Bareback Riding Resistol Rookie of the Year Contender

The #1 in the world right now in Bareback Riding is vying for the Bareback Riding Resistol Rookie of the Year award.

“I’ve been dreaming about a shot at the Rookie of the Year and the World Title since I was a young kid, just getting started,” said Keenan Hayes. “I’ve always heard that no one’s ever won a world title on their rookie card. That’s what I’ve been striving for ever since I heard about it. Being able to go into the finals with my goal still in reach is pretty crazy.”

That goal drove the Colorado native to win Rodeo Austin in Texas, the Resistol Rookie Roundup in Texas and the NFR Open in Colorado. 

Bareback Riding Resistol Rookie of the Year Contender

Currently sitting #3 in the world, Kade Sonnier is headed to the NFR to vie for not only the Bareback Riding Resistol Rookie of the Year title, but the World title, as well.

The former college baseball athlete only started riding roughstock a few years ago. In the last year, he won the Calgary Stampede in Canada, the Springhill PRCA Rodeo in Louisiana, and was Co-Champion at the Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming.

His dad, Joey Sonnier, qualified for the 2018 NFR, which is where Sonnier got his first taste for the love of the sport.

Currently sitting #3 in the world, Kade Sonnier is headed to the NFR to vie for not only the Bareback Riding Resistol Rookie of the Year title, but the World title, as well.

The former college baseball athlete only started riding roughstock a few years ago. In the last year, he won the Calgary Stampede in Canada, the Springhill PRCA Rodeo in Louisiana, and was Co-Champion at the Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming.

His dad, Joey Sonnier, qualified for the 2018 NFR, which is where Sonnier got his first taste for the love of the sport.

“I've made it to the pinnacle of rodeo within four years of me riding bucking horses and even making the decision to start riding bucking horses,” said Sonnier.

Bareback Riding Resistol Rookie of the Year Contender

A resume of success follows Dean Thompson, making him one of the contenders for the Bareback Riding Resistol Rookie of the Year award and tied for #1 in the world. The 21-year-old Utah native won the Grand National Rodeo in California, the Lake Havasu Stampede in Arizona, and the Pendleton Round-Up in Oregon, to name a few.

“This is the most exciting rookie race in bareback riding history,” said Thompson. “To me this means everything is on the line during those ten days in Vegas. I know the rodeo world will be watching, and they’ll find that I’ve awakened my most aggressive competitive edge.”

It was this same aggressive competitive edge that led to his other victories. We will all be on the edge of our seats this NFR.

Steer Wrestling Resistol Rookie of the Year

Cash Robb is a 20-year-old from Altamont, Utah. Outside of the PRCA, he college rodeos for Texas A&M Commerce. Throughout the year, he was able to travel with reigning and four-time World Champion, Tyler Waguespack.

His highlights from the year include winning the Resistol Rookie Round-Up in Texas, pulling a $3,032 check after placing 2nd in round one at Cache County Fair and Rodeo in Utah, and pulling a $5,550 check after placing 2nd in average at Snake River Stampede in Idaho.

He ended his first year sitting #24 in the PRCA World Standings for steer wrestling.

Header Resistol Rookie of the Year

The Mississippi cowboy, Cole Thomas, is the Resistol Rookie of the Year for heading in team roping.

His win at the Resistol Rookie Roundup in Texas, a round one win at Lion's Dixie Roundup in Utah, and a 2nd in round one at the New Mexico State Fair in New Mexico are only a few accomplishments that helped lead to his new title.

“I didn’t know how this year was going to go,” Thomas said in an interview with The Team Roping Journal. “I just knew I was going to go have fun with it and, if it worked, it worked; and if it didn’t, it didn’t.”

In August of this year, the 24-year-old cowboy was leading the Resistol Rookie race with a $14,000 margin between him and the next man in line.

Heeler Resistol Rookie of the Year

Backed in the box beside Resistol Rookie of the Year Header, Cole Thomas, and Kaden Profili took home the win at the Resistol Rookie Roundup. Profili used this momentum, along with placing 2nd in the finals during Utah Days and his 1st round win during the Springhill PRCA Rodeo, to win the Resistol Rookie of the Year Heeler in team roping.

“It means a lot to me,” said the 21-year-old from Jacksonville, Texas. “You only get one chance to be the Rookie of the Year and I was fortunate enough to get it done.”

