Hondo Rodeo Fest 2026
Walking into the Caesars Superdome this past weekend felt familiar
at first, until it didn't.
The crowd looked different. Boots replaced sneakers. Cowboy hats
stood out against the usual game day attire. On the arena floor, where turf is
expected, there was dirt.
The Hondo Rodeo Fest made its New Orleans debut with a full-scale transformation of the Superdome, introducing a sport and culture that, for many in attendance, was entirely new.
What Is Rodeo and What Is Hondo?
Rodeo traces its origins to the working practices of 19th century
cowboys in the American West. Skills such as roping, riding, and cattle
handling evolved into competitive events that now define the sport. Today,
rodeo includes disciplines such as bull riding, barrel racing, and team roping,
each requiring a high level of precision, control, and endurance.
Over time, rodeo expanded beyond competition into large-scale
entertainment. Events including the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo helped
establish a model that combines sport with concerts and festival-style
experiences.
The Hondo Rodeo Fest follows that model but raises the level of
competition. It is an invitational format, meaning the athletes competing are
among the top in the sport. The event combines elite rodeo competition with
major musical performances and a broader festival atmosphere.
"You're seeing the best cowboys in the entire world," Jason Kane, talent buyer for the Hondo Rodeo Fest, said. "This is an invitational rodeo, so only those who've gotten close to or achieved championships are here. It's truly the best of the best."
A Louisiana Connection
While rodeo may feel new at this scale in New Orleans, Louisiana
has long had its own connection to the sport through the Angola Prison Rodeo.
First held in the 1960s at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, the
event has become one of the longest-running prison rodeos in the country. It
blends traditional rodeo events with participation from incarcerated
individuals and draws thousands of spectators each year. For many in Louisiana,
it has served as their first introduction to rodeo, creating a unique and
complex cultural connection to the sport.
That legacy provides a local foundation for events such as Hondo, connecting a national tradition to something distinctly rooted in Louisiana. The Angola Prison Rodeo was also represented at Hondo, bringing that history into the Superdome and reinforcing its continued significance within the state's rodeo culture.
Introducing Rodeo to New Orleans
Bringing a rodeo of this scale to New Orleans represents a
cultural shift for a city more commonly associated with festivals, music, and
food.
"Bringing rodeo to New Orleans is a huge deal," Miss Southeastern
Circuit 2026 Sarah Davis said. "Most people here have never even seen a rodeo,
so it gives them the opportunity to step into our world in a place they already
know."
"During rodeos, my role and the role of all rodeo queens is to bridge the gap between the contestants and the fans," Davis added. "We inform the public about different aspects of the rodeo, answer questions, and make connections so people feel welcome. We represent the Western way of life."
A Broader Cultural Connection
The reach of the Hondo Rodeo Fest extended into multiple
communities across the city, including New Orleans' Latino population.
"We're inviting the Spanish community to be part of this," said
Lily Ary, who brought Telemundo to the Hondo Rodeo Fest. "Culturally, there are
ties, from Mexican traditions to charros, so there's already a connection."
"It's a family event," Ary added. "I've seen parents with their kids getting excited, putting on boots and hats and really getting into it. It's fun, but it's also about values and community."
From the Arena to the Festival Grounds
The experience extended beyond the Superdome itself, with
surrounding areas transformed into a festival setting that included food
vendors, activations, and live music throughout the day.
Fans moved between the outdoor festival and the indoor arena, creating a full-day experience that blended naturally into the evening's rodeo and concert programming.
The Competition Takes Center Stage
Inside the arena, the pace of competition was relentless. Events
moved quickly, with little downtime between runs and rides, keeping the crowd
engaged from start to finish.
Timed events such as team roping and barrel racing highlighted
precision and speed, with athletes and horses working in complete sync. In a
matter of seconds, runs were won or lost, often by fractions that were nearly
impossible to detect from the stands.
Across the weekend, several standout performances defined the
competition. In team roping, Andrew Ward and Jake Long delivered a strong
4.46-second run, while Dustin Egusquiza and Paul Eaves pushed even faster with
a 3.49-second time later in the weekend.
Barrel racing saw consistent top finishes from Makenzie Mayes,
while Josie Conner turned heads in breakaway roping with one of the fastest
times of the event.
Roughstock events brought a different level of intensity. Sage
Newman delivered one of the highest-scoring rides in saddle bronc, while bull
riding drew some of the loudest reactions from the crowd as riders battled to
stay on for the full eight seconds.
Each moment reinforced the level of talent on display and the
narrow margins that define the sport.
Jonalyn Morris, head of communications for the Hondo Rodeo Fest,
pointed to another defining element of the weekend.
"The cowgirls who stole the show at the inaugural Hondo Rodeo in
New Orleans further validate the current rise of women's sports," Morris said.
That impact was clear in the results. Makenzie Mayes, the 2025
Barrel Racing Resistol Rookie of the Year, dominated the event by winning all
three rounds, securing her first Hondo Rodeo Championship along with the
Maverick Award, a $50,000 bonus given to the top overall earner.
In breakaway roping, the competition remained tight through the
final rounds, with Louisiana natives Cheyanne McCartney and Josie Conner
battling for the top spot. McCartney ultimately claimed the event win, while
Hali Williams, currently leading the world standings, set another arena record
with a 1.67-second run to win Round 3.
For competitors such as Erich Rogers, professional team roper
competing at the Hondo Rodeo Fest, the experience extended beyond results.
"I'm here to compete in team roping. That's what I do," Rogers
said. "It's pretty neat to be down here."
"Memories. Lots of memories. And a lot of good food," he added.
"It's been fun. I'd love to come back next year."
That broader experience was also noted by those covering the event
from outside the region.
Kevin Todd, event reporter and photographer for the Crowsnest
Pass Herald, who travels from small towns to major cities covering rodeo,
pointed to what made New Orleans stand out.
"The mix of top athletes, human, equine, and bovine, along with first-class entertainment, culture, and food," Todd said. "Access to prime shooting locations and the opportunity to interview athletes also made this a standout experience."
Entertainment on a Larger Scale
Each night transitioned from rodeo competition into a full-scale
concert experience.
The weekend lineup included performances from Jason Aldean and
Lynyrd Skynyrd, followed by Cody Johnson and Old Dominion, with Creed and
Bailey Zimmerman closing out the weekend.
"It's not just the competition. It's the entertainment," Kane added. "The presentation is bigger than life. It doesn't get any better than that."
Looking Ahead
While this marked the first Hondo Rodeo Fest in New Orleans,
organizers and participants expressed confidence in its future.
"It becomes a true community event," Kane said. "One that reflects
what we value. Faith, family, and country."
For a city known for embracing new experiences while honoring
tradition, the introduction of rodeo at this scale suggests a potential new
addition to its evolving cultural landscape.
If the response from this weekend is any indication, the Hondo
Rodeo Fest may find a lasting place in New Orleans.
