Launched in 2022, the Smarty Rodeo Collegiate Program bridges the gap between youth and professional rodeo. Through our Collegiate Training Program, we equip college teams with the tools and resources to succeed, while the Collegiate Team supports student athletes directly as they prepare for the next level. Our mission is simple: cultivate champions in and out of the arena.

Smarty Rodeo Collegiate Training Program

The Smarty Rodeo Collegiate Program works directly with college rodeo teams to strengthen their programs and support their athletes. By providing industry-leading training tools, valuable resources, and marketing support, we help teams elevate their performance and presence. Our goal is to help student athletes excel in every aspect of college life and build champions in the arena, the classroom, and beyond. 

Participating Colleges

Supporting Collegiate Athletes on Their Path to the Pros 

The Smarty Rodeo Collegiate Team provides a platform for student-athletes to transition smoothly into the professional arena or workplace. By fostering relationships and offering mentorship from seasoned rodeo athletes and industry professionals, we bridge the gap between aspiring collegiate athletes and the professional circuit, creating a continuous pathway for future champions. 

Selected students gain unique opportunities to connect with other rodeo athletes and professionals, while also benefiting from resources designed to support growth in and out the arena. This includes performance enhancement coaching, mental toughness development, guidance toward internship or career opportunities, and an invitation to our Athlete Summit at Smarty Rodeo headquarters in Mount Pleasant, TX. 
Meet the Team Alumni Team
The Collegiate Team is a one-year commitment spanning the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters, requiring participation in monthly calls and promotions. Members represent Heel-O-Matic, Smarty Training, and Smarty Supply Co. brands, maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, and must be enrolled in a college, university, junior college, or trade school during the 2025–2026 academic year. 

Applications for the next team (Fall 2026–Spring 2027) will open in the summer of 2026. 
Abby Barnes

Abby Barnes

Programs Manager

"At Smarty Rodeo, we know how important it is to support the next generation of rodeo athletes. Our goal is to help collegiate rodeo programs access the training tools and resources they need, while also providing guidance that helps student athletes succeed not only in the arena, but in their professional careers as well. We’re proud to play a part in paving the way for their growth and building the foundation for the future of rodeo."
abby.barnes@smartyrodeo.com