Rodeo Corpus Christi kicked off May 7-10 in Corpus Christi, Texas, with the World Champions Rodeo Alliance event taking center stage during the Buc Days Festival inside the American Bank Center Arena. For the second consecutive year, the champions coming out of Rodeo Corpus Christi will form the Freeriders, the WCRA’s Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo team. The WCRA Major event, is set to payout $545,500 and will dedicate more than $60,600 to each discipline. The 2025 Rodeo Corpus Christi will also use the Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo light system to start each timed event discipline. There will be no traditional barrier to start the run time.
Follow along here for all the Rodeo Corpus Christi barrel racing action. Find out more about the WCRA here. Find out more about Rodeo Corpus Christi and Buc Days here.
Jordan Driver and Judge JB Cash Win Rodeo Corpus Christi
May 9, 2025, (CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS) — Jordan Driver and Judge JB Cash took home the Rodeo Corpus Christi title with a Showdown Round time of 14.826. Driver, 23, has been a force in the youth divisions for years, and she’s shown her prowess on the professional and open levels. She’s been a devoted competitor of the WCRA events as well.
Driver and “Judge” came into RCC as the No. 1 cowgirl on the WCRA’s RCC25 segment leaderboard. While the stoplight system took a few rounds to get the timing figured out they steadily put themselves in position to advance to the Showdown Round.
“I tried to keep him really calm, so I didn’t want to really bring him up into the arena and keep doing it over and over and get in my head,” Driver said. “I watched the first round, and it was a little trial and error, but we got it figured out, and he’s figured it out.”
The college student purchased Judge a year ago from Quincy Sullivan just prior to the College National Finals Rodeo and the duo found a quick partnership. Finding that partnership early on has been key to early success. One of the characteristics Driver credits to the 8-year-old’s success is his consistency across patterns. From large set ups to small pens he makes Driver’s job easy.
“He’s been easy. I can say that’s a lot for getting on a new horse and him doing as well as he did. He and I have clicked, and he’s been so fun and so consistent,” Driver said. “He’s been my go to lately, because he’s just so consistent and he wants to please and be a good boy. I think that’s what makes him so cool is he is so versatile.”
In Progressive Round One, Driver and Judge turned in a 16.492 finishing fifth. They followed that in Progressive Round Two with a 15.453 for third place and $1,000. That put them in the No. 2 position in the aggregate with a 31.945 on two runs for an advancement to the Showdown Round.
On finals night the duo from Garden City, Texas, had the stoplight system figured out and ultimately turned in a 14.826 to win the Rodeo Corpus Christi championship, the coveted surfboard, and $18,000. All totaled in Corpus Christi, Driver took home $21,500.
“When you put on great events like this and money, it’s easy to come down here and run your horses,” Driver said of the WCRA and Rodeo Corpus Christi.
Alishea Broussard and Friday Nite Fling Win Progressive Rounds One and Two
May 8, 2025, ( CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS) — Alishea Broussard and Friday Nite Fling won both Progressive rounds at Rodeo Corpus Christi under the Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo “stoplight system” after earning her position to RCC as an alternate. Under the innovate stoplight system, competitors must strategically time their run down the alleyway as the lights count down from red to yellow to green, aiming to cross the plane of the alleyway gate the moment the light goes green. Crossing too soon results in a penalty; being too conservative costs valuable time.
While some barrel racers struggled to cross the plane of the alley at the moment the light turned green, Broussard made it seem effortless. Broussard said the light system required a calculated analysis to time coming down the alleyway. Part of her winning recipe was her 8-year-old gelding who’s by A Streak Of Fling and out of Dats A French Twist, who’s by Dats A Frenchman. While Broussard is not new to the rodeo world, the Wild Card Round of Rodeo Corpus Christi marked the gelding’s first rodeo performance.
