus riding percentage over that kind of sample is remarkable. Leme’s performance is particularly important for Austin. The Gamblers have not enjoyed the same team success they experienced in previous seasons, sitting at 6-8 at the halfway point, but Leme has continued to produce at an elite level. And when the championship pressure arrives in Las Vegas, having a rider of Leme’s caliber available could become one of Austin’s biggest advantages.
also shown that he belongs in the MVP conversation. Venâncio produced a pair of clutch performances during Nashville’s homestand and briefly moved to the top of the MVP race. Brady Fielder continues to be another rider worth watching. The Australian has always been a major presence for the Texas Rattlers and remains one of the most recognizable international riders in the league. He was instrumental in Texas’ fast start, including an 88.7-point ride on Flossin during the Rattlers’ dominant victory over Oklahoma in Oklahoma City. Then there is the veteran experience of riders such as Sage Steele Kimzey, Dalton Kasel, Eduardo Aparecido and others who have demonstrated that one great ride can completely change the outcome of a game. The Teams format rewards depth — and the riders who can deliver when their team needs them most. The Highs and the Lows
Riders Making Their Mark
For every team enjoying a winning streak, another is trying to find a way out of a slump.
One of the great strengths of the PBR Teams format is that it creates opportunities for riders who might not always receive the spotlight during the individual season.
The New York Mavericks have endured the most difficult opening stretch, entering the halfway point at 3-11. Oklahoma has also struggled at 5-9, while Kansas City sits at 6-8.
Riquelmi Silva is a perfect example.
But the beauty of PBR Teams is that the season is long enough for a turnaround.
The Nashville rider entered the halfway point ranked among the league’s top individual performers, while teammate Venâncio has
The Mavericks, for example, have already demonstrated flashes of
Humps-Horns.com · 23 · September 2026
what they can become. The Outlaws and Wildcatters have shown the same thing. In team bull riding, one hot weekend can change the complexion of an entire season.
That’s the nature of professional bull riding.
The Texas Rattlers provide another interesting storyline.
If the first half of the season has taught us anything, it is that the standings don’t tell the entire story.
The defending 2023 PBR Teams Champions remain dangerous, but their 7-7 record leaves them looking up at the leaders. The Rattlers have enough veteran experience and firepower to make a run, but consistency will be critical over the remaining events. And then there are the Carolina Cowboys and Arizona Ridge Riders. Both remain firmly in championship contention, and neither team can afford to overlook the importance of the remaining regularseason games. The Bulls Still Have a Say Of course, no discussion of PBR Teams would be complete without mentioning the other half of the equation. The bulls have been spectacular.
The Second Half Awaits
Nashville has the record. Missouri has the momentum. Leme has the MVP lead. Texas has the experience. Arizona and Carolina have the firepower. And everyone else is still chasing the opportunity to make a move. With four regular-season stops remaining after Thunder Days, the road to the PBR Teams Championship in Las Vegas is beginning to take shape. But there is still plenty of time for another team to catch fire, another rider to emerge and another championship contender to fall back to the pack.
One of the highest-marked bulls of the season so far was Wicked Intentions, which posted a monstrous 46.25 bull score during Gambler Days in Austin — the highest bull score recorded in the 2026 PBR Teams season at that point.
That’s what makes the Teams season so compelling.
The abundance of outstanding bull athletes has made the Teams format even more unpredictable. A five-man lineup can look unbeatable on paper, but all it takes is one outstanding bull to turn a potential 400-point performance into a frustrating night.
And if the first half is any indication, the second half is going to be one wild ride.
Paulo Eduardo Rossetto goes the distance on Hard Candy (Braun Bucking Bulls) for 89.45 points as the Missouri Thunder defeat the Nashville Stampede during the PBR Teams Series Gambler Days in Austin, TX. Photo courtesy of BullStock Media.
Every game matters. Every ride matters. Every eight seconds can change the standings.
