local
RODEO: Stars making their way to Pecos
By Guest Contributor at Odessa American (oaoa.com)
· June 19, 2026
· 3 min read
PECOS The race for a rodeo world championship takes 14 and a half months.
The 12-month regular season begins Oct. 1. At its conclusion the next September, the top 15 in the world standings advance to the National Finals Rodeo, which takes place each December in Las Vegas. That’s where gold buckle...
Key takeaway At its conclusion the next September, the top 15 in the world standings advance to the National Finals Rodeo, which takes place each December in Las Vegas.
Why this matters in The Odessa
The West of the Pecos Rodeo's significance extends beyond its rich history as the "World's First Rodeo" to its current status as a crucial stop in the ProRodeo circuit. With $20,000 in added money, the event attracts top talent like Andrew Ward and Jake Long, who credit their 2025 victory in Pecos as a turning point in their championship season. For local fans, the opportunity to see world-class rodeo competitors in action is a major draw, and the event's inclusion in the 2026 Playoff Series ensures that the competition will be fierce. As the rodeo takes place at Buck Jackson Arena, the community will be watching to see if Ward and Long can recapture the magic that propelled them to the top of the team roping standings last year. With 624 contestants vying for a share of the purse, the event promises to be an exciting showcase of skill and athleticism.
About this story
Original reporting by Odessa American (oaoa.com) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Odessa American (oaoa.com) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 19, 2026 ·
Source: Odessa American (oaoa.com) ·
Reading time: 3 min
Get more The Odessa stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? PECOS The race for a rodeo world championship takes 14 and a half months.
The 12-month regular season begins Oct. 1. At its conclusion the next September, the top 15 in the world standings advance to the National Finals Rodeo, which takes place each December in Las Vegas. That’s where gold buckle...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 19, 2026 by Odessa American (oaoa.com) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Guest Contributor at Odessa American (oaoa.com). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter