Local News
Texas rodeo events canceled due to equine virus outbreak, as PRCA monitors situation

One Texas rodeo was canceled, and a Fort Worth rodeo is switching to bull riding-only amid an equine virus outbreak.

Author: Ryan Osborne, Richard Solomon
Published: 10:09 AM CST November 20, 2025
Updated: 6:51 PM CST November 20, 2025

FORT WORTH, Texas — A Texas rodeo has been canceled, and a Fort Worth rodeo is moving to an all-bull riding format as officials continue to monitor an equine virus outbreak. ... The Texas Department of Agriculture this week issued an alert to horsemen regarding an outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1) reported by veterinarians after the recent World Championship Barrel Racing (WPRA) Finals in the Waco area Nov. 5-9, according to a press release.

As a result of the outbreak, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) decided to cancel the Uvalde Rodeo Qualifier, which was scheduled for Nov. 19-22. The event is a qualifier for the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. ... In Fort Worth, the Stockyards Championship Rodeo announced that its format will not include horses, instead switching to a bull-riding-only format.

"First and foremost, our equine athletes’ safety and health," Cowtown Coliseum officials said in a statement. "Second, our fans and our commitment to deliver the ten shows we have scheduled over the next two weeks. Third, our commitment to our employees and contract folks that count on us for a paycheck ... As Texas experiences confirmed cases of EHV-1, we are taking proactive steps to protect our equine partners—while still delivering exciting, action-packed rodeo events."

The Stockyards rodeo events, which begins with the PRCA Stockyards Pro Rodeo on Nov. 21, will feature bull riding and non-equine entertainment, with the help of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) organization, according to the statement. All horse events will be paused for at least two weeks. ... While Texas rodeos have been impacted by the virus, the PRCA also decided to cancel the Boot Barn Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo in Mulvane, Kan.

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