The Cotulla Stampede Winter Classic · Youth Rodeo

Why we ride

Started by Cotulla families, for South Texas kids.

The Cotulla Stampede was founded by local Cotulla families with one goal in mind: to give kids in Cotulla and the surrounding South Texas communities a place to compete, learn and grow through rodeo. It is built to promote the horsemanship, sportsmanship and hard work that are such a big part of our way of life.

The South Texas Energy Foundation serves as the Stampede’s managing nonprofit — it oversees the financial side and supports the families’ effort to give back to their community. Sponsorships and donations run through the Foundation, so every dollar is accounted for and goes to the kids.

With the help of local businesses, sponsors and volunteers, the hope is to bring families together, invest in our youth, and build a rodeo tradition South Texas can be proud of for years to come.

A Texas nonprofit corporation recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3), EIN 42-2246410. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

The series at a glance

Four Saturday rodeos — November through February at the LSYRA Arena in Cotulla.
Four age divisions — from Lead Line through Senior (14–18).
Ten events — barrels and poles to tie-down and team roping.
Saddles, buckles and saddle blankets — for the champions, and a buckle for every Lead Line rider.

Save the dates

Four rodeos, one winter series.

Rodeo 1

Nov 28

Saturday, 2026

Rodeo 2

Dec 5

Saturday, 2026

Rodeo 3 · Special awards

Jan 16

Saturday, 2027

Rodeo 4

Feb 20

Saturday, 2027

Rodeo #3 special awards: off-road scooters. Awarded at the end of Rodeo #3 to the overall high-point winners in Pee Wee, Junior and Senior. Contestants must compete in Rodeos #1, #2 and #3 to qualify; the Assisted division is excluded. Separate from the final series awards.

For riders and families

Register to ride.

Entries are taken online through Rodeo Results. Enter each rodeo you plan to ride — and remember, Rodeo #3’s scooter awards require Rodeos #1, #2 and #3.

Enter on Rodeo Results apps2.rodeoresults.com/shareevent/5334

Before you enter

Start time: [first run / check-in time] To confirm
Entry fees: [per event / per rodeo] To confirm
Entry deadline: [date for each rodeo] To confirm
Membership: [LSYRA membership required?] To confirm

Who rides, and for what

Divisions, events and awards.

Divisions

Assisted — Lead Line
Pee Wee — 8 & under
Junior — 9 to 13
Senior — 14 to 18

Age as of July 1, 2026 sets division eligibility for the entire series.

Events

Lead Line
Barrels
Poles
Straight Barrels
Goats

Dummy Roping
Ribbon Roping
Breakaway
Tie-Down Roping
Team Roping

Awards

All-Around Champions (by age division) receive saddles and buckles.

Individual event winners receive buckles and saddle blankets.

Every Lead Line participant goes home with a buckle.

Sponsorship opportunities

Put your name behind a South Texas kid.

The Stampede is raising $50,000 for the 2026–2027 series. Sponsorships pay for the saddles, buckles and saddle blankets these kids compete for — and every one is made to the South Texas Energy Foundation, a 501(c)(3).

Livestock sponsor

$3,500

4 needed

Helps cover the stock for the series — the calves, goats and roping cattle the kids compete on. Draft — confirm with Max

Sponsor at this level

Saddle sponsor

$2,500

3 needed

One All-Around Champion’s saddle — three saddles, one for each age division champion. Draft — confirm with Max

Sponsor at this level

Arena sponsor

$2,000