Cooper Cooke Continues Hot Streak At The Eagle Rodeo

Every year, Eagle Rodeo proves to be a pivotal stop on the summer run, and this year was no exception. With over $180,000 in added money, several competitors made significant moves in the world standings and strengthened their cases for a trip to Las Vegas in December.

Leading the charge was bareback rider Cooper Cooke, who continues to move up in the world standings race. Cooke took the win with an impressive 88.5-point ride on Rocky Mountain Rodeo's Squaw Stomper, adding nearly $4,800 to his season earnings. The victory pushes him firmly inside the Top 10 in the world. Kashton Ford also added another strong performance to an already impressive season. Ford’s 86-point ride was good enough for second place and another valuable payday as he continues his pursuit of a first NFR qualification.

No. 24-ranked cowboy Garrett Oates topped the steer wrestling leaderboard with a 4.8-second run, followed closely by Trisyn Kalawaia, a Hawaiian cowboy setting himself up for his first NFR qualification. Recently, we’ve talked about the consistency of Tyler Waguespack. His 5.9-second run earned him a share of seventh place and a check worth more than $1,400, keeping his season moving in the right direction as he looks to make steer wrestling history in 2026.

Team roping had a loaded roster full of past world champions and muli-time NFR qualifiers, but ultimately dynamic duo Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira bested the field with a 4.6-second run. Clint Summers and Jade Corkill continued their hot streak for second place with a 4.7-second run.

Saddle bronc riding was equally as competitive, with Tanner Butner posting 87 points aboard Macza Pro Rodeo's Texas Tough. Butner edged out a stacked field that featured some of the sport's biggest names, including a three-way tie for second between Kade Bruno, Wyatt Casper, and Brody Cress at 85.5 points. The leaderboard was rounded out by a collection of multi-time NFR qualifiers, including Damian Brennan, Rusty Wright, and Jesse Wright.

In bull riding, Dalton Allred delivered the highest-marked ride of the rodeo, scoring 90.5 points aboard Western Rodeos' Uh-oh. Stetson Wright and Noah Lee, who sit second and third in the world respectively, both picked up checks, again showing why bull riding is one of the most interesting world standings races to watch each year.

Other event winners included Tate Crandall, who won tie-down roping with an 8.3-second run, and Michelle Alley, who topped the barrel racing field with a blazing 16.84-second run, besting second place by three-tenths of a second. Idaho cowboy Cole Eiguren won the all around for the weekend after impressive showings in both tie-down roping and team roping.

As we enter the heart of the summer run, every check remains critical in the battle for gold buckles and NFR qualifications.