“I knew my horse was greener than most of the horses here, so I studied it hard, and I brought him because I knew he would walk flat footed, and so I actually had to calm myself down,” Broussard said. “I knew whatever everyone else was doing on a more finished horse, they were taking off faster, and mine doesn’t take off that fast. So whatever they did successfully, I had to do one step less, because my kind of trickles up into [the alleyway]. I brought him because I knew he would listen to me and wait on me.”
“Friday” holds a special place in Broussard’s heart as he’s her first home-raised, and -trained barrel horse that she’s kept for herself to compete on.
“He’s special,” Broussard said. “He got a really late start, so he’s just probably been running a year and a half or so.”
Broussard and “Friday” started their week in Corpus Christi picked up third place in the Wild Card Round on May 7 with a time of 15.153, worth $611 and an advancement to the Progressive rounds. As the Estherwood, Louisiana duo made their bid in Progressive Round One they ultimately topped the field with a 15.108 to earn $5,000, and take the No. 1 spot in the aggregate as well.
In Progressive Round Two, Broussard and Friday were first out on the ground turning in a 14.801. They held onto that lead through the remaining nine barrel racers to earn another $5,000 for the round win, plus an additional $5,000 for the Progressive Aggregate win from a time of 29.909. Broussard and Friday easily earned a spot in Saturday’s Championship round where they will battle against the remaining five in the top six in the aggregate. The top six in the aggregate advance to the Championship Round where they will compete in a clean-slate finals round. The winner of Rodeo Corpus Christi will earn a spot on the WCRA’s Freeriders team for the Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo.
For winning Progressive Round One, Two and the lead in the aggregate Broussard earned a spot into the RCC finals round. As a result of taking the top spot in all the rounds, qualification for the finals dropped down to the next eligible contestants. For earning second place in Progressive Round Two, Fallon Forbes punched her ticket to the finals.
Youth Athletes Dominate Early Rounds At Rodeo Corpus Christi
MAY 6, 2025, (CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS) — Rodeo Corpus Christi is off to an electrifying start as youth athletes from across the nation delivered standout performances in the $55,000 CEAT Division Youth Showcase, kicking off five nights of elite rodeo action. Several competitors impressed with multiple podium finishes, setting the tone for the remainder of the week.
In Pole Bending, Kennzie Nixon posted a clean and commanding run of 20.636 seconds to win the event and collect $2,000.00. Natalie Ohrt secured second with a 21.156-second run, earning $1,500.00. Nixon and Ohrt were the only two athletes to run clean in the field.
The Goat Tying round saw Alli Autrey rope the win with a 6.70-second clean run, earning $2,000.00. Drew Ellen Stewart followed in second with a 7.36 to collect $1,500.00, while Kennzie Nixon added to her earnings with a 7.48-second third-place finish worth $1,000.00. Sadie Patterson took home $500.00 for fourth.
In Steer Wrestling, Ryan Thompson charged to the win with a blazing 4.50-second time, claiming $2,000.00. Jake Holmes earned $1,500.00 with his 5.22-second run. David Barrett Shelton finished third for $1,000.00, and Jake Shelton earned $500.00 in fourth.
Saddle Bronc Riding delivered a tight race at the top, with Ethan Cartearning the winning ride of 79 points aboard ALBERTA GIRL to lead the field and claim the $2,000.00 top prize. Hardy Osborn followed close behind with a 74-point ride, securing second and $1,500.00. Cash Sellman turned in 69 points to finish third and take home $1,000.00, while Wyatt Lavergne rounded out the top four with a 67-point ride, earning $500.00.
Only one team recorded a qualified time in Team Roping, and they made it count. Austin Perez and Kutter Richardson finished in 15.64 seconds despite breaking the barrier, which cost them a penalty—but they still earned the full $10,000 ($5,000 each) in ground money as the sole finishers.
In Breakaway Roping, twin sisters dominated the leaderboard. Kylie Reininger won the event with a blazing 2.02-second run and earned $2,000.00, followed closely by Kelsie Reininger, who secured second with a 2.07 for $1,500.00. Kali Jo Bannister took third with a 2.26 for $1,000.00, and Shada Cline clocked 6.96 seconds to earn $500.00 in fourth.
