Championing the Sport of Rodeo at "The WYO"

Rodeo 101
presented by Sheridan College

The Sheridan WYO Rodeo is one of the top rodeo events in the U.S. The event brings the best Cowboys and Cowgirls for performances Wednesday through Saturday nights, plus slack during the mornings of rodeo week. The sport’s top athletes often remark about how much they love The WYO — making the stop in Sheridan during a busy July rodeo schedule. 

Whether you’re a seasoned rodeo fan or a newbie to the sport, the WYO is a must-see for fans year-in and year-out, thanks to the best performers, the well-run event and four nights of memorable performances.

Watch the videos below to learn more about sport of rodeo, and get ready for this year at the WYO. 

Click each event to jump to video, photos, and more info!

Bareback riding
Bull Riding
Steer Wrestling
Team Roping
Saddle Bronc Riding
Barrel Racing
Tie Down Roping
Breakaway Roping

Contestant Info:

Information for contestants at the 2024 Sheridan WYO Rodeo:

  1. Sheridan WYO Rodeo 2024 Contestant Information
  2. SWR 2024 PRCA Ground Rules

2024 Results & Day Sheets:

*Updated July 9, 2024. Results posted after each performance.

2023 Results:

 

Local Athletes

Team Wyoming

As a Kaycee native, Cole Reiner became the newest member of Team Wyoming in 2021. Cole began his rodeo career at the age of 15, and later went on to qualify for the College National Finals Rodeo for Sheridan College. As PRCA’s Rookie of the Year, Cole placed 5th in the world standings for bareback and placed 6th in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2020. – Team Wyoming 

Graduated from Buffalo High School, attended Sheridan College and Casper College, earning an associate degree in business

Chet Johnson, saddle bronc. Graduated from Sheridan College, hometown Buffalo. Pro Rodeo member since 2000.

Sheridan native Devan Reilly, bareback.

Rodeo 101
Rough Stock Events
Meet the stock Stars Tour
Hammers Chevrolet Sheridan WYO Rodeo Sponsor

Bareback Riding

Bareback-bronc riding developed as an arena contest in the 1910s. A bronc s an unbroken range horse picked for its resistance to training and its tendency to buck, or throw, its rider. This event gained favor as rodeo venues installed side-opening arena chutes and as cowboys adopted the standard Bascom rigging—a surcingle (strap) with a single riveted handhold, or “suitcase handle.” Bareback riding became a standard event at the majority of sanctioned rodeos in the 1950s. 

The contestant must spur the animal over the shoulders as it leaves the chute (“marking out”), and the contestant’s free hand must not touch the animal, the rigging, or the contestant’s own body. Qualifying rides last eight seconds, and scoring is based on a cumulative total of up to 50 points each for the performance of the bronc and the rider.

Saddle Bronc Riding

Saddle-bronc riding is the classic rough-stock competition of rodeos past and present, having evolved from the traditional horse-breaking tasks of the 19th-century cowboy. A judged event, saddle-bronc riding requires strength and balance on the part of the contestant, who has to stay atop a 1,200-pound (545-kg) bucking horse for the eight-second qualifying time. The standard riding equipment consists of a hornless saddle and a plain halter with a 6-foot (1.8-metre) braided rein. 

To make a qualifying score, the contestant must leave the chute with his or her spurs over the shoulders of the horse; the contestant’s feet must remain in the stirrups, and the contestant’s free hand cannot touch the horse, the saddle, or the contestant’s body. Event scoring combines a total of up to 50 points apiece for horse and rider; winning scores typically exceed 80 combined points, while 85 or above represents a superior ride.

Hammers Chevrolet Sheridan WYO Rodeo Sponsor

Bull Riding

Bull riding began in the 1910s as open-arena steer riding. Not until the early 1930s, when arena chutes came into wide use, did the larger Brahman and crossbred bulls make an appearance. This event pits the competitor against a bull of 1,700–2,000 pounds (770–910 kg). To stay on the animal, the rider utilizes only a flat-plaited rope with a handhold and an attached bell; one hand remains free. Most contemporary bull riders wear Kevlar vests for protection, and some also don helmets. 

For a qualified ride, contestants must stay aboard the animal for eight seconds out of the chute and cannot touch the bull or themselves with their free hand. As in other judged events, the score is a combined tally of up to 50 points each for rider and bull. Competitive scores range above 80 combined points, with 90 or better representing an exceptional ride.

