CONTESTANTS ARE ONE RIDE CLOSER TO THE $50,000 PRIZE AND RODEOHOUSTON® CHAMPION TITLE — MARCH 16, 2016 — HOUSTON — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE —
RodeoHouston Semifinal 1 contestants secured a spot in the Super Series Championship Saturday, March 19.
TIE-DOWN ROPING
Tyson Durfey of Weatherford, Texas, took home the Semifinal 1 win in Tie-Down Roping. Durfey said he looks forward to competing for the 2016 RodeoHouston Tie-down Roping Champion title on Saturday.
“It’s the best of the best,” Durfey said. “It started out with 20, it cut down to 10 and it’s [the Championship] just going to boil down to who has the best draw and the best horses.”
Advancing to Championship (winnings to date):
Tyson Durfey — Weatherford, Texas — $5,750
Marcos Costa — Childress, Texas — $ 6,750
Caleb Smidt — Bellville, Texas — $7,500
Blane Cox — Cameron, Texas — $4,500
BAREBACK RIDING
Although it’s only his second time competing at RodeoHouston, two-time College National Finals Rodeo champion, Orin Larsen, is advancing to the Super Series Championship.
“The college-level rodeo has helped tremendously,” Larsen said. “It was a huge stepping stone to get me here.”
Advancing to Championship (winnings to date):
Orin Larsen — Ingles, Manitoba, Canada — $9,000
Tanner Aus — Granite Falls, Montana — $ 4,375
Will Lowe — Canyon, Texas — $3,750
Kaycee Feild — Spanish Fork, Utah — $6,750
TEAM ROPING
Jake Cooper and Tyler McKnight claimed the Semifinal 1 Team Roping win. The team credited their success to their incredible team work.
“We’re like the married couple who got a divorce and got back together,” Cooper said. “We have a real good appreciation for each other.”
Advancing to Championship (winnings to date):
Jake Cooper — Monument, New Mexico, and Tyler McKnight — Wells, Texas — $12,000
Dustin Bird — Cut Bank, Montana, and Russell Cardoza — Terebonne, Oregon — $11,000
Bubba Buckaloo — Kingston, Oklahoma, and Shay Carroll — Hico, Texas — $9,000
Clay Smith — Broken Bow, Oklahoma, and Paul Eaves— Millsap, Texas — $13,500
SADDLE BRONC RIDING
Cole Elshere had the top Saddle Bronc ride of the night at Semifinal 1 and credits the quality of rough stock for helping him advance to the Championship.
“The last few horses have been really good,” Elshere said. “I hope to get on another good one for the finals.”
Advancing to Championship (winnings to date):
Cole Elshere — Faith, South Dakota — $6,000
Layton Green — Meeting Creek, Alberta, Canada — $ 7,688
Taos Muncy — Corona, New Mexico — $5,188
Curtis Garton — Lake Charles, Louisiana — $3,813
STEER WRESTLING
Jace Melvin, a first time competitor at RodeoHouston and Semifinal 1 Steer Wrestling Champion, said that RodeoHouston is bigger and better than he ever expected.
“I worked hard all year to be eligible to compete in this rodeo, and to make it to the Championship is a dream come true,” Melvin said.
Advancing to Championship (winnings to date):
Jace Melvin — Fort Pierre, South Dakota — $6,000
Dakota Eldridge — Elko, Nevada — $ 6,750
Nick Guy — Denver, Colorado — $5,875
Kyle Whitaker — Chambers, Nebraska — $3,875
BARREL RACING
Megan Swint is a newcomer to RodeoHouston, but the Lithia, Florida, native is headed to the Championship round to race for $50,000.
“We’re just going to keep practicing what we’ve been doing, and get out there and have a good run,” said Swint.
Advancing to Championship (winnings to date):
Megan Swint — Lithia, Florida — $4,000
Nancy Hunter — Neola, Utah — $8,000
Rachel Dice — Bryon, California — $4,000
Mary Burger — Pauls Valley, Oklahoma — $4,750
BULL RIDING
Sage Steele Kimzey came out on top of the bull riding in Semifinal 1 with an 87-point ride. He said he cannot wait to compete in the Championship Round.
“These are the rodeos that I grew up fantasizing about winning and to be here is a dream come true,” Kimzey said.
Advancing to Championship Round (winnings to date):
Sage Steel Kimzey — Strong City, Oklahoma — $6,000
Scottie Knapp — Albuquerque, New Mexico — $6,000
Trey Benton — Rock Island, Texas — $8,500
Reid Barker — Comfort, Texas — $5,500
The top four from each event in the Semifinal rounds will advance to the RodeoHouston Super Series Championship, Saturday, March 19. The remaining six from each event in the two semifinals will compete in the Wild Card Round, Friday, March 18, 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 previous winnings.
