Thompson Moves Into Tie for First at San Angelo Rodeo

New Mexico cowboy Cimarron Thompson sits in a tie for first place in steer wrestling after his run Thursday at the San Angelo Rodeo.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:52am

A cubist-style painting depicting a steer wrestling competition, with the action broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette.A fractured, geometric illustration captures the intensity and athleticism of steer wrestling at the San Angelo Rodeo.San Angelo Today

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Just before he backed into the timed-event box, New Mexico steer wrestler Cimarron Thompson slapped hands with his hazer, Nebraskan Tyler Ravenscroft. Thompson made it work with a 4.7-second lead, moving into a share of the overall lead with Oklahoman Chase Crane; both men have a three-run cumulative time of 15.3 seconds.

Why it matters

Thompson's strong performance at the San Angelo Rodeo, one of the most prestigious rodeos in the region, puts him in contention for a top finish and a chance to earn a significant payout. His ability to work well with his hazer and execute clean runs has been key to his success so far.

The details

Thompson secured his position a week and a half ago during the first two rounds of competition, where he was among the leaders with a cumulative time of 10.6 seconds. His first-round victory, when he stopped the clock in 3.8 seconds, was worth $4,794. Thompson is riding a 16-year-old sorrel gelding named Rain Man, who has matured and become a reliable partner for the veteran cowboy.

  • On Thursday, Thompson posted a 4.7-second run in the third go-round.
  • A week and a half ago, Thompson was among the leaders with a cumulative time of 10.6 seconds after the first two rounds of competition.

The players

Cimarron Thompson

A 39-year-old steer wrestler from Hobbs, New Mexico, who is currently tied for first place at the San Angelo Rodeo.

Tyler Ravenscroft

A Nebraska cowboy who served as the hazer for Cimarron Thompson during his successful run.

Chase Crane

An Oklahoma cowboy who is also tied for first place with Cimarron Thompson after three rounds of competition.

Rain Man

A 16-year-old sorrel gelding that Cimarron Thompson has been riding, who has matured and become a reliable partner for the veteran cowboy.

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What they’re saying

“I was just trying to get the cleanest fall I could. I knew we got a good start and caught up in a decent spot, so I could probably slow down right there and not rush anything to put myself in a bind.”

— Cimarron Thompson, Steer Wrestler

What’s next

Thompson will have the opportunity to build on his strong performance during the short go-round on April 17, which will determine the champions of this year's San Angelo Rodeo.

The takeaway

Cimarron Thompson's consistent and calculated approach has put him in contention for a top finish at the prestigious San Angelo Rodeo, showcasing his skill and experience as a veteran steer wrestler on the rodeo circuit.