Best known for its “Green Mile” wild-west traditions and high-caliber payouts, the historic Pendleton Round-Up will crown the 115th chapter of champions on Championship Saturday, Sept. 13, in Pendleton, Ore.
Before the dust settles on the lush Pendleton grass, storylines have already started to take shape. With the rodeo adding nearly $600,000 and the clock ticking on the regular season, the pressure is on for athletes to take home one of the most prestigious and historic titles in professional rodeo.
For one bareback rider whose roots run deep in Pendleton as a Blue Mountain Community College Rodeo alum, a paycheck in the final performance could prove crucial to his 2025 NFR campaign. R.C. Landingham, of Hat Creek, Calif., marked 84 points in the first round and will look to cash a check to maintain his precarious 15th-place position in the world standings.
The calf roping roster on Championship Saturday will have major implications for who will punch their tickets to Las Vegas. Calf roper Quade Hiatt finds himself in a precarious bubble position. A previous NFR qualifier, Hiatt currently sits just $2,000 outside the top 15. With a smooth second-round performance, he secured a spot among the top 12 on Championship Saturday and will now chase one of the most pivotal paychecks of his season.
It won’t come without stiff competition. Reigning Pendleton Round-Up champion and local cowboy Preston Peterson looks to repeat his “Green Mile” victory lap as he currently leads the aggregate. Also returning to the top 12 are NFR-qualifying brothers Ty and Joel Harris, who have already secured their spots inside the top 15.
In the breakaway roping, Macy Young will be the cowgirl to watch as she pursues a big payday to secure her place in the top 15. Making headlines during the final regular performance was Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, who posted a lightning-fast 3.0-second run, putting her in a three-way tie for No. 10 in the go-round. Britni Carlson leads the aggregate after stopping the clock at 2.4 seconds in the first go.
The saddle bronc riding pack is currently led by Coleman Shallbetter, of Gunnison, Colo., who marked 88.5 points on Wayne Vold Rodeo’s Sly Devil. The event is packed with storylines, including Gus Galliard, a frontrunner for the 2025 Resistol Rookie of the Year, and Lefty Holman, who is fighting to secure another NFR qualification and keep his 2025 dreams alive one paycheck at a time.
In the team roping, Luke Brown and Trey Yates have ideally positioned themselves for a strong finish. With a smooth second-go run, the duo — both on the bubble — earned a spot in the star-studded Championship Saturday lineup.
In bull riding, Jordan Spears leads the pack after an impressive 88-point ride. Spears currently sits 14th in the world and will look to solidify his spot in the top 15.
The fastest barrel racing run of the week came during the final regular performance when Montana cowgirl Tayla Moeykens stopped the clock at 28.45 seconds, just ahead of veteran “Green Mile” competitor Lisa Lockhart. NFR qualifier Paige Jones, who is also on the bubble, earned a place in the final performance, giving her a crucial shot at a season-defining paycheck.
The final performance of the 115th annual Pendleton Round-Up takes place on the Green Mile on Saturday, Sept. 13, with all the action broadcast on The Cowboy Channel.