Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo heads to Fort Worth after Atlanta season finale

The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo returns to Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth on Aug. 15 for the fourth stop of its 2026 Texas Connection Series. The Atlanta weekend also crowned Legacy Series champions and named Jacqueline Merrill the Soul Country Music Star Atlanta Regional Winner.

Why it matters: - The Fort Worth stop is a key points event in the 2026 Texas Connection Series. - Competitors are chasing a spot in the BPIR Top Ten and an invitation to the BPIR National Championship Finals in September. - The event also keeps BPIR’s focus on Black rodeo culture, youth development and national visibility for Black Western heritage.

What happened: - The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo returns to Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth on Saturday, Aug. 15. - Two performances are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. - The Fort Worth rodeo is the fourth stop of the 2026 Texas Connection Series. - BPIR also wrapped its Legacy Series in Atlanta on Aug. 1-2. - Sold-out crowds in Atlanta watched the 2026 Legacy Series Buckle Champions crowned.

The details: - Fort Worth fans will see Black cowboys and cowgirls compete in Ranch Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Tie-Down Roping, Team Roping, Ladies Steer Undecorating, Breakaway Roping, Barrel Racing and Bull Riding. - Youth events include Junior Breakaway Roping, Junior Barrel Racing and Pee Wee Barrel Racing. - Atlanta Legacy Series results included Jose Pedraza III of Bellwood, Illinois, winning Ranch Bronc Riding with a 74.5. - Travoris Zeno of Beaumont, Texas, posted a 78 in Round One of Bull Riding. - Azja Bryant of Huntsville, Texas, won Ladies Breakaway Roping in 3.20 seconds. - Trevor Whayne of Preston, Oklahoma, won Junior Breakaway Roping in 4.30 seconds. - Harrel Williams Jr. of Prairie View, Texas, won Junior Tie-Down Roping in 10.60 seconds. - Richard Coleman of Wharton, Texas, won Open Tie-Down Roping in 7.91 seconds. - Devon C. Johnson and Camish Jennings won Team Roping in 6.31 seconds. - Reginald McCullough of Houston won Round One of Steer Wrestling in 6.11 seconds. - Davenger Griffin of Natchez, Mississippi, won Round Two of Steer Wrestling in 6.44 seconds. - Paris Wilburd of Cabot, Arkansas, won Ladies Steer Undecorating in 1.70 seconds. - Kanesha Jackson of Hempstead, Texas, won Round One of Ladies Barrel Racing in 15.744 seconds. - Kenadee Goodman of Beaumont, Texas, won Round Two of Ladies Barrel Racing in 15.571 seconds. - Kinley Adair of Point Blank, Texas, won Junior Barrel Racing in 16.278 seconds. - Kalli Poole of Montgomery, Texas, won Pee Wee Barrel Racing in 17.133 seconds. - The Texas Oklahoma Connection won the Relay Race in 58.234 seconds. - No qualified rides were recorded in Round Two bull riding. - BPIR named the 2026 Legacy Series Buckle Champions: Kinley Adair, Krishaun Adair, Tony Aska, Jaedyn Bartell-Padraza, Azja Bryant, Niya Bryant, Camish Jenning, Devon Johnson, Kali Poole, Anthony Smith Jr., Deweldon Watson, Trevor Wayne and Harrel Williams. - Jacqueline Merrill won the Soul Country Music Star Atlanta Regional Competition. - Tickets for the 2026 BPIR Texas Connection Series are on sale now. - Tickets and show information are available at the official BPIR site, the Cowtown Coliseum box office, Cowtown Coliseum and AXS. - Sponsorship, partnership and vendor inquiries go to mladrew@billpickettrodeo.com.

Between the lines: - The Atlanta finale showed BPIR leaning on both sport and culture to broaden its audience. - The combination of rodeo competition and Soul Country Music Star adds another entertainment layer to the series. - BPIR’s emphasis on youth events suggests the organization is also building the next generation of riders and ropers.

What's next: - The Texas Connection Series returns to Cowtown Coliseum on Saturday, Oct. 17, for the Texas Connection Buckle Series Championship. - The Aug. 15 Fort Worth rodeo is the final chance for many competitors to improve their BPIR standings before the National Championship Finals. - Organizers say championship points and Top Ten positions are on the line in Fort Worth.

The bottom line: - BPIR is using Fort Worth to extend momentum from Atlanta and set up the season’s final championship push.