Top Athletes Bring A-Game to Huntsville

The Walker County Fair and Pro Rodeo took place March 29-30 in Huntsville, Texas. Fast times and high scores made for an exciting weekend. See who was crowned the 2024 rodeo champions.

Over the span of nine days, professional rodeo cowboys and cowgirls traveled to Huntsville, Texas, to the 46th annual Walker County Fair and Pro Rodeo. Similar to most county fairs, visitors and fans could find live music, livestock shows, carnival rides, and most certainly competitive and exciting pro rodeo action. Over the years, the Walker County Pro Rodeo has been nominated for one of the best small rodeos in the country. Many of the best rodeo athletes in the world compete annually in Huntsville.

2024 Walker County Fair and Pro Rodeo Results:

Bareback Riding

Kashton Ford, from Sturgis, S.D., led the pack by 3 whole points with his score of 84.5 on Korkow Rodeo's horse, Onion Ring. He added the Walker County Fair and Pro Rodeo to his list of 2024 wins. He was also the 2024 champion of Sioux City, Iowa, and Queen Creek, Ariz. At only 18 years old, Ford is off to a good start in his career.

1. Kashton Ford 84.5 points on Korkow Rodeos' Onion Ring, $1,053
2. Bodee Lammers 81.5, $790
3. Rody Barker, 81.0, $526
4. Chad Rutherford, 80.5, $263

Steer Wrestling

Three-time NFR qualifier Rowdy Parrott took home the Steer Wrestling title. He calls Mamou, La., home but is proving to be very comfortable on Texas soil. Earlier in March, he also took home the Matagorda County Fair and Rodeo title in Bay City, Texas. With a time of 4.1 seconds, Parrott ended up on top.

1. Rowdy Parrott, 4.1 seconds, $1,820
2/3. Stan Branco, 4.2, $1,349
2/3. Jace Melvin, 4.2, $1,349
4. Ty Bauerle, 4.3, $878
5. Clay Tom Hurt, 4.4, $565
6. Mason Couch, 4.9, $314

Breakaway Roping

Don't blink, because JJ Hampton and Hali Williams, both NFR qualifiers, showed the crowd in Huntsville why breakaway roping is known as the fastest event on dirt. Both Texas ladies tied for the win with a time of 1.7 seconds. Hampton is known as one of the trailblazers of the breakaway roping with her fast times and incredible energy. Meanwhile, Williams, who is only 20 years old, came from a very successful rodeo family and is proving to be just as talented with a breakaway rope.

1./2. J J Hampton 1.7 seconds, $2,291
1/2. Hali Williams, 1.7, $2,291
3/4/5. Braylee Shepherd, 1.9, $1,488
3/4/5. Sierra Spratt, 1.9, $1,488
3/4/5. Addie Weil, 1.9, $1,488
6. Bailey Gubert, 2.0, $940
7. Tacy Webb, 2.1, $705
8/9. Amber Crawford, 2.2, $411
8/9. Sawyer Gilbert, 2.2, $411
10/11. Jayden Gould, 2.5, $118
10/11. Harley Meged, 2.5, $118

Team Roping

No strangers to the winning circle, Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueria took home another championship. Together, they have won two world titles—2021 and 2022. Driggers has been to the big show in Las Vegas 11 times, while Nogueria has seen the bright lights 10 times. They have proven to be a perfect pair and continue their winning ways this year, where they both sit in the Top 5 in the World Standings. Their 3.8-second run was the fastest time of the rodeo, giving them the No. 1 paycheck.

1. Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira, 3.8 seconds, $2,238
2/3. Riley Kittle and Will Woodfin, 4.1, $1,800
2/3. Jake Orman and Corey Hendrick, 4.1, $1,800
4/5. J7 Bland and Tyson Thompson, 4.3, $1,216
4/5. Jhett Trenary and Jake South, 4.3, $1,216
6. Bobby Joe Hill and Thomas Smith, 4.6, $778
7. Reno Stoebner and Clay Green, 4.8, $486
8. Jayse Tettenhorst and Ty Arnold, 5.1, $195

Saddle Bronc Riding

Sterling Crawley is a seven-time Wrangler NFR qualifier from Stephenville, Texas. Aboard Korkow Rodeos' bronc, Pushing Daisies, Crawley scored 86 points to take home the win. Currently, Crawley is in the Top 20 in the world and is working to add another trip to Vegas to his resume.

1. Sterling Crawley, 86.0 pts on Korkow Rodeos' Pushing Daisies, $1,148
2. Jackson Ford, 85.0 pts, $870
3/4. Gus Gaillard, 82.5, $522
3/4. Cort Scheer, 82.5, $522
5/6. Mitchie Story, 82.0, $209
5/6. Jase Stout, 82.0, $209

Tie-Down Roping

Among many of the best in the world, Zach Jongbloed came out on top in the tie-down roping with a time of 8.0 seconds. Making his first NFR appearance in 2022, the Iowa, La., cowboy hopes to make 2024 his second trip to the bright lights. His Huntsville, Texas, win may help his cause, adding over $1,600 to his earnings.

1. Zack Jongbloed, 8.0 seconds, $1,622
2. Shad Mayfield, 8.1, $1,410
3. John Douch, 8.2, $1,199
4. Blane Cox, 8.3, $987
5. Tyler Calhoun, 8.8, $776
6. Cash Fretwell, 9.2, $564
7. Cole Walker, 9.4, $353
8. Tate Thomas, 9.8, $141

Barrel Racing

Preslie Reid calls San Angelo, Texas home. After taking home the Walker County Fair and Pro Rodeo title, Reid was chosen as the Montana Silversmiths WPRA Athlete of the Week. She ran a 17.40-second run, securing her victory. She is currently ranked No. 12 in the World Standings.

1. Preslie Reid, 17.40 seconds, $1,729
2. Tillar King, 17.45, $1,482
3. Stevi Hillman, 17.50, $1,235
4. Jymmy Cox, 17.59, $1,070
5. Rachel Huerkamp, 17.62, $823
6/7. Ashley Castleberry, 17.63, $576
6/7. Shelley Morgan, 17.63, $576
8/9. Stephanie Fryar, 17.66, $288
8/9. Bryana Lehrmann, 17.66, $288
10. Paige Dove, 17.68, $165

Bull Riding

The bull riding has been known as a crowd-favorite event in the rodeo world. The competition in Hunstville was full of all of the excitement and adrenaline normally expected. There were only three qualified rides of the whole rodeo. Trey Benton III and Donovan Rutherfurd tied with a score of 85 points to be in the top spot. Coming in behind them for a third-place check was Jackson Ward.

1/2. Trey Benton III, on Smith Pro Rodeos' Pain Killer, 85 points, $1,131
1/2. Donovan Rutherfurd, on Smith Pro Rodeos' Island Time, 85, $1,131
3. Jackson Ward, 74, $702