Osceola County and the Silver Spurs Riding Club put its multiple generations of rodeo heritage on display again last weekend—and just like in years past, ‘round these parts it was the greatest show on dirt.
That was the theme of the 157th Silver Spurs Rodeo, which played to a packed house on Friday and a confirmed sellout of over 7,500 fans Saturday at the Silver Spurs Arena.
In short, the “Biggest Rodeo East of the Mississippi (River)” lived up to its billing.
Nearly $30,000 in prize money went to the pro rodeo athletes—the human athletes taking on the “animal athletes,” much of which came from the Silver Spurs Riding Club’s home-grown stock. That was after the club welcomed a new court of queen ambassadors at Thursday’s 66th annual Miss Silver Spurs Pageant, a tradition that dates back to 1960 to celebrate local young women who exemplify horsemanship, leadership, and a deep connection to the ranching heritage.
Michaela Wall earned the title of Miss Silver Spurs (First Runner-Up Isabella VanNostrand; Miss Congeniality Kyrstynn Osborne), Ivey Rousch claimed Junior Miss Silver Spurs (First Runner-Up Tessa Ann McCommon; Miss Congeniality Taylor Ann Bauknight) and the new Little Miss Silver Spurs is Emma Folsom (First Runner-Up Sloan Leonardo, Second Runner-Up Ava Ledo, Miss Congeniality Jentry Cowell). They will represent the Silver Spurs Club throughout the coming year at community events, rodeos, parades, and special appearances across Florida.
Wall and Rousch also won the Aileen “Bill” Chapman Horsemanship Award and VanNostrand earned the Doug Partin Spirit Award.
Once the action hit the rodeo ring Friday, Ty Chancey of Anthony, Fla., just outside of Ocala, used a second-place finish in tie-down roping and a sixth in team roping with Ty Veon to earn the All-Around Cowboy after Saturday night. Kissimmee’s Kamry Dymmek took fourth place in steer wrestling and Keene Justesen was third in saddle bronc.
Among the money finishers:
Steer wrestling: 1. Win Mardis, Natchez, Miss., 4.2 seconds, $1,147 (was second at the 155th Rodeo); 2. Patrick Noble, 4.9, $860; 3. Zach Trapp, 5.3, $573.
Team roping: 1. Keven Daniel, Franklin, Tenn./ Parker Carbajal, New Smyrna Beach, 4.4 seconds, $1,295 each; 2. (tie) Clint Keller/Morgan Jones and Kaston Peavy/Jason Hill, 5.1, $960 each; 4. Thomas Allen/Colton Allen, 5.2, $625; 5. Joey Denney/Luke Denney, 9.5, $402.
Saddle bronc riding: 1. Wyatt Lavergne, Sulpher, La., 87.5 points on Silver Spurs Club’s Natalie, $940; 2. Tyler Wall, 84, $705; 3. Keene Justesen, 79.5, $470; 4. Hayden Hall, 78.5, $235.
Tie-down roping: 1. Randall Carlisle, Newberry, Fla., 7.9 seconds, $954; 2. Ty Chancey, 8.3, $790; 3.
James Walsh, 8.5, $625; 4. Dawson Cantu, 9.4, $461; 5. (tie) Polo Bacque II, Tripp Brown, JP Delgado and Zeke Norfleet, 9.6, $115 each.
Barrel racing: 1. Margo Crowther, North Fort Myers, 16.12 seconds, $910; 2. Kelley Carrington, 16.48, $791; 3. Kristin Hanchey, 16.55, $673; 4.
Paige Willis, 16.58, $554; 5. Ashley Parks, 16.59, $435; 6. Bobbie Alcazar, 16.63, $317; 7. (tie) Wendy Culberson and Caitlin Okolovitch, 16.82, $139 each.
Bull riding: 1. (tie) Waylon Buquoi, Slaughter, La., on Silver Spurs Club’s Hair Trigger, and Rooster McKeeman, Okeechobee, Fla., on Silver Spurs Club’s Jiminy Cricket, 80.5 points, $1,222 each
Breakaway roping: 1. (tie) Aldyn Ashton, Lorida, Fla., and Ashley Henderson, Covington, La., 2.7 seconds, $1,445 each; 3. Whitney Keller, 2.8, $1,036; 4. Brooke Ladner, 3.1, $763; 5. (tie) Kristen Daniel, Lacey Nail and Nicole Yost, 3.3, $254 each.
And as part of its bi-annual theme, the Silver Spurs Riding Club continued its generous support of area charities. The Spurs presented $10,000 check contributions to the Osceola Council on Aging, which funds supports the Meals on Wheels program and other support for area seniors, and The Opportunity Center, which provides career training and other critical support for adults with disabilities.
The rodeo was the “last ride” (figuratively) for Kaye Whaley as Rodeo Big Boss, as she will now hand off the reigns to 2025-26 Little Boss and incoming Big Boss Henry Thacker.
“I’m humbled by the opportunity to serve a club that has helped shape the heart of Osceola County for 85 years and one to which my own roots are deeply connected,” Whaley said. The Silver Spurs Rodeo was built by volunteers who believed that hard work, generosity, and community service could change lives, and that purpose continues to guide us today. We remain committed to preserving the traditions that make this rodeo a cornerstone of our hometown, while supporting the nonprofits, youth programs, and families we are proud to serve. It is truly an honor to help carry forward a legacy that belongs to all of us.”
The rodeo action returns in the fall with the annual Boots, Bulls and Barrels rodeo on Oct. 3, followed by the 158th Silver Spurs Rodeo in February 2026.
