The Cowboy Capital’s reputation explained

BY BETHANY KILPATRICK / Multimedia Journalist

The city of Stephenville, Texas, is proudly known as the Cowboy Capital of the World, but much of that is attributed to its reputation beyond the cowboy hats and western decor commonly seen within the town. 

According to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Stephenville has the highest number of PRCA cowboys per square foot in the world, which is the most prominent reason for the town’s title. 

Rodeo athletes must apply for their PRCA permit and earn $1,000 in PRCA rodeos to become a PRCA contestant card member. 

Jacobs Crawley, National Finals Rodeo (NFR) 2015 World Champion saddle bronc rider, grew up in Stephenville and calls it home to this day. 

“I do not know the exact number, but this county, the Stephenville area, has the highest concentration of card-holding members of anywhere in the country,” Crawley said. 

Stephenville is home to many successful cowboys and cowgirls. 

“You could almost pick a county road, and I could be like, ‘Alright, there are six or seven (successful cowboys/cowgirls) on that county road, two or three on this county road,’” Crawley said. “There are so many successful rodeo cowboys, I mean especially in the team roping events, and there are a lot in rough stock (events).” 

The success rate only attracts more rodeo athletes to the area. 

“Iron sharpens iron, so these guys that are at the top of their game, they want to come practice with guys that are at the top of their game,” Crawley said. “They want to be pushed if they want to be as good as they can be.” 

Western influencer and Tarleton Rodeo athlete, Sydney Williams, competes in breakaway roping and barrel racing. 

Tarleton Rodeo, known for its highly successful rodeo athletes, contributes to the cowboy reputation. 

“Tarleton has the best rodeo team and truly sets its students up for success,” Williams said. “The number of national titles speak for themselves.”

PRCA card-holding members and Tarleton Rodeo athletes are not the only ones who promote the town’s cowboy culture. 

“Beyond its rodeo scene, Stephenville’s ranching roots play a big part in its title as the Cowboy Capital,” Williams said. “The area has a strong agricultural community with plenty of working ranches that keep the cowboy lifestyle alive.” 

The town is truly booming with its love and support of the western way of life. 

“Local businesses, like western stores and saddle shops, cater to ranchers and rodeo athletes alike,” Williams said. “The town’s tight-knit, supportive community also embraces cowboy traditions, from hosting events to celebrating its rich heritage. All of this adds to Stephenville’s claim as the Cowboy Capital.” 

Lucca Koscho, team-roper for Tarleton Rodeo, is originally from Goiania, Goias, Brazil, and was aware of the culture Stephenville has to offer from over 4,000 miles away. 

“In Brazil, we all know about Stephenville,” Koscho said. “Even though it is not a really big town, it really stands out for being the Cowboy Capital of the World and for people around here being so involved with rodeo.” 

Koscho could not wait to get a taste of the Cowboy Capital for himself.

“One of the main reasons that I chose Tarleton was because of the city, because of Stephenville,” Koscho said. “My expectations were that there would be a lot of opportunities around here, like farming, ranching and roping.” 

Even if one is not quite the cowboy, cowgirl or rancher themselves, there is much to appreciate about Stephenville. 

“They (community members) are going to be around great people,” Crawley said. “I believe that if they get involved in any kind of community, they are going to see that it is a good spot to be, and I think that is why you have a lot of Tarleton kids stick around in the area after they get done with school.”