Carthage Bareback Rider Wins $27,000 at Fort Worth Rodeo

Tilden Hooper takes home top prize at prestigious Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo event

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Tilden Hooper, a bareback rider from Carthage, Texas, won his event at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, bringing home $27,400 in prize money. Hooper had a strong performance throughout the competition, including a 92-point ride in the final round on a horse named 'Disco Party' to claim the top prize.

Why it matters

Hooper's victory at the prestigious Fort Worth rodeo is a significant accomplishment, showcasing the talent and skill of this East Texas cowboy. Rodeo is a beloved tradition in the region, and Hooper's success helps to highlight the vibrant rodeo culture and the achievements of local athletes.

The details

Hooper had an impressive run throughout the competition. In the first round, he finished second with 86 points, earning $1,900. He then won the second round with 85.5 points on a horse called 'Trouble At The Top', pocketing $2,500. Hooper tied for first in the semifinals with 87 points, winning $3,000 and advancing to the finals. In the championship round, his 92-point ride on 'Disco Party' was enough to clinch the $20,000 top prize, bringing his total earnings for the event to $27,400.

  • Hooper's victory came in the first rodeo of the 2026 season.
  • The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo took place in February 2026.

The players

Tilden Hooper

A bareback rider from Carthage, Texas, who won the top prize at the prestigious Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.

Trouble At The Top

A young horse that Hooper rode to victory in the second round of the competition.

Disco Party

The horse that Hooper scored 92 points on in the final round to claim the $20,000 top prize.

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What they’re saying

“Trouble at the top' was a young horse that nobody had heard of yet and had a really good day and I think has a pretty bright future. And then that horse disco party has been around for a couple of years, and I've been wanting to get on that horse for a while.”

— Tilden Hooper, Bareback Rider (KLTV)

“When I got the draw for the finals, I kind of knew I had the best horse and just needed to show up and have some fun doing my job.”

— Tilden Hooper, Bareback Rider (KLTV)

“Just don't take it for granted. It could be over tomorrow. I am very thankful that my career has lasted as long as it has, but I wouldn't say that's super normal. It's a fun thing we get to do now, but it's also not your whole life. So find happiness somewhere else and don't get too high over the highs or too low over the lows.”

— Tilden Hooper, Bareback Rider (KLTV)

The takeaway

Tilden Hooper's victory at the prestigious Fort Worth rodeo showcases the talent and dedication of East Texas cowboys, highlighting the region's vibrant rodeo culture and the achievements of local athletes who compete at the highest levels of the sport.