Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo is taking over AT&T Stadium May 16, where six teams, including the WCRA’s Free Riders, will complete for a $500,000 prize.
Five of the six teams are made up of hand-picked athletes with two team roping teams on each. The final team to compete is the WCRA’s Free Riders. Unlike the other teams, members of the Free Riders must win their way on to the team during Rodeo Corpus Christi.
Here are five reasons an athlete should be gunning to be on the WCRA Free Riders team.
5. The WCRA’s Free Riders Team is the last opportunity to compete at Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo–and they’re proven
Only 12 team roping teams compete at KRRR, and 10 of them are selected in the draft. The final two win their way into Kid Rock at WCRA Rodeo Corpus Christi.
Not only are the WCRA Free Riders the reigning KRRR Champions, but they’re united by the underdog mentality. Overlooked in the draft? More fuel to the fire. They won their way into the opportunity to compete at AT&T Stadium, and that gives a little edge some other athletes may be missing.
Important dates:
— Nominations for Rodeo Corpus Christi close April 6, 2025
— Rodeo Corpus Christi is May 7–10
— Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo is May 16
Nominate your next event for WCRA RCC here
4. The Free Riders are in good hands with coaches Linsay Sumpter and Bobby Mote
All the teams of KRRR are led by rodeo legends. Linsay Sumpter’s rodeo roots run deep, having grown up in one of the sport’s most historic rodeo families in California–the Rossers. Sumpter coached college rodeo for 15 years in Colorado after working at the PBR and marrying her NFR bull dogger husband Wade. From college rodeo coach to WRWC Commissioner, Sumpter is well-versed on how to assemble a successful team and how to lead.
Bobby Mote needs no introduction. Mote is one of, if not the, greatest bareback rider in history and, in 2012, he became the first to surpass $2 million in earnings. Mote has 15 consecutive NFR qualifications to his name and four bareback riding world titles. Mote also spends a good portion of his time with a rope in hand. Mote is the ranch manager at Reliance Ranches and is making his mark in the rope horse futurity world as a trainer.
How about this throwback with Bobby Mote?
3. Free Riders are refreshed on the stoplight system
Athletes coming off of Rodeo Corpus Christi are not only familiar with the stoplight system—they just won a rodeo on it. Athletes on other KRRR teams may have practice setups at home, but high intensity experience with the stoplight system gives the Free Riders team an edge.
KRRR Winner Jake Smith’s take on mastering the stoplight
“I figured out by the tones . . . the fifth one was when the gates opened so I was listening to the tone and that’s when I wanted to leave.”
“And that feels weird. Instead of like normal where you’re watching the steer to see how far around before you leave, I was listening for the tones which is crazy because it goes against everything you’ve done your whole life.”
2. Free Riders keep the momentum rolling
Say you win your way onto the Free Riders team by finishing in the top two at Rodeo Corpus Christi on May 10. Then, six days later, you’re at AT&T Stadium competing at Kid Rocks’s Rock N Rodeo on May 14. Things happen fast, but that’s the beauty of it.
And did we mention the atmosphere? Free Riders get to spend the weekend surfing on the coast, then rodeo in front of a packed crowd inside of AT&T Stadium, plus watch Kid Rock perform live.
1. The winning team members take home $27,778 each
Money talks, and nearly $30K does a lot of it. A Free Rider could come home with $45,000 or more depending on their performance at Rodeo Corpus Christi. There are big checks and medals involved, too, but we’ll let individuals decide what that’s worth.