Humps-Horns.com · 24 · September 2026
WHERE’S THE BEEF? *-Added Money Amount Is For Each Night Information Subject to Change Without Notice Date
Location
Added $
Open
Time
Call-In #
Assn/Event
BULL RIDING EVENTS SEPTEMBER Sep 3
Fort Worth, TX
Sep 3
Mineral Point, WI
Sep 4
Northville, MI
Sep 4-6
Ridgedale. MO
Sep 4-6
PBR Stockyards Showcase 8/31
6-8pm
608-412-0799
NFPB
$3,000
8/31
6-8pm
T 517-260-0492 NFPB
Sebeka, MN
$13,000
8/31
6-8pm
T 517-260-0492 NFPB / Nimrod Bull Bash
Sep 5
Essex, IA
$3,000
Sep 5
Mountain Grove, MO
$3,000
Sep 5
Ellensburg, WA
$118,000
Sep 5-6
Belton, TX
Sep 5-6
Copan, OK
Sep 6
Nashua, IA
$4,000
Sep 7
St Paul, MN
$5,000*
Sep 9
Lewiston, ID
$35,000
Sep 10
Fort Worth, TX
Sep 11
Osakis, MN
$5,000
Sep 11-12
Albuquerque, NM
$20,000
Sep 11-12
Rochester, NY
PBR Challenger Series
Sep 11-13
Anaheim, CA
PBR Teams Series
Sep 12
Harrison, AR
$2,500
8/31
6pm
501-773-4300
Bull Riders Inc.
Sep 12
Kinmundy, IL
$1,500
9/7
5-9pm
618-267-1782
NFPB
Sep 12
Kramer, NE
$4,000
712-374-6053
Bullriders of America
Sep 14-15
Pendleton, OR
$150,000
Sep 17
Fort Worth, TX
PBR Stockyards Showcase
Sep 18-19
Green Bay, WI
PBR Challenger Series
Sep 18-19
Windsor, VA
Sep 18-20
Greensboro, NC
Sep 19
PBR Teams Series
8/24
6pm/8pm
712-374-6053
Bullriders of America
417-924-3591
NFPB PRCA Xtreme Bulls PBR Challenger Series
$5,000
8/30-31
6-10pm
8/31
7pm
918-914-2110
Bull Riders Inc.
712-374-6053
Bullriders of America
515-460-3669
NFPB PRCA Xtreme Bulls PBR Stockyards Showcase
8/30
5-9pm
320-226-1487
NFPB PRCA Xtreme Bulls
PRCA Xtreme BullsTour Finale
$750
9/7
6pm
gosebra.com
SEBRA
Breckenridge, MN
$5,000
9/7
5-9pm
320-226-1487
Sep 19
Troy, IL
$3,000
9/7
5pm
T 573-823-2569 NFPB
Sep 24
Fort Worth, TX
PBR Stockyards Showcase
Sep 25-26
Minot, ND
PBR Challenger Series
Sep 25-26
Oklahoma City, OK
PBR Challenger Series
Sep 25-26
Waterloo, IA
Sep 25-26 Sep 26 Sep 30
PBR Teams Series NFPB
Enter online waterloochallenges.com/enter-rodeo-2
Bullriders of America
Belle, MO
$6,000
9/6
6-9pm
573-286-0403
NFPB
Defiance, MO
$15,000
9/21
5pm
T 573-823-2569 NFPB
Fort Smith, AR
$20,000
PRCA Xtreme Bulls
OCTOBER Oct 1
Fort Worth, TX
PBR Stockyards Showcase
Oct 2-3
Muskogee, OK
PBR Challenger Series
Oct 2-4
Fort Worth, TX
PBR Teams Series
Humps-Horns.com · 25 · September2026
WHERE’S THE BEEF? *-Added Money Amount Is For Each Night Information Subject to Change Without Notice Date
Location
Added $
Open
Time
Call-In #
Assn/Event
Oct 3
Fort Wayne, IN
PBR Challenger Series
Oct 8
Lubbock, TX
PBR Challenger Series
Oct 8
Fort Worth, TX
PBR Stockyards Showcase
Oct 8-10
Glendale, AZ
PBR Teams Series
Oct 9-11
Waco, TX
$101,000
PRCA Permit Finals
Oct 9-11
Minot, ND
$60,000
PRCA Badlands Circuit Finals
Oct 10
Louisville, KY
Oct 10
Paola, KS
Oct 13
Washington, DC
$875,000
PRCA America’s 250th Rodeo Celebration
Oct 13-16
Waco, TX
$90,000
PRCA Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo
Oct 15
Fort Worth, TX
PBR Stockyards Showcase
Oct 16-18
Belmont Park, NY
