CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – On Wednesday, May 6, the 2025 CEAT Specialty Rodeo Corpus Christi Division Youth (DY) Showcase will take over the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. The excitement is mounting as the World Champions Rodeo Alliance (WCRA) announces the final list of 88 youth athletes, ages 13–18, who have officially qualified for the high-stakes event.

The DY Showcase roster features the top 64 timed-event athletes and the top 24 roughstock competitors. The full roster can be found HERE.

Rodeo Corpus Christi has been selected as the launch location for the first WCRA Division Youth Showcase event of the 2025 series. The event offers a total purse of $55,000, with each division Champion guaranteed a $2000 payday. Athletes earned their spot based on the WCRA Division Youth Leaderboard standings as of April 6, following a year of nominations through the VRQ (Virtual Rodeo Qualifier) system. This event is a key stop along the road to the World Championship Junior Rodeo (WCJR), set for late July, where athletes will vie for the title of World Champion. 

During the Division Youth Showcase, Champions will be crowned in each of nine disciplines: team roping (heading and heeling), saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, pole bending, goat tying, breakaway roping, barrel racing, bareback riding, and bull riding. 

Among the athletes to watch is Luke Tippmann (New Haven, Indiana), who will compete in three disciplines, showcasing his versatility in both roughstock and timed events. Tippmann is entered in bareback riding and team roping, where he will head for Bryce Ehlinger (Manvel, Texas) and heel for Sam White. 

Another standout is Kennzie Nixon (Pleasanton, Texas), who will showcase her agility in pole bending, goat tying, and barrel racing. Adding to the family dynamic of the event, brothers Casper and Cross Ringelstein, also from Pleasanton, Texas will join forces in team roping, while sisters Clayann and Carsyn Holbrook (Cibolo, Texas), will go head-to-head in barrel racing.

One particularly notable name on the roster is Drew Ellen Stewart (Normangee, Texas). Stewart is the only athlete in this lineup who also holds a world title from the WCJR. In 2024, she was crowned the WCJR Ladies All-Around Champion, and previously earned the 2023 WCJR Pole Bending World Championship. She will compete in both pole bending and goat tying at the 2025 DY Showcase, aiming to extend her championship legacy.

Following the rodeo action on May 6, fans will be treated to a live concert by comedian Steve Treviño. Tickets for the event and post-show entertainment are available for purchase HERE now.

Fans unable to attend in person can catch all the Rodeo Corpus Christi action live on RidePass via Pluto TV, with nightly broadcasts from May 6–10 at 7 p.m. CDT. In addition, the Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo Round from this event will air on CBS Sports Network on May 25 at Noon EDT.

Since its inception in May 2018, the WCRA and its partners have awarded more than $19.7 million in new money to rodeo athletes. For more information about the WCRA, or to get involved through the VRQ nomination system, visit wcrarodeo.com.

Photo courtesy of WCRA