Ryder Volf, of Stephenville, Texas, and Ryder Davis, of Normangee, Texas, roped four steers in 26.07 seconds to win the Succeed #13.5 Shootout at the 2026 Cinch USTRC National Finals, cashing $54,500 in a tough roping.
For Volf, 18, and Davis, 14, it wasn’t about doing anything out of the ordinary — just doing what they know.
“I mean, I just tried to stay aggressive,” Volf said. “I don’t really remember what happened.”
The young switch-enders opened with a 6.41, then picked up momentum with a 5.82 in the second round — taking advantage of a good steer and a sharp barrier run.
“We drew a great steer,” Volf said. “I got out at the barrier, and he heeled him fast.”
Their third-round steer — a 6.87 — was one they had to fight through, but they made it work.
“I got out good, stuck him, and the steer stepped into me,” Volf said. “I got hung up on the wall, and he still heeled him good.”
“I kind of pushed around him and threw it over my horse’s head and somehow caught two feet,” Davis added.
Even with success in the John Justin Arena, the short round still brought nerves.
Volf’s young career already includes a win at the Clay Logan Open, while Davis claimed the #8.5 Shootout title at the 2023 Cinch USTRC Finals.
“I’m always nervous coming into the short round,” Davis said. “But I just tried to back in there and be aggressive no matter what we had to be.”
They finished it with a 6.97 to seal the win.
“I prayed right before I backed in the box,” Volf said. “I asked God to take the nerves out… and it worked.”
“I love this arena,” Davis said. “This is my place.”
On the head side, Volf rode “Ichi,” a 7-year-old gelding originally bought as a heel horse prospect before becoming his go-to head horse.
“I like him the best,” Volf said. “He’s easy to catch on.”
Davis rode his 6-year-old mare “Miss Blue,” a horse he’s had since she was 3.
“She’s my number one,” he said. “She’s just easy as can be.”
In a roping that took 30 back — with last call at 22.80 — the two never let up, riding the pressure all the way to the pay window.
