NMSU Rodeo

NMSU Rodeo New Mexico State University Rodeo - Est. 1942. Home of more than 30 National Champions and an extrem

Today we introduce our third and final freshman of the 2026 CNFR qualifying team. His humble attitude is one of our favo...
06/03/2026

Today we introduce our third and final freshman of the 2026 CNFR qualifying team. His humble attitude is one of our favorite qualities, as he let his actions in the arena do the talking this year. Damian Padilla is the name at the top of the leader board time after time in the Grand Canyon region.

Damian fought all year long against his teammates and other competitors for the Men's All-Around title. He worked three events--steer wrestling, team roping, tie down roping--consistently making short gos and pulling points in all three.

While he has a competitive spirit, Damian was the first person to offer his horses to those without and jump in to haze whenever needed. He is generous to all and encouraging to his friends and competitors alike.

Damian, we look forward to seeing you compete in Casper this year! Good luck and congratulations on your first of man region titles.

This freshman took the Grand Canyon region by storm. He showed off every weekend bring home win after win in the saddle ...
06/02/2026

This freshman took the Grand Canyon region by storm. He showed off every weekend bring home win after win in the saddle bronc riding. Kaden Miranda wins his first region title this year and there is no doubt he will do it again.

But first he will compete at the CNFR in June and finish what he started. After the regular season, Kaden holds the number one position in the national standings. His outstanding performance all season long not only put him at the top of the national ranks but help his team be there as well. The NMSU Men's team holds third place nationally.

Kaden is one of the more stoic members of the team. He is humble and hardworking, always trying to learn and improve his craft. He was never one to complain even when injuries gave him a reason too.

Kaden, you killed it this year! Go finish what you started, and good luck in Casper!

Today we introduce our first freshman headed to the CNFR. This all-around cowboy put on a steer wrestling show this seas...
06/01/2026

Today we introduce our first freshman headed to the CNFR. This all-around cowboy put on a steer wrestling show this season. While he may not be the biggest it is not hard to see he has the most try. Kade McKnight is going to his first of many college nationals finals this summer.

Kade is your 2025-2026 Grand Canyon Region Champion Steer Wrestler. It is an impressive feat for this freshman as he warded off the tough competition of his teammates. While he is a known for always going for first, Kade ia also a great teammate and wanted his friends to win just as bad. He is the definition of the kind of team member we want on our team.

Excitingly, Kade also gets to rope in Casper this year, behind header and teammate Damian Padilla. Kade came to NMSU because of his impressive heeling skills, and now he gets to show off on the national level!

Kade, you are a tough competitor and a stand up teammate. We can't wait to watch you tear them up in Casper. Good luck and congratulations!!

Last but definitely not least, we present to you a breakaway roper, bronc rider, and pickleball fanatic who team ropes o...
05/31/2026

Last but definitely not least, we present to you a breakaway roper, bronc rider, and pickleball fanatic who team ropes on the side. She came to NMSU as a freshman, diving headfirst into college rodeo. Grace Wiening put everything she had into her four years of college rodeo and left nothing on the table.

Grace is graduating with a Bachelor’s of Finance and a minor in marketing. While breakaway roping was her main focus, she also put a lot of work into this team, constantly pitching new ideas to build the program. We owe it to Grace for her dedication to improving the team as a whole rather than herself individually. She never missed a meeting or team appearance, and Grace never did anything halfway. For that, we could never display enough gratitude for the work she did for this program.

Another incredible feat that most people only dream of is becoming an entrepreneur. Grace jumped in with two feet and developed Arena Agenda, a planner specifically for college rodeo athletes like herself. She could have easily kept this tool to herself, but instead, she chose to share it with her team and competitors across the country.

“My favorite memory is my senior year; I found my people, chased my passion, and followed Jesus with my whole heart. College rodeo has helped me grow in so many ways. I’m a better competitor, a better friend, and more grounded in who I am.”

Grace, we love your passion and ability to laugh and make the whole room laugh. You are such an asset to this team and will be missed. Thank you for dedicating your time for the past four years. It is an honor to recognize you and congratulate you on this huge accomplishment. There is no doubt you will go far and do great things!

As we gear up for the College National Finals Rodeo, we want to say thank you to our National sponsors. They make all th...
05/31/2026

As we gear up for the College National Finals Rodeo, we want to say thank you to our National sponsors. They make all this possible and give so many opportunites to these student athletes.

This cowgirl is headed to her first CNFR this summer. She is one of the few who will never miss a practice, study her ru...
05/29/2026

This cowgirl is headed to her first CNFR this summer. She is one of the few who will never miss a practice, study her runs day and night, and truly be a student of the game. On top of attending class and college rodeoing she balances the duties of the region student director position. Payton Levine and her beautiful mare Zoom are on their way to represent NMSU in the breakaway roping.

Payton is an aggressive roper, but her horsemanship stands out. Her ability to win on green horses all year is impressive. This quality is opening many doors for the young horse trainer.

While studying her runs is important, Payton is also successful in the classroom. She is a psychology major and maintains a respectable GPA. Her dedication to rodeo and education makes her a great fit for the student director position. It is her responsibility to be the voice for the Grand Canyon region student athletes.

Congratulations on a successful year of college rodeo and good luck in Casper!

Next on the roster is a New Mexico cowboy. He is making his second trip to Casper this summer to compete in the bull rid...
05/28/2026

Next on the roster is a New Mexico cowboy. He is making his second trip to Casper this summer to compete in the bull riding. Cade Griego is ready to bring a bull riding college national title home.

While attending class and college rodeoing, Cade also travels all over the country to pro rodeo. He is a tough competitor at every level and will take all their money every weekend.

Cade, show Casper what you can do! Congratulations on another successful season, and finish strong!

From Nevada, came a wild man saddle bronc rider. He eats, sleeps, and breathes his craft. Billy DeLong is headed back to...
05/27/2026

From Nevada, came a wild man saddle bronc rider. He eats, sleeps, and breathes his craft. Billy DeLong is headed back to Casper for his second CNFR.

Billy has not had a conventional college rodeo career. He battled injuries and watched from the sidelines most of the season. It came down to a strong finish at the region finals to secure his spot.

This one of a kind cowboy is just as successful in the classroom. Studying animal science and showing up on the Dean’s List consistently is another specialty of Billy’s.

Billy, we want to see you put on a show this summer and bring a National title home. Congratulations and good luck in Casper!

Kicking off our CNFR Qualifier introductions is the Idaho cowboy who needs no introduction. He made his name known in th...
05/26/2026

Kicking off our CNFR Qualifier introductions is the Idaho cowboy who needs no introduction. He made his name known in the Grand Canyon region, placing at the top in all three of his events. Lucas Cruz is headed to his third CNFR this summer to compete in the tie down roping.

Lucas made his name as a team roper, claiming a regional title and with two previous trips to the CNFR as a heeler.

More than anything, Lucas is a phenomenal horse trainer. He is everyone’s first call when they need to jump on a solid horse. He will be competing on the calf horse he made at this year’s CNFR.

Lucas, congratulations on another successful year of college rodeo. We are excited to cheer you on in Casper!

Memorial Day 🇺🇸Remembering all those who make this life we live possible. Our gratitude towards each and every American ...
05/25/2026

Memorial Day 🇺🇸

Remembering all those who make this life we live possible. Our gratitude towards each and every American cannot be expressed by words. We fly this beautiful flag for them!

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