PBR Teams Series
Oct 17
Lincoln, NE
PBR Challenger Series
Oct 22
Fort Worth, TX
PBR Stockyards Showcase
Oct 23-25
Kansa City, MO
PBR Teams Series
Oct 24
Columbus, OH
PBR Challenger Series
Oct 29
Fort Worth, TX
Oct 30
Reno. NV
Oct 30
Lincoln, NE
PBR Challenger Series 712-374-6053
Bullriders of America
PBR Stockyards Showcase $20,000
PRCA Xtreme Bulls 712-374-6053
Bullriders of America/Double S Tour Finals
NOVEMBER Nov 4-5
Las Vegas, NV
PBR Challenger Series Championship
Nov 6-8
Las Vegas, NV
PBR Teams Series Championship
BUCKING BULL EVENTS SEPTEMBER Sep 1
Monthly Classic, CO
ABBI / August Collective
Sep 5
Elizabeth, CO
ABBI
Sep 5
Duncan, OK
ABBI / ClaimABull
Sep 5
Lloydminster, AB
ABBI Canada
Sep 6
Elizabeth, CO
ABBI
Sep 12
Duncan, OK
ABBI
Sep 12
Quitman, GA
Sep 12
Elko, NV
Sep 16
Erick, OK
Sep 19
West Sunbury, PA
Sep 19
Sisters, OR
ABBI / HDBBA
Sep 19
Porum, OK
ABBI / Jenkins Ranch
Sep 20
Strathmore, AB
ABBI Canada
Oct 1
Monthly Classic, CO
ABBI / September Collective
Oct 3
Elizabeth, CO
ABBI / Buckers Unlimited Finals
Oct 10
Edmonton, AB
ABBI Canada Finals
ABBI / Dixie Classic 702-236-4540
ABBI / WSBBA ABBI
724-421-5601
ABBI / NFG
OCTOBER
Humps-Horns.com · 26 · September 2026
WHERE’S THE BEEF? *-Added Money Amount Is For Each Night Information Subject to Change Without Notice Date
Location
Added $
Open
Time
Call-In #
Assn/Event
Oct 10
Caldwell, ID
ABBI / HDBBA
Oct 31
Las Vegas, NV
ABBI World Finals
Hudson Bolton is most likely out for the rest of the regular season after suffering a broken jaw at the Darby (Mont.) Xtreme Bulls Aug. 23. During the event in Darby, a bull caught Bolton underneath the facemask and shattered his jaw. Bolton won the Darby Xtreme Bulls title with 180 points on two head. Courtesy of the PRCA. PRCA photo by Tyson Woods.
Humps-Horns.com · 27 · September2026
CLASSIFIEDS Practice Pens
Practice Pens
PISGAH, AL - TIM COX, TCB, ANYTIME, CALL FIRST, 256-996-9426
JACKSONVILLE, NC - Aleck Barnard, Elite Cowboy Rodeo Assoc., Onslow Rodeo Arena, 6pm Every Other Sunday, Call First, 910-381-8597
NEW MARKET, AL - EC Hunt, 5:30pm Sun., 256-683-8169 BATESVILLE, AR - James Bechdoldt, Anytime, Call First, 870-307-9923 CONWAY, AR - Mark Lindsey, Ride & Shine Cattle Company, Anytime, Call First, 501-730-4557 ELFRIDA, AZ - D Davis Bucking Bulls, 4pm Sat., Call First, 520-642-3737 LINCOLN, CA - B Bar Ranch, B Bar Indoor Arena, Rain or Shine, All Rough Stock, 916-206-4059 MARYSVILLE, CA - PacWest, 5pm Wed., Steers & Bulls, Call First, 530-751-6643 FRESNO, CA - Toro Bravo Arena, Thur. by appt., Call First, 559-577-2445
Read our current and past issues online at
ELIZABETH, CO - Tuff Garcia, Tuff E Nuff, 6pm Mon., Rain or Shine, 970-846-0788 STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO - Tuff E Nuff, 6pm Wed., Apr-Nov., 970-846-6828/3354 ALDEN, IA - Circle C Rodeo, 6pm Wed., Rain or Shine, Call for alternate dates 641-373-3625
Do You Have a Livestock Layover or Practice Pen? List it for FREE in the Classifieds.
