With two gold buckles and a trio of wins at a little roping known as the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, it’s hard to imagine anyone calling Chad Masters a “tag-along.”

But that’s just how the 2007 and 2012 PRCA world champion header described himself as he gears up to rope in his first Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo, held May 16, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Inaugurated in 2024, the Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo is a unique team concept rodeo that pits competitors against each other in head-to-head matches, all started off a drag race style, red-light, green-light, go system. Coached by legends of the sport, five of the teams are selected via a draft system while the final team is comprised of winners from WCRA Rodeo Corpus Christi.

Surprisingly, Masters was not drafted onto one of the five teams a year ago but was picked up for 2025 by Coach Sid Steiner and Assistant Coach Joe Beaver for Team Jokers; he joins his 2025 ProRodeo partner, Cory Petska, who roped for the Jokers a year ago with Derrick Begay.

“I’m glad he was in there last year,” Masters said of Petska, also a world champion winning his gold buckle in 2017. “I feel like a tag-along, but it’s a great spot to get that kind of opportunity.”

Not only does KRRR present an unusual competitive experience for veterans like Masters, who has roped at 15 NFRs, but it’s lucrative as well. The total purse is $1 million with the lion’s share going to the winning team.

“I talked with some of the other contestants, and they said it was pretty cool,” Masters said of the inaugural KRRR a year ago and the idea of being part of a team. “We’ll sure keep up with it and be rooting for our teammates, too.”

Along with the team aspect, KRRR’s start presents a different challenge for the ropers, replacing a standard rope barrier. Contestants have a series of lights that denote when they can enter the roping box and prepare to rope. The gate opens on the green light and starting early, just like traditional rodeo, leads to time penalties.

“I need to practice up on that for sure,” Masters said with a laugh. ”I kind of understand it, but I haven’t read up on all the rules. It’s dang sure interesting.”

For consultation, Masters has called on fellow competitor and friend Luke Brown. Brown was part of the WCRA’s Free Riders in 2024, helping his squad take the title.

“I talked to Luke—well, we visit all the time,” Masters noted. “I’m trying to be ready.”

KRRR horsepower

Horsepower in rodeo is critical no matter where you rope but it could just be even more so in Arlington where a horse needs to stand patiently until the lights change.

“If you ask my dad, he’ll say, ‘Hell, there’s no tellin’ what he’ll ride there, probably something he shouldn’t!’” Masters joked about his dad, Bobby, who also ropes and trains horses. “But I’m planning on using Rolex, my paint horse that I’ve been riding.”

Registered SS Speedy Me, the 18-year-old is by Scenics Symbol out of the Sixarun mare Speedy Darlin. 

“He’s been everywhere and he’s ready on the corner,” Masters said. “There are some things he doesn’t do great but he is great in the box.”

Mason Rust owned the horse until a year ago, but Masters admitted he stalked him for years prior to getting the deal done.

“Everyone knows I have a love for paint horses,” Masters said. “I tried for six or seven years to get him bought, a lot of us did. But Mason called me, and I’ve owned him about a year now.”

“He rode him everywhere,” Masters said. “This horse may not be the greatest horse in the world, but he wants to do right.”

That willingness is important in not only a foreign setup but also a very pressure-packed environment. Over 23,000 fans packed into AT&T last year to watch the first KRRR, and the event consists of multiple rounds over several hours, with competitors facing possible elimination in each round.

With all those added layers, it certainly helps to have a horse you can count on.

“I’ve never run one where I’m sitting there and someone says go,” Masters joked. “You definitely don’t need to be nervous about your horse.”

Mastering the big picture

With a solid mount under him, Masters is ready for anything this year but, beyond May, his rodeo plans are uncertain.

“I’m excited to go rodeoing with Cory if that’s what he wants to do,” Masters said. “And I’m happy to stay home, too.”

Home life is more hectic than the rodeo trail for Masters. He and wife Kylee have three kiddos with a fourth due in July.

Oldest Coy is just 4 with little brother Rye right behind him at 3. Hardy Jo is the baby, for a couple more months, anyway, and she’ll be 2 in September.

“All women are tough but my wife is right up there with them,” Masters said. “I don’t know how she does it. She’ll let them get all muddy three times a day and just clean them up to do it again.”

A pool in the barn is the main culprit to the mess but all three do enjoy riding with their folks and roping a little. 

“They love to trail ride, they’ll do that all day,” Masters said. “But when we get back to the arena, they’re off. They’ve got to check the cows or count the fish in the pond. They stay busy, man, they’re wide open.”

A little chaos notwithstanding, Masters wouldn’t change a thing about his growing family, knowing that’s the good stuff and getting to go rodeo is just the icing on the cake.

“They’re so fun…I’m very lucky,” Masters said.