Rocker Steiner: Bareback Bronc Rider Breaking Records, Earnings, and Chasing His First Gold Buckle

Rocker Steiner is a 21-year-old professional bareback bronc rider from Weatherford, Texas, who is currently ranked as the number one bareback rider in the world. He is a third-generation rodeo star, known for his charismatic personality and all-or-nothing riding style.

Who Is Rocker Steiner?

Rocker Steiner is a professional bareback bronc rider from Weatherford, Texas, born December 18, 2003, currently ranked first in the PRCA World Standings at the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR). He represents a new generation of elite rodeo athletes who are redefining what young cowboys can achieve at the highest levels of professional competition.

Steiner’s professional PRCA career took off in earnest around 2021-2022. In his rookie year with the PRCA in 2022, he was named the WrestleStall Bareback Riding Rookie of the Year and recorded a stellar 95-point ride on the horse Virgil, showcasing the elite skills that would set the pace for his career. That same year, he finished twelfth in his first NFR – a strong showing for a rookie – and has been steadily climbing ever since.

Career & Achievements

• World No. 1: As of the latest updates, Steiner leads the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) world standings with earnings of over $421,000 in 2025.
• Family Legacy: He comes from a prominent rodeo family. His grandfather, Bobby Steiner, was a 1973 world champion bull rider, and his father, Sid Steiner, was a 2002 world champion steer wrestler.
• National Finals Rodeo (NFR): Steiner is a four-time NFR qualifier (2022-2025). He has performed well in the NFR, winning multiple go-rounds.
• Big Wins: His notable victories include wins at Rodeo Houston, The American Rodeo, and the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.
• Rookie of the Year: In his first professional year, 2022, he was selected as the WrestleMania Rookie of the Year.

Bareback Riding Techniques and Riding Style

Bareback bronc riding is fundamentally different from saddle bronc riding because the rider has no saddle, no stirrups, and only a simple rigging handle to hold onto. It demands exceptional balance, core strength, and what experienced bronc riders call “hips” – the ability to stay focused on the horse’s back during the eight-second ride. Steiner’s technique exemplifies modern bareback excellence.

Mark-Out Requirement:

Like all bareback riders, Steiner must “mark out” his horse, meaning his spurs must touch the horse above the shoulders when the horse’s front feet hit the ground after the first jump. Failure to mark out results in disqualification with no score and no prize money – a crucial rule that requires precision in the opening moments of every ride.

Spur Work and Body Control:

Once marked, the rider’s primary scoring element is aggressive, rhythmic spurring combined with upper body control. Judges award 0 to 25 points for the rider’s performance (spur timing, aggression, and rhythm) and 0 to 25 points for the bucking horse’s performance, for a possible maximum of 100 points combined. Steiner’s best rides in 2025 show his ability to maintain perfect timing with his spurs and keep his upper body stable while the horse delivers powerful, unpredictable amounts of force.

There are three basic principles of bareback riding form:

(1) hips – keeping the rider’s seat close and centered to the rigging.

(2) controlled upper body – balance without holding on

(3) feet – using precise spur placement to communicate with and control the horse’s movement. Steiner’s recent rides at Cheyenne Frontier Days (92 points) and American Rodeo (91.75 points) demonstrate mastery of all three elements.

Gear and Grit: Equipment and Core Riding Techniques

Unlike its cousin, saddle bronc riding, the bareback rider has nothing but strength and one specific piece of equipment: the rigging.

His technical style is classic bronc riding:

• Strong “mark out” on the reins with the toes and set high on the horse’s shoulders.
• Fluid, controlled spur strokes in time with the horse’s front end movement, helping him earn high style points from the judges.
• Ability to stay centered and loose even on extremely electric horses, which translates into consistent 85‑plus point rides and repeated round wins.

Rules, Scoring, and Penalties in Bareback Riding

Bareback riding operates under strict PRCA rules designed to standardize competition across all sanctioned events. Understanding these rules is essential to appreciating Steiner’s consistency and avoiding costly mistakes.

The Eight-Second Rule:

Riders must remain on the horse for a full eight seconds without touching the horse with their free hand or falling. Any contact with the horse beyond the rigging or falling before the whistle blows results in no score and no payment for that round.

