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Belton Today
By the People, for the People
Valentine's Day Weekend Rodeo Recap Features Bold Returns and Repeat Winners
Several top cowboys make strong comebacks and defend their titles at events across the Midwest and Texas
Published on Feb. 16, 2026
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The 2026 rodeo season is off to an exciting start, with several high-profile cowboys making successful returns to competition and repeat winners emerging victorious at events in Minnesota, Texas, and Mississippi over Valentine's Day weekend. Standout performances were turned in by bareback rider Tim O'Connell, saddle bronc rider Statler Wright, bull rider Creek Young, and all-around cowboy Toby Deudney, among others.
Why it matters
The early season rodeos provide an important gauge of which top athletes are poised for big years, with several former NFR qualifiers and champions looking to regain their form after injury layoffs. These results could foreshadow who will be in contention for world titles and NFR berths later in the year.
The details
At the Cinch World's Toughest Rodeo in St. Paul, Minnesota, Tim O'Connell scored 89 points on Muddy Creek Pro Rodeo's Wanda's Medicine to win the bareback riding title and $6,345. In saddle bronc, Statler Wright matched up with Three Hills Rodeo's Bobby Shows for an 89-point ride worth $6,289, with his brother Rusty finishing third. Creek Young rode Dakota Rodeo's Time Bomb for 88 points to earn the $8,422 bull riding payout. At the Bell County PRCA Rodeo in Belton, Texas, Toby Deudney won the all-around title, while father-son duo Clay and Braylon Tryan teamed up to win team roping. Canadian cowgirl Taylor Manning took the barrel racing with a 14.83-second run. In Starkville, Mississippi, Marcus Theriot claimed his second straight all-around title, while 19-year-olds Collin Roland (bareback) and Sawyer Bell (steer wrestling) earned their first career PRCA wins.
- The Cinch World's Toughest Rodeo was held February 13-14, 2026.
- The Bell County PRCA Rodeo took place in Belton, Texas.
- The Starkville Rotary Rodeo was held in Starkville, Mississippi.
The players
Tim O'Connell
A top bareback rider who is making a comeback after a string of injuries, winning the event in St. Paul with an 89-point ride.
Statler Wright
The saddle bronc riding winner in St. Paul, scoring 89 points, with his brother Rusty finishing third.
Creek Young
The bull riding champion in St. Paul, earning $8,422 for his 88-point ride on Dakota Rodeo's Time Bomb.
Toby Deudney
The all-around cowboy champion at the Bell County PRCA Rodeo in Belton, Texas.
Clay Tryan
A 20-time NFR qualifier and three-time world champion who teamed up with his son Braylon to win the team roping in Belton.
What they’re saying
“2026 could be his year to return to the National Finals Rodeo (NFR).”
— Tim O'Connell
“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”
— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)
The takeaway
The early season rodeo results showcase the resilience and talent of top cowboys, with several former champions and NFR qualifiers making strong comebacks and repeat winners defending their titles. These performances foreshadow an exciting 2026 rodeo season ahead.
