This year’s Shane Hanchey Invitational calf roping once again lived up to its reputation as one of the biggest and best ropings of the year. San Angelo cowboy Joel Harris, captured the championship at the 2025 event Sunday, turning in a four-head total of 33.45 seconds to win $21,000.
Harris started the day in Round 1 with a 9.41. In Round 2, he got fast with a 7.57 to place second behind Riley Webb’s 7.24. He stayed consistent with an 8.4 in Round 3 to advance to the short round, where he secured the championship with a 7.7.
Held annually in Giddings, Texas, the Shane Hanchey Invitational attracts the top names in tie-down and breakaway roping, along with standout youth competitors. Harris had no easy feat to take the win this year.
Cory Solomon finished second in the average with a 34.75 on four head, followed by Joel’s older brother, Ty Harris, in third with a 35.43. Two-time world champion Riley Webb finished fourth with a 35.54, and Kincade Henry rounded out the top five with a 35.81.
Joel, who finished seventh in the 2024 world standings at his first National Finals Rodeo, is heading into his second NFR this December ranked 10th. Four of the top five finishers in Giddings will make the trip to Las Vegas. Joining them will also be Shane Hanchey himself, who finished 15th in the regular season of the PRCA.
After his big win, Joel spoke with Katy Lucas. “I was happy to come out and perform the way I wanted to. Kudos to Shane Hanchey for putting on a roping that pays that much money, and that is why the feeling I have is like this — and my wife is gonna be happy tonight.”
While reflecting on the day, Joel mentioned the all-night drive and flight it took to make the event. The effort paid off, as he went home $21,000 richer and full of confidence before facing many of the same talented guys at the Thomas & Mack.
“This roping has built my confidence a lot throughout the years,” Harris said. “I remember winning a go-round here when I was 14 years old and just being shocked at the amount of money I could win here. It really changed my confidence and who I thought I could rope against.”
A big part of his confidence also comes from his standout horse, Jango, who won more than $40,000 at the 2025 Shane Hanchey Invitational between Joel and Ty. “He was almost perfect on every single run, which was eight runs,” Joel said. “It’s not advised to do that on a horse in one day like that, but he was all on top of it. This year we’ve really grown together. I am really excited for the future both me and Ty have with that horse.”
At just 22, with $21,000 in his pocket, some extra confidence on his side, and another NFR appearance coming soon, Joel Harris is proving he is among the best calf ropers in the world.
