Casper College’s famous high-energy Ropin’ and Riggin’ Days Rodeo return

A Casper College Thunderbird Rodeo team member competes in a roughstock event during a previous season. The 70th annual Ropin’ and Riggin’ Days Rodeo returns to The Arena at the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds April 17-19. (Casper College photo)

Casper College’s famous high-energy Ropin’ and Riggin’ Days Rodeo returns to The Arena April 17 to 19.

The 70th year of the Ropin’ and Riggin’ Days Rodeo will feature, in addition to Casper College, teams from Chadron State College, Central Wyoming College, Sheridan College, Lamar Community College, Laramie County Community College, Gillette College, Eastern Wyoming College, Colorado State University, and the University of Wyoming.

The Thunderbird Rodeo team is currently in a rebuilding phase as new head coach Faith Anders took the reins last August. Along with assistant coaches Jason Furnival and Kris Newman, the team is gaining ground in both the men’s and women’s categories. Still, Anders admits it will take time to build the team into a more competitive unit.

The small team is gritty, tough, and dedicated to the sport of rodeo. As of April 7, the men’s team ranked eighth with a total score of 940, while the women’s team, with a score of 635, was tied for fifth place with Chadron State College.

“I am so proud of all our athletes; they put intentional work into practice and are getting better each day,” said Anders.

As of April 7, team leaders include Zander Tass in fourth place in bull riding; Cory Bomhoff, tied with Gillette College’s Keyton Hayden for 7th in tie down roping, Cooper Jones, Bomhoff, and Maci York all placing in team roping as headers; Rangle Osborne, placing 12th in team roping as a heeler; Jaden Mathis and York, placing in breakaway roping; and Kenna Jo Stratton placing 12th in goat tying.

The top two schools will send full six-man and four-woman teams to the year-end College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, but the top three scorers in each event are also sent to the CNFR to compete for their school. The Thunderbirds have one more rodeo after Ropin’ and Riggin’ Days at the Laramie River Rendezvous, hosted by the University of Wyoming.

All rodeo performances are free of charge for Casper College employees and students. Both groups are also encouraged to dress in their best rodeo jeans and shirts on Friday to show support for the team, something the college has always done.

The rodeo will feature three performances: Friday and Saturday evenings at 6:30 and the final performance at 11 a.m. on Sunday. Cowboy church will be held on Sunday at 8 a.m. Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for those 60 or older, veterans, and students 13-17; free for children 12 and under; and $20 to see all three rodeos. Tickets can be purchased at The Arena box office on the day of each performance. The Arena is located at the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds in Casper. For those unable to attend in person, the rodeo will be livestreamed.

At a Glance:

• Event: The 70th year of Casper College’s Ropin’ and Riggin’ Days Rodeo.
• Dates and Times: April 17-19, 2026; Friday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m., Sunday at 11 a.m.
• Location: The Arena at the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds in Casper.
• Current Standings: As of April 7, the men’s team ranks eighth (940 points), and the women’s team is tied for fifth (635 points).
• Participants: Teams from Chadron State College, Central Wyoming College, Sheridan College, Lamar Community College, Laramie County Community College, Gillette College, Eastern Wyoming College, Colorado State University, and the University of Wyoming.
• Coaching: The team is led by head coach Faith Anders and assistants Jason Furnival and Kris Newman.
• Ticket Pricing: $10 for adults; $5 for seniors, veterans, and students 13-17; $20 for a three-day pass; free for CC students, employees, and children 12 and under.
• Special Event: Cowboy church will be held Sunday at 8 a.m.