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March 9, 2019 / Guthrie, Oklahoma – The lessons that Justin Thigpen has gained over the first two days of his first CINCH Timed Event Championship will hopefully be carried over for years to come.

He has held the lead at this year’s “Ironman of ProRodeo” since Friday night’s second round, and he just built onto it Saturday. He has roped, tied and wrestled 20 animals in 261.8 seconds. That’s impressive for anyone, but especially a CTEC rookie.

What’s more impressive is that Thigpen has a nice cushion: A 76.8-second lead over the No. 2 cowboy, five-time titlist K.C. Jones of Burlington, Wyo.

“This is great,” said Thigpen, 35, of Waycross, Georgia. “There are a lot of tough competitors, a lot of world champions here. It’s a learning curve for me. I know some things I should have done better, but you can’t beat yourself up. It’s a 10-round fight, and you’ve just got to go for it every time.”

Right now, he is throwing haymakers at the field. He has placed in three of four rounds – he finished second in Rounds 1 and 2 and won Saturday afternoon’s third round. Heading into Sunday’s final round, he has already pocketed $7,000.

He has a strong background. He is a 19-time world champion in the International Professional Rodeo Association, having earned titles in the all-around, heading, tie-down roping and steer wrestling – those are just three of the five event that make up the CTEC format.

“One thing I’d do different to prepare for this is more steer tripping,” he said of single steer roping. “We practice pretty hard all the time, minus the steer tripping. For me, it’s just to stay after it, trip some more steers and maybe be a contender next year.”

He’s proven to be a contender this year and has been strong in the events in which he competes regular and has managed his way through steer roping and heeling.

“We ride a bunch of horses and train colts around the house, so I get my share of heeling,” he said. “The key here is just to compete on your head of stock. You’re not roping against those other guys. You’re competing on that cow you have in the chute.”

That mentality is paying off quite well for Thigpen. He finished fourth in the fourth round, but only the top three times in each round earn pay. Rhen Richard of Roosevelt, Utah, won Saturday night’s performance, posting a 49.1, the fastest round of the competition.

“This is the best all-around round I’ve ever put together,” said Richard, who has earned $4,000 so far. “I had a good round started three or four times, and I finally finished a round.

“Hopefully we can put a good round together again tomorrow.”

It could make a difference in his final income from this weekend’s championship. He utilized his fast round to move into sixth place in the average. If he were to hold that spot, it would be worth $5,000. Of course, the goal is to come away with the title and the $100,000 top prize.

Right now, though, Thigpen has a pretty sold avenue to earning that.

“This is awesome,” Richard said. “There aren’t many guys that can say they’ve even entered the Timed Event, so it’s a blessing to be here.”

The story in the Jr. Ironman continues to be Kansas cowboy Trevor Meier, who has a cumulative time of 107.3 seconds after eight runs. He has four more runs to make during the final round Sunday morning.

Saturday’s second round was controlled by Hilo Yazzie, who set a Jr. Ironman record with a 39.0-second round. For that, the New Mexico cowboy pocketed $1,000. He also moved to No. 3 in the average with a cumulative time of 131.2 seconds. Should he remain in that spot when the event concludes, he would add $2,000; the winner will earn $10,000, with $5,000 going to the runner-up.

 

Third round: 1. Justin Thigpen, 52.6 seconds, $3,000; 2. Clayton Hass, 60.4, $2,000; 3. Rhen Richard, 61.1, $1,000.
Fourth round: 1. Rhen Richard, 49.1 seconds, $3,000; 2. Cash Myers, 57.1, $2,000; 3. Cody Doescher, 58.0, $1,000
Average leaders: 1. Justin Thigpen, 261.8 seconds; 2. K.C. Jones, 338.6; 3. Cody Doescher, 345.1; 4. Jess Tierney, 348.8; 5. Cash Myers, 359.1; 6. Rhen Richard, 360.0; 7. Erich Rogers, 370.2; 8. Paul David Tierney, 387.7.
Jr. Ironman second round: 1. Hiyo Yazzi, 39.0 seconds, $1,000; 2. Tyler West, 49.3; 3. Trevor
Meier, 57.5.

Jr. Ironman average leaders: 1. Trevor Meier, 107.3 seconds; 2. Dillon ones, 118.3; 3. Hiyo Yazzi, 131.2.

March 8, 2019 / Guthrie, Oklahoma – Justin Thigpen didn’t look much like a replacement on Friday, the opening day of the CINCH Timed Event Championship.

He roped, tied and wrestled 10 animals in 147.8 seconds and owns the average lead after two go-rounds of the “Ironman of ProRodeo.” That’s not too shabby for a man that just learned he was competing two and a half weeks ago.

“This is just what I thought it would be,” said Thigpen, a 19-time International Professional Rodeo Association champion from Waycross, Georgia. “You’ve got to stay focused, stay determined and just do your job. It’s what we grew up wanting to do.

“We rope every day in the practice pens. I compete in three events at just about every rodeo I go to. As far as going one right after the other, I’m just used to it.”

He proved it by being solid over the first two rounds. What’s more, he already has earned money at this year’s CTEC: He put together a 75.7-second round Friday night to finished as the runner-up in the go-round; that was worth $2,000. He was 2.1 seconds being the second-round winner, Marcus Theriot of Poplarville, Mississippi.

