Meet the Trio of Athletes Who Split $2 Million at 2026’s The American Rodeo

The 2026 edition of the world's richest one-day rodeo, The American Rodeo, concluded in epic fashion. With $2 million on the line for athletes who had qualified for the event (contenders), rather than being invited (invitees), cowboys and cowgirls came out with guns blazing.

When the dust settled, three competitors split the $2 million bonus.

Rickie Fanning - Breakaway Roping

Fanning ropes her calf at the 2026 San Diego Rodeo — Rickie Fanning | Fernando Sam-Sin

Hailing from Spearfish, S.D., Rickie Fanning is a three-time National Finals Breakaway Roping (NFBR) qualifier. She has earned over $300,000 in her Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) career.

After becoming a WPRA member in 2020, Fanning (then, Engesser) kick-started her career with a splash. In 2021, she won the year-end title in the Badlands Circuit and finished second in the average at the circuit finals.

From 2022 to 2024, she qualified for the NFBR each year. Some of her biggest wins in professional rodeo include: Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo (Salt Lake City), Greeley Independence Stampede (Colo.), and a second-place finish at the NFR Open.

In 1.71 seconds on Saturday, May 23, she made history inside Globe Life, taking home $766,666 for the incredible run.

Saddle Bronc Riding - Sage Newman

Newman rides a huge bay bucking horse leaping high in the air — Sage Newman | Fernando Sam-Sin

A five-time National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualifier with over $1.3 million in career earnings, Sage Newman has become a staple of professional rodeo. The Melstone, Mont., cowboy has won many of the biggest titles throughout his career and has been on a hot streak this spring.

Newman also knows what it takes to win The American Rodeo. In 2024, he took home the championship for a cool $100,000. This year, he was a contender and had a chance at the $2 million bonus.

Scoring 89.25 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Larry Culpepper, Newman hit the biggest single payday of his career, taking home $766,666 for the win.

Steer Wrestling - Gavin Soileau

Soileau wrestles a steer at the 2025 NFR — Gavin Soileau | Fernando Sam-Sin

Gavin Soileau of Bunkie, La., is a 26-year-old cowboy who made his first trip to the NFR in 2025. He finished inside the top 50 in both 2022 and 2024, and is currently No. 11 in the 2026 World Standings.

In his breakout season in 2025, a few of his wins included the North Dakota Roughrider Cup (Mandan), the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo (Denver, Colo.), the Home Of Champions Rodeo (Red Lodge, Mont.), and the Central Wyoming Fair & PRCA Rodeo (Casper, Wyo.).

With a time of 3.79 seconds, he edged out reigning World Champion Tucker Allen (3.83 seconds) and one of his mentors, Rowdy Parrott (3.86 seconds). The $766,666 payday is undoubtedly the biggest monetary milestone of his career, thus far.

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