Solving the problem of what to watch on television for rodeo fans
By Teal Stoll
Not sure what to watch? No problem! I am constantly learning of documentaries, movies, and series that relate to the western way of life. Stay tuned for part 2 of this series, as I continue to discover more.
Religion of Sports: The New West
Beginning with one of my favorites, Religion of Sports took an inside look at rodeo in 2017. Featuring barrel racers Fallon Taylor, Ivy Saebens, and bull rider Sage Kimzey, the hour long documentary is very well-produced. In my opinion, the crew did an incredible job of capturing the grit and glory of rodeo. Covering a key time during the summer run, athletes are in the midst of competing at the Calgary Stampede. The New West is available on Vimeo and can be watched for free.
Cowboy Cartel
A four-part series only available on Apple TV, Cowboy Cartel is an unbelievable true story about a rookie FBI agent and a multimillion-dollar money laundering scheme. As you may have anticipated from the title, the Los Zetas cartel had been using American Quarter Horse Racing to “clean” money. This is an absolute must watch as one agent’s hunch leads him into the heart of one of the most feared cartels in Mexico.
Unfiltered
In 2020, Fallon Taylor did something unique — which is also a good way to summarize the lifelong cowgirl. The original four-part series is available for free on YouTube and documents a behind the scenes version of Taylor’s life. As one of the most public and well-known professional rodeo athletes, Taylor has amassed a huge following on social media. While her usual content covers her daily life, Taylor revealed just how much of her personal life she keeps private in Unfiltered. I highly recommend this series for anyone who needs a little inspiration.
Journey to the NFR
Documenting life on the road for 365 days, Cole Harris, cousin of tie down ropers, Ty and Joel, captured an in-depth look at rodeoing for living. Specifically focusing on the tie down roping, the hour long documentary is free on YouTube. Interviewing some of the best in the business, the film provides an intimate portrait of elite athletes like Shane Hanchey, Shad Mayfield, and Tuf Cooper.
All the Queen’s Horses
If you like true crime and horses, this is the one for you. A shocking true story of white collar crime in a small town, the documentary tells the tale of how one woman stole $53 million in the largest case of municipal fraud in American history. Don’t worry, it does tie into horses. How else would one person spend $53 million? The roughly hour long documentary is available for free on several platforms, including Amazon Prime.
Fearless
A 2016 series, Netflix produced the six-part documentary about Professional Bull Riders. Inspired by the journey of Adriano Moraes, a group of young Brazilian cowboys traveled to the United States to try their hand at becoming the best bull rider in the world. Featuring Ty Murray, Moraes, J.B. Mauney, Silvano Alves, Kaique Pacheco, Guilherme Marchi, and Robson Palermo, the show provided a unique look at the lives of PBR cowboys as they battle to compete at the PBR World Championships.
The Ride
In 2023, Amazon Prime debuted an eight-episode series showcasing the first team series in the PBR. Raw and honest, the series provides the deepest access PBR has ever allowed an outside film crew. The documentary showcases Jose Vitor Leme, Ezekiel Mitchell, Dakota Louis, Boudreaux Campbell, Daylon Swearingen, Chase Outlaw, Eli Vastbinder, Michael Gaffney, Jerome Davis, and Cord McCoy.