“Winning a round is always great,” said Theriot, who is second in the average, 2.4 seconds behind Thigpen. “You get your fees back, but my goals are a lot higher this year. I like being on top. Now it’s time to stick to the plan, be steady and try to make no big mistakes. You just can’t panic, no matter what happens.

“Me and Thigpen are two of the major all-around guys in the Southeast. It’s pretty cool seeing him do good as a rookie.”

The Georgia cowboy definitely isn’t playing the game like a newcomer. In addition to his success in the arena – he’s won IPRA titles in heading, tie-down roping and steer wrestling – he also is a stock contractor that produces IPRA events in the Southeast. This is his first foray into single steer roping.

“I think having the success I’ve had helps,” Thigpen said. “The tripping is the newest thing, but I’m a student of the game. As soon as I found out I was coming, I went to studying and practicing. I want to get more experienced at it.

“Doing all these events day in and day out, you know how to pace yourself and what to look forward to so you don’t have to scramble. Before I left home, Daddy said, ‘You’ve got to bear down and get a time on every run if you want to be successful at the end.’ ”

Through his first 10 runs at his first CINCH Timed Event Championship, Thigpen has accomplished that mission.

 

First round: 1. Jordan Ketscher, 60.7 seconds, $3,000; 2. Justin Thigpen, 72.1, $2,000; 3. Brent Lewis, 73.9, $1,000.

Second round: 1. Marcus Theriot, 73.6 seconds, $3,000; 2 Justin Thigpen, 75.7, $2,000; 3. Clayton Hass, 78.3, $1,000.
Average leaders: 1. Justin Thigpen, 147.8 seconds; 2. Marcus Theriot, 150.2; 3. Cody Doescher, 157.9; 4. Clayton Hass, 168.8; 5. Clay Smith, 170.7; 6. Jordan Ketscher, 181.6; 7. Jess Tierney, 182.2; 8. Erich Rogers, 187.1.
Jr. Ironman first round: 1. Trevor Meier, 49.8, $1,000; 2. Dillon Jones, 54.1; 3. Cole Walker, 55.5.

$2.35 million purse divided between 10 athletes at AT&T Stadium

Arlington, Texas – March 3, 2019 – It’s a cold night in Arlington, Texas but The American’s newly crowned champions brought the heat inside AT&T Stadium. RFD-TV’s 2019 The American Rodeo Finals concluded this evening after the event’s sixth year.

“Putting up two million dollars in two days is very exciting for The American, and I want to thank our new champions for being great champions and showing future athletes how it’s done.” said Randy Bernard.

History was made inside AT&T Stadium in more ways than one. In the bareback riding, Orin Larsen not only got his first $100,000 win at The American, but he did so while setting the new arena record with a 91-point ride. He finished first ahead of four-time world champion Kaycee Feild who earned 88 points in the shootout round. Tilden Hooper and Steven Dent finished third and fourth with 87.75 points and 87 points respectively.

“The best part of The American every year is the athletes.” said Bernard. “To see how wholesome, appreciative and humble they are is special, and we need more athletes like them.”

When RFD-TV created The Junior American and added breakaway roping to The American in 2019, they didn’t intend on having the same champion for both. Madison Outhier finished in the top two of The Junior American, earning her a spot at AT&T Stadium where she won the shootout round, earning her $110,000 for the weekend. The high school sophomore rode her home bred and trained horse to success with a time of 2.29 seconds, and expressed her gratitude for being able to compete in breakaway on a large stage. Finishing second and taking home $25,000 is the only other roper who received a time in the breakaway, Taylor Munsell. Jackie Crawford and Kelsie Chace also competed in the shootout round.

Coleman Proctor celebrated with a smile and fist pump after he finished his run with partner Ryan Motes in the short go of the team roping. The team finished second behind Luke Brown and Paul Eaves, but their time of 4.24 in the shootout round made them the first champions to take their share of the million dollar payout. Although they are no strangers to success, each having qualified four times to the National Finals Rodeo, they qualified through the Semi-Finals and dominated over the invited teams. Brothers Brady and Riley Minor took second place in the shootout round with a time of 4.75.
Ty Erickson repeated his 2016 win at The American this year. His momentum from winning the short go of in 4.33 seconds carried him into the shootout round, where he ran down his steer and $100,000 with an even faster time of 4.20 seconds. The American’s 2014 champion Hunter Cure finished second in both rounds and took home $25,000 with 4.30 second run. Stephen Culling, the only steer wrestler from the Semi-Finals, finished third with 4.61 and Scott Guenthner came in fourth.

As Ryder Wright said while waiting for the final results of the saddle bronc shootout round, no matter the outcome, the win was coming back to Utah. The 2017 PRCA world champion was referring to whether he or his father Cody Wright, the last rider of the shootout round, would take the win. Ryder won the short go with a score of 90.25 and came back to ride to a score of 88.5 in the shootout round, securing his win and $100,000. Second and third place both went to Semi-Finals qualifiers Jake Watson and Mitch Pollock. Fourth went to the exemption rider, Cody Wright, who rode his first bronc in 14 months in the long go.

