The five-time World Champion added another win to his résumé at the invite-only San Angelo Cinch Chute-Out, while a pair of roughstock rookies made their presence known too.
At an event built for the best, one of the very best delivered.
Tyler Waguespack claimed the steer wrestling title at the San Angelo Cinch Chute-Out, stopping the clock in 3.9 seconds to secure the win and $7,500.
The Cinch Chute-Out isn’t a typical rodeo. It’s invite-only, a condensed, tournament-style format that brings together a small group of top athletes and puts them head-to-head. This rodeo happens after the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo comes to an end.
Now sitting No. 2 in the world standings, behind Holden Myers, Waguespack has already earned more than $75,000 in 2026. It’s another strong start for a guy who has made a career out of consistency at the highest level.
With 5 world titles and 11 National Finals Rodeo qualifications, his place in the sport is already very well established.
After winning his fifth gold buckle in 2023, his third consecutive, Waguespack has remained inside the Top 15 over the past two seasons, staying in contention while continuing to build toward another run at another gold buckle.
As the season moves forward, positioning matters, and Waguespack is exactly where he needs to be.
Since its debut in 2012, the San Angelo Cinch Chute-Out has developed a reputation as one of the more intense formats in rodeo. There are ten of the top competitors in each event and it is a tournament-style setup.
The first round determines the top three to advance, and the finals come down to one last performance.
Young Talent Also Makes a Statement
While Waguespack’s win just reinforces the strength of the veterans in the game, the roughstock events told another story. The rookies showed up in a big way.
In the bareback riding, Toby Deudney delivered a huge ride scoring 93 points aboard Night Crawler to take the win.
In the saddle bronc riding, Blake Steuck followed suit, putting together an 88-point ride on Straight Moonshine to claim his title.
For both, it marked a big moment during their rookie year. Both cowboys are in contention for a Resistol Rookie of the Year title this year.
For Tyler Waguespack, it’s another step in a season that is likely to rewrite Steer Wresting history. For the rookies it just a launchpad to the rest of their year, and their career for years to come.
The San Angelo Cinch Chute Out is always fun to watch, and this year was different. Now these cowboys and cowgirls will likely slow down for a few short weeks before really taking off on the summer run very soon.