Governor's Cup rodeo begins in Sioux Falls with $1.5 million purse

The 2026 Governor's Cup rodeo in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has commenced, offering a total purse of $1.5 million. The event serves as a critical qualifying opportunity for athletes seeking to secure a position in the National Finals Rodeo (NFR).

In the opening rounds, several key competitors secured significant payouts. In bareback riding, Cooper Cooke earned $12,533 for a round win, while Garrett Shadbolt took second place with $9,400. In steer wrestling, Dalton Massey won the round with a time of 3.4 seconds, earning $12,533. Team roping saw Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira claim the top spot, each earning $12,533.

The competition features a diverse field of horses, with header horses averaging 14.3 years of age and heel horses averaging 11.3 years. The top eight competitors from the aggregate of the first two rounds will advance to Championship Sunday, where the winner of each event's final round will receive $34,000.