The all-around has always been the most coveted in our cowboy sport. But in our modern rodeo world of single-event specialists, fewer guys are even entered in more than one event, much less successful. Some rodeos reward their all-around champ with a prize, and it’s always so appreciated by the cowboys. This year’s inaugural Billy and Pam Minick All-Around Award at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo pairs perfectly with Fort Worth’s “This thing is legendary” motto.
And the winner is…Paden Bray, who won $5,525 in team roping and tie-down roping at the rodeo, and was awarded a $10,000 bonus and buckle for being one of only two cowboys to place in two events. The other was bronc riding bull rider Thayne Elshere.
“I’ve won a lot of all-arounds, but I’ve never heard of an all-around prize like this in my life,” said Bray, 27, who makes his home in the nearby Cowboy Capital of the World in Stephenville. “To be fortunate and blessed enough to win this the first year Pam and Billy put this prize up is unbelievable. It feels like a sponsorship. I’ve never seen or heard of an all-around award like this one.”
The 2019 Resistol Rookie Heeler of the Year has roped at three NFRs, the first two in 2020 and ’21 with Erich Rogers, and the third behind Clay Smith in 2023. He and Rogers won the 2020 NFR average at Bray’s first Finals, when COVID moved our Super Bowl of Rodeo to Arlington, Texas.
Bray heeled for Brady Tryan at Fort Worth, and they got out of Bracket 5 and the Semifinals with $5,400 a man. Paden also pulled a $125 check out of Bracket 5 in the tie-down roping, which was the difference maker.
“It takes a great team—all-around means everybody,” he said. “I got to ride Tanner Green’s Bird in the tie-down, and he’s the best horse I’ve ever ridden. He’s amazing.”
Bray heeled on his dun horse Hugh Hefner, who sports a Playboy bunny brand on his left jaw. He’ll also heel for Tryan at San Antonio and Houston, because his 2026 header, Ketch Kelton, is a rookie and didn’t get in.
“He doesn’t get into these big winter rodeos as a rookie, so we’re going to do it the hard way,” Paden said. “Ketch and I are going to focus on the team roping, and will rope some calves and (steer roping) steers along the way when we can.”
Roughstock cowboys Stetson Wright and Wacey Schalla went 1-2 in the 2025 world all-around race. That they both rode in two events at the NFR tells you how tough they are to beat for any all-around title—Fort Worth included.
“It’s huge just to have success at a rodeo like Fort Worth,” Bray said. “The Texas Swing is so important to cowboys, because there’s so much money to be won in one spot. It’s the first time I got to compete in the tie-down roping at Fort Worth, so that was fun. To be able to hold off those roughstock guys is hard. The stars lined up for me, and I lucked out.”
No one lucks into being there in two events. The Minicks, who were recognized as one in December with the 2025 Legend of ProRodeo Award, know that well. And they want to shine a spotlight on it at their hometown rodeo, so have generously stepped up with a 10-year commitment to carry on this popular new Fort Worth tradition.
“The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo has been a part of my life since I was 7 years old,” said Billy Minick, who remembers seeing Gene Autry perform there in 1947. “The proudest moment of my professional rodeo career was leading the grand entry at Fort Worth as the rodeo producer in 1970.”
His 1973 Miss Rodeo America wife is a ProRodeo Hall of Famer, National Cowgirl Hall of Famer and National Rodeo Hall of Famer who served as a sideline reporter at Fort Worth for three decades.
“We’re proud to add to the prestige of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo by providing additional incentives to pro rodeo athletes,” Pam Minick added. “I was so happy to see my husband’s vision become a reality, and we could not have kicked this thing off with a better recipient.”
Per usual, there’s a special cowboy—make that cowgirl—connection here. Paden and little brother Wyatt, who’s heading for Cashton Weidenbener in 2026, are the sons of Ken and Billie Bray. Ken’s the president of Equibrand, which includes Classic Rope, Classic Equine, Rattler Rope, Martin Saddlery and Cashel, and Billie works hard as director of marketing for Equibrand.
“The Minicks didn’t have to do this, and it’s very special that they did,” Paden said. “It’s pretty cool that my mom won the 2025 Pam Minick Lifetime Achievement Award. I’m just trying to keep up with my badass mom.”
