Spur of the Moment Fun at the Hondo Rodeo Fest
November 7-9, 2025
Phoenix, Arizona, is looking a little country these days, with iconic events like the Hondo Rodeo Fest. It brought the best athletes to the Valley. Popularly known as the home for the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Chase Field was transformed in three days into a rodeo arena, ready for cowboys and cowgirls to compete for a total prize purse of one million dollars, three days of competition featuring the top athletes and animal athletes from across pro rodeo, and ending each night with a memorable concert. Performances by Jason Aldean, Riley Green, Kid Rock, Jon Pardi, Nickelback, and Treaty Oak Revival made the event spectacular.
If you know me, I have always enjoyed the rodeo and some good country music. Together, it felt like home. The Hondo Rodeo is an event designed to bring people together and raise awareness about the cowboy lifestyle, fostering men and women who are hardworking, courageous, and of good character through the love of country music and rodeo. People from across the country came together from November 7 to November 9, 2025, for this memorable event. The events that took place during the rodeo were bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, barrel racing, and the fan favorite, bull riding. Over the course of the three days, each rider would put their lives on the line to win that cash prize and have champion written across their belt buckle.
The big winner of the weekend was Lisa Lockhart and Blazin Ta Betty, winning $101,500 in total earnings from the Maverick Top Hand Award and Hondo Rodeo Average Championship. Other highlights included team ropers Driggers and Eaves and bull rider Kaiden Loud, each earning $41,000. The energy from the fans in the arena was something I’ve never experienced before. Thousands of people cheered the riders to push their hardest, all loving the sport of rodeo.
In addition to the competition, there were halftime performances by Bethany Kiesner and Rider Kiesner, who performed trick riding. I got to chat with Bethany Kiesner and learn more about the passions behind the sport.
What breed of horse do you prefer to ride on?
“Just like most of the guys here at the Hondo Rodeo, I ride a quarter horse. They’re fast, and they’re strong. So they can hold my body weight up, and just past that, each horse is different. So we really look for them to love their job. The one I was on tonight is 19 years old, and so we certainly slowed her down a bit, but she still loves her job, so we are still trying to take her to some of the big ones.”
Are you based in Arizona?
“My husband and I are actually from Oklahoma, but we travel most of the year. I think we have been home for two weeks since Christmas, so we are on the road most of the time.”
What do you want to encourage young riders who are interested in this field? Who are getting started, and are really excited about the sport?
“Man, I have a lot to say on that. This year has been a tough year. I’ve had a lot of horses get hurt and a lot of struggles and trials. First and foremost, my faith in God is most important, and that’s who I lean on. And then past that, you know, just put in a lot of work. I wasn’t talented when I started. All of the horses I rode cost no more than $2500, which is a lot less than what you will see people spend on a horse. But you know, just put the work in. If you want something, just put the work in, and it’s worth it!”
Are there any camps you recommend where kids can get started?
“Yeah, so I always recommend a good coach. There is a place in Colorado called Red Top Ranch Trick Riding. They’re great, and a friend of mine, Madison Thomas, gives lessons, and those are both really good places to go to.”
Make sure you follow Bethany Kiesner online to see where she and her husband are performing next.
Later, throughout the night, I got a chance to chat with some local college girls and hear about what brought them out to the for this memorable event. When asked what brought them out for the night, collectively, their answers all included cold beer, country music, and a girls’ trip to get away from school, work, and life. Their favorite event to watch was the bull riding. Sammy Troeter shares her best tips for everyone coming to this event next year.
“Get here early, get your spots at the barcade.”
Marlee Miller said it best, “This is the best rodeo ever! Everyone should come!”
By the end of the third night, Jason Aldean’s “Crazy Town” was being sung all the way home by everyone that night. This weekend will hold a special place in my heart, and I look forward to future Hondo Rodeos to come!
Video and Photo credit by Amber Leann Media
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