The 2026 rodeo season is gaining speed fast, and every rodeo counts for these athletes trying to secure a place at the National Finals Rodeo come December. While some are making their mark at the Calgary Stampede, other athletes at the Rooftop Rodeo in Estes Park, Colorado did not disappoint.
Rough Stock Lineup
Bareback rider Cooper Cooke is looking to secure his spot in the top 10 as he sits in the No. 11 spot in the world standings. He came in with something to prove in Colorado as he dominated in the arena with a winning ride of 84.5-points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Tail Tuck.
Cooke is taking home over $5,000 which will push him into the $100,000 mark in the world standings, potentially pulling him into No. 9.
Saddle bronc rider Mitchell Smith may be an underdog now (sitting unranked in the world standings) but he won’t stay like that for long in his career if he keeps up this pace. The cowboy landed on top in Colorado thanks to an 83-point ride…