The spirit, grit, and heart of the American West will take center stage on December 9, 2025, when “Outriding the Devil” makes its highly anticipated red-carpet premiere during the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The event — already being embraced by rodeo fans and industry leaders alike — will unfold at 7 p.m. inside The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, inviting everyday cowgirls, cowboys and the often-unsung heroes of the Western world to celebrate a film that’s poised to make history. “Outriding the Devil” is a tribute to grit, faith, unity and the enduring Western spirit, embodied most powerfully by Angela Ganter, a Texas Rodeo Hall of Famer and Stage 4 cancer survivor whose extraordinary comeback story lies at the heart of the film. Tickets are available now through axs.com.
Hosted by “Yellowstone” star Mo Brings Plenty, the premiere event will feature special acoustic performances by country great and two-time GRAMMY® nominee Radney Foster, known for classics like “Texas in 1880” and Keith Urban’s hit “Raining On Sunday,” along with GRAMMY® nominee Pauline Reese, crowned the “Queen of Texas Music” by none other than Willie Nelson.
But the evening is more than glamour — it is a tribute to grit, faith, unity and the enduring Western spirit, embodied most powerfully by Angela’s extraordinary comeback story that lies at the heart of the film.
This docudrama centers on what many are calling the “greatest comeback the rodeo world has ever seen.” Angela, a champion barrel racer, was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer and spent a decade in a harrowing battle for her life. Her story moves from “death’s door to the winner’s circle,” culminating in a triumphant return to the sport she loves.
Meanwhile, during Angela’s battle, her daughter Jackie Ganter carved her own path, becoming Women’s Professional Rodeo Association Rookie of the Year and a two-time NFR qualifier, adding an inspiring generational layer to the film.
Rooted in A Western Life
Among the voices guiding the film is “Yellowstone” actor Forrie J. Smith, who serves as its narrator. In an exclusive conversation with Barrel Horse News, Smith shared how he became involved.
“Raen [LeVell, “Outriding the Devil” director] came up to me at the National Finals last year and told me what he was doing,” Smith said. “When the time came, he called me, and we set up a deal in Albuquerque. I went up and did the recording.”
For Smith — whose mother, Chick Smith, was a barrel racer — narrating this story felt like a return to his roots.
“It was kind of coming full circle. I grew up traveling with my mom. They figured I’d learn more traveling with my mom [than in school] as long as I kept up with my book work,” Smith said. “She had a station wagon and I’d get in the back and [would be] doing my math homework while looking at the front of that one-horse trailer out of the back of the station wagon.”
Though he’s acted for years, this was his first time narrating a feature film.
“As an actor, you have other actors leading you. You cue off of them and their words and actions. As a narrator, you’re just kind of freewheeling. It was different, and Raen held me to the text pretty hard — and I needed that. It was a good learning experience.”
Outriding the Devil is more than a movie — it is a cultural milestone, a tribute to those who shaped rodeo, and a celebration of the family bonds, fierce determination and unapologetic toughness that define the American West. At times, the material struck Smith so deeply he had to pause the session.
“I remember almost choking up,” Smith said. “It all resonates. This is my culture. This is my world. I had to block the emotions just to stay focused on the dialogue.”
He recalls that the parts that moved him most centered on the mother-daughter connection and the message of never looking back.
“This movie is so Americana,” Smith says. “With the family connection; the never-say-quit spirit. This film will inspire you and make your problems seem like nothing. ”
A Premiere That Honors the West
Directed by multi-award winner LeVell (Buffalo Daze) and produced by Erin E. Mitchell and 4M Equine Ranch, the Las Vegas premiere marks the beginning of a grassroots American West release. The team behind “Outriding the Devil” hopes that audiences nationwide will see the film not only as entertainment but as a testament to perseverance, family and the Western spirit.
“The unique nature of the film, that it isn’t just recounting Angela’s story but how her life and her heritage is a metaphor for the West, the evolution of rodeo and the spirit that has come to define both,” Mitchell said. “It’s a sweeping saga that runs from 1850s Texas frontier all the way up to the Canadian Finals Rodeo in 2024. It delves deep into the origins and evolution of rodeo both from the cowboy and cowgirl perspectives and features some of the superstars of the sport and the culture. In the historical reenactments we give big screen debuts to the likes of Shad Mayfield and Lily Wright.”
Among the supporters who helped bring “Outriding the Devil” to life is Darrell Martin of 4M Equine Ranch — sponsor and passionate advocate for the film. For Darrell, involvement wasn’t just business — it was personal. Darrell, has been involved in movies in the past and with his actor-son Judah Martin and barrel racer daughter Felicity Martin, he knew from the start he wanted to be involved.
From the get-go Darrell was drawn not only to the filmmaking but to the story’s underlying theme.
“It’s what Western culture is all about,” Darrell said. “True Grit, not giving up… no matter how hard it gets, you just keep moving forward.”
The connection for Darrell and the film ran deep. As a father raising a daughter in the sport, he saw reflections of his own life in Angela and Jackie.
“That really hit home,” Darrell said. “We’ve had our ups and our downs — nothing near as drastic, but we’ve had some pretty hard times. I think it’s just a story that not only adults, but even kids need to see.”
His passion for strengthening Western sports extends far beyond film. Through 4M Equine, Darrell invests heavily in breeding elite performance horses and innovating new rodeo technologies.
“One thing that our ranch is about is improving the sport of rodeo and barrel racing,” he said.
As anticipation builds across the Western world, the December 9 premiere of “Outriding the Devil” promises to be more than a movie debut — it’s a gathering of the very community the film honors. Hosted during the NFR at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, the event invites fans to stand together and celebrate the grit, heritage and hope that define the American West. With its tributes to Angela and Jackie Ganter, its rare historical footage, and its powerful storytelling, the premiere marks the beginning of a film journey that aims to uplift, unite and inspire. For many, it will be the first chance to witness a story that reminds us why the Western spirit endures — and why this night is poised to become one of the most meaningful premieres in rodeo history.
