Many of the 2025 champions turned San Antonio wins into NFR seasons. Now they return looking to build on that momentum once again.
The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo begins tonight. San Antonio is one of the most important stops on the Texas Swing.
The format here is a little different than Fort Worth, which just wrapped up in sudden-death style. In San Antonio, the champion is the contestant who earns the most money across the entire rodeo, from bracket rounds through the semifinals and finals. The finals round winner is not necessarily the rodeo champion. The title goes to the athlete who wins the most the entire week.
Last year, several champions used that format and the San Antonio title to build momentum that carried them all the way to Las Vegas.
Bareback Riding – Bradlee Miller
For Bradlee Miller, San Antonio set the tone for 2025. The 22 year-old from Huntsville, Texas, won Bracket 4 and his semifinal. He was 89.5 points for second in the finals, but it was his sweep throughout the week that made him the champion.
That win helped propel him to his second National Finals Rodeo appearance in 2025, where he finished ninth in the world standings. Now, Bradlee sits third in the world early in 2026. Another San Antonio title would be a major step in his run at a gold buckle.
Steer Wrestling – Brandon Harrison
Brandon Harrison entered last year through the Uvalde qualifier and made the most of the opportunity. The veteran bulldogger, with more than a decade in the PRCA, captured one of the biggest wins of his career. He wasn’t one of the pre-seeded names, but he outperformed the rest of them when it counted.
This year the Uvalde qualifier was canceled due to the EHV outbreak, changing how the field was set. But everyone loves an underdog story, and Brandon came in clutch in 2025.
Team Roping – Dustin Egusquiza & Levi Lord
In 2025, Dustin Egusquiza and Levi Lord claimed the title and carried that momentum into an NFR qualification. Egusquiza made his eighth NFR and finished ninth in the world. Lord made his fifth and also finished ninth heeling.
This year they return with different partners. Egusquiza is now heading for J.C. Flake and the team sits second in the world standings. Lord is heeling for Tyler Tryan, and that team is also inside the Top 10. Both are back in San Antonio looking to add another Texas win, just not together.
Saddle Bronc Riding – Dawson Hay
California’s Dawson Hay turned his San Antonio win into one of the most consistent seasons. Hay made his sixth NFR in 2025 and finished eighth in the world standings. According to US Cowboy, his average score of 85.80 was the highest in the PRCA over the past three seasons, and more than 70 percent of his qualified rides were marked 85 or better.
Dawson is battling injuries and will sit out this year’s rodeo, but younger brother Logan Hay will compete with the opportunity to keep the family name in contention.
Tie-Down Roping – Tuf Cooper
For Tuf Cooper, San Antonio also helped launch 2025. The three-time world champion and 16-time NFR qualifier started his season strong in Texas before injuries and the loss of his father, legend Roy Cooper, led to him narrowly missing a return trip to Las Vegas.
He is back in San Antonio in 2026 looking to reset and pursue what would be his 17th NFR qualification.
Breakaway Roping – Aspen Miller
Texas cowgirl Aspen Miller used her San Antonio title to reach her first National Finals Breakaway Roping, finishing sixth in the world in 2025.
Her consistency was impressive. A 2.1 was her slowest time of the rodeo last year, with a fastest run of 1.7. She stayed focused on one calf at a time, and it paid off. Aspen is back inside the Top 15 again in 2026 and looking to capitalize again.
Barrel Racing – Megan McLeod-Sprague
Megan McLeod-Sprague captured the San Antonio title and used that win to qualify for her first NFR as well where she finished 12th in the world standings.
Early Texas money can shape a season in barrel racing, and she returns with the opportunity to repeat that again this year.
Bull Riding – Stetson Wright
When Stetson Wright won San Antonio last year, it was part of a huge comeback season. He went on to win his sixth All Around Title and his third bull riding World Title in 2025. This added his 9th and 10th gold buckles in Las Vegas.
He already leads the all around standings again in 2026 and remains inside the Top 10 in both bull riding and saddle bronc riding. San Antonio could play a roll in his triple crown goal this year.
The Texas Swing has a big way of shaping seasons early. A year ago, these San Antonio champions used this rodeo to launch them early in the year. Now they return with titles to defend, and another season to build.