The best of the best in professional rodeo’s bucking stock have been revealed.
BAREBACK RIDING HORSE OF THE YEAR
1. Boot Barn’s Night Crawler – Pickett Pro Rodeo
According PRCA Stock Stats, all six cowboys who got on Night Crawler in 2024 were at least 87 points, including 92 from Cole Reiner in Darby and 91 from Drake Amundson in Killdeer. In the last two outs of the season, Night Crawler was marked 46 points both times.
2. Virgil – C5 Rodeo Company
Virgil’s two marquee moments of 2024 both came with R.C. Landingham aboard - 94 for him to win Calgary and 92.5 to win Red Bluff. Those were Landingham’s highest marked rides of the season as he finished in the Top 5 in the World Standings.
3. Agent Lynx – Calgary Stampede
Agent Lynx came awfully close to sweeping in the CPRA and PRCA as standout horse was named the 2024 Canadian Bareback Horse of the Year.
SADDLE BRONC RIDING HORSE OF THE YEAR
1. All or Nothin – Andrews Rodeo
All or Nothin bucked off one-third of the cowboys who got on this year, but three of those who did ride were marked 86.5 points or more, among them was Sage Newman’s NFR Open winning ride.
2. The Black Tie – Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics
There were 11 outs on The Black Tie in 2024 and five of them went for 90 or more points. On those 11 outs, the stock score was at least 44 points on all but one.
3. Tokyo Bubbles – Calgary Stampede
Just like in the bareback riding, the Canadian Horse of the Year grabbed the third spot in the final tally. Tokyo Bubbles helped carry Kade Bruno to The Calgary Stampede title this year.
BULL OF THE YEAR
1. Big Bank – Universal Pro Rodeo
Big Bank has one of the best credentials a bucking bull can have, he went unridden in 2024. Wacey Schall, Trey Holston and Jacob Gardner were among his victims as he put up an Average Stock Score of 43.4.
2. Pegasus – Pete Carr Pro Rodeo
Over the last two seasons, Pegasus has been ridden once, and that was at the 2023 NFR. When the best are on his back, he rises to the occasion - he is 2-for-2 in bucking off Sage Kimzey.
3. Ricky Vaughn – Powder River Rodeo
Another unridden bull, Ricky Vaughn got young stars TJ Gray and Jeter Lawrence in 2024 and never had a Stock Score lower than 44 points.