FT. PIERRE, S.D. — The historic Stanley County Fairgrounds erupted into a sea of cheers Saturday night, June 6, 2026, as the 32nd Annual Casey Tibbs Match of Champions Xtreme Broncs delivered an unforgettable night of high-stakes saddle bronc riding.
While Montana powerhouse Sage Newman claimed the ultimate victory to extend his blistering summer hot streak, the undeniable soul of the event belonged to South Dakota’s own hometown hero and rodeo royalty, Shorty Garrett.
For South Dakota rodeo fans, the Match of Champions is holy ground, but for Eagle Butte native Shorty Garrett, it is a family affair. As the great-great-nephew of the legendary nine-time World Champion Casey Tibbs himself, Garrett always carries the heaviest crowd expectations when he nods his head in Fort Pierre.
Garrett, who currently sits safely inside the Top 15 of the PRCA World Standings as he chases a 2026 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) bid, brought the crowd to their feet during the long round. Spurring with the trademark rhythm that runs deep in his bloodline, Garrett matched up against a fierce stock contractor draw to safely advance to the short round.
In the finals, Garrett gave fans a masterclass in control and grit, posting an electric 87.5-point ride that temporarily held the lead and brought a roaring ovation from the grandstands.
“There is nothing like riding in Fort Pierre with that Tibbs name on the sign out front,” Garrett said after the event. “The crowd here gives you an extra gear. My focus all year has been on the gold buckle, and matching up against this caliber of horses with these fans behind me is exactly what keeps that drive alive.”
Ultimately, it was Melstone, Montana’s Sage Newman who walked away with the title and the lion’s share of the $30,000 in added money. Newman drew Korkow Rodeo’s superstar horse 815 Me Mojo in the short round—a familiar matchup that paid off massively. Newman turned in a spectacular, technically flawless 89-point ride to edge out the competition.
Unlike a standard multi-event PRCA rodeo, the Xtreme Broncs format features only saddle bronc riders, creating a unique locker-room atmosphere where the world’s best compete back-to-back.
“Things have just been rolling,” Newman said. “We’re rolling right into the summer run. Here at the bronc matches, all the bronc riders are here together, having fun and drawing good. You can’t ask for much more.”
The elite field of cowboys battled a premier pen of bucking horses provided by the region’s top stock contractors, including Korkow Rodeos and Sutton Rodeo.
Other standout long-round efforts featured Talon Elshere (86.5 points), Leon Fountain (85 points), Zachary Dallas (83.5 points), and Lane Wimberly (80 points)
The official final standings and payouts for the 2026 event are detailed below:
| Place | Rider | Hometown | Stock / Contractor | Score | Money Won |
| 1st | Sage Newman | Melstone, MT | 815 Me Mojo (Korkow Rodeo) | 89.0 | $8,250 |
| 2nd | Shorty Garrett | Eagle Butte, SD | Onion Ring (Sutton Rodeo) | 87.5 | $6,120 |
| 3rd | Cole Elshere | Faith, SD | Joker Poker (Korkow Rodeo) | 86.0 | $4,380 |
| 4th | Brody Wells | Powell, WY | Bad Onion (Sutton Rodeo) | 85.0 | $2,900 |
| 5th | Zachary Dallas | Las Cruces, NM | Carolina Blue (Harper & Morgan) | 84.5 | $1,750 |
| 6th | Layton Green | Meeting Creek, AB | Standard Time (Korkow Rodeo) | 83.0 | $1,100 |
With the 32nd edition of the Match of Champions in the books, the PRCA summer run is officially in overdrive. For Sage Newman, the win secures his spot among the elite top five in the world. But for South Dakota fans, the night belonged to Shorty Garrett, whose stellar second-place finish proves he has the mindset, the muscle, and the pedigree to bring a world title back home to the Mount Rushmore State come December.
