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6. LET’S GO BRANDON! —
The million dollar man
8. KADE SONNIER
A Baseball Player/Cowboy’s Dream Come True
14. SHAD “MONEY” MAYFIELDS
Struxness Strikes it Rich
18. J.D. STRUXNESS
Struxness Strikes it Rich
22. SARAH ANGELONE
2.16 Seconds and $100,000 Later
30. SAGE NEWMAN
Tops a tough group of athletes
38. BRANDON CULLINS AND SEGER
Become Legendary at 2024 American Rodeo
44. CREEK YOUNG
Young gun strikes gold
50. That’s Rodeo to Me Rodeo photographer Chuck Miner
54. Campus Cowboys
Chronicles of college rodeo
60. A Tuf Weekend in Tucson
Tuff is on a hot streak of his own
62. NEW ARENA Directory
Support the businesses that support the industry
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KEVIN CARMONA the arena press @gmail.com
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KEN CARMONA the arena press .ken @ gmail.com
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LILLIAN LANDRETH the arena press. editor @ gmail.com
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HANNAH CRANDALL the arena press. Hannah@gmail.com
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Jesse James HARRIS jesse james harris 7@gmail.com
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Contributing photographers: Imagehounds ™ imagehounds @yahoo.com
CHUCK MINER 4C Photography.com
Cover photo: Brandon Cullins winning the Barrel Racing title at the 2024 American Rodeo
Photo credit: Imagehounds
Dear Readers,
Once again, we find ourselves basking in the exhilarating moments of the recent American Rodeo, hosted in Arlington, TX. Just a few weeks ago, the arena pulsated with excitement and fervor as fans gathered to witness this legendary event and its remarkable athletes.
Among the standout moments was the historic victory in barrel racing by Brandon Cullins and his exceptional horse, Seger. Brandon’s triumph not only etched a milestone in rodeo history but also bestowed upon him the prestigious title of the first male to claim the barrel racing crown at the American Rodeo. While his win stirred mixed emotions due to the event’s traditional association with female competitors, let us come together in applauding Brandon for his remarkable achievement.
The American Rodeo also served as a platform for several first-time winners, including Sarah Angeline, Creek Young, Sage Newman, Shad Mayfield, J.D. Struxness, and Kade Sonnier. Their victories embody the spirit of perseverance and dedication that defines our rodeo community, and we wholeheartedly celebrate their outstanding accomplishments.
Amidst the celebrations, we are mindful of the challenges confronting the rodeo world. Nevertheless, rodeo perseveres, captivating millions of enthusiasts worldwide. At The Arena Press, we remain unwavering in our commitment to championing the sport of rodeo and bridging the gap between its devoted followers and those who may misunderstand its rich heritage and traditions.
It is our mission to cast a positive light on rodeo and its community, which is often unjustly criticized by ill-informed detractors. Your ongoing support and feedback are invaluable as we strive to amplify the voices of rodeo enthusiasts and safeguard the legacy of this cherished sport.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for standing by us as we promote the greatest sport on dirt. Together, let us continue to honor the spirit of rodeo and share its enduring legacy with the world.
Warm regards,
The Arena Press
The former baseball player turned bareback rider, Kade Sonnier, really merged the two worlds winning the 2024 American Rodeo at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas March 9, 2024. Coming off his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualification in 2023, the 24-year-old athlete coming in as an invitee took home $100,000 and his first American title.
Winning both rounds of the event, Sonnier drew two great horses from Calgary Stampede to help him earn 88 points in the advancing round and 90.5 points in the finals. In the championship round, Tilden Hooper rode Frontier Rodeo’s Breaking News for 87.5 points, proving he is back at it fullforce after time off due to injury. Third out, Sonnier made his 90.5-point ride on Calgary’s Agent Lynx and just had to wait to see if it held up after reigning world champion Keenan Hayes and Calgary’s Blasting Sand, who ended up with 89.75 points.
From Carencro, Louisiana, Sonnier made his debut on the professional rodeo scene in 2023, finishing third in the world standings with $272,411, third in the NFR average and second in the Resistol Rookie of the Year race. So far in 2024, he’s won the SW District Fat Stock Show & Rodeo, Rodeo Columbus and the Mid Winter Fair & Rodeo.