WOODBINE, IA - Tom & Kristina Kelley, every Sun. (weather permitting). Beginner - rank bulls. Call 712-5922493
Call our office at 325-500-BULL (2855)
KENDALLVILLE, IN - B Bar A Bucking Bulls, Heidi Speicher, 7pm Every Thur, Call First, 260-564-5864/Troy
For More Information on listing your facilities
JACKSONVILLE, IL - Lazy C Rodeo, 10am-3pm Sun., Rain or shine, Call First, 217-245-8280
Humps-Horns.com · 28 · September 2026
CHANDLER, OK - JAM Bulls, 2pm Sun., 7pm Wed., Call First, 405-570-9010 SOPER/HUGO, OK - RBL Rodeo Bulls, Anytime with 4-6 hour notice, Rain or Shine, 307-461-1741 EAGLEVILLE, TN - BF Cattle Company, 2pm Sun., Jackpot, Call First, 615-336-4313 EMORY, TX - Oakes & Greene’s, 7pm Wed., 903-348-8630 LORENA, TX - Rocking S Ranch, Tue., Jackpot, Call First, 254-716-0779 MANSFIELD, TX - JC Knapp Ranch, 4pm Sun/6pm Wed., $5 at the gate to ride as many as you want, 817-223-3692 SIMMS, TX - Wilburn Bucking Bulls, 7pm Every Other Thur., 903-543-3025 PETROLIA, TX - Norris Dalton, 7pm Wed., 940-733-3020 NOCONA, TX - 4x Arena, Call First, 501-944-1907 NOCONA, TX - Locke Bucking Bulls, Call First, 940-872-0733 WILLS POINT, TX - Austin Arena Bulls, Barrels, & Poles. $10 per ride/run or $25 for all you can ride. Bulls for all ages. 214-7265799
Livestock Layovers BATESVILLE, AR - James Bechdoldt, White River Rodeo, 870-307-9923 RAYMOND, IL - Randy Littrell, Shop Creek Cattle, 217-556-0551
CLASSIFIEDS Livestock Layovers
Livestock Layovers
Livestock Layovers
MARYSVILLE, KS - Gary Hershey, 4H Bucking Bulls and Marysville Sale Barn, Call First, 785-292-4952
CLAYTON, NM - Justin Keeth, Lazy J 3 Bucking Bulls, 575-447-0877
DUBLIN, TX - Mike Godfrey, Godfrey 4X Cattle, 817-235-2852
BETHESDA, OH - 15 Miles off I-70, TCB Ranch, 304-281-4530
MANSFIELD, TX - JC Knapp Ranch, JC Knapp Rodeo, 817-223-3692
SOPER/HUGO, OK - RBL Rodeo Bulls, Anytime w/ 4-6 hours notice, 307-461-1741
MIDLAND, TX - Ted Norton, Norton Bucking Bulls, 432-413-8433
LAKE CHARLES, LA - Keith Strickland, Deep South Rodeo Genetics, 337-304-1493 SALEM, MO - Hwy 32 & 72, Salem Livestock Auction, 573-729-8880 HELENA, MT - Jim Horne, Bull Horne Ranch, 406-459-5706 FERNLEY, NV - Nathan Pudsey, Circle P Bucking Bulls, 775-750-2168
BOX ELDER, SD - Gus “Duane” Aus, Lazy Heart O Ranch, 605-923-3426 BUCHANAN, TN - Parsons & Milam 731-642-8346 CLARKSVILLE, TX - Brian Agnew, BA Livestock, 903-669-9189
DECATUR, TX - Cullen Calame, Denton Creek Farms, 940-393-3730 SIMMS, TX - Near I-30 Texarkana, Wilburn Bucking Bulls, 863-381-2799 CHEYENNE, WY - Floyd & Ann Thomas, TTnT Ranch, 307-778-8806
Your Ad Could Be Here! Call 325-500-2855 for more details
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PROFESSIONAL QUALITY BULLROPES Raymond Branch, Custom Braider Maker of World, NFR, & PBR Champion Bullropes Strictly custom-braided to your specifications. (928) 289-9611 www.mypqb.com
Humps-Horns.com · 29 · September 2026
Western Wanderings a cowboy’s hands
By Kelly B. Robbins
You can always tell a cowboy whenever you shake his hand His clasp is strong and his skin is rough because he works the land The story of how he lives his life is revealed within that handshake The work is hard, the hours are long, it’s not something he can fake It starts ‘most every morning that begins ‘fore the sun is up And winds down every evening, with great coffee in his cup Those gnarly hands have seen dirt and dust and pain and sometimes strife But the broken nails, the rough skin and scars are a roadmap of his life He may be a preacher on Sunday, talking with bible in hand Or a ranch hand on a Tuesday, roping a calf to brand Gentle hands are needed once in a while, because he’s a husband and dad But strong hands may be called for on Friday, to handle the horse acting bad No matter the day, no matter the job, whatever he finds he must do His hands tell his story quite plainly, he’s a real cowboy through and through!
Illustrated by Mike Aemmer
Jose Vitor Leme takes Flapjack (Herndon Bucking Bulls ) to the whistle for 90.55 points at the PBR Teams Series Freedom Days in Sunrise, FL. Leme leads the PBR Teams MVP race with 1063.20 points so far this season. Photo courtesy of BullStock Media.