Ryle Smith won the short go of the tie down roping with an aggregate time of 15.65 but fell short to Caleb Smidt in the shootout round. The 2018 PRCA world champion flanked and tied his calf in 6.97 seconds to win $100,000 and his first American championship. Although Rhen Richard fell short in the shootout round of the team roping just shortly before, he earned second place and $25,000 with a time of 7.35 in the tie down. With a 7.47 second run, Ty Harris took third place and Ryle Smith finished fourth.

When Hailey Kinsel rocked the third barrel, every fan’s heart dropped. When it reset without falling, all of AT&T Stadium erupted. The 2018 world champion Hailey Kinsel continues to be unstoppable. She and her partner SISTER won The American for a second time, finishing the shootout round with a time of 14.217. In 2016 she split the million and this year she won $100,000. Coming in second was Kylie Weast with a time of 14.462. Craig Brooks, the only Semi-Finals qualifier and male rider, won the short go and ran to third place in the shootout round in 15.361 seconds. Amberleigh Moore finished fourth.

The third and final champion eligible for the million dollar payout came from the last event of the night, bull riding. Joao Ricardo Vieira qualified through the Semi-Finals and earned a score of 87 points.

Qualifying in the bareback were Orin Larsen, Tilden Hooper, Kaycee Feild and Steven Dent. In breakaway roping was Kelcie Chace, Jackie Crawford, Madison Outhier and Taylor Munsell. In the Team Roping qualifiers included Luke Brown and Paul Eaves, Coleman Proctor and Ryan Motes, Aaron Tsinigine and Trey Yates, and Riley Minor and Brady Minor. Steer Wrestling qualifiers were Ty Erickson, Hunter Cure, Scott Guenthner and Stephen Culling. Qualifying in the Saddle Bronc was Ryder Wright, Jake Watson, Mitch Pollock and Cody Wright. Tie down roping qualifiers included Ryle Smith, Caleb Smidt, Rhen Richard and Ty Harris. Qualifying in Barrel racing were Craig Brooks, Hailey Kinsel, Kylie Weast and Amberleigh Moore. In the bull riding, three athletes qualified for the shootout round and these were Cody Teel, Joao Ricardo Vieria and Kaique Pacheco.

Finals for The American concluded today at AT&T Stadium. Live results are available at http://www.americanrodeo.com/live-results and photos can be found at https://rfdtv.zenfolio.com/theamerican.

About RFD-TV’s The American, presented by DISH

Taking place at Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium on March 2-3, 2019, RFD-TV’s The American, hosts the richest weekend in Western sports. With $2.35 million on the line, the best athletes in the world will gather in Arlington, Texas to battle for the biggest single paycheck of their lives. The American invites the top athletes from the 2018 PRCA, WPRA and PBR world standings and puts them against everyday cowboys and cowgirls who advance from the American Semi-Finals. If a nationally ranked athlete wins, the prize is $100,000, but if a qualifier from the Semi-Finals – or an athlete who earned an exemption – wins THE AMERICAN, that contestant shares in a $1 million bonus pool. For more information, please visit:www.americanrodeo.com and www.RFDTV.com. Follow us on Twitter: @RFDTVAMERICAN and find us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/RFDTVTheAMERICAN. To buy tickets, go to AmericanRodeo.com

 

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Fans gather at AT&T Stadium to watch athletes compete for a share of the $2.35 million purse

Arlington, Texas – March 2, 2019 – Tonight’s performances solidified the final qualifiers for RFD-TV’s The American Rodeo. On this Texas Independence Day, 132 athletes competed for a chance to win the $2.35 million purse.

“The competition was fiercer than ever tonight at AT&T Stadium as we kicked off the Finals,” said Randy Bernard. “A million dollars is on the line and the best athletes in the world are fighting for it.”

In an extremely close bareback competition in the long go of The American, less than three points separates the top eight qualifiers returning to AT&T Stadium tomorrow. Wyatt Denny and Ty Brueuer split first place, each earning 86.5 points. Just behind them with 85.5 points was former world champion Kaycee Feild. Also returning to compete in the short go are Bill Tutor, Orin Larson, Tilden Hooper, Wyatt Bloom and Steven Dent. Denny and Bloom are the only two who qualified through the Semi-Finals and are eligible for the million dollar payout.

“Tomorrow the world will finally know who will win their share of the $2.35 million.” said Bernard.

The steer wrestling proved to be extremely tough in the first round of The American. Out of 16 athletes only 10 received times, and nine of them were professionals. Winning the round with a 4.48 was Scott Guenthner, and just behind him in second was Ty Erickson with a blazing fast time of 4.65. Hunter Cure is trying to repeat his win from the inaugural American in 2014. He placed third in the long go, finishing in 5.04 seconds. Additionally, Will Lummus, Curtis Cassidy, Stephen Culling, Tyler Waguespack and Nick Guy will also compete in the final round.

Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira leave no doubt that they are some of the best in the team roping pen. The reigning American champions roped their steer in 4.78 seconds and won the first round of The American. Tomorrow’s short go will decide the fate for Driggers, who is trying for his fourth championship in AT&T Stadium. New team Luke Brown and Paul Eaves faced and pulled in 4.90 seconds, securing second place and guaranteeing their spot in the short go tomorrow. Luke Brown is known for winning averages at the National Finals Rodeo, which could give them the advantage in the short go. Four teams will be vying for the win tomorrow and their share of the million dollar payout. Marcus Theriot and Coleby Payne, Coleman Proctor and Ryan Motes, Rhen Richard and Cody Doescher, and Clay Tryan and McCoy Profili all qualified through the Semi-Finals and will be advancing to the short go. Two additional invited teams round out the top eight moving on; Aaron Tsinigine and Trey Yates and brothers Riley and Brady Minor.

