By Krista Lucas Wynn

            Every fall, calf ropers descend onto a southwest Texas town for the annual Cinch Roping Fiesta, in San Angelo, Texas. The roping event was held October 23-26 and is the longest running stand alone roping event in the nation. The weekend features calf roping, breakaway roping, team roping, steer roping, and double mugging.

            The fan favorite event is the invitational calf roping, featuring the top 30 of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world standings, as well as five from a qualifying event held the day before. Bryce Derrer, of Portales, NM, dominated the competition by winning both go rounds and the average. He pocketed over $16,000 for his efforts.

            Tom Crouse, Blane Cox, Chet Weitz, and Tyson Durfey followed Derrer in the first round, placing second through fifth respectively. Zane Kilgus, Cody McCartney, Logan Bird, Cash Enderli, and Riley Webb rounded out the second go round. Previously featured NTFR calf roper and local cowboy, Hagen Houck, also competed at the roping fiesta for the first time.

Weitz, of London, Texas, bested the short go field, with a time of 9.6 seconds. Kincade Henry, Webb and Brey Yore rounded out the final round.

World champion, Webb, also roped against world champion and 10 time Wrangler National Finals Qualifier, Caleb Smidt, in a 12 head match. Smidt retired in 2025 but still hung with Webb up until a missed calf cost him time. After that, Webb stayed consistent to finish the match with a time of 197.1 seconds, a full minute and a half ahead of Smidt.

A fan favorite event has quickly become the legends match, presented by O-H Triangle Ranch, during the calf roping event. This year, WNFR qualifiers, Jeff Chapman and Ricky Canton went head to head on six calves. Canton was the returning champion but was bested by Chapman after a back and forth contest. Chapman finished with a time of 84.3 seconds, and Canton turned in a total time of 91.7 seconds.

With three full days of roping, a remodeled arena, and beautiful weather, roping fans of all ages and disciplines had something to watch. Winnings for the calf roping and steer roping will count for the 2026 PRCA world standings. For full results, visit www.sanangelorodeo.com.

By Krista Lucas Wynn

            As rodeo fans look forward to the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, some professional cowboys and cowgirls made their dreams a reality, while others were pushed out at the very last second. The 2025 professional rodeo season wrapped up September 30th, and it took more money than ever before, with payouts larger than ever before.

            Within the last week of the 2025 season alone, there were multiple rodeos scattered across the country, but most eyes were set on the Governor’s Cup held in Sioux Falls, SD.

            Held the last weekend of September, the Governor’s Cup had the biggest payout with each round paying over $11,000 to win it, with Sunday’s finals being a clean slate and $32,000 going to the winner. This meant the Governor’s Cup had huge implications on the top 15.

            In the bareback riding, young gun Rocker Steiner added to his lead in the standings by advancing to the final round where he rode Cosmic Stardust for 88 points. Tilden Hooper came into the event in 17th place and was able to move up to 14th by placing sixth and third in both rounds, keeping the veteran’s WNFR dreams alive.

            Steer wrestlers, Cody Devers and Gavin Soileau, both created opportunities to advance to the final round, but both would also end in heartbreak. Devers, who was 16th in the standings, split third in the first round, and then missed his second steer. Soileau advanced all the way to Sunday, where he missed his steer to advance to the final four round. He went on to catch a chartered plane to San Bernadino, CA where he would win enough to slip into the top 15, showing what all it takes to even have a chance at the WNFR. Justin Shaffer, of Hallsville, Texas, won the event moving up to third place for his second WNFR qualification.

            Going into the Governor’s Cup, team ropers Luke Brown and Trey Yates found themselves fighting for a spot in the top 15. They came out with a bang by winning the first round for $11,911 each. World champions Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira moved back into the number one spot in the standings after they won the second round, the semifinals and the final four round.

            In the saddle bronc riding, Q Taylor and Ben Anderson took advantage of the big money by both advancing to the Sunday finals. They both moved into the top 15, forcing Wyatt Casper and Lefty Holman on the bubble.

            The calf roping was no different than most of 2025, featuring a showdown between Riley Webb and Shad Mayfield. World champion, Shane Hanchey, did not go quietly though. He came into the event in 16th place, and after placing in both long rounds, fought his way into the top 15.

            In the breakaway roping, Bailey Bates and Martha Angelone both needed to win money in order to move up into the top 15. Both ended up advancing to the final round, even with Angelone having a broken barrier. Angelone ended up breaking out again in the final four, and Bates roped  a 2.1 to win the Governor’s Cup. She moved up to 12th in the standings, while Angelone unfortunately finished 16th for the year.

            Texas cowgirls, Halyn Lide and Tricia Aldridge, both did what they needed to do in barrel racing. Aldridge rode her standout stallion, Adios Pantalones, to their first WNFR qualification. They placed seventh and fifth in the rounds, advancing to the semifinals. Then, ran the fastest time in the semifinals and finished second in the finals behind Halyn Lide. Lide placed eighth in both rounds, fourth in the semifinals and won the finals securing her spot at her second WNFR.

            Meanwhile, Lide’s sister-in-law, Katelyn Scott, was battling it out at five rodeos across the country to qualify for her first WNFR. She won a total of $9,118 in the last week of the regular season, and slid into the 15th spot to join her sister-in-law at the WNFR.

