Blane Cox and Marty Yates split the spotlight at the 2025 Texas Circuit Finals, with Cox winning the average and Yates securing the year-end title in Waco, Texas, Oct. 7–10.
Yates placed in round two, won round three, and placed in round four, but tough luck in round one cost him in the average. He still finished fourth with a 25.4-second time on three head, earning $6,991. Coming into the finals with a $2,304 lead over Shad Mayfield, Yates’ money won at the finals sealed his fourth Texas Circuit year-end title and a return trip to Colorado Springs for the NFR Open.
Cox put together four consistent runs to win the average by more than 15 seconds and pocket $8,448, clinching his first NFR Open qualification. He kicked things off in round one with an 8.6-second run worth $2,330, added a 10.6 in round two to split fourth for $291, then a 10.4 in round three for $583. He closed with a 9.1 in round four worth another $583. His 38.7-second time on four head earned him the average buckle and $4,661.
The win was more than just a payday—it ended a 12-year streak of near misses at the circuit finals.
“This is the first year in 12 years that I’ve actually got it done,” Cox said. “I’ve come in number one before and lost it, and I’ve been number one in the average coming into the last round and lost it. To finally win it and get that buckle means a lot.”
Cox credited Dave and Debbie Laster’s mare, Harlans Star Splash, “Kit,” for helping him stay consistent across four nights in Waco.
“She’s the best scoring horse I’ve ever ridden,” Cox said. “She fits every setup, she leaves off your hand, and she’s just laid back and easy. I have all the confidence in the world in her, and I can’t thank Dave and Debbie enough for letting me ride her.”
The win also carried personal meaning. For the first time in his career, Cox took the average buckle home to his dad.
“My dad has been at every circuit finals I’ve ever made, but this was the first year he couldn’t be there,” Cox said. “I told him I wanted to win one for him, and being able to bring that buckle back meant everything.”
With the NFR Open now on his 2026 schedule, Cox knows what’s at stake.
“That rodeo is right in the heat of the summer and it pays really well,” Cox said. “I think it’s one of the majors, where a guy can win a lot and make a big jump in the standings. I’m excited to get there.”
Looking ahead to the 2026 rodeos, Cox plans to keep Kit feeling good and rotate in his other horses, Fill The Thrill, “Thriller,” and Kits Chicks N Checks, “Gurty.”