Bareback riders, bronc busters, and barrel racers ignite the arena with lightning-fast times and top scores in the opening night of the Dixie National Rodeo.
The Dixie National Rodeo kicked off its 2026 performances on Friday night, February 13 to a packed house at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson, Mississippi. The rodeo will continue through Saturday, February 21, and offers a payout of $92,000 in added money.
In 2025, big names such as Riley Duvall, Jesse Petri, and Dylan Hancock lit up the winners circle, and this year is off to another great start with the best talent from the Southeast and beyond putting fast runs on the clock on Friday night.
Harper & Morgan Rodeo Co. is serving as the stock contractor with sub-contractors including Korkow Rodeos, Championship Pro Rodeo, Penthouse Pro Rodeo, Brookman Rodeo, and Rocky Mountain Rodeo.
In the bareback riding, Tristan Hansen is leading with an 80.5 point ride on Harper & Morgan Rodeo Co’s Oaxaca. Just behind him is Taylour Broussard with a 78.5 ride and then Daxtyn Feild with a 78 point ride. Feild is the nephew of famed bareback rider Kaycee Feild and is quickly making a name for himself after a stellar rookie year.
The steer wrestlers kept the energy going with quick turns. First round leaders in the steer wrestling were Chance Howard with a 5.0 second run, Clayton Culligan with an 8.1 second run, Caleb Little with an 11.2 second run, and then Chase Thrasher with a 29.7 second run.
The team roping saw two qualified runs, with Thomas Allen and Colton Allen clocking a 5.7 second run and Logan Graham and Cole Walker with a 6.5 second run.
The saddle bronc cowboys put several high scores on the board. Brody Wells took the lead with an 84 point ride on Harper & Morgan Rodeo Co’s Peacemaker, followed by North Carolina native Colt Bass with an 82.5 point ride, Gus Gaillard with an 82 point ride, Damian Brennan with an 81.5 point ride, Skinny Parsons with an 80 point ride, and Cauy Masters with a 78 point ride.
The ropers did quick work. Chase Thrasher had a 16.1 second run in the tie down roping for first, and Tripp Brown had a 20.3 second run for second place.
The ladies of barrel racing were led by Kaycee Killingsworth with a 14.14 second run, followed by Abby Phillips with a 14.30 second run, Ashley Sanders with a 14.34 second run, Alishea Broussard with a 14.43 second run, Kaysie Burgess with a 14.68 second run, and then Shelby Davis with a 14.75 second run.
The cowboy bull riders saw one qualified ride with Kristopher Baker earning a 79 point score on Harper & Morgan Rodeo Co.’s County Jail. The stock is tough but the cowboys are determined and we will likely see some more good rides to come.
The rodeo is off to a stellar start and there are still several more rounds to go. Stay tuned to see these cowboys and cowgirls earn their spot as champions at the Dixie National Rodeo.