The Inaugural Gila River Resorts & Casinos Xtreme Bulls Shines at Buck-N-Rodeo Grounds

April 17, 2026

Jeston Morris
Gila River Indian News

CHANDLER, Ariz. — Crème de la crème professional bull riders competed at the inaugural PRCA Xtreme Bulls at Buck-N-Rodeo Grounds on March 27-28. Several Native bull riders competed on the final night. Some featured cowboys include Boudreaux Campbell, Chase Dougherty, Jackson Ward, T.J. Gray, Luke Mackey, Junior Taylor, Tristen Hutchings, Aaron Williams, and Hayden Welsh. 

Wacey Schalla, who is a 20-year-old cowboy from Arapaho, Okla. Claimed the championship title Saturday night. He rode Blue Silhouette (Universal Rodeo) in the short round. “The first bull was really good. I did not know what he was going into because I had a re-ride. I got an awesome short round bull,” said Schalla. 

“Schalla is the fastest cowboy to earn a million dollars in the PRCA. He is the first champion for the Gila River Resort and Casino’s Xtreme Bulls,” said Rodeo Announcer.

Brad Moreno, Wyatt Nez, Robbie Taylor, and Wade Tuni were among the Native bull riders. Moreno, who is from Kayenta, Ariz. got bucked off. He reflected on his ride. “The bull got me leaning back. He is a fast, strong bull,” Moreno said.

Nez rode his bull and received a score of 76 points. He was eliminated from the short round. The Colorado Kid rode his bull and received a score of 83 points. He was also eliminated. Wade Tuni, who is from Rock Point, Ariz. got bucked off.

Robbie Taylor, who is from Chinle, Ariz. was the second rider in the Lifted Truck tier. He rode his bull but got the option for a re-ride. He got 85 points for his re-ride and qualified for the short round. “I got a re-ride on the first one; it wasn’t that good. The second ride was good,” said Taylor. He got bucked off in the short round. 

Taylor was inspired by his father. He grew up watching his father ride bulls in Chinle. His father encouraged him to become a bull rider. His PRCA traveling partners are Luke Mackey and Wade Tuni. He shared what it feels like to enjoy riding a bull. “The first two bulls I rode felt good. When I am riding, I try not to think about anything. I react by letting my body move on its own instead of me. If I overthink the ride, I just get in my own way,” Taylor said.    

On Friday night, 8 cowboys made the short round. T.J. Gray was among the riders who rode their bull in the short round. “I am so excited to come to Chandler for the Xtreme Bulls. The last bull, he really tried me. It was a lot of work. It was a good one to stay on,” said Gray.

Aaron Williams got bucked off in the short round. He reflected on his ride. “It’s infuriating because the bull got lucky. The palm of my glove ripped in the middle of the ride. My hand came out of the rope. The next time I cross paths with the bull, I will settle the score,” Williams said.

“Gila River Resorts & Casinos brought together the best bull riders. This place is the future of bull riding,” said the rodeo announcer. Xtreme Bull was an exciting and successful event. The rodeo results can be accessed at: www.prorodeo.com.