Fast Times, Big Scores — Phoenix Gets Set for Round 3 at the Hondo Rodeo Fest

Round 3 is heating up in Phoenix as the Hondo Rodeo Fest prepares for its final night of rodeo action. The stage is set for an exciting finish after two big rounds packed with big scores, fast times, and lots of stories that have kept rodeo fans talking. The Hondo shows off rodeos best, and tonight they will finish the job in Chase Field. 

Let's take a look at each event and the leaders going into round 3. 

Four-time NFR qualifier and the 2022 world champion Jess Pope set the tone in Round 1 of the bareback riding, posting an 88 point ride on I’m Special of J-J ProRodeo. Kade Sonnier came in on top of Round 2 with an 88.5-point ride on Foxy Lizard of J-J ProRodeo.

Pope is known for his consistency with three average titles at the Wrangler National Finals, and leads the average race heading into the final round tonight after finishing second in Round 2 as well. Garrett Shadbolt sits close behind, scoring 86 and 87 points in Rounds 1 and 2, respectively, and placing in both. 

JD Struxness, the reigning world champion, opened Round 1 with a 3.6-second run to claim the win. Ty Erickson, a 10-time NFR qualifier and also a PRCA World Champion, won Round 2 in 3.7 seconds to take the average lead after placing second in Round 1 with 3.96 seconds.

Tucker Allen and Justin Shaeffer sit second and third in the average with 9.04 and 9.35 on two, respectively. Struxness had a no-time in Round 2, keeping the steer wrestling title wide open heading into the final round.

Kaleb Driggers and Paul Eaves teamed up for this year's Hondo, taking the win in Round 1 with a wicked 4.0-second run. Erich Rodgers and Cory Petska had a no-time in Round 1 but came back to win Round 2 with 4.18. Driggers and Eaves posted 4.58 seconds in Round 2 to lead the average going into the finals. 

Driggers, a 13-time NFR qualifier is chasing his third gold buckle this year, has been on fire all season. Eaves, a legend of the sport of team roping, had not roped with Driggers all year, but their pairing at the Hondo has proven to be a winning decision. 

There was a tie at the top in round one of the saddle bronc with 87.5 point rides by Kade Bruno, four-time NFR qualifier on E.T. of J-J ProRodeo and Sage Newman, five-time NFR qualifier on Gypsy Rose of Summit ProRodeo.

Bruno tied with Zeke Thurston, four-time world champion, in Round 2 with 87 points, keeping the leaderboard tight. Bruno leads the average, with Thurston right behind him heading into the final round.

2024 Hondo Champion, Martha Angelone started off strong again in Round 1 with a 1.93-second run to win the round, then continued with a 2.3 seconds in Round 2 to hold the average lead. Round 2 quickly got tough when Shelby Meged was 1.8 seconds, but then there was Josie Conner. After a no-time in Round 1, she came back with 1.68 seconds, the fastest in Hondo history, to take the Round 2 win.

Bradi Good and Cheyenne McCartney sit behind Angelone in the average on two calves. 

Dylan Hancock has dominated the Hondo so far this year. The 21 year old is making his second NFR trip this year. He dominated Round 1 with 6.89 seconds, the only run under seven seconds. He followed with a 7.22-second run in Round 2 to lead the average heading into Round 3.

Tuf Cooper is second in the average with 14.62 on two, followed by Shane Hanchey at 14.69 and Riley Webb with 14.79. 

The barrel race has been arguably one of the best events to watch. It has been dominated by first-time NFR qualifier Tayla Moeykens and 19-time NFR qualifier Lisa Lockhart. Moeykens won Round 1 with 13.790 seconds, followed closely by Lockhart.

Lockhart then came back to run the fastest time of the rodeo so far in Round 2 with 13.613 seconds, taking the round win, with Moeykens right behind. They sit first and second in the average, setting the stage for an exciting final round. 

The Hondo invited 12 bull riders to this years event. Kaiden Loud who rides for the Nashville Stampede PBR Teams, won Round 1 with 86.5 points on Knight Kap of McCoy Rodeo & Graber. In Round 2, Hudson Bolton, 2025 PRCA and PBR Rookie of the Year, scored 85.5 points on Jacobson’s Blue Duck to take that round win.

Loud leads the average, with Bolton and Wacey Schalla tied for second. Of the 12 riders, five have covered both bulls. 

The Hondo stands out as one of the most unique stops in professional rodeo, as an invite-only event featuring just eight of the best in each event (12 in bull riding). One of the most unique aspects of the event is that the format also introduces the sport to new audiences who may have come primarily for the concerts but leave as hooked rodeo fans.

Speaking of concerts though,this year’s music lineup has been headlined by Nickelback with Treaty Oak Revival, Kid Rock, Jon Pardi, and closing night will feature Jason Aldean and Riley Green. They’ve helped make the Hondo more than a rodeo but a full-blown celebration of Western culture and the rodeo lifestyle.