Bullfighters Garica and Mellencamp protecting cowboys in Waterloo, Iowa
Entertainment featuring Stellar Trick Riding Cowgirls and Dustin Jenkins
Waterloo, Iowa (February 17, 2026) — The Waterloo Bull Riding Challenge presented by Coors returns to the National Cattle Congress grounds on Friday, February 20, and Saturday, February 21, with bull riding action beginning at 7 p.m. each night. Doors open at 6 p.m. and Big Bucks ProRodeo and Double S bulls match up with 25 bull riders each night. Friday night is Kid Night, with children under 12 admitted free with a paid adult ticket (one child per adult).
Michael Kane and the Band Greenbrier will perform post‑event both nights in the Pavilion. Free admission for all bull riding ticket holders to attend. Dance only tickets will be sold at the door.
Big Bucks ProRodeo is proud to feature bullfighters Lelo Garcia and Andrew Mellencamp during the weekend show. Both bullfighters add to the excitement in the arena for protecting contestants and entertaining crowds alongside barrel man Dustin “the Jester” Jenkins and the Stellar Trick Riding Cowgirls Kate and Tera Flitton.
Lelo Garcia brings a wealth of experience and accolades to Waterloo, Iowa
Lelo Garcia photograph by Cardena Captures
Garcia and Mellencamp are regulars on the Big Bucks ProRodeo Winter Tour —a multi‑market indoor schedule that transforms entertainment venues into rodeo arenas from late January through April across the Midwest.
Garcia brings 21 years of experience as a bullfighter to the arena. He owns Rocking G fighting bulls in La Sal, Utah. He is a 5x Bullfighters Only World Finals stock contractor, and owner of co-BFO World Finals Bull 806 Chumbawumba. He enjoys spending time with his sons Kyron and Nash outside of the arena. His rodeo resume fills three pages including 2024 placement at the Greeley Stampede AFB. In 2012 he was named Rob Smets and Miles Hare Top Gun Bullfighter. The Bismarck PRCA Rodeo poster featured Garcia in action this past year. He is a regular at the Big Bucks ProRodeo meet and greets along the tour route signing autographs and attending publicity events.
Iowa native Mellencamp dazzles home state fans and shined at the BOA Finals
Photo courtesy of Andrew Mellencamp
Mellencamp is a 3x Bull Riders of America (BOA) Finals bullfighter. Before pursuing bullfighting, Mellencamp built a career as a welder at Altec after attending Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) for welding. Raised on a farm, he was active in Iowa 4‑H, and his agricultural roots run deep. His grandfather raised crops and ran feedlot steers, heifers, and pigs, while Mellencamp raised his own 4‑H steers at home.
His path into bullfighting began when he decided to try the sport while working one day, ultimately attending a Lyle Sankey school in Humansville, Missouri, where he met key mentors and connections that helped launch his career.
Outside the arena, Mellencamp enjoys spending time with his dogs, Santo and Maggie—siblings who are half blue heeler and half mountain cur hound.
Garcia and Mellencamp will bring their focus, athleticism, and passion for the sport to the Waterloo Bull Riding Challenge, ensuring rider protection remains top priority throughout the event.
The Stellar Trick Riding Cowgirls, and Dustin “the Jester” Jenkins, will perform both nights. Kate and Tera Flitton bring high‑speed trick riding and acrobatics to the arena. Jenkins will perform skits, comedy transition and unpredictable antics in and out of the arena.
For event details and updates, visit www.waterloochallenges.com or follow the event on social media @WaterlooBullRidingChallenge.
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