Paden Bray showed up in two events at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. As the All Around Champion, he became the first recipient of a special award and a $10,000 bonus.
At the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, champions were crowned in every event. This year for the first time, one cowboy walked away with something different.
Paden Bray captured the inaugural Billy and Pam Minick All-Around Award on the final night of the 2026 FWSSR, earning a $10,000 bonus and a place in the history books as the first-ever recipient.
The award recognizes the cowboy who competes and earns in more than one discipline. That is rare company at such a prestigious big rodeo.
We’ve grown used to seeing names like Stetson Wright dominate the all-around race on the roughstock side. When Wright sat out due to injury in 2024, Shad Mayfield stepped into that spotlight and claimed the gold buckle for the All around on the timed event side. The all-around title has always represented versatility, the ability to do more than one thing at an elite level.
In Fort Worth, Bray proved he belongs in that conversation.
The 27-year-old from Stephenville, Texas, was one of only two cowboys to place in two events. He earned $5,525 across team roping and tie-down roping to secure the award. The other cowboy in contention was bull rider and bronc rider Thayne Elshere.
Most fans know Bray as a heeler. He is a three time NFR qualifier. In 2020 and 2021, he roped with veteran header Erich Rogers. He later qualified again in 2023 alongside Clay Smith. In 2019 he was awarded another coveted award, the Resitol Rookie of the Year. In 2020, Bray and Rogers won the NFR average title.
But those who have watched Paden closely know he can sure rope a calf too.
This year marked Bray’s first time competing in the tie-down roping at Fort Worth. He rode Tanner Green’s horse, Bird, and pulled a check in Round 1 of his bracket. This was the move that ultimately secured the all-around title for Bray.
In the team roping, he heeled for Brady Tryan. The pair won their bracket, finished fourth in the Semi-Finals and advanced to the Finals. Ketch Kelton is heading for Bray for the 2026 season, however, Ketch is a rookie and did not qualify for several limited-entry rodeos, including Fort Worth. Bray and Tryan will continue their partnership at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo and RODEOHOUSTON, before Ketch and Bray pair back up.
With his impressive career, Paden is approaching the $1 million mark in PRCA career earnings, and his résumé continues to grow. Still, this win carries a deeper meaning that runs in the family now it seems.
The award is named for Billy and Pam Minick. These are two names synonymous with Fort Worth and the sport itself. Billy, who grew up attending the rodeo in Fort Worth and later became its producer. Pam served as a sideline reporter there for 30 years.
In December, the Minicks received the 2025 Legend of PRORODEO Award at the National Finals Rodeo. Paden's mom, Billie Bray, was honored in 2025 with the Pam Minick Lifetime Achievement Award. This made the Fort Worth All around award a full circle moment for the Bray family.
Many rodeos through the year reward their all-around champion with a prize. This is always appreciated by the cowboys.
The Minicks created the all-around award in Fort Worth specifically to further opportunities for cowboys and help grow the sport as a whole. Fittingly, the first man to claim it is one who embodies what the all-around cowboy has always meant, an athlete capable of showing up in multiple events and performing in both.
At a rodeo rich in tradition, Paden Bray added his name to a new chapter, and in doing so, reminded everyone what being an all-around cowboy really looks like.