Before they can be world champions, they have to be rookies first, and the 2025 Resistol Rookie Roundup spotlights these rising stars.
The Resistol Rookie Roundup: Where Champions Begin
FORT WORTH, TEXAS — Resistol, in partnership with The Cowboy Channel, hosted the Resistol Rookie Roundup for the fourth consecutive year. Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) Rookies—those in their first year as PRCA and WPRA cardholders—competed for their share of $100,000.
“Each year, the rookie class continues to impress. They come in prepared and willing to learn. They understand the importance of this weekend as they learn about sponsorships, interviewing skills, social media management and more. We want each rookie to leave prepared for their rodeo career ahead because these are the names we will continue to hear,” said Resistol Brand Director Mary Jane Carpenter.
This event is invite-only to the top 15 rookies in their respective events. The Resistol Rookie Roundup serves as a launchpad, introducing these rising stars to fans everywhere.
The event kicked off on Thursday, April 24th, at 9 a.m. Contestants spent the day filming for The Cowboy Channel, going through media training, mentoring from top rodeo athletes and taking their headshots for the PRCA website. Each rookie received a gift bag of items from The Cowboy Channel and a new Resistol straw. The goal is to prepare rookies for their rodeo career ahead.
All contestants competed in the Friday night rodeo at the historic Fort Worth Cowtown Coliseum. The top eight moved on to Saturday. Then, the final four competed in a sudden-death shootout to name the champions.
The crowned winners include Gavin French in bareback riding, Trace Harris in steer wrestling, Ira Dickinson in saddle bronc riding, Ali Norcutt in breakaway roping, Gabe Williams/Faron Candelaria in team roping, Blayne Saine in tie down roping, Emma Parr in barrel racing, Wyatt Marshall in bull riding and Bode Spring with the all-around cowboy title.
The event champions were awarded beautiful spurs from Kerry Kelley Bit and Spurs. Money won during the Resistol Rookie Roundup presented by The Cowboy Channel will count towards the Resistol Rookie Standings but will not be credited towards PRCA | RAM World Standings for NFR qualification.
The filmed roundtables with the rookies and their world champion mentors will air on The Cowboy Channel starting in June.
The contestants will spend their summers competing in the Rookie Race, trying their hand at the Rookie of the Year title—a title with only one shot.
All contestants competed in the Friday night rodeo at the historic Fort Worth Cowtown Coliseum. The top eight moved on to Saturday. Then, the final four competed in a sudden-death shootout to name the champions.
The crowned winners include Gavin French in bareback riding, Trace Harris in steer wrestling, Ira Dickinson in saddle bronc riding, Ali Norcutt in breakaway roping, Gabe Williams/Faron Candelaria in team roping, Blayne Saine in tie down roping, Emma Parr in barrel racing, Wyatt Marshall in bull riding and Bode Spring with the all-around cowboy title.
The event champions were awarded beautiful spurs from Kerry Kelley Bit and Spurs. Money won during the Resistol Rookie Roundup presented by The Cowboy Channel will count towards the Resistol Rookie Standings but will not be credited towards PRCA | RAM World Standings for NFR qualification.
The filmed roundtables with the rookies and their world champion mentors will air on The Cowboy Channel starting in June.
The contestants will spend their summers competing in the Rookie Race, trying their hand at the Rookie of the Year title—a title with only one shot.