2018 All-Around Champion

Trevor Brazile

Trevor Brazile is used to making rodeo history. He isn’t known as the “King of the Cowboys” for nothing. Last year was no exception.

Brazile returned to the Pendleton Round-Up to win his sixth all-around title to set a new record at the rodeo — one previously set by Yakima Canutt in 1923, who earned five trophies.

“That’s what I love about this rodeo,” Brazile said. “Its history. It is so well-documented. You’ve got to respect the rodeo with its tradition and heritage. It’s so neat. I just love it. It’s unapologetic of what we do here. A lot of stuff changes, but the Pendleton Round-Up doesn’t.”

Brazile, 42, took home big earnings in tie-down roping, team roping, and steer roping, where he finished second overall to Chris Glover by less than a second.

The Decatur, Texas, cowboy is a 50-time qualifier for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, where he’s earned 23 titles.

2018 Bull Riding Champion

Jordan Spears

Jordan Spears has been to the National Finals Rodeo three times, but last year was his first at the Pendleton Round-Up, and it couldn’t have ended any better.

The Terrebonne, Ore., cowboy was the only rider who could handle his draw during last year’s championships, earning 86 points to take first place, while the 11 other competitors received no score.

With the only legal ride in the round, Spears earned the victory on the back of a bull named Mr. Mustachio.

“I’d been on that bull four times and rode him three,” Spears said. “He is an honest bull, and gives you a chance to win. I’ve always had good luck on him. I needed to win Pendleton to give me a chance for the NFR.”

2018 Bareback Champion

Orin Larsen

Last year was one of a few firsts for Canadian bareback rider Orin Larsen. The 2018 Round-Up saw him win his first bareback riding championship in Pendleton, as well as his first victory lap around the historic arena. 

“I’ve never done either,” the Inglis, Manitoba, resident said. “I’ve wanted to win this rodeo for years. I’ve been coming since 2011. I’m pretty excited.”

On the back of Yipee Kibitz, Larsen rode to an 88.5-point, first-place finish in the finals, earning a check for nearly $8,000.

Larsen did not expect to make it back to the finals after his first-round ride for 79.5 points, but made the cut after four other cowboys finished with the same score.

“I was in Utah with a plane ticket to go home,” he said. “This is a way better deal.”

2018 Tie-Down Roping Champion

Sterling Lambert

Fallon, Nevada, bulldogger Sterling Lambert won his first Pendleton title last year. It was such a big moment, in fact, that it took quite some time to sink in.

“It hasn’t hit me yet,” Lambert said after his win. “It sure is exciting. This is one of the most prestigious rodeos, and it has so much history. It’s so awesome to be a part of it.”

During last year’s finals, Lambert posted the best time on three head with a time of 16.3 seconds. The time earned him his biggest payday at that point in his career — $9,273.

Lambert’s hazer Clayton Morrison has some Round-Up history under his belt, too, having hazed for 2017 all-around champion Clayton Hass, as well as Nick Guy in 2016.

2018 Steer Roping Champion

Chris Glover

There was more than one obstacle in the way of Chris Glover’s steer roping title. He was set to face the six-million-dollar “King of the Cowboys” Trevor Brazile, as well as slack leaders Chet Herren and Cody Lee, who both topped his 17.9-second finals time with 14.9- and 16.7-second runs, respectively.

But the odds were in his favor, as his 47.5 average earned him the championship and a $9,841 purse. The then-58-year-old Keenesburg, Colo., cowboy was the only roper to beat Brazile, who finished with a 48.2-second average.

“I’m very fortunate,” Glover said. “My body’s still good. I’m going to keep going till there ain’t no more left in me.”

2018 Team Roping Champions

Chad Masters and Tyler Worley

Chad Masters and Tyler Worley didn’t intend on roping the Pendleton Round-Up together.

“Both of our partners didn’t want to rope on the grass,” Worley said. “It’s slick if you don’t have a horse that’s used to it.”

But as it turns out, it was a championship match in the making. The duo captured their steer in five seconds and collected over $8,000 for their winnings.

“Coming in, it was real tight,” Masters said. “I wasn’t going for the win, but it went that way. I felt I was late, but that just gave me the hustle I needed.”

Masters and Worley took the title by just 0.1 second, barely escaping over Colton Campbell and Jordan Ketscher, and Garret Rogers and Cesar de la Cruz, who tied at 6.1 seconds.

2018 Saddle Bronc Champion

Jesse Wright

Milford, Utah, rider Jesse Wright had to edge out some familiar competition for his saddle bronc title last year.

With his score of 168 points, Wright beat out twin brother Jake, nephew Ryder, and brother-in-law CoBurn Bradshaw. It would be his second Pendleton title — his first was earned in 2015.

“It’s pretty awesome,” Wright said. “Winning this rodeo, even though I’ve done it before, feels like the first time.”

Wright scored an 83 to punch his finals ticket, and turned in an 85 on the back of Marquee for the title and $7,600.

“This is a good way to end the summer,” he said.

2018 Barrel Racing Champion

Cheyenne Allan

Mabton, Wash., cowgirl Cheyenne Allen was living the dream.

On the back of Molly, a horse she bred herself, Allan averaged 57.38 seconds to win the barrel racing championship in an arena she’s been competing at since 2001. She set an arena record at 28.01 seconds that same year.

After her 2018 win, friends, family, and fans surrounded Allan for congratulations, pictures, and autographs. Aged 61 at the time, Allan beat out cowgirls half her age, and with half her experience. Her performance put an extra $10,888 in her pocket.

“This was a miracle,” Allan said. “I can’t believe it. This is the biggest accomplishment of my career — of my life.”