Tie-Down Roping was a tight race, but Cruz Melanson claimed the top spot with a 9.75-second run, earning $2,000.00. Bryce Ehlinger secured second with a 9.99 for $1,500.00, Cougar Racca finished third at 10.30 to earn $1,000.00, and Rendon Powledge placed fourth with a 10.90, earning $500.00.
In Barrel Racing, Natalie Ohrt and VF BORN TA BA WINNER topped a tight field with a 14.135-second run, winning $2,000.00. Clayann Holbrook (14.207) earned $1,500.00, Brylen Beicker (14.312) earned $1,000.00, and Savannah Sanders (14.431) earned $500.00 to round out the top four.
Only two cowboys made the whistle in Bull Riding. Brennan Polito led with an 82.00-point ride on TANK and took home $2,750.00, while Ty Lavergne followed with a 77.00-point ride on BLUE to earn $2,250.00.
Rodeo Corpus Christi kicked off with the CEAT Division Youth Showcase tonight on May 6, and will be followed by progressive rounds on May 7–9, leading into the Showdown Round and Kid Rock Rodeo Round on May 10.
Fans can watch Rodeo Corpus Christi on RidePass via Pluto TV nightly from May 6–10 at 7 p.m. CDT. Additionally, the Kid Rock n Rodeo Round will air on CBS Sports Network on May 25 at Noon EDT.
Since its inception in May 2018, the WCRA and its partners have awarded more than $19.7 million in new money to rodeo athletes. For more information about the WCRA or how to get involved through the VRQ system, visit wcrarodeo.com.
Roster Announced for 2025 Rodeo Corpus Christi CEAT Specialty Division Youth Showcase
Corpus Christi, Texas (April 24, 2025) – On Wednesday, May 6, the 2025 CEAT Specialty Rodeo Corpus Christi Division Youth (DY) Showcase will take over the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. The excitement is mounting as the World Champions Rodeo Alliance (WCRA) announces the final list of 88 youth athletes, ages 13–18, who have officially qualified for the high-stakes event.
The DY Showcase roster features the top 64 timed-event athletes and the top 24 roughstock competitors. The full roster can be found HERE
Rodeo Corpus Christi has been selected as the launch location for the first WCRA Division Youth Showcase event of the 2025 series. The event offers a total purse of $55,000, with each division Champion guaranteed a $2000 payday. Athletes earned their spot based on the WCRA Division Youth Leaderboard standings as of April 6, following a year of nominations through the VRQ (Virtual Rodeo Qualifier) system. This event is a key stop along the road to the World Championship Junior Rodeo (WCJR), set for late July, where athletes will vie for the title of World Champion.
During the Division Youth Showcase, Champions will be crowned in each of nine disciplines: team roping (heading and heeling), saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, pole bending, goat tying, breakaway roping, barrel racing, bareback riding, and bull riding.
Among the athletes to watch is Luke Tippmann (New Haven, Indiana), who will compete in three disciplines, showcasing his versatility in both roughstock and timed events. Tippmann is entered in bareback riding and team roping, where he will head for Bryce Ehlinger (HOMETOWN) and heel for Sam White (HOMETOWN).
Another standout is Kennzie Nixon (Pleasanton, Texas), who will showcase her agility in pole bending, goat tying, and barrel racing.Adding to the family dynamic of the event, brothers Casper and Cross Ringelstein, also from Pleasanton, Texas will join forces in team roping, while sisters Clayann and Carsyn Holbrook (Cibolo, Texas), will go head-to-head in barrel racing.
One particularly notable name on the roster is Drew Ellen Stewart(Normangee, Texas). Stewart is the only athlete in this lineup who also holds a world title from the WCJR. In 2024, she was crowned the WCJR Ladies All-Around Champion, and previously earned the 2023 WCJR Pole Bending World Championship. She will compete in both pole bending and goat tying at the 2025 DY Showcase, aiming to extend her championship legacy.