            World champion bull rider, Ky Hamilton, rode all four bulls at the Governor’s Cup to walk away with the win and qualify for his fifth WNFR. Clayton Sellers had a chance to capitalize on the money up for grabs but got bucked off in the final round. Sellers, along with other roughstock cowboys, had to await their fate up to the very last day of September, after the inaugural event, Duel at the Dunes, concluded.

As winter sets in, horse owners face a unique set of challenges. Shorter days, colder temperatures, and limited pasture growth can all affect a horse’s health and well-being. While many equestrians prepare carefully, a few common mistakes continue to put horses at risk during the colder months. With careful management, these pitfalls can be avoided, ensuring your horse stays healthy and comfortable all season long.

1. Over-Blanketing Horses

One of the most common winter mistakes is reaching for a heavy blanket too soon or leaving it on for too long. Horses are naturally equipped with winter coats that provide excellent insulation when allowed to grow in fully. Over-blanketing can trap heat, causing the horse to sweat beneath the fabric. Once damp, the coat loses its insulating qualities, leaving the horse chilled. Prolonged sweating also creates the perfect environment for fungal skin infections such as rain rot or dermatitis.

Blanketing is not always wrong, but it should be done thoughtfully. Horses that are clipped, elderly, or underweight may benefit from an extra layer of warmth, as will those experiencing particularly harsh or wet conditions. However, any blanket should be checked daily to prevent rub sores, and horses should be groomed regularly to make sure dirt, moisture, or injuries are not hidden beneath the fabric. The key is flexibility—adjusting the type of blanket and the frequency of use based on weather conditions and the horse’s response, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

2. Providing Inadequate Shelter

Horses are hardy animals, but that doesn’t mean they can withstand every storm unprotected. A run-in shed or three-sided shelter is a minimum requirement for horses kept outdoors during the winter. Such structures give them a place to escape biting winds, freezing rain, or snow. To be effective, the opening should face away from prevailing weather, and the size should accommodate the number of horses in the field. A single small shed is not enough for a herd of twenty, as horses are unlikely to crowd together in a confined space.

For horses kept in barns, shelter management means more than shutting doors. Ventilation is crucial in cold months. Poor airflow allows dust and moisture to build up, which can irritate the respiratory tract and increase the risk of conditions like heaves. A well-designed barn balances warmth with airflow, keeping horses dry without exposing them to stagnant, dusty air.

3. Neglecting Grooming and Hoof Care

Because many riders scale back work during the winter, grooming and hoof care sometimes slip down the list of priorities. Yet this is when careful inspection becomes even more important. Grooming keeps the skin and coat healthy, helps detect early signs of weight loss, and brings attention to minor cuts or swelling that might otherwise go unnoticed beneath a shaggy coat.

Hoof care also remains essential, even when horses are not being ridden. Frozen, uneven ground can cause cracks or bruising, and snow can pack into hooves, forming hard “snowballs” that create strain on joints and tendons. Scheduling regular trims or shoeing prevents these issues and helps maintain soundness throughout the season. Farriers often recommend shorter trimming intervals in winter to reduce the risk of flares or abscesses, and daily cleaning is one of the best defenses against thrush.

4. Mismanaging Nutrition and Hydration

Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of winter care is the horse’s diet and water intake. Horses burn more calories simply keeping warm, particularly when temperatures drop below freezing. While their workload may decrease, their nutritional needs often increase. The best way to meet this demand is with forage—quality hay not only provides calories but also supports gut health and generates internal heat during digestion.

Hydration is equally important, yet water intake tends to decline in cold weather. Horses are less inclined to drink icy water, and frozen troughs can quickly leave them dehydrated. Unlike fresh grass, which contains high levels of moisture, winter hay provides very little water content. Without proper hydration, horses are at greater risk of colic, especially impaction colic. Offering warm water, ideally between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, can encourage horses to drink more readily. Heated buckets or de-icers designed for troughs are excellent investments for preventing frozen water sources.

5. Reducing Exercise and Ignoring Seasonal Hazards

When temperatures plummet, it is tempting to cut back on riding and turnout. However, regular exercise remains important for maintaining muscle tone, joint flexibility, and digestive health. Even if riding is not possible due to weather or footing, hand-walking, lunging, or simply allowing turnout in a safe paddock provides much-needed movement. Lack of activity is linked to stiffness and can contribute to colic risk, making exercise a valuable preventive tool.

Another overlooked winter hazard is barn dust. Closing up barns tightly in an effort to conserve warmth often traps dust, mold spores, and ammonia odors from urine, all of which irritate the respiratory system. Keeping stalls clean, wetting down dusty hay, and maintaining ventilation reduces this risk. Having a plan for emergencies—such as power outages, blizzards, or ice storms—also ensures that horses won’t go without water, feed, or shelter when the unexpected strikes.

Conclusion

Winter can be a demanding season for both horses and their caretakers. Over-blanketing, insufficient shelter, neglected grooming, poor dietary adjustments, and lack of exercise are five of the most frequent mistakes, but they are also avoidable with thoughtful management. The central principle is consistency—checking on horses daily, adapting to changing conditions, and maintaining the same level of attentiveness in December as in June. By doing so, owners can help their horses not just survive but remain healthy and comfortable throughout the cold months.