It is one of the most unique events in ProRodeo. The St. Paul Rodeo takes place on a converted high school football field and turns out around 10,000 fans per performance in a town of just 424 people.

It’s also the highest paying rodeo of the Fourth of July run with winners bringing in upwards of $13,000.

BAREBACK RIDING

Stat to Know: No. 21 Jake Lees has finished in the money four straight years in St. Paul.

What Happened Last Year: Lees rode Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics’ Mustard for 88 points to win $13,846. Sam Petersen, Dean Thompson, Rocker Steiner, and Leighton Berry were also in the money.

Athletes to Watch: In addition to his win in 2024, Lees also finished tied for fourth in 2023. Sam Petersen, who finished second in 2024, was third in 2023 and Jacek Frost has finished in the money the last two years as well. Cole Reiner, the 2023 champion, finished second in 2022 as well.

STEER WRESTLING

Stat to Know: After there were no times in the 3s in 2023, there were 11 in 2024.

What Happened Last Year: Dalton Massey, who finished the regular season No. 1, was 3.6 for third in Round 1 and 3.5 in to win Round 2 on his way to winning the Average.

Athletes to Watch: Will Lummus tied for second in St. Paul last year and enters as the Reno Rodeo champion.

TEAM ROPING

Stat to Know: Kaleb Driggers/Junior Noguiera have been 10.2 or faster on two in two of the last three seasons in St. Paul, resulting in a runner-up finish and a win.

What Happened Last Year: Lightning Aguilera/Lane Mitchell were 10 flat on two to beat out Driggers/ Noguiera by two tenths.

Athletes to Watch: Aside from Driggers/Nogueira, look out for Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres, who were fifth in their first year as partners in 2024.

SADDLE BRONC RIDING

Stat to Know: Kade Bruno’s winning score of 87 points in 2024 would have put him tied for fifth in 2023.

What Happened Last Year: Bruno rode Big Bend’s Broken Camp for 87 points to edge Chase Brooks, the 2024 Cody Stampede champion, by a half-point.

Athletes to Watch: Ben Andersen finished in the Top 5 in 2021 and 2023, Bruno has been 87 two of the last three years, and Zeke Thurston, the 2021 champion, is competing in St. Paul for the first time since 2022.

TIE-DOWN ROPING

Stat to Know: Since 2019, the winning aggregate time has been anywhere from 15.9 to 18.5 seconds.

What Happened Last Year: On his way to first career NFR, Quade Hiatt was 16.8 on two and won the First Round. Five-time NFR qualifiers Ty Harris and John Douch were second and third.

Athletes to Watch: Hiatt has finished first and fourth the last two seasons while 2023 champion Shane Hanchey finished fourth in 2022. Also, Tuf Cooper is competing in St. Paul for the first time in three years and placed in the Average the last two times he entered.

BARREL RACING

Stat to Know: Charmayne James won six straight titles in St. Paul from 1989-1994.

What Happened Last Year: As part of her routine dominance over Cowboy Christmas, Emily Beisel won with a 17.20.

Athletes to Watch: Kassie Mowry is up Saturday night and will know exactly what she needs to do to get a win.

BULL RIDING

Stat to Know: A similar, but more dramatic version of the saddle bronc riding stat: the winning score in 2024 was 85.5 points, which would have been eighth in 2023.

What Happened Last Year: TJ Gray, who finished the regular season No. 1, split with Kase Hitt. Both were 85.5 points.

Athletes to Watch: Tristen Hutchings and Hayes Weight have Magic Touch and Off Radar Wednesday night, both are Sankey bulls that could deliver 90-point rides.