Story byMadison RichmannWed, December 17, 2025 at 11:30 AM UTC·3 min readIf the measure of greatness is reliability on the worlds biggest stages, Virgil’s career stands among the finest the sport of rodeo has ever seen. The iconic big grey gelding, owned by C5 Rodeo Company, had spent nearly a decade setting the standard for what greatness looks like in bucking stock—across disciplines, across venues, and across generations of riders. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRound 10 would be the last time he did it. A Stand Alone CareerVirgil entered the 2025 NFR as the Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year, adding another chapter to a career that includes multiple Horse of the Year titles in both bareback and saddle bronc riding across the United States and Canada. Now 15 years old, Virgil has combined longevity with top performance in a way rarely seen in bucking horses. He made his NFR debut in 2017, immediately leaving his mark. He never relinquished his place among the sport’s most trusted and sought after horses. His ability to excel in both bareback and saddle bronc riding separated him as well.