RodeoHouston® BP SUPER SERIES V CHAMPION CLAIMED LAST SEMIFINALIST SPOTS — MARCH 18, 2014 — HOUSTON — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Fans watched RodeoHouston BP Super Series V competitors earn their spots in the Semifinal rounds March 19 and 20. Winners are one step closer to capturing the $50,000 and being named 2014 RodeoHouston Champions.
TIE-DOWN ROPING
Tie-Down Roping Champion Jake Pratt, who credited his win to a good calf, said it takes hard work and discipline to get to the top.
“Practice makes perfect,” Pratt said. “Practice pays off.”
Advancing to Semifinal Round:
Jake Pratt — Semifinal #1— $10,000
Jerome Schneeberger — Semifinal #2 — $3,050
Ryan Watkins — Semifinal #1 — $2,500
Mike Johnson— Semifinal #2 — $1,950
BAREBACK RIDING
Cody Demers was named Bareback Riding Champion of BP Super Series V. He said winning this series put the championship title in sight.
“It’s a chance at $50,000. It’s one step closer,” Demers said. “We are just going to keep cracking away and having fun, and we will see what happens.”
Advancing to Semifinal Round:
Cody Demers — Semifinal #2— $6,850
Jake Vold — Semifinal #2 — $3,500
Tilden Hooper — Semifinal #1 — $3,450
Kyle Bowers— Semifinal #1 — $3,300
TEAM ROPING
Duo Matt Sherwood and Dugan Kelly moved on to the semifinals after achieving the quickest time tonight, despite a difficult steer.
“Teamwork is very important,” Sherwood said. “With my partner helping me…the steer went from very difficult to pretty easy.”
Advancing to Semifinal Round:
Matt Sherwood and Dugan Kelly — Semifinal #1— $14,400
Aaron Tsinigine and Kory Koontz — Semifinal #1 — $10,600
Spencer Mitchell and Radon Adams — Semifinal #2 — $8,600
Jesse Sheffield and Matt Zancanella— Semifinal #2 — $3,000
SADDLE BRONC RIDING
Houston Rookie Will Smith claimed the title of RodeoHouston BP Super Series V Saddle Bronc Champion. Smith said his success was an added bonus to qualifying at Houston.
“Great horses, great crowd, just everything that Houston has to offer,” Smith said. “It’s exciting.”
Advancing to Semifinal Round:
Will Smith — Semifinal #2— $6,200
Dustin Flundra — Semifinal #2— $4,500
Cody Martin — Semifinal #1 — $3,700
Bryan Martinat— Semifinal #1 — $3,050
STEER WRESTLING
Tom Lewis returned to RodeoHouston for the second year to be named the Super Series V Steer Wrestling Champion. As he moves forward to the semifinals, Lewis said he will remain focused on winning theRodeoHouston championship title.
“You can dream about it, but you have to commit,” Lewis said. “It has to get to a point where it is all you think about, all you dream about — that’s all you want to achieve. You can’t have any maybes in there, or they will beat ya.”
Advancing to Semifinal Round:
Tom Lewis — Semifinal #2— $4,500
Stockton Graves — Semifinal #1 — $3,500
Wyatt Smith — Semifinal #2 — $3,000
Cody Cassidy— Semifinal #1 — $2,850
BARREL RACING
RodeoHouston BP Super Series V Barrel Racing Champion, Sarah Kieckhefer is keeping her eyes on the prize. Kieckhefer and her horse will try for another push toward the $50,000 award by doing her best in the semifinals.
“There are highs and lows,” Kieckhefer said. “You just have to keep working through the lows to get to the highs.”
Advancing to Semifinal Round:
Sarah Kieckhefer — Semifinal #1— $5,000
Michele McLeod — Semifinal #2 — $3,500
Kelli Thouvenell — Semifinal #2 — $3,300
Sheena Robbins— Semifinal #1 — $2,400
BULL RIDING
Sage Kimzey came out on top with the BP Super Series V Bull Riding Championship. Kimzey said he could not be happier to be going into the semifinals and is grateful for his support system.
“Get a good support system going, whether it’s your family or friends, and just keep trying; keep running your hand in that rope and don’t ever quit,” Kimzey said.
Advancing to Semifinal Round:
Sage Kimzey — Semifinal #2— $6,200
Joe Frost — Semifinal #2 — $3,600
Cheyne Olney — Semifinal #1 — $3,300
Beau Hill— Semifinal #1 — $3,000
The top four from each event of the Semifinal rounds advance to the RodeoHouston BP Super Series Championship, Saturday, March 22. The remaining six from each event in the two semifinals will compete in the Wild Card Round, Friday, March 21, where the top two from each event will advance to the Championship. Each event champion will walk away with a $50,000 payout in addition to other winnings.