The Texas Circuit Finals kicks off the first WPRA Circuit Finals run of the year annually, and the 2025 installment saw Alyssa Urbanek-Wade and Jordan Driver lock up the circuit titles and 2026 NFR Open positions.

In her first season truly committing to the Texas circuit, Alyssa Urbanek-Wade never imagined she’d end 2025 as the Texas Circuit year-end champion. The Stephenville, Texas, cowgirl and her standout gelding Martinis at Midnight, known as “Tito,” put together a year defined by steady growth, gritty travel miles, and heart.

“This was the first year I’d ever really gone hard,” Urbanek-Wade said. “I’ve always wanted to make circuit finals, but I didn’t expect to win (the year-end)—especially this year. Tito tried his heart out for me all season.”

That try carried them through a year of setbacks and comebacks. Urbanek-Wade purchased Tito in spring 2024, but their start was anything but smooth. After only a few weeks together, he suffered a fractured piece in his stifle joint, sidelining him for six months. When he returned, he picked up right where they’d left off—winning a local jackpot his first run back, then qualifying for San Antonio shortly after at the Uvalde qualifier.

That qualifier launched their breakout season. From Denver to San Antonio to San Angelo, Tito’s consistency and confidence in the coliseums kept them near the top of the World standings all spring. He made back-to-back semifinal appearances in the winter run, finished as the reserve champion at San Angelo to help himself out in the circuit in a big way.

“San Antonio and San Angelo were really where he shined,” Urbanek-Wade said. “He loves those indoor setups with the crowd and the walls. He’s not a tall horse, but he’s built like a tank and has so much presence. Those kinds of rodeos fit him.”

The summer run brought its share of challenges. Long hauls, tough ground, and near-miss placings tested Urbanek-Wade’s patience. “There was a month where I didn’t win hardly anything,” she said. “We were just a couple holes out everywhere. It wasn’t easy.”

By late summer, she regrouped at home in Stephenville and leaned on Marne and Bob Loosenort for help. Marne had futuritied Tito and knew him best. “They know Tito so well, and they’ve helped me a ton,” she said. “We got things lined back out and finished the season strong.”

Urbanek-Wade ultimately ended the WPRA year ranked No. 1 in the Texas Circuit standings, earning her first career circuit title and a spot at the 2026 NFR Open in Colorado Springs.

“Tito’s never been a rodeo horse before,” she said. “To go from being a futurity and derby horse to hauling all year and holding up like he did—I’m so proud of him. He’s got the biggest personality, and he truly loves what he does.”

Tito’s personality also shines through.

“He’s a character,” Urbanek-Wade laughed. “He thinks it’s funny to scare the gate guys in the alleyway and show off for the crowd. He knows he’s special.”

Urbanek-Wade credits her husband, family, and team of vets, farrier, and others for keeping Tito sound and competitive through the grind. “It takes a lot of people behind the scenes to make it happen,” she said. “I’m lucky to have that support.”

With the circuit year wrapped and Tito earning some well-deserved downtime, the pair is already eyeing the 2026 winter rodeos, including their first trip to the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

Jordan Driver Takes Texas Circuit Finals aggregate

• Judge JB Cash, Jordan Driver Take $21,500 Out of Rodeo Corpus Christi
• Unstoppable: Jordan Driver Changes Horses, Sweeps San Diego Rodeo for $31,000 Weekend

Meanwhile, Jordan Driver showed out in a big way to win the Texas Citcuit Finals aggregate at the October 7-10, 2025 in Waco, Texas. Driver earned the $4,661 victory on four runs in 62.83 seconds thanks to the efforts of Judge JB Cash, her 2017 gelding by Judge Cash out of Bevs AA Whiz Kid x PC Bar Doc Frost.

After blowing out a massive abscess just weeks before the circuit finals, Driver was forced to return home after an impressive season of ProRodeo, where she landed No. 26 in the WPRA World Standings when the dust settled.

At the circuit finals, he was back full throttle and reminded the audience why he’s earned the reputation of a dangerously consistent unit. Judge placed in three out of four rounds with Driver, earning $9,322 in total on the weekend. The duo also punched Driver’s ticket to Colorado Springs in July 2026 for the Pikes Peak or Bust NFR Open, where she’ll square off against the other American ProRodeo Circuits, plus Canada and Mexico.

Driver thanked an extensive support system on her social media channels after the win.

Texas Circuit Finals barrel racing results

First round: 1. Tricia Aldridge, 15.86 seconds, $2,330; 2. (tie) Makenzie Mayes and Alyssa Urbanek-Wade, 15.89, $1,456 each; 4. Cheyenne Wimberley, 15.92, $583. Second round: 1. Gracen Harman, 15.68 seconds, $2,330; 2. Jordan Driver, 15.72, $1,748; 3. Keyla Costa, 15.81, $1,165; 4. Tricia Aldridge, 15.84, $583. Third round: 1. Gracen Harman, 15.36 seconds, $2,330; 2. Makenzie Mayes, 15.49, $1,748; 3. Jordan Driver, 15.51, $1,165; 4. Tricia Aldridge, 15.54, $583. Fourth round: 1. Gracen Harman, 15.48 seconds, $2,330; 2. Jordan Driver, 15.55, $1,748; 3. Tricia Aldridge, 15.83, $1,165; 4. Alyssa Urbanek-Wade, 16.00, $583. Average: 1. Jordan Driver, 62.83 seconds on four head, $4,661; 2. Tricia Aldridge, 63.07, $3,496; 3. Keyla Costa, 64.20, $2,330; 4. Alyssa Urbanek-Wade, 64.21, $1,165.

Texas Circuit 2025 year-end standings