Under the lights at Chase Field, where home runs usually steal the spotlight, it was first a cowboy from Kansas who hit it out of the park on the final night. Jess Pope stepped up to the plate as the final man out in the bareback riding and delivered a ride that sealed his place as this year's Hondo Rodeo Fest Bareback Champion.

The 27-year-old, a 2022 World Champion, six-time NFR qualifier, and three-time NFR average winner, finished the Hondo Rodeo Fest with 261 points on three head, clinching the bareback riding title in front of a packed Saturday night crowd.

Pope entered the night already sitting in prime position after 88 points for the Round 1 win and 87 points in Round 2, winning more than $17,000 in earnings before the final round began. But he wasn’t done just yet. As the final man to nod his head from the Wrangler bucking chute, Pope turned in another strong ride for 86 points to lock in the average win and another big title on his growing list of accolades. The average title alone paid $20,000 to Pope. 

It was a fitting finish for a cowboy who’s built his reputation on consistency and calm under pressure. He proved once again in Phoenix that while he’s more than capable of posting big scores when the time is right, he is known for that smart “steady wins the race” approach. 

“That’s the biggest adrenaline rush you’ll ever get in your life,” Pope said in his interview after the big win. “It’s good to ride in front of great crowds like you guys. Just blessed. God bless America, and God bless rodeo.” 

The final round was a fun one to watch. Bradlee Miller made a statement with a big 90-point ride, the highest score of the night and the rodeo, to secure second in the average and put some pressure on Jess. But Pope rose to the occasion once again, and his three head total still came out on top. 

Both Pope and Miller now turn their focus toward Las Vegas and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. They have both had a standout regular season, with big wins across the country. Pope will make his sixth appearance inside the Thomas & Mack, while Miller heads to his second. Miller enters the Finals sitting third in the world standings, with Pope right behind in fourth; both cowboys well within reach of a gold buckle come December. 

For the fans, the Hondo Rodeo Fest has become more than just a stop on the calendar but it’s a show that shows off the sport’s best athletes with a “big-league” atmosphere, literally. The invite-only event brings eight of rodeo’s top competitors in each event to compete in front of crowds who might be seeing the sport of rodeo for the first time. With the venue of Chase Field, live concerts, and the energy of downtown Phoenix, the Hondo has quickly become a place where the exciting world of rodeo meets the mainstream spotlight.

Full Bareback Riding Results 

Round 1

1. Jess Pope 88pts
2. Garret Shadbolt 86pts
3. Tilden Hooper 86pts
4. RC Landingham 85.5pts
5. Bradlee Miller 84.5pts
6. Jacob Lees 84pts
7. Sam Petersen 83pts
8. Kade Sonnier 83pts

Round 2

1. Kade Sonnier  88.5pts

2. (tie) Jess Pope & Garret Shadbolt 87pts

4. Tilden Hooper 85pts

5. Bradlee Miller 84.5pts

6.(tie) RC Landingham & Jacob Lees 84pts

8. Sam Peterson 82.5pts

Round 3

1. Bradlee Miller 90pts

2. Sam Peterson 87.5 pts

3. (tie) Jess Pope and Jacob Lees 86pts

Average 

1. Jess Pope 261.0/3

2. Bradlee Miller 259.0/3

3. Garrett Shadbolt 256.5/3

4. (tie) Kade Sonnier & Tilden Hooper 256.0/3