The race to the gold has already begun in 2026. Louisiana talents showed off in Lafayette, against the best from all over the world.
The Lafayette Rodeo always delivers a strong start to the 2026 season, blending a roster of proven veterans, rising young talent and comeback stories across every event. Louisiana cowboys and cowgirls made their presence known on familiar ground, highlighted by the big win by breakaway roper Josie Connor.
Bareback Riding
Bareback rider Connor Griffith continued a breakout stretch to open the season, posting an 85.5-point ride aboard Harper & Morgan Rodeo Co.’s Hello Jackson to claim the win. The 21-year-old from Skullbones, Tennessee, finished with a four-point margin over the field, which included 2025 NFR qualifier Kade Sonnier. Griffith also picked up another win the same weekend in West Monroe, signaling his early momentum in the year.
1. Connor Griffith, 85.5 points on Harper & Morgan Rodeo Co's Hello Jackson, $1,452; 2. Taylor Broussard, 81.5, $1,100; 3. (tie) Bronc Marriott and Kade Sonnier, 80.5, $660 each; 5. (tie) Taylon Carmody and Bodee Lammers, 80, $264 each.
Steer Wrestling
The steer wrestling featured two rounds and an average, allowing multiple young competitors to shine. Trey Bohmbach, fresh off winning the Ote Berry Junior Steer Wrestling Championship in Las Vegas, set the tone by winning the first round with a 4.3. Louisiana cowboy Jude Leonards answered back in the second round with a sharp run of his own at 4.1 seconds. Consistency paid off in the end, as college cowboy Nathaniel Duvall topped the average with a 9.4-second total on two head.
First round: 1. Trey Bohmbach, 4.3 seconds, $725; 2. Skyler Woolls, 4.5, $544; 3. Nathaniel Duvall, 5.1, $363; 4. Jude Leonards, 5.4, $181.
Second round: 1. Jude Leonards, 4.1 seconds, $725; 2. (tie) Nathaniel Duvall, Riley Duvall and Trey Weekley, 4.3, $363 each.
Average: 1. Nathaniel Duvall, 9.4 seconds on two head, $1,088; 2. Jude Leonards, 9.5, $816; 3. (tie) Skyler Woolls and Trey Weekley, 10.2, $408 each.
Team Roping
Team ropers Dillon Green and Wesley Barlow IV continued a hot streak that has carried over from the jackpot world onto the rodeo trail. After placing in both rounds, the duo claimed the average with 12.0 seconds on two head. Their success in Lafayette adds to a run of strong performances as they settle into the professional rodeo season as well.
First round: 1. Landon Smith/Jacup Dixon, 5.5 seconds, $927 each; 2. Dillon Green/Wesley Barlow IV, 5.8, $695; 3. Payton Pirrung/Jr. Dees, 5.9, $463; 4. (tie) Brady Barrentine/Scott Martell and Denver Eng/Chad Mathes, 6.1, $116 each.
Second round: 1. Walker Smith/Will Smith, 4.2 seconds, $927 each; 2. Marcus Theriot/Chase Graves, 4.8, $695; 3. Dillon Green/Wesley Barlow IV, 6.2, $463; 4. Payton Pirrung/Jr. Dees, 6.5, $232.
Average: 1. Dillon Green/Wesley Barlow IV, 12.0 seconds on two head, $1,390 each; 2. Payton Pirrung/Jr. Dees, 12.4, $1,042; 3. Landon Smith/Jacup Dixon, 18.3, $695; 4. Denver Eng/Chad Mathes, 21.9, $347.
Saddle Bronc Riding
Quebec Cananda cowboy Zac Bourgeois got the saddle bronc riding title with an 84.5-point ride on Harper & Morgan Rodeo Co.’s Lizzo. A longtime standout on the Canadian and IPRA circuits, Bourgeois proved his ability to convert that success on the PRCA stage with a well-earned win.
1. Zac Bourgeois, 84.5 points on Harper & Morgan Rodeo Co's Lizzo, $1,880; 2. Ryder Sanford, 84, $1,424; 3. (tie) Houston Brown and Will Pollock, 80.5, $854 each; 5. Joe Macqueen, 79, $399; 6. Dylan Young, 77.5, $285.
Breakaway Roping
No surprises surfaced in the breakaway roping, as Louisiana cowgirl Josie Connor took control from the start. Connor has opened her season in her typical dominant fashion, posting a 1.9-second run to win the event with a commanding lead.
Connor’s 2026 started with a proposal from her now fiancé, 3x World Champion Riley Webb. Her Lafayette win continued a strong upward trajectory as 2026 begins.
1. Josie Conner, 1.9 seconds, $1,668; 2. Cricket Calcote, 2.6, $1,381; 3. Laynee Massey, 2.8, $1,093; 4. Neelley Armes, 3.4, $805; 5. (tie) Sawyer Gilbert and Blythe Odom, 3.5, $403 each.
Tie-Down Roping
Home-state favorite Shane Hanchey opened the tie-down roping by winning the first round with an 8.3-second run as he begins his 2026 year in pursuit of a 17th consecutive NFR qualification. Catfish Brown followed with a second-round win, while Austin Davis claimed the average title with an 18.8-second total on two head.
First round: 1. Shane Hanchey, 8.3 seconds, $967; 2. Macon Murphy, 8.9, $725; 3. Sam Lewis, 9.3, $483; 4. Westin Barnett, 9.4, $242.
Second round: 1. Catfish Brown, 8.6 seconds, $967; 2. (tie) Austin Davis and Marcus Theriot, 8.8, $604 each; 4. (tie) Ike Fontenot and Cross Fulford, 9.0, $121 each.
Average: 1. Austin Davis, 18.8 seconds on two head, $1,450; 2. Westin Barnett, 19.1, $1,088; 3. Ike Fontenot, 19.2, $725; 4. Cross Fulford, 19.6, $363.
Barrel Racing
The barrel race came down to very thin margins, with Chelsea Moore edging Brooke Krolczyk by just one one-hundredth of a second. Moore’s 14.73-second run aboard Woodrow capped a special weekend, as the horse continues to return to form after a severe injury in 2025. Moore also picked up a win earlier in West Monroe the same weekend.
1. Chelsea Moore, 14.73 seconds, $1,642; 2. Brooke Krolczyk, 14.74, $1,408; 3. Josey Owens, 14.82, $1,173; 4. Kristi Cole, 14.85, $1,017; 5. Abby Phillips, 14.88, $782; 6. Presley Smith, 14.94, $626; 7. Chery Pinkston, 14.95, $469; 8. Sissy Winn, 14.96, $313; 9. Kaycee Killingsworth, 14.97, $235; 10. Faith Nolte, 14.98, $156.
Bull Riding
Bull riding went to fan favorite T. Parker, who covered Harper & Morgan Rodeo Co.’s Thump for 85 points. After battling injuries of his own, Parker’s win marked a strong return to the top. The 2023 Resistol Bull Riding Rookie of the Year continues to prove he belongs among the best as the new season begins.
1. T Parker, 85 points on Harper & Morgan Rodeo Co's Thump, $1,721; 2. Jax Mills, 83, $1,304; 3. Colton Burkard, 81.5, $939; 4. Eyer Morrison, 79.5, $626; 5. Brody Hasenack, 79, $365; 6. Seth Prejeant, 78, $261.