The story of the saddle bronc riding is the exemption rider, Cody Wright. Not only did he earn the second highest score of the night riding BARTENDER to a 87.25, he was beat only by his own son Ryder Wright, who scored 89 points aboard RICH-N-FANCY. He came out of retirement after being invited to The American and made the most of the opportunity. Joining Cody Wright in the chase for the million are Jake Watson and Mitch Pollock, who were third and fourth in the round respectively, and Cole Elshere who finished in eighth. Chase Brooks, Wade Sundell and Cort Scheer also qualified back for the short go tomorrow.

The inaugural year of both The American breakaway roping and the Junior American Rodeo have been an excellent opportunity for Sawyer Gilbert. The high schooler qualified for The American after winning the Junior American breakaway and beat every other competitor at AT&T Stadium in the long go with a time of 2.22. Coming in third was another Junior qualifier, Madison Outhier, who roped her calf in 2.5 seconds. Six additional ropers will advance to the short go; Kelcie Chace, Jackie Crawford, Abigail Hampton, Taylor Munsell, Beau Peterson and Paige Abernathy.

The lineup is stacked for the final go of the tie down roping at The American. Six of the eight competing tomorrow are professional cowboys who were invited to AT&T Stadium, including 24 time world champion Trevor Brazile. With a fast time of 6.84 seconds by Jake Pratt, the Semi-Finals qualifiers Riley Pruitt and Bobby Abernathy will have to make their best runs to win their portion of the million dollar payout. Ryle Smith, Tyson Durfey, Caleb Smith and Rhen Richard will also advance to the short go.

Kylie Weast led the barrel racing tonight and stayed in first for the entire event. Although she was invited to The American in tenth place, her time of 14.398 held to win her the short go. In second, Jessie Telford stopped the clock with a time of 14.490. Craig Brooks is the only male barrel racer progressing to the final round of The American after running a time of 14.501. In fourth place was Hailey Kinsel who is no stranger to AT&T Stadium. She and her super mare Sister took home their portion of the million in 2017 after winning the barrel race. Sydni Blanchard is no stranger to success in the rodeo world, but she qualified for The American through the Semi-Finals and competes for the million dollar payout, along with Donna Kay Rule who finished in seventh. Rounding out the top eight are Amberleigh Moore and Taci Bettis. PBR cowboy Chase Outlaw takes the Saturday night win with a 86.25 point ride on bull Johnny Thunder. Five bull riders will advance to the short go; JT Moore, Juao Ricardo Vieira, Will Centoni and Brennon Eldred.

Finals for The American conclude tomorrow at AT&T Stadium. Live results are available at http://www.americanrodeo.com/live-results and photos can be found at https://rfdtv.zenfolio.com/theamerican. Aggregates will be uploaded to The American website, social media channels and app tomorrow morning.

 

About RFD-TV’s The American, presented by DISH

Taking place at Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium on March 2-3, 2019, RFD-TV’s The American, hosts the richest weekend in Western sports. With $2.35 million on the line, the best athletes in the world will gather in Arlington, Texas to battle for the biggest single paycheck of their lives. The American invites the top athletes from the 2018 PRCA, WPRA and PBR world standings and puts them against everyday cowboys and cowgirls who advance from the American Semi-Finals. If a nationally ranked athlete wins, the prize is $100,000, but if a qualifier from the Semi-Finals – or an athlete who earned an exemption – wins THE AMERICAN, that contestant shares in a $1 million bonus pool. For more information, please visit:www.americanrodeo.com and www.RFDTV.com. Follow us on Twitter: @RFDTVAMERICAN and find us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/RFDTVTheAMERICAN. To buy tickets, go to AmericanRodeo.com

 