Rodeo 101
Timed Events
Powers Land Brokerage sponsor of Sheridan WYO Rodeo
First Interstate Bank, Sheridan WYO Rodeo Sponsor

Steer Wrestling

Steer wrestling, also called bulldogging. American cowboy Bill Pickett first performed the feat in the early 1900s, biting the animal’s nose to gain control before pulling it to the ground. 

The modern contestant omits the biting technique in favor of momentum, leverage, and strength. A timed event, steer wrestling combines good horsemanship, expert timing, and muscle to bring down a 550- to 650-pound (250- to 295-kg) steer from a running steed. As with roping events, the steer is released with a designated head start, tripping a barrier that allows the steer wrestler and a partner, the “hazer,” to pursue at the gallop. The hazer keeps the steer on a straight run while the contestant jumps onto the steer’s head and neck, grasps its horns, and then goes to the ground, planting his heels to brake the run. 

Once the steer slows, the bulldogger wrestles it to the ground with a twisting and falling motion. Time is declared when the steer lands on its side with all four legs extended in the same direction. A 10-second penalty is added for breaking the start barrier. (Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame)

Team Roping

Team roping first appeared among the cowboys of Arizona and California, becoming a regular rodeo competition at the Prescott Frontier Days in 1919. It came into wider vogue in the 1950s, and by the early 21st century it was contested as a standard event at PRCA-sanctioned rodeos. Like the other roping events, the steer is given a predetermined head start, after which the two contestants pursue. The leading roper, or “header,” must catch the steer about the horns, dally his or her rope (i.e., wrap it around the saddle horn one or more times), and change the direction of the steer’s run to benefit the throw of the other roper. This roper, the “heeler,” then ropes the steer’s back feet, dallies his or her rope, and stops the horse. Time is marked as the steer is immobilized between the two horses, both facing the steer in a straight line. Penalties of 10 and 5 seconds, respectively, are added for breaking the start barrier and for catching only one hind foot. (Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame)

Shiptons Sponsor of the WYO rodeo

Tie Down Roping

Calf roping, today usually referred to as tie-down roping, evolved directly from the traditional tasks of the roundup, when calves were roped and subdued for branding and doctoring. A timed event, it pits the contestant and his or her well-trained horse against the clock and a 250- to 350-pound (about 110- to 160-kg) calf. With a designated head start, the calf bursts from the chute and trips a barrier that signals pursuit by the roper. As the horse overtakes the calf, the contestant must rope it around the neck and simultaneously bring the horse to an abrupt stop, halting the calf’s flight while dismounting. The horse keeps a taut rope while the contestant runs to the calf, throws it on its side, and ties three legs securely with a “piggin’ string.” Time is declared when the roper throws up his or her hands after the tie-down. For a qualified time, the calf must stay tied for six seconds after the contestant has remounted and slackened the catch rope. If the contestant breaks the start barrier, a 10-second penalty is added. (Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame)

Powder Horn Sponsor of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo

Breakaway Roping

Breakaway roping is a rodeo event that features a calf and one mounted cowgirl. The breakaway roper is behind a taut rope fastened with an easily broken string which is fastened to the rope on the calf. When the roper is ready she calls for the calf and the chute man trips a lever opening the doors. The suddenly freed calf breaks out running. 

When the calf reaches the end of his rope, it pops off and simultaneously releases the barrier for the roper. The roper must throw the rope in a loop around the calf’s neck. Once the rope is around the calf’s neck, the roper signals the horse to stop suddenly. The rope is tied to the saddle horn with a string. When the calf hits the end of the rope, the rope is pulled tight and the string breaks. The breaking of the string marks the end of the run. The fastest run wins. (theCowboyChannel.com)

Barrel Racing

Breakaway roping is a rodeo event that features a calf and one mounted cowgirl. The breakaway roper is behind a taut rope fastened with an easily broken string which is fastened to the rope on the calf. When the roper is ready she calls for the calf and the chute man trips a lever opening the doors. The suddenly freed calf breaks out running. 

When the calf reaches the end of his rope, it pops off and simultaneously releases the barrier for the roper. The roper must throw the rope in a loop around the calf’s neck. Once the rope is around the calf’s neck, the roper signals the horse to stop suddenly. The rope is tied to the saddle horn with a string. When the calf hits the end of the rope, the rope is pulled tight and the string breaks. The breaking of the string marks the end of the run. The fastest run wins. (theCowboyChannel.com)

Performance Dates July 10-13, 2024

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