To be honest, we had a lot of trouble narrowing this list down. In the past year, we’ve had the privilege of telling the stories of some truly amazing rodeo athletes from all over North America.

We’ve shared in the triumph, the victory, the defeat and the cowboy’s unyielding drive to persevere and all we can say is, we hope we did the stories justice.

The American Dream

Still one of our favorite videos to watch, see Junior Nogueira tell the unbelievable story of his late father – widely known in Brazil for his talents of the roper – and why Junior was inspired to give everything he had at the finals of The American. 

4-Legged Kings: How Bucking Bulls Demand Respect And Honor From Cowboys

Pearl Harbor was having the season of a lifetime. He had gone 12-0, was sitting at a world average score of 46.25, and was No. 1 in the PBR’s World Champion Bucking Bull Standings. 

The respect this bull had garnered was crystal clear after the outpour of sympathy from the bull riding and rodeo community after his passing.

Read the full story of the amazing bull, and others who demanded that respect HERE.

Larsen Brothers On Record-Setting Mission En Route To Canadian Finals Rodeo

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Ever since brothers Tyrel, Orin and Kane’s steer riding days were over, they went their separate ways in the rodeo arena and each chose a roughstock event of their own. In 2018, as the end of Canadian Professional Rodeo Association season drew near, they had the chance to set a record if all three could qualify for the pinnacle event in rodeo north of the border: the Canadian Finals Rodeo. 

Did they make it happen to create a new record in the CPRA? Read the story HERE.

The Field Is Deeper: Why Barrel Racing Is Tougher Than It’s Ever Been

Charmayne James, Kristie Peterson, Martha Josey. With 16 world titles between them, there's no denying their talent on the cloverleaf. 

But could we be seeing the next generation of someday-famous barrel racers right before our very eyes today? Better yet—could there be more of them than ever before?

See what Sherry Cervi, the barrel racing legend herself, has to say about this question by reading the full story HERE, and watch the full profile we did on the four-time world champion HERE.

Scott Schiffner Prepares For His Finals Six Rides

He’s a living legend in the bull riding game, and we got to watch him one last time at the 2018 Canadian Finals Rodeo. Scott Schiffner - the winningest bull rider in Canadian rodeo history - announced his retirement earlier this year before stringing together some rodeo-winning rides that rocketed the cowboy to his final CFR appearance.

A Year Later, Impact Of Ty Pozzobon's Passing Felt Deeply In Rodeo

Pozzobon was a star in the bull riding world — the 2016 PBR Canada champion, a three-time Canadian Finals Rodeo qualifier, and a four-time PBR World Finals qualifier. He also finished the 2016 PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals in Las Vegas in the No. 4 spot.

On Jan. 9, 2017, Ty Pozzobon took his own life. Brain health has been widely discussed since the cowboy’s passing, and his death has left an impact in the arena and in the lives of the people who knew him.

Read the full story HERE.

C5 Rodeo’s F13 Virgil: The Big Grey Horse That Broke Records In 2018

We’ve been in love with this giant grey horse for a long time, and it was an honor to follow this C5 Rodeo horse this year. From glam shots to record-breaking rides, to bone-crunching buck offs – we love F13 Virgil and have enjoyed coming along for the ride in 2018.

Watch him break the CFR record HERE, and later the NFR record HERE.

Should Solomon Have Won The American? Timing Discrepancy Raises Question

As much as this story was about controversy, it also gave us all a chance to talk about the sport in a different way. As other sports advance, how can we advance the sport of rodeo too? 

Let’s keep the conversation going – not to argue over one call – but to better the sport. 

Read the full story HERE.