Inside Chase Field, teamwork looked a little different than it usually does. Instead of fastballs and bases, it was ropes and incredible horsepower. Kaleb Driggers and Paul Eaves turned in three clean times to claim the Hondo Rodeo Fest team roping title in 2025.
Though the pair don’t rope together full time, you would never know it from their dominance in Phoenix. Driggers and Eaves came out firing in round one with a 4.0-second run to win the round. They then followed that with a 4.58 for second place in round two, and sealed the deal in the finals with a smart 4.71, good for fourth in the round and enough to take the average. They were one of only two teams to catch all three steers clean.
The final round win went to Dustin Egusquiza and Levi Lord with a fast 3.93-second run, but the average title was never in question. Driggers and Eaves finished with a total of 13.29 seconds on three head, while Tanner Tomlinson and Travis Graves took second in the average with 28.01 after a few penalties in rounds 2 and 3.
For Driggers specifically, this win adds to a rodeo season that’s been as sharp as ever. The Georgia cowboy is heading into his 13th NFR sitting No. 1 in the world after capturing his third gold buckle alongside longtime partner Junior Nogueira. His partner for the Hondo, Eaves, has also been one of the sport’s steadiest hands for a long time as a two-time world champion and 11-time NFR qualifier.
This win was special for Eaves because it’s his second straight Hondo Rodeo Fest championship, making him the only team roper to go back-to-back in Phoenix. The pair even earned some laughs in their interview afterwards, when they were dubbed the “facial hair twins.”
When asked about the atmosphere and what the event means, Driggers said, “First and foremost, I’d like to give all the glory to God. Without Him we wouldn’t be here. Thank you all for this opportunity to come compete in a big venue like this, and hopefully we keep coming back.”
Eaves added his gratitude for the event itself, saying, “Oh, this is awesome. Big thanks to the Hondo for everything. I’m grateful to win it.”
Teamwork in Chase Field usually looks like home runs and perfectly timed plays, but this weekend the cowboys took over. Driggers and Eaves proved that the same precision that wins ballgames can also win rodeos on the same stage.
Team Roping Full Results
Round 1
- Kaleb Driggers & Paul Eaves 4.0
- Clint Summers & Jade Corkill 4.28
- Tanner Tomlinson & Travis Graves 4.38
- Andrew Ward & Colbey Payne 5.17
- Dustin Egusquiza & Levi Lord 8.93
- Derrick Begay & Colter Todd 15.0
- Tyler Wade & Wesley Thorp NT
- Erich Rodgers & Cory Petska NT
Round 2
- Erich Rodgers & Cory Petska 4.18
- Kaleb Driggers & Paul Eaves 4.58
- Tyler Wade & Wesley Thorp 4.6
- Tanner Tomlinson & Travis Graves 9.45
- Derrick Begay & Colter Todd 13.96
- Dustin Egusquiza & Levi Lord NT
- Andrew Ward & Coleby Payne NT
- Clint Summers & Jade Corkill NT
Round 3
1. Dustin Equsguiza & Levi Lord 3.93
2. Erich Rogers & Cory Petska 4.33
3. Tyler Wade & Wesley Thorp 4.56
4. Kaleb Driggers & Paul Eaves 4.71
Average
1. Kaleb Driggers & Paul Eaves 13.34/3
2. Tanner Tomlinson & Travis Graves 28.01/3
3. Erich Rogers & Cory Petska 8.51/2
4. Tyler Wade & Wesley Thorp 9.16/2