Amarillo Rodeos & Western Events: Your Guide to Cowboy Culture
Experience the True Spirit of the West in Amarillo
Amarillo is where the spirit of the Old West thrives. Whether you're a lifelong rodeo fan or a first-time visitor, this is your go-to guide for all things rodeo and western in Amarillo. From working ranch rodeos to professional bull riding, our city is home to some of Texas's most thrilling western events.
Check out upcoming rodeos, get insider tips, and plan your visit today!
The Wiley Hicks Jr. Memorial Roping is a premier team roping event and WSTR Qualifier held in Amarillo. Honoring Wiley Hicks Jr., it brings top competitors together while supporting local charities, including The Hope and Healing Place.
Panhandle Team Penning & Sorting
March 22, 2025
Amarillo National Center
Join the Panhandle Team Penning and Sorting Association for an exciting team penning and ranch sorting competition in Amarillo. Experience the thrill of the sport in a family-friendly setting with top-notch facilities and prizes.
West Texas Ranch Rodeo
April 9-12, 2025
Amarillo Tri-State Fairgrounds
Experience the action-packed West Texas Ranch Rodeo! With intense ranch rodeo competitions, youth events, horseshoeing contests, and horse judging, it’s a weekend filled with thrilling competition, Western heritage, and family-friendly fun!
World Championship Blacksmith Competition
April 9-12, 2025
Amarillo Tri-State Fairgrounds
This premier event brings top blacksmiths together to showcase their skill, precision, and artistry in intense live competitions. Don’t miss the chance to see these experts forge Western tradition in action!
Coors Ranch Rodeo
June 5-7,2025
Amarillo National Center
The Coors Cowboy Club Ranch Rodeo in Amarillo showcases real working cowboys competing in bronc riding, branding, stray gathering, and more. Enjoy the CCC Cattle Drive & Parade on June 7, plus chuck wagon cook-offs, live music, and more.
Texas 66 Fast Draw Championships
June 6 & 8, 2025
Rex Baxter Building (Amarillo Tri-State Fairgrounds)
Step back in time at the Texas 66 Fast Draw Championships (XFDA, Xtreme Fast Draw America), part of the Texas Route 66 Festival! Watch skilled gunslingers compete in thrilling Old West-style fast draw matches, combining speed, accuracy, and tradition for an action-packed competition in Amarillo.
CBT Barrel Racing
June 27-29, 2025
Amarillo National Center
CBT Barrel Racing hosts top-tier barrel races across West Texas and Eastern New Mexico, featuring events like Race 4 Cash and Summer Dash. With big payouts and a family-friendly atmosphere, it’s a must for riders of all levels!
AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships
June 15-21, 2025
Amarillo Tri-State Fairgrounds
The AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships in Amarillo showcases the ultimate all-around ranch horses. Competitors demonstrate their skills in cutting, reining, cow work, trail, and conformation, celebrating the versatility and heritage of the American Quarter Horse.
Koben Puckett PBR
July 12, 2025
Amarillo National Center
The Koben Puckett PBR is an annual Professional Bull Riders (PBR) event in Amarillo, Texas, founded by former bull rider Koben Puckett. The event showcases top bull riders and supports the Press On Foundation, which provides therapy scholarships for individuals recovering from spinal cord injuries
Will Rogers Range Riders Rodeo
July 4-6, 2025
Will Rogers Range Riders
The Will Rogers Range Riders Rodeo, held over the July 4th weekend in Amarillo, celebrates authentic cowboy traditions. Founded in the 1930s, it was the first riding club organized in Amarillo. It honors Will Rogers with roping, mounted shooting, and more. This event is sanctioned as a UPRA Rodeo and was recently sanctioned as a WRCA event.
Amarillo Tri-State Fair & Rodeo (PRCA)
Dates TBA
Amarillo Tri-State Fairgrounds
The Amarillo Tri-State Fair & Rodeo brings top PRCA cowboys and cowgirls to the arena for an action-packed competition. Featuring bronc riding, bull riding, roping, and more, this thrilling rodeo is a highlight of the fair, celebrating Western heritage and rodeo excellence!
Cowboy Mounted Shooting World Championships
October 7-11, 2025
Amarillo National Center
The AQHA Cowboy Mounted Shooting World Championships bring speed, skill, and precision to the arena as riders navigate fast-paced courses while shooting at targets. This thrilling competition showcases the agility of American Quarter Horses and the marksmanship of top mounted shooters.
