Howard College Rodeo Rewind

Big Spring Buzzes with Action at Howard College Rodeo

BIG SPRING, TX — The dust flew and the crowd roared as Big Spring hosted one of the most anticipated events of the season—the Howard College Rodeo, held April 10–12. With the Southwest Region standings tightening up and only one rodeo left on the calendar, this weekend was make-or-break for many cowboys and cowgirls chasing a shot at the College National Finals Rodeo.

And while the competition was fierce across the board, the hometown Howard College Hawks came out swinging, making their mark in several key events and giving the local crowd plenty to cheer about.

Howard Riders Represent on Home Dirt

Howard's Jeryn Thomas Ellerd and Logan Michael White lit up the arena in Team Roping, each securing a top-10 finish in the header and heeler categories, respectively. Their solid runs put Howard on the scoreboard and added momentum to the team's late-season push.

In the Breakaway Roping, Shayna Ray Wimberly came through with a clutch time of 2.6 seconds, tying for 7th and showing poise under pressure in a deep field.

Howard's women's team also picked up points in Goat Tying, Barrel Racing, and Breakaway, helping the Lady Hawks notch a 9th-place team finish. It was a gutsy performance in a field stacked with national contenders like Tarleton State and Cisco College.

On the men's side, the Hawks posted a respectable 140 team points, landing in 9th place overall and finishing ahead of several larger schools. Not bad for a gritty squad that continues to punch above its weight late in the season.

Regional Heavyweights Battle It Out

Tarleton State University dominated the field yet again, sweeping top spots in Saddle Bronc and placing multiple athletes across events to take first place in both the men's and women's team standings.

Western Texas College rode high on the efforts of Denver Leitch, who took first in Bull Riding, placed in Bareback, and claimed the Men's All-Around title with 190 points.

On the women's side, Shacie Marr of Eastern New Mexico University turned heads with a standout weekend, grabbing first in Breakaway, third in Goat Tying, and locking in the Women's All-Around title.

The Countdown Begins

With only one rodeo left in the Southwest Region season, the pressure is on. Howard College showed grit and fire in front of the home crowd, and they'll be looking to carry that energy into the final stop of the regular season.

The road to the CNFR is narrowing, and the Hawks aren't done yet.