Caleb Smidt

Name and Hometown: Caleb Smidt, Bellville, Texas

10-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Qualifier

2015, 2018, 2021-22 World Champion

Joined PRCA: 2012

Regular Season Earnings: $133,128

Starting 2023 NFR in 7th place

Major regular season wins –

• Rodeo Houston, $6,250
• Calgary (Alberta) Stampede, $12,250
• Central Wyoming Fair (Casper), $7,597
• Sheridan WYO Rodeo, $10,765
• California Rodeo Salinas, $10,884
• Lawton (Oklahoma) Rangers Rodeo, $5,225
• Washington State Fair Rodeo (Puyallup), $9,850
• Governor’s Cup Rodeo (Sioux Falls, South Dakota), $19,000

Fun Facts about Caleb: It’s hard to imagine a Wrangler National Finals Rodeo without Caleb Smidt and his great horse, Pocketful of Light, “Pockets.” The phenomenal horse has been key to Caleb’s success in the Thomas and Mack Arena and Caleb has ridden him to earn all four of his world championships. Pockets usually gets time off during the regular season. That wasn’t unusual this year. What was unusual was the dry spell that Caleb had during the spring. When Cowboy Christmas started on the fourth of July, he wasn’t in the top 20 in the world standings. Then he got good checks in Wyoming, California, and Canada. A tenth trip to Las Vegas to compete for a world title was looking better. He went to rodeos in the Northwest and finished in the top four at the Washington State Fair in Puyallup. That got him a spot at the Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls where he won $19,000. That moved him from ninth to seventh and he and his family are planning their trip. Caleb and his wife, Brenna, have three children, Cru, Myla, and Chaz. When he’s not at a rodeo he enjoys doing everyday cowboy stuff and is passionate about hunting.