Giddy up! The first-ever Hondo Rodeo Fest held at Chase Field last week (Nov. 7-9) was a wild success as more than 60,000 fans had the exclusive opportunity to experience an authentic Western culture experience, world-class rodeo competitions, and the best in country music - all in one ticket! More than 70 world championship titles were represented among the rodeo contestants that competed for a piece of the million dollar purse. Resulting in some of the fastest times and highest scores the sport has ever seen, The Hondo Rodeo Fest set the standard for arena records at Chase Field. 

Sponsored by Fritos, who held an interactive sample giveaway as part of the Hondo Street festival. Additional sponsors included: Ancestral Supplements, Yates Buick GMc, Cavender’s, Molson Coors, American Hat Company, The Stillery, Durango Boots, Western Sports Foundation, Sany Equipment Share, and more.

Events like The Hondo Rodeo Fest are paving the way for the future of large-scale entertainment - combining a festival experience with professional sporting events and top-tier music artists for a fan experience unlike any other. Specifically, the popularity of professional rodeo is currently seeing an upward trend, as witnessed by The Hondo Rodeo Fest producers and organizers.

“The sport of professional rodeo has arrived on the grand stage of national sports, and The Hondo Rodeo Fest is a key player in ushering it in,” said James Trawick, Hondo Rodeo Fest CEO. “The city of Phoenix proved there is a strong demand for rodeo on this scale - not only did the city show up as a whole, but they were in their seats for every bit of the rodeo action! It is undeniable, there is a wave of Western Culture sweeping the country right now and this weekend was a glowing example of just how strong that influence truly is. Music is a unifier, have no doubt, but the rodeo itself carried a lot of weight in making The Hondo Rodeo Fest truly successful.” 

Attendees throughout the weekend enjoyed ground-breaking rodeo competitions like Steer Wrestling, Barrel Racing, Bull Riding and more before. After the rodeo each night, folks with floor passes made their way to center stage where they sang along with Hank Williams Jr. and Whiskey Myers on Thursday, Brooks & Dunn and the Turnpike Troubadours on Friday, and Zac Brown Band and Old Dominion on Saturday as they performed their combined 50 No. 1 hits! People were dressed western head to toe and they danced, sang and partied together like there was no tomorrow. 

Plus, the Stillery Street Festival just outside Chase Field featured plenty of family-friendly activities, a Petting Zoo and live music / DJs from The Stillery Stage each day of the Fest. Check out how Chase Field was transformed for the Fest here.

“More than ever before, brands are seeing just how big Western Culture alignment can be,” Trawick said. “This community is so much bigger than the people that work in agriculture for a living. The ‘American Cowboy’ is a global icon and it represents a set of values that the majority of Americans are running back to at a fierce pace right now.”

Congrats to Our Rodeo Competition Winners!

The Combined $1 Million Prize Pool was Awarded to:

Bareback Riding Average

Contestant / Tr. / Fri. / Sat. / Avg. / Payout
1. Jacob Lees / 84.5 / 88 / 86 / 258.5 / $20,000
2. Leighton Berry / 84.5 / 86 / 87.5 / 258 / $12,500

Steer Wrestling Average

Contestant / Tr. / Fri. / Sat. / Avg. / Payout
1. Dakota Eldridge / 4.49 / 4.51 / 4.22 / 13.22 / $20,000
2. Ty Erickson / 4.26 / 5.08 / 5.43 / 14.77 / $12,500

Team Roping Average

Header / Heeler / Tr. / Fri. / Sat. / Avg. / Payout
1. Erich Rogers / Paul Eaves / 4.53 / 4.86 / 5.44 / 14.83 / $20,000
2. Coleman Proctor / Logan Medlin / 9.27 / 4.69 / 9.25 / 23.21 / $12,500

Saddle Bronc Riding Average

Contestant / Tr. / Fri. / Sat. / Avg. / Payout
1/2. Ryder Wright / 88.5 / 85.5 / 84.5 / 258.5 / $16,250
1/2. Zeke Thurston / 87.5 / 84.5 / 86.5 / 258.5 / $16,250

Tie Down Roping Average

Contestant / Tr. / Fri. / Sat. / Avg. / Payout
1. Shane Hanchey / 8.7 / 7.97 / 7.25 / 23.92 / $20,000
2. Ty Harris / 9.64 / 7.1 / 7.41 / 24.15 / $12,500

Breakaway Roping Average

Contestant / Tr. / Fri. / Sat. / Avg. / Payout
1. Martha Angelone / 12 / 2.05 / 1.95 / 16 / $20,000
2. Jackie Crawford / 2.61 / 12.2 / 1.99 / 16.8 / $12,500

Barrel Racing Average

Contestant / Tr. / Fri. / Sat. / Avg. / Payout
1. Lisa Lockhart / 13.958 / 13.98 / 13.945 / 41.883 / $20,000
2. Hailey Kinsel / 14.09 / 14.24 / 14.245 / 42.575 / $12,500

Bull Riding Average

Contestant / Tr. / Fri. / Sat. / Avg. / Payout
John Crimber / 84.5 / 0 / 90.5 / 175 / $20,000
Cooper James / 85.5 / 88.5 / 0 / 174 / $12,500

*Photos courtesy of Hondo Rodeo Festival