Inaugural Hondo Rodeo Kicks Off With Superstar Lineup at Diamondbacks Chase Field

The event has taken years to plan, even more to dream up, and now the night has arrived to kick off the Hondo Rodeo Fest in Phoenix, Arizona.

Looking at the lineup of cowboys and cowgirls, fans can be ready for a preview of the upcoming National Finals Rodeo. The contestant list is a who's who of rodeo.

Three full nights of competition will take over downtown Phoenix. When the rodeo is over, the artists take over on the stage to entertain fans well into the night. The headliners include Hank Williams Jr, Whiskey Myers, Brooks & Dunn, Turnpike Troubadours, Zac Brown Band and Old Dominion.

So, who were the invited contestants? Well let's dig deep and tell you all about the action coming up. Eight contestants or teams will compete head to head each night.

Rider/PRCA 2024 Rank/Stock Drawn in Round One1. Weston Timberman / 7 / Andrews Rodeo Co.'s Balck Cashmir2. Richie Champion / 15 / Summit Pro Rodeo's Magpie3. RC Landingham / 5 / J Bar J Wild Ninght4. Cole Reiner / 12 / Summit ProRodeo's Lakota Park5. Jacob Lees / 10 / Summit ProRodeo's Best Girl6. Tilden Hooper / 21 / Andrews Rodeo Co.'s/ High Hopes7. Jess Pope / 6 / Generations ProRodeo's / Mini Pearl8. Leighton Berry / 3 / J Bar J Bunny Hooker

Competitor/PRCA 2024 Rank1. Jacob Edler / 18 2. JD Struxness / 53. Tyler Pearson / 124. Ty Erickson / 105. Jesse Brown / 66. Dakota Eldridge / 27. Dalton Massey / 18. Stetson Jorgensen / 3

Header (rank) / Heeler (rank)

1. Tyler Wade (2) /Wesley Thorp (2)2. Coleman Proctor (4) /Logan Medlin (5)3. Kaleb Driggers (3) /Junior Nogueria (3)4. Dustin Egusquiza (1) /Levi Lord (1)5. Erich Rogers (13) /Paul Eaves (15)6. Clint Summers (5) /Jake Long (4)7. Andrew Ward (6) /Buddy Hawkins (12)8. Derrick Begay (15) /Colter Todd (16)

Rider/PRCA 2024 Rank/Stock Drawn in Round One1. Lefty Holman / 7 / Gerations ProRodeo Shamus2. Wyatt Casper / 4 / J Bar J Rodeo Choctaw Bingo3. Kade Bruno / 3 / J Bar J Rodeo Dairy Day4. Dawson Hay / 10 / Summit ProRodeo Shamrock5. Brody Cress / 5 / Andrews ProRodeo To The Limit6. Sage Newman / 8 / J Bar J Rodeo Blessed Day7. Ryder Wright / 2 / J Bar J Rodeo Dirty Lizard8. Zeke Thurson / 6 / J Bar J Stacked Deck

Competitor/PRCA 2024 Rank1. Riley Webb / 42. Marty Yates / 63. Ty Harris / 34. Shad Mayfield / 15. Tuf Cooper / 116. John Douch / 77. Shane Hanchey / 58. Haven Meged / 2

Competitor/WPRA 2024 Rank1. Shelby Meged / 12. Martha Angelone / 63. Sarah Angelone / 164. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh / 155. Danielle Lowman / 86. Taylor Munsell / 57. Jackie Crawford / 38. Josie Conner / 2

Competitor/WPRA 2024 Rank1. Sherry Cervi / 1112. Leslie Smalygo / 23. Emily Beisel / 54. Jordon Briggs / 175. Stevi Hillman / 376. Lisa Lockhart / 67. Shelley Morgan / 158. Hailey Kinsel / 1

Rider/PRCA 2024 Rank/Stock Drawn in Round One1. Jordan Spears / 12 / McCoy Rodeo Rafter P Const. Smooth Over It2. Wacey Schalla / 7 / McCoy Rodeo Big Sky Bulls Outlaw3. Dalton Kasel / McCoy Rodeo Phil Dahl Bam Bam4. TJ Gray / 1 / McCoy Rodeo Mitch James Han Solo5. Kaiden Loud / McCoy Rodeo Spencer Neil PIF6. Tristen Hutchings / 11 / McCoy Rodeo Spencer Neil Hay Ring7. Jess Lockwood / McCoy Rodeo Gilliam Bulls Buckshot8. Cooper James / 10 / McCoy Rodeo Big Sky Bulls Viper9. Hayes Weight / 2 / McCoy Rodeo World Deer Expo RL Cody Cattle Berg The Maverick10. John Crimber / McCoy Rodeo Gold Bucking Bulls Black Fury11. Sage Kimzey / McCoy Rodeo Phil Dahl Rittenhouse12. Cassio Dias / McCoy Rodeo Ray Waddell Nacho Night

Laura Lambert resides in Wiggins, Colo. With her husband, Ricky and two sons, Brayden and Boedy. She attended the University of Northern Colorado while studying economics. She is an accomplished rodeo athlete and barrel horse trainer. Over the years, Laura has been active in journalism in a variety of roles. While continuing to cover western sports and country music, she is currently enjoying expanding her reach into multiple sports including MLB, NFL, PGA and LPGA. You can reach her at [email protected]