The PRCA Resistol Rookie of the Year is the only world champion title with one shot. First-year PRCA card holders in their debut season strive for the coveted crown and the honor of having their name alongside legends like Trevor Brazile, Joe Beaver and Luke Branquinho.
Throughout the year, each rodeo serves as a proving ground for PRCA Resistol Rookies vying for the title.
Saddle Bronc Riding
Zachary Dallas aims for an NFR qualification in his first year. Over $80,000 separates him from Darcy Radel in second place. He is ninth in the world, with over $100,000 in season earnings.
He secured his leap into the top 15 in the world standings after bringing an estimated $40,000 home during Cowboy Christmas.
Tie-Down
Other PRCA Resistol Rookie races are neck-in-neck, specifically in the calf-roping. Only $6,000 separates Cole Clemons from Bryce Derrer, who have been swapping between first and second all summer.
They are the only two PRCA tie-down rookies to penetrate the top 15 in the world standings. Clemons is 13th, and Derrer is 15th.
Steer Wrestling
Cole Walker drew attention when he took home the 2024 San Angelo Rodeo Steer Wrestling Co-Champion title. He’s capitalized on this win since and has consistently kept his number one spot in the PRCA Rookie standings.
Ty Bauerle is catching up with only $6,000 separating them after his reserve win from the Fiesta Days Rodeo.
Bareback Riding
Weston Timberman made a name for himself right out of the chutes. He went into this year’s Resistol Rookie Roundup sitting first, left as the champion, and has been leading it since. Over $40,000 separates him from Mason Stuller, the man sitting second in the PRCA rookie standings.
His wins at the CINCH World’s Toughest Rodeo and the Ponoka Stampede pushed him to sit 13th in the top 15 in the world.
Steer Roping
Trent Sorey is leading the rookie standings in steer roping by $17,000, positioned just outside the top 15 at 17th in the world. Most recently, he reserved the Crooked River Roundup to add over $2,000 to his season earnings.
Team Roping (Header)
The team roping standings in both heading and heeling is anyone’s game. Since the start of this rodeo season, no roper has consistently claimed the number one spot.
Success during Cowboy Christmas, specifically a win at the Livingston Roundup Rodeo, pushed Tyler Tryan into the number-one spot. Only $7,000 stands between him and Korbin Rice, the man in second.
A few hundred dollars split the difference between 3rd, 4th, and 5th place in the standings.
Team Roping (Heeler)
The heeler rookie race is even narrower, with $1,000 splitting first and second.
Logan Moore claimed first with his most recent check from Deadwood Days of ‘76 Rodeo.
Bull Riding
Jeter Lawrence brought home over $18,000 from his time at the California Rodeo Salinas. This fruitful weekend pushed Lawrence over the $100,000 season earnings mark. It moved him to eighth in the world standings, securing his spot in the top 15.
Right behind him, Cooper James is actively trying to break the $100,000 mark. He is less than $6,000 away, putting him 12th in the world.
James and Lawrence are the only bull riding rookies to break into the top 15, striving towards their first NFR qualification.
Barrel Racer Oceane Veilleux. Photo Courtesy of Jake Hodnett
Barrel Racing
The barrel racing rookie race competition is fierce and closely fought. Oceane Veilleux and Millie Marquart are less than $2,000 apart.
Veilleux won the Resistol Rookie Roundup, to highlight her as a frontrunner in the rookie race.
Breakaway Roping
KC-Gail Churchill is leading the breakaway rookie standings by $6,000.
After her, only a few hundred dollars separate places second through sixth.
All-Around
All-around rookie leader Wacey Schalla excels in both bull riding and bareback riding. The 18-year-old has over $72,000 to his name. His second place win at Fiesta Days Rodeo in bareback riding added nearly $10,000 to his season earnings.
Less than $4,000 behind him is Cole Clemons, the current tie-down PRCA Resistol Rookie leader.
The Race Is On
As we continue to watch the rookies through the end of the season, it leaves us asking:
– Who will qualify for the NFR in their debut year?
– Who will win the Resistol Rookie of the Year in their respective event?