Fort Worth, Texas – March 1, 2019 – Lives will be changed and champions will be crowned at RFD-TV’s
The American Rodeo as the event returns to Arlington, Texas on March 2-3, 2019. Athletes traveled from
across the U.S. to compete at the Cowtown Coliseum in The American Semi-Finals, which determines
who will have a chance to compete for $2.35 million at AT&T Stadium in The American.
Today concludes the Semi-Finals and the world now knows who will advance to compete at AT&T
Stadium on March 2-3 for a total purse of $2.35 million.
“The stage is set for our sixth annual The American Finals, and we will see in two days who will walk
away a champion,” said Randy Bernard. “The payout from the past five days of competition ranks us in
the top 12 rodeos in the U.S.”
15-time Wrangler National Finals Qualifier Will Lowe is headed to AT&T Stadium to compete for a
chance at one million in The American. Lowe won the short go of the Semi-Finals with an average score
of 169 on two head. The top six competitors from the Semi-Finals will compete in The American. In
addition to Lowe, Garret Shadbolt, Wyatt Denny, Wyatt Bloom, Dantan Bertsch and Clint Laye will come
back for The American long go tomorrow. Stephen Culling will be making his first appearance in AT&T
Stadium after winning The American Semi-Finals short go Steer Wrestling with a time of 4.07. Tomorrow
he will have the opportunity to prove himself against the best in the business and fight for his piece of
the million dollar payout. Joining him in advancing to the Finals will be JD Struxness, Cody Cassidy,
Denver Berry, Dakota Eldridge and Tee Burress who comprise the top six athletes of the short round.
“Athletes advancing to the Finals now have the opportunity of a lifetime to win millions and be crowned
a Western Sports legend in one of the biggest stadiums in the country.” said Bernard.
Marcus Theriot and McCoy Profili may not have the previous success of their fellow Semi-Finals
competitors, but they were the dream team of the short go winning the team roping with a time of 3.79.
With Theriot on the head side and Profili heeling, they will go on to compete against the top 10 teams
from 2018, in addition to the top six teams qualifying from the Semi-Finals; Coleman Proctor and Ryan
Motes, Spencer Mitchell and Russell Cardoza, Rhen Richard and Cody Droscher, Kellan Johnson and
Carson Johnson, and Marcus Theriot, qualifying a second time, with heeler Coleby Payne. It was a great
night for the “Jakes” in the Saddle Bronc Riding. Jake Finlay finished first in the Semi-Finals short go
earning a cumulative score of 168 over two rounds. Finishing behind him in second was Jake Watson
with 163.5 points. Spencer Wright, Layton Green, Mitch Pollock and Cole Elshere round out the top six
from the Semi-Finals and move on to AT&T Stadium for The American Finals.
The breakaway roping just got faster and faster as the rodeo went on tonight in the final Semi-Finals
performance. The crowd erupted when Sawyer Gilbert roped her calf with a time of 2.23 seconds, only
to have that time crushed by Amber Crawford a few competitors later who finished a with a time of
2.16. Not to be beaten, world champion Lari Dee Guy took the lead and finished first in the short go with
a blazing fast time of 2.02 seconds. The top 16 breakaway ropers will move on to compete tomorrow at
The American Finals. Ty Harris made a practice run in the short go of the Semi-Finals tie down roping.
The 2018 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association champion qualified two spots into the final
performance Friday night, but had a no time with his first calf. Undaunted, the young cowboy roped
again just minutes later and showed he was only adding suspense with his first run. He tied his calf in
7.57 seconds and shot to first place, stealing the lead from Riley Pruitt, son of Troy Pruitt, the World
Champion tie down roper in 1990. Also advancing to AT&T Stadium tomorrow are the remaining four of
top six from the Semi-Finals; Haven Meged, Monty Lewis, Bobby Abernathy and Seth Cooke.
The ground was fast tonight as the top two barrel racers from the Semi-Finals came in the final
performance in Cowtown Coliseum. Acey Pinkston ran the best time of the week with a 13.851. Brandon
Cullins represented the men well, coming in second with a time of 13.921. Donna Kay Rule’s time of
13.963 held from the third performance to land her in third place and secured her a spot at AT&T
Stadium tomorrow. The top 10 barrel racers from the Semi-Finals will move on to make their run for the
million dollars.
Finals for The American Rodeo are March 2-3 at AT&T Stadium. Live results are available at
http://www.americanrodeo.com/live-results and photos can be found at
https://rfdtv.zenfolio.com/theamerican . Aggregates will be uploaded to The American website, social
media channels and app tomorrow morning.
About RFD-TV’s The American, presented by DISH
Taking place at Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium on March 2-3, 2019, RFD-TV’s The American,
hosts the richest weekend in Western sports. With $2.35 million on the line, the best athletes in
the world will gather in Arlington, Texas to battle for the biggest single paycheck of their lives.
The American invites the top athletes from the 2018 PRCA, WPRA and PBR world standings and
puts them against everyday cowboys and cowgirls who advance from the American Semi-Finals.
If a nationally ranked athlete wins, the prize is $100,000, but if a qualifier from the Semi-Finals –
or an athlete who earned an exemption – wins THE AMERICAN, that contestant shares in a $1
million bonus pool. For more information, please visit: www.americanrodeo.com and
www.RFDTV.com . Follow us on Twitter: @RFDTVAMERICAN and find us on
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RFDTVTheAMERICAN . To buy tickets, go to AmericanRodeo.com
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Contestants move forward for a chance at the $2.35 million purse

Fort Worth, Texas  – February 28, 2019 – Lives will be changed and champions will be crowned at RFD-TV’s The American Rodeo as the event returns to Arlington, Texas on March 2-3, 2019. Athletes traveled from across the U.S. to compete at Cowtown Coliseum in The American Semi-Finals, which determines who will have a chance to compete for $2.35 million at AT&T Stadium in The American.

Today concludes the second day of the Semi-Finals and is the start of who will advance to compete at AT&T Stadium on March 2-3 for a total purse of $2.35 million.

“The excitement continues to grow at Cowtown Coliseum,” said Randy Bernard. “The competition has noticeably heightened. We have one day left to see who will compete at The American.”

