Montana Cowboy Knows the Importance of Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

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The 2021 National High School Finals Rodeo all-around champion is having success at the Fort Worth Stock Show Rodeo’s ProRodeo Tournament. Sam Petersen from Helena, Montana, had the high marked ride in Bracket 7 with 86.5 points on Generation Pro Rodeo’s horse named Mini Pearl. FWSSR photo by James Phifer.

FORT WORTH, Texas, (Feb. 3, 2025) — The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo ProRodeo Tournament could be just the steppingstone that bareback rider Sam Petersen from Helena, Montana, needs.

Just a few years ago, Petersen was competing in high school rodeos. He qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo on more than one occasion and won the prestigious all-around championship there in 2021. The second-generation competitor has been going to rodeos since he was a toddler and started competing before he hit double digits.

His next step up the rodeo ladder came while attending Texas’ Clarendon College and qualifying for the College National Finals Rodeo in bareback riding and steer wrestling. That happened in 2023 when he also started competing on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association circuit. He finished two spots outside the top 15 who qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo where world champions are crowned.

Petersen’s first time competing here was in 2024 where he earned $4,500 and got a taste of what it would be like to win the rodeo in Dickies Arena. He finished last season in 20^th place and is looking to be inside the top 15 this year.

He had the highest marked ride in Bracket 7 with 86.5 points on Generations Pro Rodeo’s horse named Mini Pearl. That ride added $2,300 to his season earnings and gives him a good opportunity to advance to the Semi-Finals.

Forth Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

Another multi-generational competitor and standout in youth competitions was at the top in the breakaway roping. Hali Williams, daughter of eight-time world champion team roping header, Speed Williams, stopped the clock in 2.1 seconds.

Williams, from Comanche, Texas, has competed at the Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping twice. She is hoping to earn a gold buckle of her own and a win here would certainly help her accomplish that. Her father won the title here in 2007 and she would love to have a championship of her own from this legendary rodeo.

Hali Williams from Comanche, Texas, is hoping to add her name to the champions list at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo ProRodeo Tournament. Her 2.1 seconds won the breakaway roping in round one of Bracket 7. If she has more success on Tuesday, she will advance to the Semi-Finals. FWSSR photo by James Phifer.

The high-marked ride in the saddle bronc riding went to Layton Green from Millarville, Alberta, Canada. Green finished the 2024 season in 19^th place and is looking to improve that finish this year. He rode the horse named Mary Jane owned by fellow Canadians Macza Pro Rodeo.

There was a big Canadian matchup in the saddle bronc riding in round one of Bracket 7 at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo’s ProRodeo Tournament on Monday. That match between Layton Green of Millarville, Alberta, and Mary Jane, owned by Macza Pro Rodeo of High River, Alberta, resulted in a round-winning 86 points. FWSSR photo by James Phifer.

Bracket 7 concludes in Dickies Arena on Tuesday night where competitors will be in round 2. Action gets underway at 7:30 p.m.

FORT WORTH, Texas — The following are unofficial results from Bracket 7, round one of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo’s Pro Rodeo Tournament, February 3, 2025.

Bareback riding: 1, Sam Petersen, Helena, Mont., 86.5 points on Generations Pro Rodeo’s Buffalo Gypsy, $2,300. 2, (tie) Wacey Schalla, Arapaho, Okla., and Ben Kramer, Max, N.D., 85, $1,600. 4, Brayze Schill, West Columbia, Texas, 83.5, $1,000.

Steer wrestling: 1, Stan Branco, Chowchilla, Calif., 3.8 seconds, $2,375. 2, Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev., 3.9, $1,875. 3, Tyler Pearson, Atoka, Okla., 4.2, $1,475. 4, Dirk Tavenner, Rigby, Idaho, 4.8, $1,075.

Breakaway roping: 1, Hali Williams, Comanche, Texas, 2.1 seconds, $2,375. 2, Macy Young, Wittman, Ariz, 2.6, $1,875. 3, Summer Williams, Mineral Wells, Texas, 2.9, $1,475. 4, Joey Williams, Volberg, Mont., 12.0, $1,075.

Saddle bronc riding: 1, Layton Green, Millarville, Alberta, Canada, 86 points on Macza Pro Rodeo’s, $2,318. 2, Riggin Smith, Winterset, Iowa, 85.5, $1,818. 3, Ira Dickinson, Rock Springs, Wyo., 4, Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas, 82, $1,218.

Tie-down roping: 1, Riley Webb, Denton, Texas, 8.0 seconds, $2,342. 2, Kyan Wilhite, Clovis, N.M., 8.5, $1,842. 3, Dylan Hancock, San Angelo, Texas, 9.5, $1,442, 4, Trevor Hale, Perryton, Texas, 10.7, $1,042.

Team Roping: 1, Dalton Turner, Sidney, Ark., 5.0 seconds, $2,375 each. 2, Bubba Buckaloo, Kingston, Okla., and Joseph Harrison, Marietta, Okla., 5.1, $,1,875 each., B 3, Jaxson Tucker, Statesville, N.C. and Tyler Worley, Berryville, Ark., 5.9, $1,475 each. 4, Kolton Schmidt, Barrhead, Alberta, Canada, and Landen Glenn, McAlester, Okla. $1,075 each.

Barrel Racing: 1, Andrea Busby, Brock, Texas, 16.33 seconds, $2,300. 2, Summer Kosel, Glenham, S.D., 16.58, $1,800. 3, Megan McLeod-Sprague, Marsing, Idaho, 16.63, $1,400. 4, Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas, 16.77, $1,000.

Bull Riding: (three rides) 1, (tie) Tristan Mize, Bryan, Texas, on Cowtown Rodeo’s Kingdom, and Cutter Kaylor, Jasper, Texas, on Rafter G Rodeo’s James Brown, 88 points, $2,550 each. 3, Brody Yeary, Morgan Mill, Texas, 84.5, $1,900.

Jodi Erpelding

I grew up on a Midwest farm with dirt under my fingernails and the sound of wind rustling through cornfields. My childhood was all about 4H – raising pigs and horses, learning to bake and sew, and discovering the magic of transforming a garden into jars of summer sunshine. Those years taught me the value of hard work, the thrill of seeing a project through to the end, and the simple joy of creating something beautiful. A country girl with a need for speed and a thirst for adventure. Maybe that's why I love the feeling of wind in my hair – whether I'm cruising down a dusty road on my Harley or tackling a mountain trail on my trusty mountain bike. Some of my earliest memories of rodeo are watching my father compete at small local events. That's also where my love for country music comes in – long car rides listening to 8 tracks. The lyrics and melodies always spoke to my soul. These days, you'll find me cheering on the cowboys and cowgirls at rodeos, two-stepping to my favorite bands, belting out a country tune at a concert or sharing stories and laughter with friends around a bonfire. When I'm not soaking up the country life and getting my boots dirty, I'm a nurse, caring for folks in my community. Follow along for more stories from the heart of rodeo and country life!