Bull Rider Trey Benton Announces His Retirement From Rodeo

With just over a month left in the 2026 PRCA regular season, countless stories are reaching their close. One such story is the bull riding career of Trey Benton. This cowboy has been riding in the PRCA for nearly 15 years and clocked 7 visits to the NFR. His talent and skill has been undeniable from the beginning when he earned the title of Resistol Rookie of the Year in 2012. Since then, his success has only continued, earning over $1.5 million throughout his career.

Though many people will remember the later part of his career, fewer will easily recall his beginnings. This is an error, however, as his career was a notable one from the very beginning. Benton was first introduced to bull riding in high school when Bad Company Rodeo legend Mack Altizer advised him to simply get on as many bulls as possible. Trey quickly built a notable high school rodeo career, qualifying for the National High School Finals Rodeo in both bull riding and tie-down roping.

Trey is a talented roper and all-around rodeo athlete, skilled in most areas of roping competitions. In the end, though, it was bull riding that secured his professional focus after his monstrous success in 2012 PRCA circuits. In fact, his career in the PRCA started with three back-to-back NFR appearances, and he would later add four more appearances.

Overall, Trey Benton III had an amazingly successful career in bull riding, one that is admired by many young and hopeful riders. After so many years in the sport, however, Trey shared that the fire he once had for competitive rodeo no longer burns as strongly, and he prefers to turn his attention more to his family and to caring for them.

This cowboy won’t be leaving the world entirely behind, however, as he is now working with the Superior Livestock Auction, helping Mike Arnold market the cattle. He shared through social media his desire to help the agriculture community to get the most out of their livestock, his passion as a cattleman since childhood still holding strong.

The rodeo community is sad to see one of its favorite athletes step down form competition but are more so excited for Trey Benton as he begins the next chapter of his journey. Although this portion of his story is ending, it is only the ending of one chapter and the beginning of the next; a new chapter that is sure to be just as successful as his last.