JUSTIN RUMFORD

BARRELMAN

Rodeo Rapid City is excited to welcome back Justin Rumford, one of the most decorated PRCA barrelmen in rodeo history!

PRCA Clown of the Year: Rumford has won this prestigious title ten times, consecutively from 2012 to 2021.

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Coors Man in the Can: He earned this honor in 2013, 2015, and 2018, recognizing his excellence as a barrelman and entertainer.

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National Finals Rodeo (NFR): Rumford worked the NFR in 2014 and served as an alternate in 2012 and 2013.

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A third-generation rodeo cowboy originating from Abbyville, Kansas, Rumford brings a rich family legacy and unmatched energy to every performance. His humor, timing, and crowd connection have made him a fan favorite across the country.

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The only difference between Justin Rumford and a stand-up comedian, is that he’s doing his job from the middle of a rodeo arena instead of a stage with a spotlight. Rumford, who lives in Ponca City, Okla., is a rodeo clown at events from coast to coast. His job during the rodeo is twofold. He provides the laughs and banters with the announcer. But during the bull riding his more dangerous job begins. Rumford is a barrelman: the cowboy who works the barrel, providing an oasis of safety for bullfighters and bull riders, in case an angry bull decides to chase them.

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 Rumford grew up in a rodeo family and competed in junior high, high school and college rodeo. He was a full time steer wrestler, but then blew out his knee.  While he recovered, he worked as an assistant rodeo coach at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford. After his knee healed, he helped with the Cody (Wyo.) Night Rodeo for three seasons, then began as a livestock truck driver for North Platte’s stock contractor, Bennie Beutler of Beutler and Son Rodeo. He never considered being a full time rodeo clown, but after a few tries as clown, he changed his mind. “I worked the Pretty Prairie (Kan.) bull riding, and they gave me a good check And I thought, why the heck am I working so hard for not much a week when I can make more than that in a night? So I jumped ship for the clown life.”

Catch Justin in action at Rodeo Rapid City, presented by Brink Constructors, Inc. January 30 – February 7, 2026 at The Monument, Rapid City, SD. 

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One of the top PRCA rodeos in the country, Rodeo Rapid City has been nominated 25 times for PRCA’s “Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year,” winning in 2002, 2003, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024—and again in 2025!

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Over $200,000 in prize money is up for grabs as more than 600 elite PRCA contestants compete in all seven rodeo events. Expect World Champions, Wrangler National Finals qualifiers, and Badlands Circuit Champions.

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Event Schedule:

Fri, Jan 30 @ 7:30 PM – PRCA Xtreme Bulls

Sat, Jan 31 @ 7:30 PM – PRCA Xtreme Bronc Riding

Sun, Feb 1 @ 1:00 PM – 20X High School Rodeo

Mon–Thurs @ 10:00 AM – PRCA Timed Event Slack

Mon–Wed (after slack) – Bareback & Saddle Bronc Permit Sessions – Free Admission!

Thurs–Sat Rodeo Performances:

• Feb 5 @ 7:30 PM

• Feb 6 @ 7:30 PM

• Feb 7 @ 1:30 PM & 7:30 PM

Rodeo Personnel Highlights

• Will Rasmussen – 8X PRCA Announcer of the Year Nominee

• Garrison Allen – 2X Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo Announcer

• Justin Rumford – NFR Barrelman, 10X Clown of the Year, 3X Coors Man in the Can

• Rider & Bethany Kisner – 8X NFR Specialty Act of the Year, PRCA Dress Act of the Year

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Tickets Available at The Monument Call 1-800-468-6463 or visit The Monument Box Office. More info: Rodeo Rapid City | The Monument

Produced by Sutton Rodeo – Onida, SD Sixth-generation rodeo company founded in 1926, now celebrating 100 years of rodeo production!  Sutton Rodeo is known for producing award-winning PRCA events, legendary bucking stock and Hall of Fame Stock Contractors James Sutton Sr. and James “Jim” Sutton Jr.