Two world champions went head-to-head again in San Angelo, but this time, Riley Webb turned the tables and took home the win
The San Angelo Cinch Fiesta Days holds one of the most anticipated match ropings of the year. In the 12-head match, calf ropers Riley Webb and Caleb Smidt went head-to-head for the second year in a row.
In the newly rebuilt arena, two world champions put on a show. Webb came out the champion, holding off one of the sport’s greatest to ever do it. He continues to prove why he’s the man to beat in today’s tie-down roping.
One year ago, Smidt bested Webb at the same event, sweeping both the Cinch Fiesta Days title and their 12-head match. This time around, Webb flipped the script, taking control early on and never letting up. He finished with a commanding 207.1 seconds on 12 head to Smidt’s 301.7.
Smidt, a 10-time NFR qualifier, a 4-time World Champion and one of the most respected names in the sport, has been semi-retired since 2023. Webb, meanwhile, heads into his third NFR sitting No. 1 in the world standings with more than $300,000 won this season and is chasing what could be his third consecutive PRCA world title. He also broke his own single-season earnings record this year.
The two champions faced off on a long 20-foot score, each roping six calves before swapping and running the other’s set of calves.
Smidt backed in the box first, opening with an 11.8-second run, but Webb immediately answered with an 11.4, grabbing an early lead. Smidt drew a stronger calf in Round 2 and had to take him farther down the arena to be 16.4. Webb stayed consistent on his second calf with a 12.8. When Smidt caught a tough break on his third calf, posting a 52.0, Webb capitalized with a clean 12.2 to extend his lead. Webb posted the fastest time of the match in Round 6 with a 9.7.
At the halfway mark, Webb held a commanding lead, but it was still far from over. Smidt had clearly drawn the stronger, more difficult calves in the first round — the same ones Webb would now have to tie.
Smidt came back for the second set determined, starting off with a solid 10.1 on his seventh calf of the match. Webb’s first run of the second half didn’t go as smoothly, as he had to cut his rope after his horse worked a little too well on a kicking calf. But the reigning world champion still managed to get the calf down in 36.5 seconds, closing the gap slightly heading into calves eight through twelve.
In Round 8, things got more interesting. Smidt missed his first loop. The cowboys were allowed two loops, and Smidt was prepared, recovering well to rope deep in the arena for a 32.7. Webb switched to his main partner, Rudy, for a couple of rounds. The AQHA Horse of the Year helped Webb clock a sharp 15.7 to extend his cushion again.
The ninth round brought more challenges for both. Smidt broke the barrier, tacking 10 seconds onto a 28.6-second run. Webb stayed steady with a 22.4 on his 10th calf, maintaining a 33-second lead with two to go. Smidt then fired off an 11.4, and Webb answered with a 12.0 before closing it out strong. On the 12th and final calf, Smidt missed with his first loop and had to chase the calf all the way down and back up the long, muddy arena, finally getting him tied in 88 seconds. Webb sealed the deal with a 26.4.
After the win, Webb posted, “A long day that was worth the outcome. Blessed to have had the opportunity to match one of the best to ever do it and someone I’ll always have unmatched respect for, Caleb Smidt. The horses showed up to work and win today. Grateful for everyone in my corner.”
Riley Webb isn’t just winning matches; he’s defining a new era in the sport. At just 22 years old, he’s already breaking records and standing toe-to-toe with the best like Caleb Smidt. He has proved that the future of tie-down roping is in good and very talented hands.