07/22/2026
Team Mexico relishes competing at NFR Open
Carlos "Chale" Ochoa has spent nearly a decade making the trip north to compete against the best rodeo athletes in North America.
The results matter, but for the 44-year-old steer wrestler and vice president of the Federación Mexicana de Rodeo, the annual journey has become about something larger: proving that Mexico belongs on one of rodeo's biggest stages.
Mexico was represented across eight rodeo disciplines at the 2026 NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo presented by John Deere in Colorado Springs, Colo.
The Team Mexico competitors consisted of Monica Flores (barrel racing), Diana de la Torre (breakaway roping), Armando Rodriguez (bull riding), Chale Ochoa (steer wrestling), Luis Baeza (team roping header), Alvaro de la Torre Jr. (team roping heeler), Sergio Rivera (tie-down roping) and David Dominguez (saddle bronc riding).
The delegation reflects the continued growth of the partnership between the PRCA and Federación Mexicana de Rodeo. Mexico first sent competitors to the National Circuit Finals Rodeo in 2017 in Kissimmee, Fla.
The National Circuit Finals Rodeo was renamed the NFR Open in 2022 and moved to Colorado Springs.
For Ochoa, the NFR Open has become one of the defining goals of every season.
"From 2017 in Kissimmee, that was the first year we had the chance to compete," Ochoa said. "Since then, I've qualified every time we've had a team. We have two goals: the national championship and qualifying for this rodeo because this is the chance we have to compete and really see where we are."
Rather than measuring himself against the contestant in the next box, Ochoa views the experience differently.
"I don't see myself competing against someone," Ochoa said. "It's against my time and my steer. It's just really great for us to be here and compete with these (contestants) who are NFR qualifiers and world champions."
Mexico celebrated a breakthrough in 2019 when Miguel de la Torre captured the All-Around championship at the National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla., becoming the first Mexican competitor to earn the title.
Then in 2024, Héctor Cardona took home the NFR Open Bull Riding title for Team Mexico.
Ochoa believes moments like these changed how athletes back home viewed their potential.
"The first years it was hard because they didn't really believe in it," Ochoa said. "Then they saw Miguel win the all-around and saw team ropers, calf ropers and bull riders win money over here and then Héctor won his championship. They realized, 'We can do it.' They saw it wasn't that far away."
That belief has fueled stronger competition throughout Mexico. With only national champions earning the opportunity to represent their country at the NFR Open, the qualifying process has become increasingly competitive.
"They have to keep going," Ochoa said. "You can't quit going to rodeos. You have to keep trying to finish No. 1 so you can come here."
Each year he returns to Chihuahua, Mexico, determined to share what he learned while also inviting American contestants south to compete in Mexico, strengthening relationships between the two rodeo communities.
"I always do it," Ochoa said. "Every year is different, and every year I try to bring guys from over here to compete over there. When people in Mexico see these rodeos on TV, they want that experience. We try to share it so they're more motivated to come here."
Those connections have become one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.
"With the steer wrestlers, it's like a family," Ochoa said. "When I come back, we feel welcome from them."
Now entering the later stages of his career, Ochoa acknowledges that his competitive days are winding down. He has ridden the same horse for 15 years in Mexico and acknowledges he wishes border restrictions had allowed him to compete aboard the horse that has carried him throughout his career.
Still, whether this year marks his final NFR Open or not, he believes the mission has already succeeded.
"It's getting there," Ochoa said. "It's nine years in a row that I've been coming. I'll always have the memories."