Boys Ranch Rodeo
October 18, 2025
Boys Ranch
The Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch Rodeo showcases young cowboys and cowgirls competing in roping, riding, barrel racing, and more. This family-friendly event highlights Western heritage while supporting Cal Farley’s mission to empower and uplift children and families.
WRCA World Championship Rodeo
November 13-16,2025
Amarillo Civic Center
The WRCA World Championship Ranch Rodeo in Amarillo showcases real working ranch cowboys competing in bronc riding, roping, branding, and more. Celebrating Western heritage, this premier event supports the WRCA Foundation, helping working ranch families in need.
CBT Barrel Racing
November 28-30, 2025
Amarillo National Center
CBT Barrel Racing hosts top-tier barrel races across West Texas and Eastern New Mexico, featuring events like Race 4 Cash and Summer Dash. With big payouts and a family-friendly atmosphere, it’s a must for riders of all levels!
IDEAg Farm & Ranch Show
December 2-5,2025
Amarillo Civic Center
The Amarillo Farm & Ranch Show brings together agricultural professionals for three days of exhibits, expert-led seminars, and the latest in farming and ranching technology. This premier event connects producers with industry innovations to support the future of agriculture.
Amarillo isn't just about rodeos, it's a hub for Western heritage, cowboy culture, and ranching history. If you're looking to experience the true spirit of the West, check out these must-see attractions!
Experience the official play of Texas, an epic outdoor performance set in Palo Duro Canyon that tells the story of early settlers, cowboys, and Native…
A stop at The Big Texan is a must for anyone craving Texas-sized steaks, old-school saloons, and Western charm. Don’t forget to check out the famous 72-ounce…
The largest history museum in Texas, showcasing the Panhandle’s Western heritage. Explore pioneer life, cattle ranching, and the oil boom through immersive…
The heart of Texas Panhandle history, where cowboys, Comanches, and pioneers once roamed. Known as the "Grand Canyon of Texas," its rugged beauty sets the stage…
A true Panhandle experience, where Texas Longhorns graze just outside against the stunning backdrop of Palo Duro Canyon. Inside, you'll find locally made goods…
DCER provides a sanctuary for rescued horses and a place for visitors to connect with these incredible animals. Through guided equine therapy sessions, guests…
Amarillo is home to some of the most competitive and historically significant ranch rodeos in the nation. These aren’t just rodeos, they’re tests of real cowboy skills used on working ranches every day.
WRCA World Championship Ranch Rodeo
Known as the Super Bowl of Ranch Rodeo, this premier working ranch rodeo has been held in Amarillo since 1996. In 2024, 25 teams competed, drawing a total attendance of 40,967 and filling over 100,000 square feet of trade show space. To participate, competitors must be full-time ranch employees, and their ranch must have at least 300 head of cattle.
Coors Cowboy Club Ranch Rodeo
An Amarillo classic since 1987, this event features 20 teams and draws over 10,000 spectators annually, making it a crowd favorite for authentic cowboy action and showcasing the skills used daily on the range.
Other Ranch Rodeos in Amarillo
West Texas Ranch Rodeo
The West Texas Ranch Rodeo brings top ranch cowboys to Amarillo for ranch bronc riding, stray gathering, team sorting, wild cow milking, and branding—showcasing real working cowboy skills. The event also features the Oliver Saddle Shop Youth Ranch Rodeo and a vendor show, making it a must-see celebration of West Texas ranching heritage.
Will Rogers Range Riders Rodeo
The Will Rogers Range Riders Rodeo is a Fourth of July tradition in Amarillo, hosted by the nation’s oldest continuously operating riding club, founded in 1938. Featuring classic rodeo events like bronc riding, bull riding, and barrel racing, this rodeo honors the spirit of the American West with thrilling competition and family-friendly entertainment. Held at the historic Will Rogers Range Riders Arena.
Ranching in the Amarillo Area
The History of Ranching in the Texas Panhandle
Amarillo was built on cattle ranching, with roots in the late 1800s cattle drive era.
The XIT Ranch once covered over 3 million acres, making it the largest fenced ranch in the world.
Current Ranching Industry
Texas ranks #1 in cattle production, with Amarillo as a major hub.
Over 85% of Texas’ cattle population is in the Amarillo region.
The area houses some of the largest beef processing plants in the U.S.