Following the rodeo action on May 6, fans will be treated to a live concert by comedian Steve Treviño. Tickets for the event and post-show entertainment are available for purchase HERE now.
Fans unable to attend in person can catch all the Rodeo Corpus Christi action live on RidePass via Pluto TV, with nightly broadcasts from May 6–10 at 7 p.m. CDT. In addition, the Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo Round from this event will air on CBS Sports Network on May 25 at Noon EDT.
Since its inception in May 2018, the WCRA and its partners have awarded more than $19.7 million in new money to rodeo athletes. For more information about the WCRA, or to get involved through the VRQ nomination system, visit wcrarodeo.com.
WCRA Announces Athlete Roster For 2025 Rodeo Corpus Christi Beginning May 6
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The World Champions Rodeo Alliance (WCRA) today announced the field of 144 rodeo athletes from across North America that will compete at the 2025 edition of Rodeo Corpus Christi (RCC), set to take place May 6–10 at the American Bank Center. The event promises five electric days of rodeo action, culminating in the high-stakes Showdown Round and the prestigious Kid Rock’s Rodeo Round on May 10.
The 2025 RCC roster features 96 timed-event athletes and 48 roughstock competitors who qualified by nominating their efforts through the WCRA VRQ leaderboard. To view the complete roster, please click HERE.
The 2025 RCC roster showcases a dynamic mix of returning champions and rising stars, all competing for their share of the $600,000 purse. RCC will also mark the final opportunity for athletes to earn a spot to compete at the transformative Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo, presented by $VET. The top two finishers in each discipline will earn a spot on the WCRA’s Free Riders—the sixth team to compete at Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo on May 16 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Bull Riding Champion will earn a qualification to the PBR World Finals Redemption Round in Fort Worth, May 16-17.
The Free Riders will consist of two athletes per discipline, competing in barrel racing, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, and breakaway roping. This bracket-style team competition will feature Kid Rock LIVE in concert, kicking off a weekend of Western sports that leads into the PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast – Championship on May 17-18 at the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. The Free Riders won the inaugural Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo last May, and will once again look to the top competitors at RCC to help them defend the title, beginning this year’s event with the No. 1 seed by virtue of their win in 2024.
Several 2024 Free Riders roster members will return to RCC this year to battle for a spot on the 2025 team. These athletes include bareback rider Nick Pelke, steer wrestler Cody Doescher, saddle bronc riders Cole Elshere and Cash Wilson, team roping heeler Douglas Rich, tie-down ropers Jarvis Demery and Quade Hiatt, breakaway roper Kieley Walz, and barrel racer Makenzie Mayes.
Mayes, who finished second at the 2024 RCC, was a breakout star at the inaugural Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo. She launched her team into the lead with a lightning-fast 18.197-second run in barrel racing and later sealed the Free Riders’ victory in the final round with an 18.80-second run.
Among the additional standout storylines for the 2025 Rodeo Corpus Christi field is the debut of the first all-woman team roping team to ever compete at a WCRA open event. Megan Gunter and Jimmi Jo Montera will make history, with Montera entering as the No. 1 ranked heeler with a 10,000-point lead on the leaderboard.
Steer wrestler Tory Johnson is also set to return to Corpus Christi after suffering a traumatic injury at the 2024 event. Following a collision with a bucking chute, Johnson endured a severe head injury, including three skull fractures, hospitalized for nearly two months. The 39-year-old also sustained a fracture in his eye socket, broke everything in his right ear that controlled his hearing and balance, and suffered a spinal fluid leak. His return marks a remarkable recovery and stands as one of the most inspiring stories of the event.
Rodeo Corpus Christi will kick off with a CEAT Division Youth Showcase on May 6 (roster to be released April 24), followed by progressive rounds on May 7–9, leading into the Showdown Round and Kid Rock Rodeo Round on May 10.