In tonight’s events, Garrett Shadbolt rode bareback bronc AMERICAN GRAFFITTI for 84.5 points and to the top of the leaderboard on night two. The bareback riders came to win tonight, with Daylon Swearingen taking a 82.5 ride on BEAR NAKED for second place and Casey Colletti finishing just behind him in third with 82 points on WHITCHY WOMAN. In the steer wrestling, Bridger Anderson threw down his steer for the fastest time of the second performance with a 3.99. Justin Shaffer was hot on his heels with a 4.5 and JD Struxness, who came in third, had a 4.72.

“Athletes and fans alike are that much closer to The American, the weekend they’ve been waiting for all year long,” said Bernard.

When the flag dropped for Dustin Morgan and Nick Rowland in the team roping, they shot to the lead in the second performance with a 5.01. The most successful cowboy of all time, Trevor Brazile, turned a steer for his heeler, Billie Jack Saebens, and the team stopped the clock with a time of 5.28, finishing in second place. Finishing third with a 6.12 was Spencer Mitchell on the head side with Russell Cardoza heeling. In the saddle bronc, Layton Green rode saddle bronc PULP FICTION for eight seconds and earned a score of 81.75, winning the second performance of the Semi-Finals. Aboard SNAKE STOMPER, former world champion Spencer Wright rode to a score of 81. Half a point behind, Wyatt Casper finished third in the performance with a score of 80.5.

In the breakaway roping, Taylor Munsell’s horse came to a stop at a time of 2.65 to put her in first place of the second performance. Lari Dee Guy proved her winning reputation, finishing second with a time of 3.62. Coming in third was Kelsey Espensen, roping her calf in 3.64 seconds.

The second night of tie down roping proved to have the fastest cowboy yet, Ty Harris, who topped the leaderboard of both performances with a 7.46. Landyn Duncan finishes second with an 8.03. In a tie for third and fourth place were Braden Harris and Monty Lewis, both tying their calves in 8.89 seconds. The men showed the women what they are made of in performance two of the barrel racing. Craig Brooks laid down the fastest time of the night with a 14.104. Michael Duffie turned the third and hustled home to stop the clock with a time of 14.163. Just three thousandths of a second behind him was Sydni Blanchard, running a 14.166 which was good for third place.

The bull riding in performance two brought only one qualified ride, Sean Willingham, who rode CHECKMATE for the full eight seconds to bring a score of 77.50.

Semi-Finals for The American Rodeo are now through Friday, March 1 in the Fort Worth Stockyards at Cowtown Coliseum. Finals for The American Rodeo are March 2-3 at AT&T Stadium. Live results are available at http://www.americanrodeo.com/live-results

TUCSON, Ariz. – Daylon Swearingen didn’t have time to stick around La Fiesta de los Vaqueros after his bull ride Feb. 24. He had a plane to catch back to Texas.

Then his phone died, so he couldn’t get updates on results from Tucson, Ariz. It wasn’t until he boarded the plane that he could charge his phone. And by then he didn’t have cell service.

Once he powered it on upon landing, the 19-year-old noticed multiple text messages. All of them said essentially the same thing: Congrats on winning Tucson.

Swearingen rode Rocky Mountain Rodeo’s Fat Pat for 87.5 points in the finals at Tucson to give him a two-head average of 174.5 points and the win at La Fiesta de los Vaqueros.

“I didn’t stay for the whole thing, I had a flight to catch,” Swearingen said. “I packed up my stuff. I watched most of them (the bull riders). I didn’t want to miss the flight. I knew 100 percent that I had won just a couple minutes ago when I turned my phone on and saw my parents had texted me.

“It feels good. I was happy to draw two good bulls.”

Swearingen, a rookie who also competes in bareback riding, won the first round with 87 points on Salt River Rodeo’s Rocky Road. That, coupled with finishing second in the finals and winning the average, had Swearingen earning $7,758.

His earnings had him on the bubble at 16th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $16,598. Making the Top 15 and booking a trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December is Swearingen’s ultimate goal.

“Right now, I’m trying to find somebody to travel with and go with,” said Swearingen, who entered Sunday eighth in the world standings in All-Around. “I want to try and make the NFR.”

Swearingen is in his first year at Panola College in Carthage, Texas. He competes in bareback riding, bull riding and saddle bronc riding for the Ponies. And while he’s committed to college rodeo, he’s also committed to ProRodeo.

He will compete in The American Semifinals with the goal of qualifying for The American Finals. Last year he was at The American Semifinals in one event. This year, he’s qualified in bareback riding and bull riding.

“It was pretty exciting to know that this could take me to AT&T Stadium where I could win a million dollars and The American,” he said about 2018. “That’s even better (that the money at The American counts toward the world standings this year). I love riding bulls and I get to go in both events. Being there in both events makes it a little more exciting too.”

He’s also headed to Kissimmee, Fla., for the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo (March 21-24) for the second consecutive season.

If he does well in Arlington and in Kissimmee, Swearingen could be headed to Vegas.

“Rookie of the Year is one of my goals,” he said. “But if I make the NFR – and that’s the main goal – then Rookie of the Year should fall the right way, and it will have meant I have done my job.”

Other winners at the $316,320 rodeo were All-Around winner Rhen Richard ($7,909 in tie-down roping and team roping); bareback rider Ty Breuer (170.5 points on two head); steer wrestler Wade Steffen (11.6 seconds on two head); team ropers JoJo LeMond/Trey Yates (18.8 seconds on three head); saddle bronc rider Jesse Kruse (172.5 points on two head); tie-down roper Richard (32.6 seconds on three head); and barrel racer Lisa Anderson (35.97 seconds on two runs).

