Riley Webb etched his name deeper into tie-down roping history on Round 10 of the 2025 National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, winning his third consecutive PRCA World Championship, becoming the first calf roper since Roy Cooper to accomplish the feat.

Webb also claimed the 2025 NFR average title for the second year in a row. He roped all 10 head at the 2025 NFR in 82.3 seconds, earning $94,036 for the average title and pushing his total NFR earnings this year to $240,412. Through 30 rounds across his last three NFRs, Webb has caught 30-for-30, stopping the clock in 244.9 seconds—an average of 8.16 seconds per run.

“I’m just so blessed to be in this position,” Webb said. “It’s a huge honor. I’m kind of lost for words right now.”

“Unbelievable”

From the arena floor, it was dominant. From the stands, unbelievable.

“Unbelievable. It’s crazy,” Webb’s father, Dirk, said. “Just to have the opportunity to win three back to back, and then two of the three were averages too, I don’t know. It’s just crazy.”

For Riley, the consistency that led to the moment never felt accidental.

“My rookie year here in ’22 was tough,” Webb said. “But when I left here, it lit a fire under me, and that fire’s still burning.”

Without hesitation, Dirk said exactly what it took to get there.

“Lots of work. A team. A big team,” Dirk said. “He pushed us. We didn’t push him.”

Following Giants and Remembering Roy Cooper

Webb’s third straight world title places him in a group so exclusive it spans nearly a century of rodeo history.

Only four men—Toots Mansfield (1939–41), Don McLaughlin (1951–54), Dean Oliver (1960–64) and Roy Cooper (1980–85)—won three or more consecutive tie-down roping world championships before Webb. Now, the sport has its first three-peat since Cooper, a milestone made heavier by Cooper’s passing earlier this year.

“We used to go over to Roys all the time,” Dirk said. “Riley rode with him and did things with him. They’d shoot the BB gun, do everything, just him and Roy. Roy always told us, ‘Y’all are going to have fun.’ Roy was special to us.”

For Riley, the connection to Cooper runs deeper than history books.

“It’s crazy to think my name’s even in the same sentence as him,” Webb said. “Him and his family were a huge part of me growing up roping. I spent a lot of time at their place. To even be mentioned with Roy in the same sentence, that’s hard to wrap my head around.”

The Horsepower: Marked Up Cat

Every dynasty has a cornerstone, and for Webb, that cornerstone is Marked Up Cat, better known as “Rudy.”

Riding the 2025 AQHA Horse of the Year, Webb leaned on the horse that has carried him through all three world titles.

“When he bought him two-and-a-half, three years ago, that was a big check for a 19-year-old kid to write,” Dirk said. “But it’s paid off. And he’s pretty special to all of us.”

When Rudy’s name comes up, Webb doesn’t hesitate.

“That horse, Rudy, he’s so special,” Webb said. “I’ve talked about him the last three years here. He just lets me win.”

Could You Have Dreamed This?

For parents, the answer still feels unreal.

“No,” Dirk said. “We knew he could rope, but I never knew we’d be here. 22 years old, three world titles, and over half a million dollars in a year.”

From Riley’s perspective, the growth of the sport has reshaped what’s possible for calf ropers like him.

“When I was growing up, watching rodeo, $50,000 made the Finals and a little over $100,000 won the world,” Webb said. “Now we’ve got a chance to win half a million dollars in one event. That’s crazy to even think about.”

A Full-Circle Moment

Standing just feet from the people who supported him from the very beginning, Webb made sure their role was clear.

“My parents, they’ve been a huge blessing to me,” Webb said. “Trying to get me horses when I was younger, taking me everywhere we could go, entering me just to get experience. I couldn’t have done it without them. They’ve spent the time, the money, opening gates, videoing runs, driving all night. They’re just as much a part of this as I am.”

Three world titles in four NFRs. A Horse of the Year under him. And parents in the stands, chins quivering, watching history repeat itself.

“There’s guys that work their whole life trying to win one world title,” Dirk said, teary-eyed. “And he’s got three.”