Photo: IMAGEHOUNDS™
TILDEN HOOPER
ROCKER STEINER
COLE REINER
JESS POPE
Shad “Money” Mayfield struck gold again March 9th, winning his second title at The American and lassoing a six-figure paycheck. Inside the electrifying atmosphere of Globe Life Stadium, Shad turned in a 7.06-second run aboard his horse Platinum. The gray gelding has been a catalyst for success many times before, including carrying Shad to an arena record-tying win at the Thomas & Mack in 2022. Shad’s run at The American put him ahead of Haven Meged, who turned in a 7.38, while Riley Webb stopped the clock at 8.22. And although Shad’s $100,000 paycheck doesn’t count toward his PRCA standings, it will help fund the New Mexico cowboy’s gold buckle dreams and summer run.
The 23-year-old sensation continues to make the first tracks down the 2024 rodeo trail in his event. His recent Round 4 win at Rodeo Houston helped nudge him into the triple digits, where he’s sitting with $103,370. Ty Harris won Rodeo Houston, which moved him into second place behind Shad with $76,184. Meanwhile, Shad’s earnings already place him ahead of Riley Webb’s 2023 season hot streak this time last year, which ended with Riley’s record-breaking $452,852 and a world championship.
J.D. Struxness took down his steer and checked off a longtime goal all in 4.6 seconds at Globe Life Field. The 29-year-old steer wrestler has competed several times at The American, but this was his first year walking away $100,000 richer. He rode fellow steer wrestler Ty Erickson’s horse Crush to the win. J.D. competed on Crush at the 2023 WNFR and knew he was confident on the AQHA gelding, so he approached Ty about teaming up for the 2024 season. Ty was also competing at The American, one of the contenders eligible for the million, and Remey Parrott hazed not only for J.D.’s run, but also for Ty, Matt Reeves, and Tyler Waguespack.
Competing in such a talented pool of bulldoggers and friends—Matt Reeves has won more than $500,000 in his appearances at the event, and Tyler Waguespack is a five-time world champion—J.D. knew he had to treat his run like business as usual. He was familiar with the pen of steers and took his time getting his steer to lay over after gliding off Crush —all in a mere 4.6 seconds. Having his two young daughters there watching also gave J.D. a boost of confidence. He won money at Rodeo Houston, San Antonio, and the Dixie National Rodeo this winter, putting him in 12th place in the world standings and on track for what he hopes will be his sixth WNFR qualification.
Finishing number four in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) breakaway world standings right behind her sister Martha Angelone, Sarah Angelone took full advantage of her invitation to the 2024 American Rodeo held at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. With a 2.47 to squeeze into the final round, she then turned around and made a smoking 2.16-second run that nobody could catch, leading to a $100,00 payout.
Although, her sister, the other invitee in the finals, came close with a 2.09, if she hadn’t caught a 10-second penalty for a broken barrier. The other two contestants, who backed in the box for their shot at $1 million, were Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, who clocked in at 2.54 seconds, and Josie Conner, who didn’t have the luck she’d hoped for.
Sarah Angelone
Competing in Globe Life for the first time, Sarah’s transition from a horse trainer to full-fledged rodeo star happened in just a year. In 2023, Martha convinced Sarah to hit the rodeo road with her, and it led to her first National Finals Breakaway Roping (NFBR) qualification. Between her sister and friends like Danielle Lowman, Sarah has a circle that is both encouraging and pushes her to be her best in an iron-sharpens-iron kind of way. Winning $149,887 in the WPRA standings in 2023, Angelone is set to be able to compete on another level in 2024 with an extra $100,000 to work with.
”Amidst the dust and adrenaline of the arena, photographers and videographers stand as silent witnesses, transforming fleeting moments into everlasting memories.”
— The Arena Press
Four consecutive trips to the American Rodeo, and saddle bronc rider Sage Newman takes home his first $100,000 win from Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The 26-year-old cowboy hails from Melstone, Montana, and he just fell short of the 2023 world championship coming in second in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) world standings. However, with a big win early in the season, he is on track for another great year.
