Riley Webb vaulted to No. 1 in the PRCA World Standings after stopping the clock at 7.6 seconds in the final round of the calf roping at RodeoHouston to earn a total of $73,500.

This marks the second time Webb has claimed the RodeoHouston title. In 2023, during his first appearance at the event, he secured the win and $55,625, which propelled him to his first world title and a regular season earnings record later that year. After a slow start to the 2025 season, Webb is glad to be back in a familiar position. With $101,324 earned midway through the season, he sits comfortably atop the PRCA World Standings.

“It feels great to have this much won, but it won’t change anything,” Webb said. “I don’t like to change things up with wins. I rodeo for a living, so I try to go to as many rodeos as I can and win as much money as possible. I love doing this, so I’m going to keep going and hopefully have a shot at another (world) title at the end of the year.”

Full RodeoHouston Calf Roping Results

RodeoHouston Preparation

The setup at RodeoHouston differs from most other winter rodeos, and with this being his third qualification, Webb knew how to prepare.

“We made the box at home longer to practice,” Webb said. “It’s different from other rodeos like Fort Worth and San Antonio. I think Houston has a 20-foot box. It puts you a little farther behind the calves, so we really tried to get the feel at home before we left.”

Webb’s preparation paid off in Super Series 3, where he won Rounds 2 and 3, earning $6,000 and a seat in the semifinals.

“We got to tie all the calves before the semifinals, and I really liked the calf I drew in the finals,” Webb said. “I had a pretty good idea my 8.8 would be enough to get me back to the finals and Zack (Jongbloed) and I ended up splitting the semifinals win to make it back.”

Lanham Mangold’s calves and luck of the draw provided the perfect opportunity for Webb in the shootout round. There, he drew the same calf Jongbloed split Round 1 of the semifinals with, clocking an 8.8-second run.

“I really liked the calf I drew,” Webb said. “I knew I could go make a good run on that calf. Kincade (Henry) drew the same calf I split the semifinals with Zack on, so I knew he had a good shot. He was first out and made a really good run to be 8.1.”

As the final calf roper to back into the box at NRG Stadium, Webb knew he needed to be 8.0 seconds or faster to claim the title.

“I wasn’t late, but I dang sure gave the calf more of a head start than I needed to,” Webb said. “I knew if I could keep the calf standing, I had a pretty good chance to be fast, and Rudy worked great to make that happen. I was able to flank and put a wrap and hooey on the calf and be 7.6. It all just worked in my favor.”

RodeoHouston Horsepower

Webb rode his 12-year-old gelding, Marked Up Cat, known as Rudy, to the win. He purchased Rudy after riding him to a victory in Lovington, New Mexico, in 2023, though their success together started earlier.

“I mounted out on him a few times when Lane (Livingston) still owned him,” Webb said. “I won Sisters, Oregon, on him in 2022, Redding, California, on him in 2023, and then I bought him right after I won Lovington, New Mexico, in 2023.”

Since purchasing Rudy, Webb has won back-to-back world titles aboard him and earned $506,612 at the Thomas & Mack alone.

Aside from Rudy, Webb has another standout sorrel horse, Boots.

“I really try not to burn out my horses,” Webb said. “I haven’t ridden Boots much this year. I won Lubbock and the open rodeo in San Diego on him, but other than that, I’ve been on Rudy, so I haven’t ridden him much. I’ll ride Boots at Austin since the calves are a little stronger, and Rudy will be ready to go for San Angelo and The American. I’ve got three really good horses, so I try not to burn them up and use them where their strengths are.”

Following his win in Houston, Webb returned home to hit the practice pen first thing Monday to prepare for Rodeo Austin, San Angelo, and The American.

Tie-Down Roping World Standings

Pulled from PRCA 3/26/25