Fans can watch Rodeo Corpus Christi on RidePass via Pluto TV nightly from May 6–10 at 7 p.m. CDT. Additionally, the Kid Rock n Rodeo Round will air on CBS Sports Network on May 25 at Noon EDT.
Since its inception in May 2018, the WCRA and its partners have awarded more than $19.7 million in new money to rodeo athletes. For more information about the WCRA or how to get involved through the VRQ system, visit wcrarodeo.com.
2025 Rodeo Corpus Christi Results
May 6 — Division Youth Barrel Racing Results:
- Natalie Ohrt/Victoria, TX/14.135/$2,000
- Clayann Holbrook/Cibolo, TX/14.207/$1,500
- Brylen Beicker/Seguin, TX/14.312/$1,000
- Savannah Sanders/Wills Point, TX/14.431/$500
- Lindsay Voshell/Queen Anne, MD/14.737
- Kennzie Nixon/Pleasanton, TX/14.737
- Worth Evans/Burnet, TX/15.282
- Carsyn Holbrook/Cibolo, TX/19.656
May 7 — Wild Card Results:
- Kappie Bryant/Stephenville, TX/14.793/$2,500/Advancing
- Fallon Forbes/O’Donnell, TX/14.808/$1,000/Advancing
- Alishea Broussard/Estherwood, LA/15.153/$611.11/Advancing
- Kelsey Howard/Sallisaw, OK/15.316/Advancing
- Taylor Finley/Scipio, IN/15.851
- Kara Kreder/Bluff Dale, TX/15.916
- Jennifer Driver/Garden City, TX/16.257
- Kindyl Scruggs/Southaven, MS/16.569
- Sara Redden/Lipan, TX/19.718
- Cari Titsworth/Mcalester, OK/20.207
May 8 — Progressive Round One Barrel Racing Results:
- Alishea Broussard/Estherwood, LA/15.108/$5,000
- Ryann Pedone/Sunset, TX/15.424/$2,500
- Mariel Sanders/Saltville, VA/15.787/$1,000
- Kelsey Howard/Sallisaw, OK/15.835
- Jordan Driver/Garden City, TX/16.492
- Brandie Inman/Nowata, OK/19.377
- Kappie Bryant/Stephenville, TX/19.464
- Fallon Forbes/O’Donnell, TX/20.607
- Makenzie Mayes/Scroggins, TX/21.736
- Stephanie Fryar (KRRR)/Waco, TX/24.705
May 9 — Progressive Round Two Barrel Racing Results
- Alishea Broussard/14.801/$5,000
- Fallon Forbes/15.452/$2,500
- Jordan Driver/15.453/$1,000
- Kappie Bryant/15.604
- Brandie Inman/15.946
- Ryann Pedone/19.471
- Mariel Sanders/19.600
- Stephanie Fryar (KRRR)/19.682
- Makenzie Mayes/24.945
- Kelsey Howard/No Time
Rodeo Corpus Christi Progressive Round Aggregate:
(after Progressive Round Two)
- Alishea Broussard/29.909 (Advancing)
- Jordan Driver/31.945 (Advancing)
- Ryann Pedone/34.895 (Advancing)
- Kappie Bryant/35.068 (Advancing )
- Brandie Inman/35.323 (Advancing)
- Mariel Sanders/35.387
- Fallon Forbes/36.059 (Advancing)
- Stephanie Fryar/44.387
- Makenzie Mayes/46.681
- Kelsey Howard/115.835
May 10 — Showdown Round Results:
- Jordan Driver / Judge JB Cash / 14.826 / $18,000
- Kappie Bryant / Smooth As Rico Suave / 15.175 / $9,000
- Brandie Inman / Rodeo Short Go / 18.113 / $3,000
- Alishea Broussard / Friday Nite Fling / 19.215 / $500
- Ryann Pedone / One Slick Czar / 20.242 / $500
- Fallon Forbes / Pocket Fulla Pozzis / 28.296 / $500
