The 93rd annual Sandhills Stockshow and Rodeo concluded in Odessa, Texas, crowning champions across events and officially launching the 2026 rodeo season.
Team ropers Dustin Egusquiza and J.C. Flake — brothers-in-law and now 2026 Sandhills Stockshow and Rodeo champions — rang in the new year with a victory that set the tone for the season ahead.
Egusquiza, an eight-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier, and Flake, who narrowly missed qualifying for the 2025 NFR, earned the team roping aggregate title with a two-head time of 8.3 seconds. Each roper collected $6,415 over the course of the rodeo.
“It was awesome to get the win and start the year off that way,” Flake said. “It’s always a blessing to rope at rodeos like the Sandhills Stockshow and Rodeo. We’re thankful for the committee and all the work they put in.”
The win carried added significance for Flake, marking his first rodeo back aboard his mare Eleanor, who had been sidelined since May with a suspensory ligament injury.
“I have to thank her recovery team and Josh at Outlaw Equine,” Flake said. “She’s been out since May, and this was her first rodeo back. I’m excited to have her healthy again, and glad it all worked out in Odessa.”
Flake and Egusquiza began roping together last summer during Flake’s late push toward NFR qualification, and Flake said he’s eager for a full season alongside his partner.
“Dustin and I are excited to start the season together and have the entire year to rope as a team,” he said. “We’re focused on continuing to develop our run, learning from last year’s mistakes and successes, and getting better together.”
The Sandhills Stockshow and Rodeo unofficially marks the beginning of the Texas Swing, a stretch of indoor Texas rodeos and stock shows, and serves as the first CINCH Playoff Series rodeo of the season.
Breakaway roper Makenzie Dowell picked up a win after stopping the clock in 1.5 seconds, earning $5,085. Slade Wood also started the year strong, claiming the all-around title and earning $2,396.
Fresh off a strong showing at the 2025 NFR, all-around cowboy Wacey Schalla continued his momentum with an 89-point ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Guitar Town, earning $3,398. Calf roper Kincade Henry followed up his NFR success by winning the aggregate with a time of 17.7 seconds on two head, worth $3,368.
Steer wrestler Bray Armes opened his 2026 season with an aggregate win, posting a combined time of 8.4 seconds on two head to earn $2,571.
Saddle bronc rider Q. McWhorter claimed the event title with an 87-point ride aboard Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Mistaken Identit, earning $4,160.
In barrel racing, Julie Plourde topped a competitive one-header, stopping the clock in 14.38 seconds to earn $6,012.
Bull riding capped off the rodeo, as Boudreaux Campbell secured the win with a 90-point ride on Powder River Rodeo’s Sour Patch, earning $4,879.