The world of rodeo is never short on drama, excitement, or the occasional curveball. As 2026 kicks off, fans and competitors alike are witnessing a whirlwind of changes, achievements, and opportunities across some of the sport’s most celebrated events. From the Pennsylvania Farm Show’s last-minute pivot to the crowning of new rodeo royalty in Odessa, Texas, and the high-stakes launch of the 2026 CINCH Playoff Series, there’s plenty to keep the western sports community abuzz.
Let’s start in Pennsylvania, where the Farm Show’s organizers found themselves facing a sudden challenge late last month. The much-anticipated Pennsylvania high school rodeo championships were abruptly cancelled due to concerns over a recent national outbreak of a highly contagious equine disease. With the health of horses and riders at stake, event officials made the tough call, leaving a gap in the Farm Show’s schedule that needed to be filled—and quickly.
Enter the Atlantic Reined Cow Horse Association, stepping up to the plate with a daylong reined cow horse competition, now set for Saturday, January 10, 2026. This event, which features dozens of riders ranging from youth to seasoned professionals, promises to deliver the kind of precision and horsemanship that fans crave. While rein work is the only phase of a cow horse competition that doesn’t involve a cow, it’s no less thrilling; riders must demonstrate absolute control, guiding their horses through intricate maneuvers that test both skill and trust. The addition has brought a fresh twist to the Farm Show’s lineup, ensuring that the spirit of competition—and the love for western sports—remains alive and well in Harrisburg.
Meanwhile, in Odessa, Texas, the SandHills Stock Show and Rodeo is celebrating its own brand of tradition, pageantry, and promise. On January 7, 2026, the event officially crowned its new royalty for the year, a moment that marks both achievement and responsibility for three outstanding young women. Tova Conner, a 23-year-old from Godley, Texas, was named Miss Rodeo Sandhills. As the newly minted ambassador for the SandHills Stock Show and Rodeo, Conner will represent the event at local, regional, and statewide gatherings throughout the year. Her duties include carrying the American flag during PRCA performances and presenting awards at livestock shows—a role that blends ceremonial pride with hands-on involvement.
Conner brings an impressive resume to the role. She’s a Creative Media Producer with United States Cowboy, a former Miss Cowboy Capital ProRodeo, and a two-time NFR Stage Manager with The Cowboy Channel. Outside the arena, she authors the Busy Boots Blog, volunteers with Feed My Starving Children, and participates in the 3 Hills Ranch Bible Study. Her passion for storytelling and deep roots in western life make her an ideal face for rodeo in 2026.
Joining her in the spotlight is Kendall McComb, who returns as Miss Rodeo SandHills Teen. At 17, McComb is already a fourth-generation cowgirl and a senior at the Christian Academy of America. She competes in barrel racing and pole bending, and after graduation, she plans to attend Angelo State University to continue her rodeo journey and pursue a real estate appraisal license. "I’m honored to represent the next generation of cowgirls," McComb has said, her enthusiasm for the sport shining through both in and out of the arena. When she’s not racing, she can be found kayaking the Nueces River, capturing the beauty of Texas through her camera lens, or training her beloved dog, Dally Mae.
The youngest member of the 2026 court is 11-year-old Hattie Rasberry, crowned as Miss Sandhills Princess. Hailing from Roby, Texas, Rasberry is a sixth grader in the Classical Conversations homeschool program. She’s active in 4-H, basketball, and Texas Junior High Rodeo events, and she’s no stranger to ranch life—helping bottle-feed animals and riding horses are just part of her daily routine. "I’m proud to serve as a positive role model for young rodeo fans," Rasberry shared, a sentiment that’s sure to inspire her peers and the next wave of rodeo enthusiasts.
But the action in Odessa extends far beyond pageantry. The SandHills Stock Show & Rodeo also marks the opening of the 2026 CINCH Playoff Series, one of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA)’s most consequential competitions. Launched in 2022, the CINCH Playoff Series has rapidly become a defining feature of the rodeo calendar, offering athletes a chance to compete on elevated stages for career-changing payouts and, ultimately, a coveted spot at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR).
The series unfolds in two main stages: the CINCH Playoffs in Puyallup, Washington, and the season-ending Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. At Puyallup, the top 23 contestants in Playoff Series points standings, along with the NFR Open Champion from each event, battle for a place at the Governor’s Cup. The season’s finale in Sioux Falls brings together the top 12 athletes—four from each event at Puyallup and eight from the overall standings. They compete in two long rounds, with the top eight advancing to a clean-slate semifinal, and the final four facing off in a winner-take-all short round. The stakes? In 2025, the CINCH Playoffs boasted a total payout of $1,080,314—a life-changing sum for many competitors.
Qualification for the series is determined by a tiered points system that reflects both earnings and performance at designated Playoff Series rodeos. The race to Puyallup is among the most hotly contested of the season, with major implications for NFR qualification. Just ask team roper Trey Yates, who, alongside 16-time NFR qualifier Luke Brown, found himself on the bubble as the 2025 regular season drew to a close. Their clutch first-round win at the Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls ultimately sealed their ticket to the NFR. "I just had to trust our plan—and trust Luke’s ability, and mine," Yates said, reflecting on the pressure-packed run. "Experience and confidence made the difference."
Barrel racer Halyn Lide and world champion bull rider Ky Hamilton also made headlines during the 2025 CINCH Playoff Series. Lide’s storybook run at the Puyallup CINCH Playoff Series championship earned her a debut NFR appearance and the coveted Governor’s Cup title. Hamilton, meanwhile, raked in a staggering $84,327 in just two events—firmly cementing his place in the world title conversation.
The 2026 Playoff Series kicks off with the SandHills Stock Show & Rodeo, followed by a packed schedule that includes legendary stops such as the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo in Denver, the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, RODEOHOUSTON, the Reno Rodeo, and Cheyenne Frontier Days, among many others. For athletes, the mission is clear: rack up points, earn a place in Puyallup, and keep their NFR dreams alive.
With so much on the line and the season just getting started, the energy at these events is palpable. Whether it’s the precision of reined cow horse competition in Pennsylvania, the crowning of new royalty in Texas, or the high-stakes battles of the CINCH Playoff Series, rodeo’s enduring spirit continues to shine. Fans can follow all the action across The Cowboy Channel’s digital and broadcast platforms as the race to Sioux Falls—and ultimately Las Vegas—heats up in 2026.