The Texas A&M University-Commerce rodeo team is preparing for its annual home competition scheduled for February 2-3 at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center in Sulphur Springs, Texas.
The event will kick off each day with slack rounds from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by an exciting show performance at 7 p.m. Saturday's show will feature a final round showcasing the top 10 competitors in every event.
Visitors can indulge in homestyle food concessions, and all events are free and open to the public.
This year marks a significant milestone for the A&M-Commerce Rodeo as it celebrates a decade of competition. The program's growth is evident, starting with just 12 members in 2014 and now boasting over 60 competitors across various disciplines.
The past decade has seen notable success for the A&M-Commerce Rodeo. The team has produced a national champion at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in each of the last two years. Bryana Lehrmann clinched the Women's All-Around title in 2022, while Kincade Henry secured victory in the Tie Down Roping event in 2023. Cutter Carpenter's horse, "Twix," was honored as the 2023 American Quarter Horse Association’s Horse of the Year in the men’s events.
Several rodeo alumni from A&M-Commerce have transitioned to the professional circuit, making appearances at the prestigious National Finals Rodeo.
Not only excelling in the arena, but Lion rodeo athletes have also shone in the classroom. In the last decade, 21 students were named "Scholar American" by the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA). Head coach Dameon White, recognized as an NIRA Southern Region Coach of the Year on multiple occasions, reflected on the journey of building the A&M-Commerce Rodeo team.
“It has been a blast building this program into a nationally recognized rodeo program,” White said. “These college competitors give it 1000% every time they compete.”
