In the heart of Texas, where the spirit of the Old West still thrives, a seismic shift is about to rock the rodeo world. RODEOHOUSTON, the crown jewel of the Lone Star State’s cowboy culture, has just announced an unprecedented purse increase for 2025 that’s set to increase the stakes for rodeo athletes across the nation.
Rodeo isn’t just a sport—it’s a living, breathing piece of American history. Born from the gritty reality of 19th-century ranch life, it has evolved from informal competitions between vaqueros to a heart-pounding spectacle that draws thousands.
In 1938, a pivotal moment arrived when the Rodeo was added to what was called the Houston Fat Stock Show. It began with five events, bareback riding, bull riding, tie down roping, saddle bronc riding and steer wrestling. This move legitimized the sport even more, setting standards and paving the way for today’s thrilling competition which now includes eight events.
Lefty Holman, a saddle bronc rider whose name evokes images of legendary cowboys, knows firsthand the toll this sport takes on its athletes. “We put our heart, our soul, we dedicate our lives to this game,” Holman says, his voice carrying the weight of countless eight-second rides.
Ranked in the top 10 in the world, Holman’s recent second-place finish in RODEOHOUSTON 2024 netted him over $28,000—a substantial sum, but one that barely scratches the surface of the financial demands faced by modern-day cowboys.
Now, RODEOHOUSTON is set to rewrite the rules of the game. With a staggering increase of $355,500, the total official purse for 2025 will reach an eye-watering $2,533,500.
“It’s life-changing money,” Holman declares, his eyes glinting with a mixture of excitement and gratitude. “The Rodeo is changing rodeo for the better in every way possible.”
For athletes like Holman and Jackie Crawford, a breakaway roper with an astounding 23 WPRA World Titles to her name, this increase represents more than just a bigger paycheck—it’s a validation of their sacrifices and a beacon of hope for the sport’s future.
Crawford, who lassoed a whopping $55,250 at Houston in 2024, puts it plainly: “I don’t think people understand just how expensive it is to rodeo. When you have a rodeo that pays what Houston does, it is a huge relief, and it is a huge leg up monetarily for you.”
This bold move by RODEOHOUSTON isn’t just about the money—it’s about propelling rodeo into the spotlight it deserves. “I think it’s going to turn rodeo upside down and make rodeo more of a mainstream sport,” Holman predicts.
For Crawford, a mother herself, the implications stretch far beyond the present. She dreams of a brighter future for her three-year-old daughter, who already shows a love for the sport. “I often kind of dream about what it’s going to be like then,” she says. “I can’t help but think that she’s going to have amazing opportunities, and it’s going to continue to grow from where it is even right now.”
As the dust settles on this groundbreaking announcement, one thing is clear: RODEOHOUSTON isn’t just preserving a tradition—it’s revolutionizing it. With each bucking bronc and every roped calf, the spirit of the American West charges forward into a new era, carried on the backs of these modern-day cowboys and cowgirls.
The message from Houston is loud and clear: Rodeo isn’t just alive—it’s bucking harder than ever.