CPRA Crowns 2026 Champions and Rookie Standouts in Hempstead

The 2026 Cowboy’s Professional Rodeo Association season came to a close in Hempstead, Texas, where competitors gathered at the Waller County Fair for the CPRA Finals and the culmination of a year spent chasing points, paychecks and championship titles.

When the dust settled, the 2026 champions were crowned across the association’s events, with eight competitors leaving the season atop their respective standings.

In the roughstock events, Zach Hibler claimed the year-end bareback championship, while Jase Stout finished the season as the saddle bronc champion. Brennan Polito earned the bull riding year-end title, putting an exclamation point on a season that also saw him earn Rookie of the Year honors in bull riding.

The timed-event races produced another strong group of champions. Cameron Crow secured the calf roping year-end championship, while Sam Shofner claimed the steer wrestling title. In team roping, Jake Orman finished as the year-end champion header and Colby Corkill took the year-end heeler championship.

On the women’s side, Bailey Gubert earned the year-end championship in breakaway roping, while Bella Skinner closed out the season as the CPRA barrel racing year-end champion.

Along with celebrating its year-end champions, the CPRA recognized the next generation of competitors with its Rookie of the Year awards.

Eli Espy earned the rookie bareback title, while Tristan Griffith was named Rookie of the Year in saddle bronc riding. Polito added the bull riding rookie honor to his year-end championship. In the timed events, Hudson Hermes earned the calf roping rookie title and Craig Sciba was recognized in steer wrestling.

The rookie team roping titles went to Colton Ranley on the heading side and Dodge Hare on the heeling side. Tylie Siemsen earned Rookie of the Year honors in breakaway roping, while Maylee Woodard took the barrel racing rookie title.

The CPRA Finals served as the final chapter of a season built on miles traveled, rodeos entered and opportunities taken across Texas. For the year-end champions, Hempstead marked the payoff of a season-long race. For the rookies, the honors offered an early milestone in careers that are only beginning.

With another CPRA season officially in the books, the 2026 champions leave Hempstead with titles beside their names; and a new group of rookies has already given rodeo fans plenty of names to remember. 

The CPRA also recognized the equine athletes that helped make the 2026 season possible. Cash, owned by Maylee Woodard, was named Barrel Racing Horse of the Year; Tyson, owned by Kylie Reinninger, earned Breakaway Roping Horse of the Year; and Rabbit, owned by Guy Raasch, was named Tie-Down Roping Horse of the Year. In steer wrestling, Stella, owned by Ryan Nettle, earned Dogging Horse of the Year, while Pete, also owned by Nettle, was named Hazing Horse of the Year. Rounding out the honors, Nelson, owned by Jake Orman, was named Team Roping Heading Horse of the Year, and Al, owned by Cross Ringelstein, earned Team Roping Heeling Horse of the Year.