Mark-Out and Spur-Out:

As mentioned, spurs must be above the shoulders on the first jump. This is verified by the judges at each event and is not negotiable for qualifying rides.

Losing the Rigging:

If the bareback rigging is lost during the ride, the cowboy receives no score, even if they successfully complete the eight seconds. This rule adds an urgent need to maintain perfect balance and body position throughout the ride.

Penalties for Fouling:

If a horse is judged to be “foul” – having failed to perform properly due to equipment failure or field conditions – the judges may award a re-ride at their discretion. Re-rides are opportunities but also involve physical wear and tear and risk.

Steiner’s 2025 success stems in part from his unusually low percentage of non-scores compared to his entry count, which indicates an exceptional consistency in meeting the mark-out requirements and staying on eligible horses for the full eight seconds.

Safety for Rider and Animal

The sport is intensely demanding. Rodeo athletes, especially in rough stock events, face a high risk of injury. Studies note that bareback riders account for about 23 percent of rodeo injuries. Modern competitors often wear protective vests, and on-site medical staff are mandatory at PRCA events.

Animal welfare is an important and regulated aspect. PRCA rules govern the care and treatment of livestock. Independent surveys of veterinarians at sanctioned rodeos have shown very low injury rates for animals. The flank strap used to encourage bucking is a soft, wool-lined material that does not cause injury. It is intended to encourage a natural bucking motion. As one stock contractor noted, a top bucking horse is a valuable, long-term investment, which encourages its excellent care.

Case Study: The Rise of Rocker Steiner

Rocker Steiner’s career is a masterclass in rodeo pedigree meeting raw talent. Born into a legendary rodeo family – his grandfather is world champion bull rider Bobby Steiner, and his father is world champion wrestler Sid Steiner – the sport is in his blood.

• From Wakeboards to the Bronx: Before rodeo, Steiner was a champion wakeboarder, a sport that undoubtedly honed his balance and core strength. He transitioned to bareback riding as a teenager and turned pro in 2022, quickly being named the WrestleStall Bareback Riding Rookie of the Year.
• Competitive dominance: His aggressive, high-scoring style has quickly led to success. In 2022, he rode a horse named Virgil to a near-95-point finish. At the 2022 National Finals Rodeo (NFR), he won his first go round, and in 2025, he won a major round at the NFR with an 89-point finish on “Lunatic Heaven.” His career earnings have skyrocketed, with a net worth now estimated at between $1 million and $1.5 million.
• What sets him apart: Experts point to Steiner’s exceptional athleticism and mental strength. His background, combined with a confident, uninhibited riding style, allows him to match the toughest horses, which is key to winning in a sport where the animal provides half the score.

Original Insights: Rocker Steiner’s Path to Historic Success

Steiner’s record-breaking 2025 season reveals several important patterns that other aspiring bareback riders can learn from:

Deliberate Event Selection:

Instead of entering every available rodeo, top earners like Steiner strategically target high-money events where the prize purses justify the travel and entry fees. The American Rodeo’s $100,000 Bearback Prize exemplifies this approach. This focus on premium events accelerates earnings compared to grinding through smaller local rodeos.

Consistency Over Volatility:

Steiner’s $303,547 regular season earnings represent consistent performance at multiple major events, not a single lucky victory. His ability to cash checks at the Calgary Stampede, Cheyenne, RodeoHouston, and American Rodeo – while also competing in smaller PRCA rodeos – demonstrates a repeat winning formula.

Youth and Emerging Athleticism:

At just 21 years old (born December 2003), Steiner embodies a broader rodeo trend: young athletes are mastering skills earlier, training harder, and reaching elite levels faster than previous generations. His combination of athletic background (wakeboarding), family knowledge (hereditary cowboy), and professional coaching is producing results unseen in the history of bareback riding.

Frequently Asked Questions for Rocker Steiner

Bareback Brown Riding is a profound celebration of American heritage, a test of unparalleled athleticism, and a dance of raw power. It’s a sport where history, technique, and courage come together in eight explosive seconds. Through the achievements of modern stars like Rocker Steiner, this classic event continues to captivate audiences, honoring the legacy of the cowboy while pushing the boundaries of human performance. As the sport evolves with a continued focus on safety and animal welfare, its core spirit – the ultimate challenge between rider and horse – remains thrillingly unchanged.