The 2026 College National Finals Rodeo held from June 14-20 in Casper, Wyoming, inside the Ford Wyoming Center brought collegiate athletes from across the country to battle it out for national and team championships.
A total of 427 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association athletes from colleges and universities across the country have gathered in Wyoming for the weeklong CNFR which culminates with the crowning of the 2026 national champions on Saturday, June 20.
Top athletes from 12 geographic regions compete in three rounds of competition. The top 12 cumulative scores or times advance to Championship Saturday to vie for national championships.
The first round of competition began with Bulls, Broncs and Breakaway on Sunday while the other five events will be held on Monday; then the second round of competition will finish on Tuesday afternoon. Round three is spread over four rodeo performances beginning Tuesday evening and running through Friday evening.
Complete results are available at www.cnfr.com.
Acey Pinkston Wins Round One at CNFR
CASPER, WYOMING, (JUNE 15, 2026) — Reigning national champion barrel racer Acey Pinkston took her first step toward back-to-back College National Finals Rodeo titles on Tuesday. She was the first athlete to compete when action began at 7 a.m. Riding her 13-year-old gelding Streakinfrenchbullet (French Streaktovegas x Lonesome Buck Bar x Sunnys Buck Bar) whom she calls “Bullet,” the Weatherford College senior stopped the clock in 13.62 seconds. The closest any other cowgirl could come to her time was 13.77 seconds by Devin Young of Texas A&M University.
Pinkston started last year’s CNFR by winning the first round. After starting 2026 in the same way, she’s a step closer to a repeat title. She is ranked 23rd in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association and is on a quest to qualify for her first National Finals Rodeo.
CNFR Barrel Racing Results
Complete results are available at www.cnfr.com.
Round One: 1) Acey Pinkston/Weatherford College/13.62 seconds. 2) Devin Young/Texas A&M University/13.77. 3) -tie) Anneliese McCurry/Montana State University, and Addison Morgan/Texas Tech University/13.89 each. 5) Lauryn Motley/Sam Houston State University/13.99. 6) -tie) Piper Cordes/Montana State University, and Brylee Grubb/Gillette College/14.00 each. 8) Raegan Chance/Northwest Mississippi Community College/14.01.
