Nebraska rodeo competitors continued a busy summer stretch of competition with strong performances at the Madison County Fair and Rodeo, along with several top finishes at professional rodeos across the country.
At the Madison County Fair and Rodeo, Tanner Drake claimed the bareback riding title with an 82-point score. Layne Wallinger won the tie-down roping with a time of 10.5 seconds, while Kooper Schrunk took the 45-and-over tie-down roping championship with a 10.6-second run.
Chance Leggett and Cody Welsch earned the win in team roping with a time of 7.0 seconds. In the mixed team roping, Ragan McIntyre and Jett Vanderham finished first with a 5.5-second run.
Brandy Schaack won the breakaway roping with a 2.5-second time, while Brayden Betsworth claimed the saddle bronc riding title with an 80-point score. Kaden Wooters won the steer wrestling after posting a 4.0-second run, and Brittany Bradley finished first in the barrel racing with a time of 15.21 seconds.
Augustus Pader won the ranch bronc riding with a score of 72 points, and Sutton Schrunk claimed the bull riding championship with a 79-point ride.
Nebraska athletes also continued to find success at professional rodeos around the country.
Garrett Shadbolt placed seventh in round one of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo in bareback riding with an 82.5-point score aboard Lion Hostage. Gauge McBride finished third in round one of the San Luis Valley Sky High Stampede with an 81.5-point ride on Clairvoyant. McBride also earned a round win at Laramie Jubilee Days, posting a 91-point score on Game Trail.
Tucker Ravenscroft finished second in round one of the Heart of the Rodeo in Spooner, Wisconsin, with a 3.8-second steer wrestling run. Ravenscroft also earned a check at the Sheridan WYO Rodeo after placing sixth in the average.
Gage Davis recorded a fourth-place finish in round one of the Wall Celebration in Wall, South Dakota, after a 6.0-second steer wrestling run. Austin Hurlbert also placed fourth in round one of the 50th Annual Ashante Firefighters Rodeo in Minnesota with a 4.5-second steer wrestling time.
In saddle bronc riding at the Ashante Firefighters Rodeo, Garrett Long placed sixth in round one with a 76-point score aboard Long Haul Trucking.
This week’s Nebraska Rodeo Update also featured an interview with Truett McIntyre, the 2026 National Junior High Finals Rodeo team roping champion. McIntyre, who competed as the heeler in the championship duo, discussed his experience competing at nationals, his partnership with Gavin, and the preparation required to put together three consistent runs on the national stage.
Rodeo action continues this weekend with the Dawson County Fair Rodeo in Lexington on July 17-18, followed by the O’Neill Summerfest Rodeo July 18-19 in O’Neill. Sandbox Media will provide streaming coverage of both events.
The Greeley Rodeo is also scheduled for July 18-19 in Greeley, while the National High School Finals Rodeo will take place in Lincoln July 19-25, bringing top junior and high school competitors from across the country to Nebraska.