Haven Meged Claims Inaugural Big Guns in Cowtown Title
Updated: 5 hours ago
World champions, rodeo legends, and elite horsemen converged on Cowtown Coliseum for a sold-out night of competition, showcasing the versatility of Western sports while supporting charitable causes.
FORT WORTH, Texas — The stakes were high, the competition was fierce, and some of professional rodeo’s biggest names traded their familiar disciplines for an entirely different challenge Wednesday night.
Inside the historic Cowtown Coliseum, the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) Foundation hosted its inaugural Big Guns in Cowtown, bringing together 22 prominent rodeo athletes for a unique showcase of horsemanship, athleticism, and Western tradition.
When the dust settled, 2019 PRCA Tie-Down Roping World Champion Haven Meged claimed the inaugural title, posting a commanding 232-point performance to edge fellow world champion Shad Mayfield by a single point.
The sold-out event, held October 21 during the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity, brought together athletes from across professional rodeo and demonstrated the versatility required to compete in one of Western sports’ most demanding disciplines.
Haven Meged Rises Above the Competition
With a championship on the line, Meged delivered when it mattered most.
Partnered with NRCHA $3 Million Rider Justin Wright, Meged entered the arena aboard Bets R Dual, a 2017 gelding by Dual Smart Rey.
The world champion demonstrated exceptional control throughout his run, executing two precise fence turns before successfully circling his cow near the center of the arena.
His performance earned a 232-point score and the inaugural championship, securing a $20,000 first-place payout.
For Meged, whose professional career has largely been defined by his accomplishments in tie-down roping, the victory showcased another dimension of his horsemanship.
Wright, who owns Bets R Dual, credited Meged’s ability to read cattle and his natural instincts as a horseman.
The winning partnership also represented Meged’s selected charity, Golden Circle of Champions, which supports children battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
Shad Mayfield and Jackie Crawford Complete the Podium
The championship was anything but a runaway victory.
Shad Mayfield, the 2020 PRCA Tie-Down Roping World Champion, delivered one of the night’s strongest performances aboard MC Cowhammer.
Working alongside NRCHA professional Trevor Carter, Mayfield recorded an impressive 231-point run, finishing just one point shy of the championship.
His runner-up finish earned $10,000.
Meanwhile, accomplished breakaway roper Jackie Crawford delivered a standout performance of her own.
Crawford, a multiple-time world champion, teamed with NRCHA professional Erin Taormino aboard Bad To Tha Boon.
The pairing recorded 228 points, securing third place and a $5,000 payout.
With only four points separating the top three competitors, the inaugural event delivered a closely contested championship between some of professional rodeo’s most accomplished athletes.
Rodeo’s Biggest Names Bring Star Power to Cowtown
Beyond the championship battle, Big Guns in Cowtown featured an impressive collection of world champions and recognizable Western sports personalities.
Competitors included four-time WPRA World Champion barrel racer Hailey Kinsel, 2014 WPRA World Champion Fallon Taylor, and five-time PRCA World Champion steer wrestler Luke Branquinho.
The field also included 2023 WPRA Breakaway Roping World Champion Shelby Meged, world champion steer wrestler J.D. Struxness, saddle bronc standout Sage Newman, and professional bull rider Clayton Sellars.
Country music recording artist and former collegiate saddle bronc competitor Chancey Williams added another recognizable name to the lineup.
Rather than competing in their traditional events, each athlete was paired with an experienced NRCHA professional to prepare for the evening’s fence-work competition.
The challenge required riders to control a cow along the arena fence, execute precise turns, and circle the animal while maintaining positioning and control.
For athletes accustomed to competing against the clock or riding roughstock, the format offered a chance to show their versatility in an unfamiliar arena.
The crossover also introduced different rodeo audiences to the technical skill and precision required in reined cow horse competition.
Strong Performances Highlight Competitive Field
Beyond the championship battle, the competition remained tight as several of rodeo’s top athletes showcased their versatility in the arena.
World champion steer wrestler J.D. Struxness, breakaway roping standout Shelby Meged, and saddle bronc rider Wyatt Casper finished in a three-way tie for fourth place, each posting 226 points.
Five-time PRCA World Champion Luke Branquinho followed with 221.5 points, while professional bull rider Clayton Sellars secured eighth place with 220.5.
Breakaway roper Sarah Angelone and saddle bronc standout Sage Newman rounded out the top 10, each posting 218 points.
The closely contested standings underscored the depth of talent in the inaugural field, as athletes from different rodeo disciplines demonstrated their horsemanship in the demanding world of reined cow horse competition.
A Bigger Purpose Beyond the Arena
Although the competition featured championship-caliber talent, the mission behind Big Guns in Cowtown extended far beyond the final leaderboard.
Organized by the NRCHA Foundation, the event was created to celebrate Western heritage, expand awareness of reined cow horse competition, and support charitable organizations.
Ahead of the inaugural event, organizers reported more than $100,000 in charitable contributions and pledges, with a significant portion designated for charities selected by participating athletes.
Beneficiaries included Golden Circle of Champions, War Horses for Veterans, St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, and several organizations supporting veterans, children, and the Western sports community.
The initiative reinforced the NRCHA Foundation’s commitment to preserving Western traditions while creating opportunities to give back.
A New Chapter for Western Sports in Fort Worth
In a city where Western heritage runs deep, the inaugural Big Guns in Cowtown delivered more than another night of competition. It brought together some of rodeo’s most accomplished athletes, challenged them beyond their traditional disciplines, and showcased the skill and precision that define reined cow horse competition.
Inside the historic Cowtown Coliseum, a sold-out crowd witnessed world champions step outside their comfort zones, putting their horsemanship to the test in an arena that has long stood as a symbol of Fort Worth’s Western identity.
For Haven Meged, the night added another championship to an already impressive résumé. For the NRCHA Foundation, it marked a successful debut with the potential to establish a lasting presence on the Western sports calendar.
More importantly, the event demonstrated the strength of a community built on competition, tradition, and a shared commitment to giving back.
As Western sports continue to reach new audiences, events like Big Guns in Cowtown offer a glimpse into the future without losing sight of the traditions that built the industry.
The inaugural champion has been crowned, but the impact of Big Guns in Cowtown may be just beginning.
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