Hot Competition
A truly stacked lineup in the saddle bronc riding at the American, some of the biggest names in rodeo made their way to the event Saturday, March 9. The 4 advancing cowboys were Brody Cress, Sage Newman, Damian Brennan and Kade Bruno, but the other six riders included Logan Hay, Ryder Sanford, Shea Fournier, Mitch Pollock, Dawson Hay and Zeke Thurston. It took 86.5 points to advance to the finals and an 89.5 to win it all.
Sage Newman
Three-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualifier Sage Newman racked up nearly $400,000 in season earnings in 2023; and while the American payout doesn’t count toward PRCA earnings, it will surely set him up for success. He’s won rodeos like RodeoHouston, the New Years Eve Buck & Ball, the Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit Finals and many others.
In the American bucking chutes, Newman climbed on Calgary Stampede’s Dandy Delight second out in the final round. Only two points separated him and Damian Brennan in fourth place, but his 89.5-point ride proved to be enough.
In 2023, Luke Brown and Hunter Koch finished fifth in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) world standings, coming in second in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) average race. Just a few months later, the team won $100,000 each at the 2024 American Rodeo in the team roping at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
Qualifying for the Final Four round Saturday, March 9 with a 4.80-second run, Brown and Koch then made a 4.94-second run first out in the finals. Their clean run was all it took to clinch the winBrown’s second American title and Koch’s first.
Following Brown and Koch, Derrick Begay and Colter Todd were set to be in good shape, but caught a leg for 9.36 seconds total. The other two teams (Coy Rahlmann and Billie Jack Saebens and Shay Dixon Carroll and Logan Moore) were the top finishers in the first round, but didn’t have any luck in the finals.
Brown
49-year-old Luke Brown on the head side is a 14-time NFR qualifier from Rock Hill, South Carolina who now lives in Texas and spends most days roping. He earned his first American title in 2020 with Joseph Harrison.
Koch
26-year-old Hunter Koch from Vernon, Texas currently sits great in the world standings on the heel side as winter rodeos wrap up. With 3 NFR qualifications, he’s just getting started in his career. The young cowboy has roped with Brown since 2021, and they’ve clearly got it figured out.
Making history, Brandon Cullins and MJ Segers Fast Lane, or Seger, left Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas $1.1 million richer after his 15.173-second run on the 7-year-old brown mare owned by Grant and Rayel Little. Not his first time to try for an American Rodeo title, Cullins walked away successful after his sixth qualification as a contender. As the only contender to win his event, he earned the entire $1 million typically split between any contender winners, which will be split between him and the Littles.
Cullins
The first male barrel racing champion ever at the American, Cullins is no stranger to success in the predominantly woman-led event. A well-known barrel horse trainer, those in the industry know how successful he is, particularly on the futurity side. He’s now earned nearly $3 million in his career and has trained some of the most well-respected horses. Originally from Maryland, he now lives in Texas and is getting married just a month after the big payday.
Seger
The extremely fast mare bred by Mark and Linda Jarvis went into the American with over $300,000 in lifetime earnings. Trained and started by Rayel, Cullins took the reins at the end of 2022, and the duo has not let up since with some major wins like the Pink Buckle Derby championship, the Pink Buckle arena record, the Barrel Futurities of America Derby championship and more. Seger is by The Goodbye Lane and out of SKS Running Faucet, by Diamond Faucet.
Bull rider Chase Dougherty finds shelter behind barrelman Matt Merritt as they both keep a watchful eye on a bull targeting them.
Matt Merritt is more than just a barrel clown; he’s a genuine entertainer who captivates rodeo fans nationwide with his infectious humor and impressive dancing prowess. With an innate ability to connect with audiences, Matt brings much-needed comedic relief to the intense arena atmosphere.
Beyond The American Rodeo, Matt’s lively presence graces arenas across the country, from the PBR Velocity Tour to the Fort Worth Stock Show and the Houston Rodeo, among many others. Keeping up with his whirlwind schedule is no easy feat. This year marks his debut appearance at the prestigious Reno Rodeo, adding another highlight to his already illustrious career of spreading joy and laughter wherever he goes. Matt Merritt truly embodies the spirit of rodeo entertainment, leaving a trail of smiles in his wake.
