The First Annual Cowboys & Indians Rodeo Survey

Wouldn’t it be great to sit around with rodeo athletes from around the country and get them to open up about what they really think of rodeo in America? Their no BS opinions on the best competitors, the coolest venues, and what they love most about the sport and the lifestyle. 

The first annual Cowboys & Indians Rodeo Survey does just that. We asked every competitor in The American Rodeo to take a survey that let them anonymously answer tough questions ranging from the best riders to the behind-the-scenes secrets most fans don’t know. The result is an informative and surprising look at this great American sport by the folks who know it best: the athletes.

The Rodeos

You can find rodeos from coast to coast, in the smallest ranching towns and the biggest cities. These are the events that stand out.

Favorite Annual Rodeos

1. Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Las Vegas: 45% 
2. Cheyenne Frontier Days, Cheyenne, Wyoming: 15%
3. Pendleton Round-Up, Pendleton, Oregon: 10%
4. The American Rodeo, Arlington, Texas: 5%

Favorite Towns for Rodeo Fun

1. Las Vegas, Nevada: 57%
2. Fort Worth, Texas: 17%
3. Cody, Wyoming: 10%

The Rodeos with the Rowdiest Crowds

1. Kid Rock’s Rock ’n’ Rodeo, Arlington, Texas: 40%
2. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Houston, Texas: 11%
3. The American Rodeo, Arlington, Texas: 11%
4. Dixie National Rodeo, Jackson, Mississippi: 11%

Best Hospitality at a Rodeo

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

The Arena with the Best Dirt

Calgary Stampede

The People

From up-and-comers to the big stars, it’s the “characters” both inside and outside of the area who give our sport its personality.

History’s Most Iconic Bull Rider

1. Lane Frost: 33%
2. J.B. Mauney: 25%
3. Donny Gay: 12%
4. Tuff Hedeman: 8%

Favorite Bull Rider of this Decade

1. J.B. Mauney: 45%
2. Stetson Wright: 35:
3. Sage Kimzey: 15%

The Rankest Bulls of All Time

1. Bodacious: 58%
2. Red Rock: 14%
3. Little Yellow Jacket: 11%

Funniest Rodeo Clowns

1. Flint Rasmussen: 50%
2. JJ Harrison: 23%
3. Leon Coffee: 23%

Favorite Barrel Racing Duos

1. Charmayne James and Scamper & Hailey Kinsel and Sister: both with 40%
2. Lisa Lockhart and Louis: 15%

Favorite Rodeo Announcers

1. Bob Tallman: 40%
2. Anthony Lucia: 21%
3. Garrett Yerigan: 19%

Favorite Rodeo Commentators

1. Amy Wilson: 23%
2. Jeff Medders: 18%
3. Justin McBride: 18%

Most Exciting Calf Roper to Watch

Trevor Brazile

Most Exciting Breakaway Roper to Watch

Jackie Crawford

Most Promising Up-and-Coming Athlete on the Circuit

Riley Webb, Tie-Down Roper

The Culture

Rodeo isn’t just a sport, it's a culture with its own traditions, beliefs, and attitudes.

The Most Epic Ride You've Seen, On Horse or Bull?

• Hailey Kinsel and Sister breaking their own record at NFR 2024 … “That duo was absolutely incredible to witness.”
• “When Cody Ohl blew his knee out and crawled to the calf to tie it (2001 NFR).”
• “Charmayne James and Scamper with no bridle at the 1985 NFR.”

Most Surprising Thing About Rodeos and Lifestyle that People Wouldn’t Expect?

• “How much we travel.”

• “How well your animal partners are taken care of.” 

• “How down to earth people are.”

• “Some of these people have never seen a real ranch.” 

• “How little money we make but how many girlfriends we have.” 

• “The amount of money and care we spend on our horses.” 

• “The camaraderie.” 

• “Living like a carny.” 

• “The huge amount of behind the scenes work.”

• “I think it surprises people we train and diet like any other athlete, as well as treating our horses like athletes!” 

• “How many of the competitors are very talented in multiple events.”

Most Physically Challenging Rodeo Event

1. Bareback riding: 50%
2. All equally hard: 37%
3. Bull riding: 12%

Dream Musical Acts for a Rodeo

1. George Strait: 34%
2. Cody Johnson: 21%
3. Dolly Parton: 13%

Most Notable Superstition

• “NO HATS ON THE BED”

• “DON’T WEAR YELLOW!” 

Favorite Rodeo Traditions

1. The National Anthem: 68%
2. Grand Entry: 10%
3. Mutton busting: 10%

Let us know what you think of the results of this year's rodeo survey on Facebook and Instagram.

From our May/June 2025 issue.