Celebrating 102 years of tradition and a century of Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) affiliation, the Caldwell Night Rodeo once again brought together the sport’s top athletes in the heart of Idaho’s Treasure Valley.
Drawing more than 50,000 fans across five nights, the Caldwell Night Rodeo is recognized among the Top 20 PRCA rodeos nationwide and ranks among the Top 5 Large Outdoor Rodeos. Known as “Where the Cowboys Are the Stars,” the rodeo pioneered the nighttime performance trend in 1935, becoming one of the first in the Northwest to showcase rodeo action under the lights. The unique crowd split between the spirited “Rowdies” and traditional “Civies” fuels an atmosphere unlike any other.
This year’s edition lived up to its namesake, paying out more than $400,000 as part of the Columbia River Circuit — a pivotal stop for circuit standouts and Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) hopefuls.
One of those NFR hopefuls is bubble-race contender and steer wrestler Traver Johnson, who earned the all-around title and more than $11,000 in his home circuit. The reigning Resistol Rookie of the Year currently ranks No. 21 in the world, less than $8,000 behind the top 15 and his first NFR qualification.
Bareback rider Jess Pope continued his successful summer run, marking a combined 177.5 points on two head to earn the rodeo title and $6,089.
Steer wrestler J.D. Struxness also found himself in the winner’s circle, posting an aggregate time of 7.2 seconds on two head. The Minnesota athlete currently ranks fifth in the world standings as he pursues a second world title and eighth NFR qualification.
Team ropers Nelson Wyatt and Jonathan Torres teamed up to earn the title, stopping the clock in a combined 15.4 seconds on three head. Each earned $6,907. The duo, currently ranked No. 16 and No. 18 in the world, respectively, will be a team to watch as the PRCA enters its final 30 days of regular-season competition.
Also ranked No. 16 in the world is saddle bronc rider Zac Dallas. After earning the Caldwell title and setting a new area record in the process, Dallas will look to carry that momentum through the remaining weeks of the season.
Seven-time NFR qualifier Ty Harris has all but punched his ticket to his eighth NFR with his win in Caldwell. Turning in an aggregate time of 15.2 seconds on two head, the Texas cowboy earned $9,529.
Barrel racer Andrea Busby also found herself in the winner’s circle, stopping the clock in 33.74 seconds on two head to earn $5,711.
Resistol Rookie bull rider Noah Lee continued his unprecedented run with a win in Caldwell. As the rookie pursues his first world title, he is also inching closer to Stetson Wright’s regular-season earnings record.
As the curtain falls on the 2026 Caldwell Night Rodeo, fans and competitors now turn their attention to the Northwest rodeo run and other key stops across the U.S. and Canada. Coverage of the latest rides and results is available on Cowboy Plus and the Cowboy Plus App.