Creek Young is another cowboy on fire, lighting up the roughstock chutes much the same as Shad Mayfield on the timed event side. The 23-year-old bull rider from Rogersville, Missouri just competed in his first American, qualifying for the rodeo in a unique fashion that ended with a $100,000 payday.
While Creek finished the 2023 season in 6th place, he was rolled in as an invitee in place of injured top-five finishing bull riders from 2023: Ky Hamilton, Stetson Wright, and Sage Kimzey, who is recovering from elbow surgery. Jared Parsonage, who finished seventh in 2023, also came in as an invitee. With these changes, the bull riding remained the only event at The American 2024 with 9 contestants rather than 10. The odds increased in each roughie’s favor, and Creek came out on top. The afternoon round saw the bulls winning and four cowboys received no times. Creek led the top four into the evening performance and clinched the title with an 89.25 ride.
His winning prowess continued into Rodeo Houston. Creek worked his way to the Championship Shootout and won aboard Cervi Championship Rodeo’s bull Preacher. His $50,000 earned there, alongside The American paycheck, made March a lucrative month for the cowboy working on his fourth consecutive trip to the WNFR. He’s currently leading the world standings with $98,970.
“When rodeo comes around, that’s my family. That’s my circle. It’s the cowboy lifestyle, being gentlemen, hardworking, God fearing, country loving, raising your family, and trying to do right. That’s what I see, and I like to portray that to the younger generation,” says rodeo photographer Chuck Miner.
A ranch raised cowboy from Mandan, North Dakota, Chuck rode bulls from his teens until hanging up his spurs in 2018. COVID hit just as he was pursuing a new adventure in rodeo announcing in 2020 and shut down most of his shows. Chuck, who is an artist at heart, decided to pursue photography. He had dabbled in wildlife photography while working for the Fish and Game Department. A good friend helped him buy his first camera and he drove to South Dakota to shoot their high school rodeos. “Growing up around rodeo, you know what to look for, and I got a lot of encouragement from a lot of people.”
Chuck met his goal of being hired to shoot the North Dakota Rodeo Association Finals in 2021. He was also hired in 2021 by the company who shot the NHSFR in Lincoln, Nebraska. In 2022, he completed his PRCA permit and his first photo was published in ProRodeo Sports News. Last year, he shot the 2023 WNFR as a media photographer, and his next goal is to be nominated as the official photographer of the WNFR, National Breakaway Roping Finals, or National Steer Roping Finals.
“I shoot a Nikon D850. It only shoots 9 frames per second, but it’s challenging to me to know when to time it, and I like to challenge myself.” Chuck especially enjoys capturing breakaway and tie-down roping. A highlight of his upcoming summer schedule is Cheyenne Frontier Days, while shooting high school rodeos and even senior photos continues to feed his hometown roots. “I thank God for what I’m doing. It’s a heck of a lot better than when I was riding bulls. Any little part of still being involved in the sport I grew up in and love is a feather in my cap.”
Chuck’s work can be found on his Facebook page Chuck Miner, or Instagram cm_4_bar_c_photos
This week, I got to catch up with the two-time National Finals Steer Roping qualifier and the reigning Intercollegiate Team Roping Champion, Slade Wood. Slade competes for Southwest Texas Junior College. He started team roping after his partner Logan Moore set him up with coach Joey Almond. Wood said, “They offered me an offer I couldn’t refuse, and I’m so glad I decided to rodeo for him.”
Wood has a fantastic support system; his dad “taught me everything I need to know when it comes to roping.” His mom and girlfriend, Acey Pinkston, “are amazing at supporting him, helping him enter, and going with him on the road.”
When it comes to team roping, it is crucial to have a partner with whom you are close and can be on the same page. Moore and Wood understand this and thrive because of it; Wood said, “Roping with Logan is so fun; I know that I can take that extra swing if I need to because Logan has such a quick, solid throw, and we can still be fast.” Woods’ favorite part of the college finals was winning the first round and staying in the lead throughout the finals.
Wood competed on his horse, Jaoquin, all year at the college rodeos; before the last rodeo of the season in Athens, Texas, he bought his new horse, Marty. He took Marty to a few Pro Rodeos to prepare him for the excitement of the College Finals.
Slade Wood and friend Logan Moore
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