Historic & Notable Ranches
JA Ranch – Established in 1876 by Charles Goodnight, one of Texas’ most legendary ranchers.
Frying Pan Ranch – Founded in the 1880s, still in operation today.
Rodeo & Western Events FAQ
Have questions about attending a rodeo or experiencing cowboy culture in Amarillo? Here’s everything you need to know before you go!
The key to dressing for a rodeo or western event is functionality, durability, and that added western flair. Western wear is deeply tied to rodeo culture, reflecting its roots in cowboy and ranch life. Wearing a cowboy hat, boots, and a belt buckle isn't just about looking the part, it honors rodeo heritage.
Here are just the essentials you may consider:
Sturdy Denim: Denim is the foundation of Western wear for a reason! It's tough, practical, and timeless. A good pair of well-fitted, durable jeans is essential for men, while women can opt for classic jeans or a denim skirt. For a more rugged look, consider reinforced or work-style denim that can withstand a long day at the rodeo.
Cowboy Boots: Rodeos are often held in dusty arenas or fairgrounds, so closed-toe shoes protect your feet and can be very stylish
The Perfect Hat: A cowboy hat isn’t your only option for rodeo headwear! While you can never go wrong with a classic wool or felt cowboy hat in colder months or a straw one in warmer weather, plenty of rodeo-goers mix it up with trucker hats and baseball caps.
Key Fabrics: Stick with no-fuss fabrics, think breathable cotton, linen, or denim in a classic pearl snap or button-down long sleeve. If long sleeves aren't your thing, a Western tee keeps it simple. Or make it easy, ladies, and pair a dress with cowboy boots.
Looking to gear up for the rodeo or add some Western flair to your wardrobe? Amarillo is home to some of the best spots for authentic cowboy boots, hats, and denim.
📍West Texas Western Western Store | Westgate Mall 7701 W I-40 #580(local)
West Texas Western Wear is Amarillo’s go-to shop for authentic cowboy boots, hats, jeans, and workwear. Locally owned and rooted in Texas tradition, it’s the perfect spot to gear up for the ranch, rodeo, or a night out.
📍El Oso WesternWear | 5108 Western St(local)
El Oso Western Wear specializes in handcrafted custom hats, premium boots, and authentic Western accessories in Amarillo. Family-owned and dedicated to tradition, they offer expert hat shaping and quality gear
📍Los Tres Vaqueros Western | 1208 Grand St(local)
Los Tres Vaqueros is Amarillo’s go-to shop for top Western brands like Ariat, Wrangler, and Cinch. They offer expert hat shaping, cleaning, and custom-made boots and belts, ensuring quality craftsmanship with every piece.
📍Beck Boots | 7200 Canyon Dr(local)
Create your very own custom boots at Beck Boots! Established in 1916 in Amarillo, they have been handcrafting high-quality cowboy boots for over a century. Using heavy-weight American-tanned leather and traditional 40-penny nails for arch support, each pair is built to withstand years of rugged wear.
📍Bustamante Boots | 706 W Valencia Dr(local)
Bustamante Cowboy Boots in Amarillo, Texas, is renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship in creating handmade cowboy boots. This shop offers both custom and pre-made boots, ensuring a perfect fit for every customer. In addition to crafting new boots, they provide expert repair services to restore your well-worn favorites
📍The Rustic Leopard Boutique | 2806 Duniven Circle(local)
The Rustic Leopard is a trendy boutique in Amarillo, Texas, offering a unique blend of country and gypsy-inspired fashion and provide a wide range of clothing from sizes S to 3X. Not only do they have fun western wear, but also feature a variety of accessories, shoes, jewelry, and even home decor.
📍Cavender's Boot City | 7920 I-40 W
Cavender’s Boot City in Amarillo may not be locally owned, but it has everything needed for the perfect Western outfit. Conveniently located off I-40 near Route 66, Palo Duro Canyon, and Cadillac Ranch, this well-known retailer offers a vast selection of cowboy boots, Stetson and Resistol hats, Wrangler and Ariat workwear, and Cinch denim. Whether for a night out or a day on the ranch, shoppers can find styles for the whole family.
📍Boot Barn | 2403 S Soncy Road
Boot Barn is another one-stop-shop for all your western wear needs. They offer a wide range of boots, hats, workwear, denim and so much more!
Rodeo action happens year-round, kicking off in April with the West Texas Ranch Rodeo. But here are the biggest events you won’t want to miss:
