National Western Stock Show and Rodeo: Preview, Format and How to Watch

The ProRodeo at the National Western in Denver, Colorado kicks off on Thursday, Jan. 11 and will feature some of the biggest names in rodeo.

The National Western, established in 1906, attracts over 700,000 visitors annually and produces over $170 million in economic activity for the community.

This year, athletes will compete for their share of over $500,000 in the tournament-style rodeo. Here is your preview, format, and how to watch.

Format

In the roughstock events, the contestants will comprise the Top 72 contestants from the 2023 PRCA World Standings and the Top 8 from the 2024 World Standings.

In the timed events, you will see the Top 30 contestants from the 2023 World Standings, the Top 5 from the 2024 World Standings, the Top 5 from the Mountain States Circuit Standings, and the Top 40 from the Denver Qualifier.

In barrel racing, it will be the Top 48 from the 2023 WPRA World Standings, the top 4 from the 2023 Women’s Professional Rodeo Association Tour Standings, the Top 18 from the Mountain States Circuit, and the Top ten from the 2024 WPRA World Standings.

These contestants will each compete in two Go-Rounds and the Top 24 in the rodeo’s Average after the two Go-Rounds will advance.

In the Semifinals, the Top 24 are split into three brackets of eight. The Top 4 from each bracket advance to the Final Round. The Final Round is a clean slate and the highest score or fastest time wins the title from the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo.

What to Watch

Bracket 1 (January 11 & 12)

In the first two performances of the rodeo, the barrel racing features an impressive list of competitors. NFR qualifiers Ilyssa Riley and Taycie Matthews highlight the group. Ashley Castleberry, who has already made over $17,000 this year and is No. 2 in the 2024 WPRA Standings will also compete.

Bracket 2 (January 12 &13)

Bracket 2 features several tie-down Ropers inside the current Top 15, many of which are looking to make their first NFR in 2024. Joel Harris is the highest-ranked roper at No. 5 in the standings. He is joined by fellow NFR hopefuls Christopher McCuistion and Booker McCutchen.

On the roughstock side, saddle bronc features 2023 Resistol Rookie of the Year and NFR qualifier Ryder Sanford.

Bracket 3 (January 13)

The athletes in Bracket 3 will compete twice on Saturday, January 13. The bracket features several big names throughout. In barrel racing, Emily Beisel will compete as she looks to follow up her fifth-place finish in the 2023 standings with another strong year.

Issac Diaz and Cole Elshere, who have combined for 11 NFRs, lead the saddle bronc riding field and Ty Pope is a name to watch out for in Bareback Riding.

Bracket 4 (January 14)

Bracket 4 will compete twice on Sunday, January 14 and will showcase some major talent. In saddle bronc riding, 2024 World No. 1 Kade Bruno looks to keep the hot start to his season going. Bruno has already made over $25,000 this year after finishing 2023 No. 3. Current World No. 2 Wyatt Casper will also be competing on Sunday.

In bull riding, Clayton Sellars is healthy and ready to make a push toward his first NFR since 2021. He will be competing against the likes of Colby Demo, Mason Moody, Riggin Shippy, and more.

On the timed event side of the arena, Haven Meged, coming off a record-breaking NFR, is set to compete. Lisa Lockhart highlights the barrel racing field and Ty Erickson is the name to watch in steer wrestling.

Bracket 5 (January 15 & 16)

Bracket 5 features the 2023 Average Champion, Don Payne, in steer wrestling. He competes against Will Lummus, Jace Melvin, and others.

Team Roping will be competitive in Bracket 5 as well with Jake Clay/Trey Yates competing alongside Wyatt Bray/Paden Bray, Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves, and more.

In bull riding the names to watch are 2023 NFR qualifiers Josh Frost and Hayes Weight as they compete against the likes of Dawson Gleaves, Chase Dougherty, and more.

Bracket 6 (January 17)

It will be an exciting day in bareback riding as Jess Pope highlights the field along with fellow 2023 NFR qualifiers Dean Thompson and Jacob Lees.

In saddle bronc riding, Ryder Wright looks to start his 2024 calendar year strong on the 17th as he competes against Cash Wilson, Parker Kempfer, Logan Cook, Kole Ashbacher and others.

In timed events, several big names are competing. Starting in tie-down roping, 2023 NFR qualifiers Shane Hanchey, Ty Harris, Beau Cooper, and Kincade Henry are all scheduled to compete.

In team roping, Luke Brown/Travis Graves, Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, and Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord all set to rope.Steer Wrestling features Tristan Martin, Dirk Tavenner, and Stan Branco. And in barrel racing, Jennifer Kalafatic, Shelly Morgan, Ivy Saebens, and Jimmie Smith highlight a deep field of racers.

Bracket 7 (January 18)

World No. 1 Shad Mayfield will be competing alongside future hall of fame Tuf Cooper in Bracket 7’s tie-down roping.

While in barrel racing, Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi looks to back up her record-breaking 2023 season. She competes alongside Hailey Kinsel and Molly Otto among others.

Much like BPT, bull rider Ky Hamilton begins the defense of his 2023 World Title at the National Western. He will compete against T Parker, Laramie Mosley, Trey Benton III, and others on the 18th.

Brody Cress, Kolby Wanchuk, and Statler Wright highlight the saddle bronc riding field in Bracket 7 as well.

Bracket 8 (January 19)

The final bracket features plenty of exciting names as the first round of the rodeo closes. In bareback riding, Tanner Aus, Wyatt Denny, and Sam Peterson highlight the competitors.

Trey Kimzey, Cody Teel, and Shane Proctor are the big names to watch in bull riding.

In steer wrestling, 2023’s breakout star Dalton Massey competes alongside Trell Etbauer, Stephen Culling, and Cameron Mormon.

While Riley Webb begins his title defense of both the Gold Buckle and the National Western in tie-down roping Bracket 8.

How to Watch & Broadcast Schedule

You can watch every performance LIVE on The Cowboy Channel+ App. For a full broadcast schedule for The Cowboy Channel click HERE.