February 4, 2021 – Fort Worth, Texas – RFD-TV’s The American Rodeo presented by Durango Boots announced today the top 10 cowboys and cowgirls in each event who will be competing at this year’s richest weekend in western sports taking place March 6-7, 2021 at AT&T Stadium.
“The American Rodeo is the only place to see the top 10 best cowboys and cowgirls in the world compete under the same roof, on the same night, other than the NFR,” said Randy Bernard, The American Rodeo CEO. “This rodeo is life-changing with the amount of money that is available for these athletes to win in one weekend and brings out a level of competition you just don’t see at other rodeos.”
The American Rodeo has catapulted careers for competitors such as Richmond Champion, who in The American’s inaugural year, won the bareback riding at the age 21 and was awarded $1.1 million dollars as he not only won the event, but won as a qualifier which made him eligible for the million dollar bonus. That year he then qualified for his first NFR. Hailey Kinsel who also competed as an American qualifier, first won the 2017 American in barrel racing and continues to break records today as a WPRA and NFR World Champion.
The following are quotes from several top competitors for this year’s event:
“The American is like no other!” said Shad Mayfield, Tie-Down Roper. “It’s been an amazing feeling to get to compete at the highest level against the best for the highest amount of money and I am really looking forward to it this year.”
“I’m glad that a rodeo like The American is sticking their neck out in the midst of what’s going on to allow us to make a living,” said Will Lummus, Steer Wrestling.
“I’m thankful for The American because in a time of uncertainty, they always press forward for the sake of the Cowboys and Cowgirls, helping us fulfill our American dream,” said Tim O’Connell, bareback rider.
The 2021 American Rodeo Top 10 Contestants are as follows:
Bareback: Kaycee Feild, Tim O’Connell, Jess Pope, Tanner Aus, Cole Reiner, Orin Larsen, Clayton Bigelow, Richmond Champion, Mason Clements and Tilden Hooper. (Leighton Berry qualified for the Top 10, however due to injury at Sandhills Stock Show & Rodeo, he is unable to compete and therefore Tildan Hooper, the #11 in the world standings from NFR is taking his place)
Saddle Bronc: Ryder Wright, Wyatt Caspter, Brody Cress, Rusty Wright, Allen Boore, Lefty Holman, Stetson Wright, Chase Brooks, Zeke Thurston, and Shorty Garrett.
Bull Riding: Stetson Wright, Ty Wllance, Colten Drizlan, Ky Hamilton, Sage Kimzey, Roscoe Jarboe, Jeff Askey, Dustin Boquet, Brady Portenier, and Boudreaux Campbell
Steer Wrestling: Jacob Edler, Stetson Jorgensen, Tyler, Waguespack, Matt Reeves, Will Lummus, Dakota Eldridge, Jacob Talley, Blake Knowles, Bridger Anderson, and Jace Melvin.
Team Roping (Header): Colby Lovell, Luke Brown, Erich Rogers, Nelson Wyatt, Andrew Ward, Clay Smith, Dustin Egusquita, Jeff Flenniken, Clay Tryan, and Chad Masters.
Team Roping (Heeler): Paul Eaves, Paden Bray, Joseph Harrison, Levi Lord, Buddy Hawkins, Jade Corkill, Tyler Worley, Jake Long, Travis Graves, and Wesley Thorp.
Tie Down Roping: Shad Mayfriend, Marty Yates, Shane Hanchey, Hunter Herrin, Cory Solomon, Westyn Hughes, Haven Meged, Tuf Cooper, Ty Harris, and Ryan Jarrett.
Barrel Racing: Hailey Kinsel, Brittany Pozzi-Tonozzi, Jill Wilson, Emily Miller, Jimmie Smith, Stevi Hillman, Jessica Routier, Lisa Lockhard, Shelley Morgan and Tiany Schuster.
For this year’s competition, the American Rodeo extended an exemption invitation to tie-down roper Caleb Smidt and barrel racer Dona Kay Rule. Due to an unfortunate turn of events last year and testing positive for COVID-19, both Smidt and Rule were sent home and unable to participate in the 2020 National Finals Rodeo (NFR) and interfered with the opportunity to be invited to compete at the 2021 American Rodeo as a Top 10 contestant. Rule accepted the exemption invitation and will be joining the Top 10 barrel racers in the world to compete for $100,000 at AT&T Stadium. Smidt, thankful for the exemption opportunity, decided to turn the invitation down and try to make the finals on his own and win a shot at the $1 million qualifier cash bonus.
The American Rodeo is known as the world’s richest weekend in western sports due to its tremendous prize offering of $2.3 million. Qualifying events are held across the country, throughout the calendar year, as ropers and riders hope to compete and make it to The American Rodeo Semi-Finals and Finals in Texas.
The 11-day rodeo competition kicks off on February 25th in the Fort Worth Stockyards for slack and semi-finals and the finals take place over the weekend of March 6-7, 2021 at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. The American Rodeo unites the top athletes in the world from the PRCA and pits them against underdogs who advance from The American Rodeo Semi-Finals, together to battle for the biggest single, life-changing paycheck of their lives. All events will be broadcast live on The Cowboy Channel and RFD-TV.
Tickets for The American Rodeo at AT&T Stadium March 6-7, 2021 can be purchased atSeatGeek.com. Standard ticket prices range from $20-$150, encompassing four pricing tiers for every level of rodeo fan. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, only a limited number of tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tickets will be sold in seating pods of 2, 4, or 6. Tickets to The American Rodeo Semi-Finals March 3-5, 2021 at Cowtown Coliseum in the Fort Worth Stockyards can be purchased atCowtownColiseum.com. Standard ticket prices range from $25-$55.
For more information and a complete listing of all RFD-TV’s The American Rodeo presented by Durango Boots events in Fort Worth and Arlington, please visitwww.americanrodeo.com
