On his way to his fourth gold buckle, tie-down roper Riley Webb just shattered the arena record at RODEOHOUSTON with a 6.5 second run.
Championship Saturday at RODEOHOUSTON started off in record breaking fashion. For tie-down roper Riley Webb, it's nearly becoming routine.
The 22 year old from Denton, Texas stopped the clock in 6.5 seconds to win the tie-down roping, shatter the arena record, and take home $65,000. This marked his third RODEOHOUSTON title in four years while he is on his way to his fourth consecutive gold buckle.
Earlier today, Webb was already sitting on top, winning the 10 man round with a 7.5second run, just a tenth off the existing arena record. That time advanced him to the final four, but it also set the stage for what was coming.
For a couple of years now, the arena record belonged to Caleb Smidt at 7.4 seconds.
On Championship Saturday, that changed quickly. Kincade Henry broke it first with a 7.3. He held onto that record for only a few minutes when Shane Hanchey came out and broke it once again to take the lead with a 7.2. But no one is safe with Riley Webb as the last man out.
With everything on the line, he delivered a 6.5 second run, blowing past the previous runs and demolishing that record.
Behind him, Hanchey finished second, earning $30,000, while Henry, who entered the weekend leading the world standings, took third for $20,000. Brushton Minton finished fourth, earning $10,000.
After the win, Webb kept the moment in perspective per usual.
“I want to give all the glory to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving me the talent and ability to do this,” Webb said. “Shane and Kincade, Brushton—they all rope great and push me to be better. 7.2 and 7.3, two arena records, so I had to let it all hang out.”
The tie-down roping right now is as tough as it has ever been. Riley is not just winning, he’s competing in an environment where the best are pushing each other to new levels.
Already a three-time consecutive World Champion, Webb continues to separate himself at just 22 years old, building a career in rare territory.
Houston has been a key part of that run. A win here has helped fuel a world title many times before. Now, with another huge performance on one of rodeo’s biggest stages, he’s once again gaining momentum at exactly the right time.
If this pace continues for Webb, we’re watching what might be more than just a great season, but something bigger. Riley Webb is making history, no doubt about it.