With big prize money at stake, many rodeo athletes look forward to participating in winter rodeos across the country.
Professional rodeo athletes do not have an off-season. Even after the regular season ends on Sept. 30, the competition continues. Those who did not make it to the National Finals Rodeo will start fighting for their position in the world standings for the upcoming season.
The winter months are particularly exciting, as they feature some of the biggest events in the sport. Most are part of the Cinch Playoff Series and include rodeos such as the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, RODEOHOUSTON, and La Fiesta de los Vaqueros in Tucson, Ariz.
These offer substantial prize money and series points that can help riders qualify for the Cinch Playoffs in Puyallup, Wash., and The Governor's Cup in Sioux Falls, SD, which play a crucial role in the final quarter of the season.
Caleb Bennett, a 10-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier, told Pro Rodeo Sports News, "I try to capitalize on these winter rodeos as my setup for the entire year. To win the right amount of money, it is huge. You want to come out of the winter run with as much money as you can in as few rodeos as possible."
Below is the list of the winter rodeos that are part of the 2024 Cinch Playoff Series:
Sandhills Stock Show & Rodeo
Jan. 4-13, 2024
Ector County Coliseum, Odessa, TX
Added Money: $78,400
National Western Stock Show & Rodeo
Jan. 11-21, 2024
Denver Coliseum, Denver, CO.
Added Money:
Timed Events - $284,375
Roughstock Events - $170,625
Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo
Jan. 19 - Feb. 3, 2024
Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, TX
Added Money:
Rodeo - $967,600
Breakaway - $136,000
San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
Feb. 8-24, 2024
Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
Added Money:
Rodeo - $1,440,000
Breakaway - $180,000
Dixie National Rodeo
Feb. 9-17, 2024
Mississippi Coliseum, Jackson, MS
Added Money: $80,000
La Fiesta de los Vaqueros
Feb 17-25, 2024
Tucson Rodeo Grounds, Tucson, AZ
Added Money: TBA
RODEOHOUSTON
Feb. 27 - Mar. 17, 2024
NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
Added Money:
Rodeo - $1,936,000
Breakaway - $242,000