Virgil is a stout, grey horse that has become a household name and rightfully so. He is one of C5 Rodeo’s standout horses with the likes of Kaycee Field, Tim O’Connell and Tilden Hooper putting on a show every time they match up with him.
Virgil was born and raised in Grassy Butte, North Dakota. His mother is called Apples, an appaloosa mare with Rock Island bloodlines and his sire is Big John. C5 had their eye on Virgil from a young age, they knew what the big grey was capable of and wanted him to be a part of the C5 string. After an impressive out in Houston, Virgil became just that in 2012 as a five-year-old.
Since becoming a C5 bronc, Virgil has easily become one of the most recognized and sought-after broncs going down the road. He is good traveler that takes care of himself with a championship attitude who gives world-class performances no matter the venue. He keeps to himself in the pasture but under arena lights, Virgil loves all eyes on him.
Virgil has many accolades on his resume. Kaycee Feild and him matched up at the American Rodeo in Arlington, Texas to be 93 points and win the Round. In 2018, Jake Vold broke 15-year-old record at the Canadian Finals Rodeo when he went 90.25 points. Another standout moment in Virgil’s career for C5 is when Tim O’Connell drew him at the 2017 National Finals Rodeo. It was a 91.5-point ride that tied the arena record at the Thomas and Mack in Las Vegas.
Virgil also happens to be the horse that Rocker Steiner set the new world record on in the bareback riding. At the Riggin Rally in Darby, Montana in June of 2022, the two made a 95-point ride to go down in history. So far in 2023, rookie bareback rider Kade Sonnier has thrived with Virgil’s name next to his. The two put an 89.25 on top of the leaderboard at the Ponoka Stampede before they met again at the greatest outdoor show on Earth. Sonnier picked Virgil for the Final Go-Round and a 92-point ride on the big grey’s home turf cinched the Calgary Stampede win for the Louisiana rookie.
On top of the world record with Steiner, Virgil is a two-time PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year, 2017 Canadian Professional Rodeo Association Bareback Horse of the Year, and he holds the record for the highest National Finals Rodeo Bareback Score. He has claimed Canadian Finals Rodeo Bareback Horse while helping cowboys to multple go-round wins at the Canadian Finals Rodeo and the NFR.
Coming in solid at 15-years-old and 1700 pounds of pure dynamite, Virgil always takes a look at his surroundings when he peeks out over the bucking chutes. He soaks up the crowd, the lights and the adrenaline coming from the cowboy whose name is next to his on the day sheet. After giving it his all for 8 seconds, Virgil makes his famous victory lap before leaving the arena and heading to the next place, whether that be the C5 ranch in Canada or Montana or the next rodeo. No matter where it is, Virgil is sure to leave his mark.