Tie-Down Roping Champ Shane Hanchey Set to Make 17th Consecutive NFR in 2026

There are a lot of ways to measure a career in rodeo; Gold buckles, NFR qualifications, average titles, or career earnings. For tie down roper, Shane Hanchey, there is another number that has become almost as impressive as any of them.

Seventeen. 

The Sulphur, Louisiana, tie-down roper is on pace to make his 17th consecutive Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2026, continuing a streak that began in 2010. He has not missed the NFR since his first qualification, and now, 16 trips later, he is once again sitting comfortably in the top 15.

Hanchey is currently No. 5 in the PRCA World Standings with more than $160,000 won this season and is highly likely to be at the NFR again this December. 

A year ago, it was a completely different story. Hanchey's 16th consecutive qualification came down to the final stretch of the season. He finished the regular season just $1,634 ahead of Quade Hiatt for the final spot in the field. The streak survived, and Hanchey headed back to Las Vegas for another NFR.

This year, he has given himself much more room, and is actually well in the race for his second gold buckle. That money stacked up has been coming from some of the biggest rodeos of the summer.

Hanchey has already collected several major wins in 2026, including the Ponoka Stampede in Alberta, the Red Deer Pro Rodeo in Alberta and La Fiesta de los Vaqueros in Tucson, Arizona. He also shared the championship at the first ever Ridgeview Pro Rodeo in Driggs, Idaho.

His win at Ponoka added another chapter to a rodeo that has been good to him throughout his career. Hanchey was the 2026 tie-down roping champion at the 90th Ponoka Stampede, winning the showdown round with an 8.6 second run aboard the amazing horse, Peso. It was his fifth Ponoka Stampede win. This year he did it in not ideal conditions, with heavy mud and rain. That didn't change a thing for the champ, he did his job and gave credit to the amazing horse underneath him.

Each of those big checks have helped Hanchey climb to that number 5 position with more than $160,000 won and another NFR in his future. 

Hanchey first qualified for the NFR in 2010. There has never been an NFR since that year where Hanchey watched from the sidelines. 

Along the way, he won the 2013 PRCA tie-down roping world championship and two NFR average titles, taking the average in 2013 and again in 2020 in Globe Life Field. His career earnings crossed the $3 million mark last season. 

The streak has survived some very different seasons, struggles, and setbacks. It has survived injuries, losing horses, tough stretches and years when the path to Las Vegas was anything but easy. 

Last season may have been the closest call. Hanchey entered the final days of the regular season fighting to stay inside the top 15. When the dust settled, he had done just enough to keep the streak alive. 

This year, he is building from a much different position, giving him the opportunity at a second gold buckle in 2026. Instead of trying to find his way into the final spot, he is sitting fifth with plenty of season left, and lots of money left to be won. 

The Goal Hasn't Changed At 36 years old, Hanchey has already accomplished more than most tie-down ropers ever will, and yet every year with passion and determination, Hanchey sets big goals. 

His career has reached the point where another NFR qualification is almost expected. He is just that good. That however doesn't make it any less impressive.

Sixteen straight years of making the NFR means Hanchey has had to find a way every single season no matter what stood in his way. Now, he will back into the box inside the Thomas and Mack for his 161st time for the 17th year in a row. 

With more than $160,000 already in the bank and a No. 5 spot in the world standings, he is giving himself a pretty good chance to be chasing a World Championship while he is there.