Another Texas Swing rodeo, Rodeo Austin, crowned it's champions as early 2026 World Standings continue to take shape before the summer run begins.
The Texas Swing consists of several of the biggest winter rodeos there are. RODEOHOUSTON crowning its champions shook up the World Standings in a major way. Meanwhile, the same contestants were competing at Rodeo Austin just a couple hours down the road. Now, champions have been crowned in Austin as well as that Texas Swing comes to an end and the summer runs nears.
Rodeo Austin is known to have some of the fastest times we will see all year across the board. The biggest storyline of the rodeo was when the world record was tied, and then broken in the team roping during the long rounds.
Bareback Riding
Bradlee Miller came out on top in the bareback riding after winning the finals with 89.5 points on Beutler & Son Rodeo's No Whiskey. Bradlee sits 3rd in the world standings right now with already over $90,000 won in 2026. The Huntsville Texas cowboy is looking to qualify for his third consecutive NFR this year and chase his first gold buckle.
Right behind Bradlee was Keenan Hayes, the 2023 World Champion bareback rider. After injuries set him back in 2024 and 2025, Hayes is back in the mix of things in 2026. He currently sits 15th in the standings and is climbing win after win.
Leighton Berry and reining World Champion Rocker Steiner tied for third and fourth.
Steer Wrestling
8x NFR Qualifier Nick Guy took the title in the Steer Wrestling. The veteran man was 13.2 seconds on three head to come out on top. Nick made his last NFR appearance in 2023. Injuries have since kept him from the finals, but 2026 could be his comeback year.
Rowdy Parrott and Landon Beardsworth were both 14.0 on three steers and tied for second place.
Team Roping
Tanner Tomlinson and Coleby Payne were 11.6 seconds on three head in the team roping to win the championship. The duo sits 5th and 7th in the World Standings respectively. Tomlinson has been to the NFR three times and Payne twice.
Behind them was the veteran team Clint Summers and Jade Corkill with 12.2 on three. Tying for third place was Coy Rahlmann with Logan Medlin and Korbin Rice with Cooper Freeman. Both team were 12.4 on three. Rice and Freeman are the current World Standings leaders after a huge RODEOHOUSTON win.
Saddle Bronc
4x World Champion Zeke Thurston has had a slower start to 2026 than we are used to seeing from the Canadian cowboy. However he picked up some great momentum in Austin where he came out the champion. His 91.5 point ride on finals night on Beutler & Son Rodeo's Green Bay helped him bring home the title.
Behind Thurston was Kade Bruno, Rusty Wright, and Brody Cress, all NFR qualifiers themselves.
Tie Down Roping
Dylan Hancock dominated the tie down roping in Austin, winning the average by a second and a half. 25.0 seconds on three head was enough to take the win after winning the first round with a 7.6 and the final round with an 8.0. Dylan is in the top ten in the world right now on his way to his third National Finals Rodeo.
Britt Bedke, Ace Reese, and Riley Webb were also in the top four cashing in at Rodeo Austin in the tie down roping.
Breakaway Roping
The 2020 World Champion breakaway roper has had much success at Rodeo Austin. Again this year, that success continued as Sawyer Gilbert came out the champion breakaway roper. She was 1.8 seconds in the final round.
Jade Mitchell was 2.0 for second followed by Bradi Good and Cadee Williams to round out the top 4 breakaway ropers at Rodeo Austin this year.
Barrel Race
No surprise in the barrel race with Kassie Mowry and Jarvis coming out on top. The duo leads the World Standings by nearly $50,000 following a big RODEOHOUSTON win and then the Rodeo Austin win. They were a 14.19 in the finals to win the round by 3 tenths and become the champion.
Mowry and Jarvis are known to capitalize at these big winter rodeos and go into the NFR sitting number 1 with less than 30 rodeos attended. This incredible team is after their third consecutive World Title, and has every bit of momentum to make it a reality.
Bull Riding
Qynn Andersen was 89 points on Beutler & Son Rodeo's Wingman in the finals and came out the champion of Rodeo Austin this year. The Canadian cowboy made his debut trip to the NFR in 2025.
Eyer Morrison and Braxton Whitesell came in second and third after being the only other two guys to make the whistle on their finals bull.
2026 is well underway, and Rodeo Austin champions added a coveted title and a good chunk of money to their year. The Texas Swing is coming to an end, but there is plenty of year still remaining for everything to change.