Saddle Bronc Resistol Rookie of the Year

The Saddle Bronc Resistol Rookie of the Year, Ryder Sanford, will be making his first debut at the NFR this year.

“It’s kind of taken a second to hit me,” said Sanford, a Louisiana native. “It still feels like I’m in a dream. I’ve kept my head down and stayed focused on each horse throughout the season. I didn’t really look at the whole picture, but after it was over, it’s like ‘wow, I got a lot accomplished this year.’”

A few of his notable accomplishments include winning the Trinity Valley Exposition Fair & Rodeo in Texas, the Southeastern Circuit Finals in Florida, and the Cheyenne Frontier Days. 

“Before this season, I thought it would be awesome to win it, but after battling it out with the group of guys that I had… it was a knife fight all year. Q gave me a run for my money the entire year, up until the last hours of the season. Having to put that much work into it, just made it mean that much more,” continued Sanford.

Tie-Down Resistol Rookie of the Year & All-Around Resistol Rookie of the Year

Dylan Hancock, a 19-year-old from Texas, not only won the title with one chance, but is taking home two of the coveted titles. Hancock balanced tie-down roping, team roping and steer wrestling throughout the year to take home the Tie-Down Resistol Rookie of the Year and the All-Around Resistol Rookie of the Year titles.

“It’s awesome,” said Hancock about his impressive feat. “You only get the chance one time to do that. It’s even cooler when you get to accomplish not just one, but two of ‘em.”

His wins at the Stockyards Pro Rodeo in Texas, the Goliad County Fair & PRCA Rodeo in Texas, and the Rice County Fair in Minnesota helped him to achieve his title.

“It’s cool to look at your name besides all the other guys that have won Rookies of the Year. It picks your shoulders up and gets your chest bowed out a little bit. It makes you think that you might have a chance,” Hancock said with a laugh.

Steer Roping Resistol Rookie of the Year

Will Eddleman finished the year out #37 in the PRCA World Standings for Steer Roping, ultimately leading to the Steer Roping Resistol Rookie of the Year title for the 22-year-old cowboy from Texas. He placed fourth at the Resistol Rookie Roundup with a 6.2 to win $809.

Bull Riding Resistol Rookie of the Year

T Parker, sitting eighth in the PRCA World Standings for Bull Riding, will be taking home the Bull Riding Resistol Rookie of the Year title and qualifying for the NFR for the first time.

The 19-year-old had a year to remember with wins at the World’s Oldest Rodeo in Arizona, the Ellensburg Rodeo in Washington, and the Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo in Texas.

Yet, what means the most to Parker is the Resistol Rookie of the Year title.

“This by far will be one of my biggest achievements to always remember,” said Parker. “I cannot wait to see what the future holds for me in my Pro Rodeo journey.”

Barrel Racing Resistol Rookie of the Year

“To have this title is very special to me,” said Kalli McCall, the 2023 Barrel Racing Resistol Rookie of the Year. “It shows me that I can accomplish my goals when I put my mind to them.”

The 19-year-old cowgirl went into the Resistol Rookie Roundup in April already leading the Rookie Race in barrels. She added over $3,000 to her margin with her Resistol Rookie Roundup win and continued the momentum through the summer rodeos, to ultimately take home the Resistol Rookie of the Year title.

McCall balances pro rodeoing with college rodeoing for Hill College in Hillsboro, Texas. 

“It’s an amazing confidence booster to the start of my professional rodeo career,” continued McCall. “I love everything about this sport and to carry this title now is something I will never take for granted. It’s been a childhood dream to do this, and I just checked it off the list!”

Breakaway Resistol Rookie of the Year

Braylee Shepherd, the 2023 Breakaway Roping Resistol Rookie of the Year, had a year full of challenges. She started off strong in a few of the winter rodeos and decided to get her rookie card with full confidence in her main mount, only to lose him two weeks before Rodeo Houston.

“I had to find another horse and the few backup horses that I had weren’t quite working out,” Shepherd said. “I was ready to be done after the winter rodeos didn’t turn out very well. I happened to talk to Lari Dee, and she offered me a horse. That’s what I rodeoed on all summer.”

“Then I had some truck and trailer issues,” Shepherd continued. “I blew a hub and had to get new tires put on the trailer and turn out of some rodeos. After all of that, I wrecked the truck and trailer. Totaled the trailer. That was about August. I had to buy another trailer and my dad brought a truck from Oklahoma. And then just fighting through the mental game of staying focused and roping. It dang sure tested me.”