SAN ANTONIO (Feb.22, 2019) – For the first time in over two decades, a barrel racer has won consecutive titles at the San Antonio Rodeo, and she just happens to live a couple of hours away from the arena.

Hailey Kinsel from Cotulla, Texas, qualified for the San Antonio Rodeo for the first time in 2018 and earned the championship. She went on to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) where she again left in the top spot. The newly crowned world champion barrel racer made her second appearance at the 70^th annual San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and again won a title.

Riding her great mare DM Sissy Hayday that she calls “Sister,” she stopped the clock in 14.02 seconds on Saturday night, just two-one hundredths of a second faster than Shali Lord of Lamar, Colorado. Kinsel added $15,000 to her previous earnings and left the Alamo City with $29,500. She earned the championship at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo two weeks ago and is becoming the one to beat everywhere she goes. Coming into San Antonio’s rodeo, Kinsel was fourth in the world standings, but with her earnings here, she will get a big boost.

Another contestant that got the same boost is Orin Larsen from Inglis, Manitoba. Larsen also earned a championship here in 2016. He competed at the NFR last December and injured his knee. San Antonio’s rodeo was his first one back. In the first-ever draft for the finals, Larsen got to choose the horse he would ride. He picked Frontier Rodeo’s Full Baggage and had an outstanding effort that led to a 92.5-point ride. Larsen’s total earnings were $29,500.

Four-time world champion J.W. Harris was the first bull rider to pick in the draft. There was no hesitation about the bull that he wanted to get on in the finals. Harris picked the notorious Sweet Pro’s Bruiser from Powder River Rodeo. The bull has been at the top of his game and was chosen the best bull of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in 2017. It was the right pick for Harris. He scored 92.5 points, won $15,000 and had total earnings of $25,250.

Reigning world champion saddle bronc rider Wade Sundell picked a horse that he was familiar with, had been over 90 points on previously and couldn’t wait to get on again. It panned out just the way he had hoped. Sundell got on Frontier Rodeo’s Medicine woman and when the judges added up their scores, he had a 92 by his name. That effort got the Boxholm, Iowa, native $15,000 and total earnings of $26,500.

Team ropers Tate Kirchenschlager of Yuma, Colo., and Ross Ashford, of Lott, Texas, had the biggest win of their career in the AT&T Center. They stopped the clock in 4.7 seconds Saturday night. The $15,000 that they earned their brought the total money up to $25,750 each.

Shane Hanchey from Sulphur, Louisiana, can take the San Antonio off of his bucket list now. The tie-down roper has won nearly every rodeo in North America, has qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo nine times and left with the gold buckle awarded to the world’s best in 2018. Hanchey had a 7.2-second run and earned $23,500.

Tyler Waguespack has won two world titles and had some success here in the past, but never earned the title. He changed that this year with a 3.5 second run. The Gonzales, Louisiana resident earned $22,750. Along with their earnings, each of the champions got a new San Antonio Rodeo trophy buckle and a $5,000 gas card.

This year’s rodeo and Xtreme Bulls competition paid over $1.6 million to contestants. Plans are already being made for next year’s events which are expected to again attract the top rodeo athletes in the country.

 

###

2019 San Antonio Rodeo Champions

Bareback Riding – Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba, $29,500

Steer Wrestling – Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, Louisiana, $22,750

Team Roping – Tate Kirchenshlager, Yuma, Colorado and

Ross Ashford, Lott, Texas, $25,750 each

Saddle Bronc Riding – Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa, $26,500

Tie-Down Roping – Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, Louisiana, $23,500

Barrel Racing – Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas, $29,500

Bull Riding – J.W. Harris, Goldthwaite, Texas, $25,250

 

 

 

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Feb. 23, 2019) — The following are results after the 20th performance of the San Antonio Stock Show Rodeo, the 14-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year. Full results are available at sarodeo.com.

 

Finals followed by total money — 

 

Bareback Riding: 1, Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba, 92.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Full Baggage, $15,000. 2, Richmond Champion, The Woodlands, Texas, 92, $12,000. 3, Connor Hamilton, Calgary, Alberta, 90, $7,500. 4, Tilden Hooper, Carthage, Texas, 88.5, $4,500. (total money) 1, Larsen, $29,500. 2, Champion, $22,875. 3, Hooper, $15,417. 4, Hamilton, $12,750.

 

Steer Wrestling: 1, Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La., 3.5 seconds, $15,000. 2, Chason Floyd, Buffalo, S.D., 3.6, $12,000. 3, Tanner Milan, Cochrane, Alberta, 4.2, $7,500. 4, (tie) Scott Guenthner, Provost, Alberta, and Justin Shaffer, Hallsville, Texas, 4.4 and $2,250 each. (total money) 1, Waguespack, $22,750. 2, Floyd, $20,875. 3, Milan, $16,500. 4, Shaffer, $10,750.

