Alex Riley

Joined: Dec 3, 2023

Alex Riley is a writer for Sports Illustrated's feature, Rodeo Daily. Formerly working at news outlets in South Carolina, Texas, Wyoming and North Carolina, Alex is an award-winning writer and photographer who graduated from the University of South Carolina.

The 2024 NFR just wrapped up, but the journey to Las Vegas in 2025 is already underway.

News

Five Much-Anticipated Rodeo Storylines for the 2025 Season

Coleman Proctor has a lot to be excited about after he and team roping partner Logan Medlin won Round 9 at the NFR, moving him into the No. 1 spot in the PRCA All-Around World Standings.

News

Round 9 Team Roping Result Reshapes All-Around Race Heading Into Finale

Coleman Proctor had plenty to smile about after his Round 7 team roping win with partner Logan Medlin. He is now second in the All-Around World Standings, while he and Medlin are fourth their respective header and heeler World Standings.

News

Record Breaking Team Roping Run Lifts Proctor, Medlin to Victory in Round 7

Jesse Brown's change in horses proved to be a smart move on Monday as he picked up the steer wrestling win Round 5 at NFR.

News

Horse Switch Lifts Jesse Brown to Crucial Steer Wrestling Win in Round 5 at NFR

Zeke Thurston (pictured) has ridden Derrick Begay's mule, John Henry, in the first two Grand Entry parades at the 2024 NFR.

News

Your Eyes Do Not Deceive You – That is a Mule in the 2024 NFR Grand Entry

Saddle bronc rider Zeke Thurston has borrowed team roper Derrick Begay’s mule for the first two entrance ceremonies in Las Vegas

After being sidelined the entire 2024 PRCA season recovering from injury, five-time All-Around World Champion Stetson Wright has been cleared to return to action.

News

Cleared for Launch: All-Around Phenom Stetson Wright Set for Return to Rodeo Competition

The eight-time PRCA World Champion announced to the rodeo world that his comeback can officially begin.

News

Rookie Bareback Rider Makes Opening Statement to Start National Finals Rodeo

First, the feet went flying. Once they touched the ground, so did the hat. With a celebratory yell and toss of his head gear, bareback rider Weston Timberman b

Kelsie Domer's steady pace at the NFBR ended with the veteran breakaway roper claiming both the average and world titles.

News

Domer Caps Season-Long Grind with Breakaway Finals World Title

The veteran roper didn’t have the flashiest performances all year, but found a way to get the right results when it mattered most.

Matt and Molly Twitchell are two of pro rodeo's most well regarded contract personnel. Matt is four-time recipient of the PRCA's Pickup Man of the Year honor, while Molly has earned Timer of the Year three straight years.

News

A Love Story Forged in Pro Rodeo: The Journey of the Sport’s Power Couple

It all started because of a blue roan horse. Long before she noticed the cowboy in the saddle, Molly was admiring the animal Matt was sitting on. “I fell in l

The first half of the NCEA season has wrapped up and it's been an exciting battle thus far. A full rundown of where things stand and key performers in below.

News

Halfway Home: A Look at Significant NCEA Storylines, Performers in Midseason Rewind

With the fall slate of Division I equestrian wrapped up, a glance at where things stand and who stood out through the first few months of competition.

Tuf Cooper is one of many professional rodeo athletes headed to Las Vegas soon in pursuit of a gold world championship buckle.

News

Numbers to Know Heading Into the 2024 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

From first-time qualifiers to the returning champions, this list gives a breakdown of where things stand going into the 10-day Las Vegas marathon.

Barrell racer Katie Chism and her horse, Ace, won all three rounds at the Great Lakes Circuit Finals over the weekend en route to the average championship.

News

Winding Journey Leads to Dream Finish for Barrel Racer at Great Lakes Circuit Finals

It’s an ending Katie Chism imagined, but never envisioned becoming reality. After three runs at the Great Lakes Circuit Finals Rodeo in Louisville, Ky., the Ti

After a serious injury in June, defending steer wrestling World Champion Tyler Waguespack has made an improbable recovery and late season surge to return to NFR.

News

Back from the Brink, Defending Steer Wrestling Champ Makes Unlikely Return to NFR

Tyler Waguespack’s season looked like it might be over in June due to injury but the five-time World Champion pushed to a late rally, securing one of the last spots in Las Vegas.

Former saddle bronc world champion Taos Muncy, right, is now serving as a pickup man, learning from veterans like Matt Twitchell, left. Both men have been nominated for PRCA Pickup Man of the Year.

News

After Storied Saddle Bronc Career, Former World Champ Enjoys New Role as a Pickup Man

Just a few years removed from his last appearance at NFR, Taos Muncy is still making an impact in professional rodeo, earning a nomination for PRCA Pickup Man of the Year.

Ryder Sanford might have missed a return trip to NFR this year, but thanks to a big win at the Southeatern Circuit Finals he's off to a strong start for a return trip in 2025.

News

Refocused Mentality Pushes Saddle Bronc Rider to Southeastern Circuit Title

After missing out on another trip to NFR, Ryder Sanford is hoping a circuit championship will provide a spark for the 2025 campaign.

Dustin Boquet's win at the Cowboy Capital of the World PRCA Rodeo at the end of the 2024 regular season got him into the 16th spot in the World Standings, which led to him replacing Creek Young at the 2024 NFR after Young was given a doctor release from competing.

News

After Regular Season Shortfall, Bouquet Grateful for Opportunity to Compete at NFR

The veteran bull rider has replaced Creek Young as the final competitor in the field of 15 as Young was medically released due to an injury.