Chase Brooks, a six-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier, celebrates after making an 85-point ride during last year’s Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo. Brooks is one of many NFR qualifiers who have competed at Big Spring, and with a change of dates and an increase in the purse, organizers are expecting even more to compete at the legendary rodeo.
(PHOTO BY ROBBY FREEMAN)

 

BIG SPRING, Texas – The volunteer committee that produces the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo is making a statement.

“We want to do everything we can to make the experience better for the fans, the sponsors and the contestants,” said Cash Berry, the committee’s chairman. “Without the fans and the sponsors, we don’t have a competition for the cowboys. Without the cowboys, we don’t have a rodeo to put on for the fans. Everything has to come together to make it work”

The proof is in the prize money. The committee has increased its “added money” starting in 2026. It’s an investment of more than $33,000 over last year. Local dollars are set per event, and then mixed with contestants’ entry fees to make up the overall purse. Eight of the nine disciplines will feature $8,000 in added money; bull riding will be at $14,400.

“None of this happens without a community that’s behind our rodeo,” Berry said. “We’ve made some important updates to the Rodeo Bowl, and we’ve been able to increase our added money to help us pull more contestants to town.”

This year’s event – set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 4-Saturday, June 6, at the Surge Energy Rodeo Bowl – moves up a couple weeks to a cooler part of the month, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

“Another part of the decision for us to change the dates is to make our rodeo easier for the contestants to work,” Berry said. “Rodeo is a big sport out here in West Texas, and the fans want to see the best.”

Money is certainly an enticement for those who make a living in the sport. World champions and NFR veterans have included Big Spring on their schedules, but the changes made for this year offer a bigger incentive. Knowing that the community has raised $78,400 toward the overall purse will certainly spark interest.

“Anytime rodeos can coordinate like that, guys will take advantage of it and make sure the enter those rodeos,” said bareback rider Jacob Lees, a two-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier originally from Caldwell, Idaho, but now living in Boyd, Texas. “Guys are more likely to hit Big Spring now.

“With that rodeo raising the ‘added money,’ that also helps a lot. The fact of the matter is we do this for a job, so I have to be smart with the rodeos I go to. When it comes down to it, we do this to provide for our families and to pay the bills.”

The committee’s decision to up its part of the prize money will play well among contestants.

“Increasing the added money is always going to help a rodeo like that gain more interest,” Lees said. “Having good hospitality is amazing, but most of the time it comes down to money.”