 

Team Roping: 1, Tate Kirchenschlager, Yuma, Colo., and Ross Ashford, Lott, Texas, 4.7 seconds, $15,000. 2, Luke Brown, Rock Hill, S.C., and Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo., 5.4, $12,000. 3, Riley Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., and Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 6.3, $7,500. 4, Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas, and Billie Jack Saebens Nowata, Okla., 9.9, $4,500. (total money) 1, Kirchenschlager and Ashford, $25,750. 2, Brown and Eaves, $19,750. 3, Minor and Minor, $14,250. 4, Wade and Saebens, $12,750.

 

Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa, 92 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Medicine Woman, $15,000. 2, Ryder Wright, Milford, Utah, 91, $12,000. 3, (tie) Rusty Wright, Milford, Utah,  and Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta, 90 points and $6,000 each. (total money) 1, Sundell, $26,500. 2, Ryder Wright, $21,083. 3, Thurston, $18,250. 4, Bradley Harter, Loranger, La., $14,500.

 

               Tie-Down Roping: 1, Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La., 7.2 seconds, $15,000. 2, Tyson Durfey, Brock, Texas, 7.5, $12,000. 3, Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont., 7.8, $7,500. 4, Taylor Santos, Creston, Calif., 8.2, $4,500. (total money) 1, Hanchey, $23,500. 2, Durfey, $20,000. 3, Meged, $17,500. 4, Santos, $11,250.

 

Women’s Barrel Race: 1, Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas, 14.02 seconds, $15,000. 2, Shali Lord, 14.04, $12,000. 3, Kathy Grimes, Medical Lake, Wash., 14.07, $7,500. 4, Dona Kay Rule, Minco, Okla., 14.10, $4,500. (total money) 1, Kinsel, $29,500. 2, Lord, $20,500. 3, Grimes, $14,375. 4, Rule, $14,250.

 

Bull Riding: 1, J.W. Harris, Goldthwaite, Texas, 92.5 points on Sweet Pro’s Bruiser, $15,000. 2, Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, Idaho, 90, $12,000. 3, Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah, 89, $7,500. 4, Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas, 88, $4,500. (total money) 1, Harris $25,250. 2, Frost, $22,500. 3, Jarboe, $19,750. 4, Joseph McConnel, Bloomfield, N.M., $14,500.

 

About the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo:
Established in 1949, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, winner of the PRCA Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year for an unprecedented 14 consecutive times, has grown to be one of the largest and most prestigious single events in the city, with over 2 million visitors entering the grounds each year. The success of the organization is attributed to over 6,000 volunteers who give countless hours to the organization. With community, donor and volunteer support, the organization has donated over $198 million to the youth of Texas through scholarships, grants, endowments, auctions, a calf scramble program and show premiums. For more information, visit sarodeo.com.

Thursday February 7^th Deb Copenhaver went to his eternal home.

He peacefully passed in his sleep following a full life of living and giving back.

He was born January 21, 1925 in Wilbur, Washington.   At the outbreak of WWII at the age of 16 he enlisted in the Navy and was deployed to North Africa serving in the SeaBee’s construction battalion building air strips.

Upon returning home he began   a successful career in Professional Rodeo where he achieved two Worlds Championships in 1955 and 1956.

His record of accomplishments is listed in the Cowboy Hall of Fame, Oklahoma City and the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, Colorado Springs among others including the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture in Spokane.

He was named Inland Empire Athlete of the Year in 1955.

The American Quarter Horse Association honored him for his contributions for over 60 years to the quarter horse industry. During those years, he started Sunrise Quarter Horse Race Track in Spokane, Rimrock Meadows Race Track in Ephrata, WA and Meadow Creek Race Track in British Columbia.

Following his retirement from rodeo, he established Deb’s Café, a country music restaurant and dance hall in Creston WA that drew patrons from all over the Northwest. Simultaneously he formed Copenhaver Construction with his sons Guy and Matt. Through their management skills the company has expanded throughout the Northwest.

Deb joined his son Pastor Jeff Copenhaver (1975 World Champion Calf Roper) in a dream to build a log church in Granbury Texas.  He helped finance and facilitate Frontier Cowboy Church in 1994.

In 1999 he and his wife Cheryl built the Roadside Chapel in Creston Washington on Hwy 2 where travelers stop to contemplate and pray.   For 25 Years they held an annual Christian Cowboy Camp Meeting in their indoor arena.  Hundreds were baptized in the water trough.

For the last 9 years he has supported his daughter Kellie, founder of Grace So Amazing Ministries in Haiti.

His impact on his daughter Deborah Fellows helped shape her love of horses and the west that can be seen in her art.

He is survived by elder sister Norma Echelbarger,

his five children

Deborah Copenhaver Fellows and Fred

Jeff Copenhaver and Sherry

Guy Copenhaver and Vallesha

Kellie Copenhaver Hurt and Fred

Mat Copenhaver and Kalo

 

 

and nine grandchildren

Fabienne Fellows Averill and Brian

Shandy Copenhaver Stromberg and Cody

Madeline Hurt Recker and Jeff

FP Hurt and Colleen

Benton Hurt

Machaella Copenhaver and Justin

Savanna, Elizabeth and Beau Copenhaver

 

and eleven great grandchildren.

 

Services with will be held at   11:00 Feb 16th

Life Center

1202 West Government Way,

Spokane 99224

 

Memorial donations can be sent to:

Copenhaver’s Road side Chapel Preservation Fund

P.O. Box 109

Creston, WA 99117