In the glittering heart of the Las Vegas Strip, far from Wyoming’s wide-open skies and rugged mountain ranges, the spirit of the Cowboy State was alive and kicking at a breakfast honoring Team Wyoming—the only state-sponsored rodeo team in the National Finals Rodeo.

Held at Resorts World, the event drew hundreds of Wyomingites, decked out in their signature boots and hats, to celebrate the grit and talent of their homegrown competitors. The rodeo brings the nation’s top cowboys and cowgirls to town every December, but no state rallies its riders like Wyoming.

Governor of Wyoming Mark Gordon tipped his hat to the team, calling them a shining example of the state’s unyielding frontier spirit. Meanwhile, C.J. Box, Wyoming’s own award-winning author, emceed with the charm and wit that have made his stories beloved at home and the world over.

Team Wyoming is comprised of nine rodeo stars:
Ty Blasingame (team roper)
Tanner Butner (saddle bronc)
Brody Cress (saddle bronc)
Seth Hardwick (bareback)
Nate Jestes (bullfighter)
Chet Johnson (saddle bronc)
Cole Reiner (bareback)
Dusty Tuckness (bullfighter)
Brody Wells (saddle bronc)

Between delicious plates of breakfast and rounds of applause, the room buzzed with camaraderie and pride. Ranchers, rodeo fans, and Wyoming families swapped stories, cheered for their team, and shared a reminder that while Las Vegas may host the rodeo, Wyoming owns the spirit of it.

As the event wrapped up, it was clear that Team Wyoming doesn’t just ride for themselves—they ride for a state that stands behind them, every hoofbeat of the way.