Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. is home to the Arizona Diamondbacks MLB team, but for one weekend in November, the area is filled with cowboy hats and bucking horses. The Hondo Rodeo Fest turns downtown Phoenix into a cowboy town.
The Hondo Rodeo Fest was established in 2024 with the inaugural event turning into a smashing success. Over 60,000 fans witnessed top-tier rodeo action followed by headliner concerts. This year’s concert lineup includes Nickelback, Treaty Oak Revival, Kid Rock, Jon Pardi, Jason Aldean and Riley Green.
The event turned heads in the industry in its first year and certainly made a lasting impression on the cowboys and cowgirls who were invited. It is now a treasured invite.
The fun-filled event is not sanctioned by any professional rodeo association. It is an entirely standalone event. Doing this allows them to set their own competition standards and only take the talent they choose. They invite eight cowboys and cowgirls in each event to come and compete for substantial prize money.
The contestants will compete each night starting on November 7 and finishing up on November 9. In 2024, the payout boasted $1million breaking out like this:
Each Event Per-Round Payout (2024)1st place: $12,0002nd place: $7,5003rd place: $3,5004th place: $1,500Average and Overall Payout (2024)1st place: $20,0002nd place: $12,500
So, who are the invitees per event? Well get ready for a jam-packed, talent-filled roster because the Hondo is the best of the best.
Bareback Riding
Nathan Meyer Photography
Jacob Lees – 2024 Hondo ChampionBradlee MillerJess PopeSam PetersonKade SonnierTilden HooperRC LandinghamGarrett ShadboltSteer Wrestling
Nathan Meyer Photography
Ty EricksonJD StruxnessWill LummusJesse BrownTucker AllenRowdy ParrottJustin ShafferKyle IrwinTeam Roping HeadersErich Rogers – 2024 Hondo ChampionTyler WadeKaleb DriggersDerrick BegayTanner TomlinsonClint SummersAndrew WardDustin EgusquizaTeam Roping HeelersCory PetskaPaul Eaves – 2024 Hondo ChampionWesley ThorpColter ToddTravis GravesJade CorkillColeby PayneLevi LordSaddle Bronc Riding
Nathan Meyer Photography
Zeke Thurston – 2024 Hondo Co-ChampionKade BrunoDawson HaySage NewmanBrody WellsBrody CressLefty HolmanZac DallasTie-Down RopingShane Hanchey – 2024 Hondo ChampionRiley WebbShad Mayfield John DouchMarty YatesTuf CooperKincade HenryDylan HancockBreakaway RopingMartha Angelone – 2024 Hondo ChampionKelsie DomerTaylor MunsellJosie ConnerCheyanne McCartneyShelby Boisjoli-MegedHali WilliamsBradi GoodBarrel Racing
Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Lisa Lockhart – 2024 Hondo ChampionHailey KinselEmily BeiselMegan McLeod-SpragueMackenzie MayesWenda JohnsonTayla MoeykensHayle Gibson-StillwellBull RidingJohn CrimberWacey SchallaTJ GrayCooper JamesTristen HutchingsKy HamiltonMore Rodeo On SI