RODEOHOUSTON® Semifinal 1 contestants advance to the Super Series Championship, set for Saturday, March 25.
TIE-DOWN ROPING
Tyson Durfey of Weatherford, Texas, took home the Semifinal 1 win in Tie-Down Roping. The reigning 2016 Tie-Down Roping Champion is confident in his horse, Niko, and his ability to adapt to any challenge the Super Series Championship might present.
“My horse, Niko, always puts me in a position to win,” Durfey said. “He rarely makes mistakes, so it all boils down to the draw of the calf.”
ADVANCING TO CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND (WINNINGS TO DATE):
- Tyson Durfey: Weatherford, Texas — $6,750
- Caleb Smidt: Bellville, Texas — $8,500
- Tuf Cooper: Decatur, Texas — $5,250
- Ace Slone: Cuero, Texas — $3,375
BAREBACK RIDING
After a thrilling ride, Jake Vold of Airdrie, Alberta, Canada, won the Semifinal 1 Bareback Riding event. Vold said that he has confidence going into the Championship Round.
“There’s a great group of guys here at RODEOHOUSTON® and a great group of horses,” Vold said. “It’s anybody’s game.”
ADVANCING TO CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND (WINNINGS TO DATE):
- Jake Vold: Airdrie, Alberta, Canada — $6,000
- Ty Breuer: Mandan, North Dakota — $6,000
- Chad Rutherford: Itasca, Texas — $5,500
- RC Landingham: Vina, California — $3,375
TEAM ROPING
Charly Crawford and Walt Woodard, both of Stephenville, Texas, claimed the Semifinal 1 Team Roping win. Crawford said RODEOHOUSTON® is a great place to ride, but much of the duo’s success is dependent upon the calf they pull.
“Houston has great fans, the best athletes and great competition,” Crawford said. “Tonight it was easy, but it’s all dependent on the draw.”
ADVANCING TO CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND (WINNINGS TO DATE):
- Charly Crawford: Stephenville, Texas; and Walt Woodard: Stephenville, Texas — $13,500
- Clay Smith: Bowie, Texas; and Paul Eaves: Millsap, Texas — $12,000
- Zac Small: Welch, Oklahoma; and Levi Lord: Sturgis, South Dakota — $10,000
- Trevor Brazile: Decatur, Texas; and Patrick Smith: Lipan, Texas — $8,500
SADDLE BRONC RIDING
Cort Scheer of Elsmere, Nebraska, had the top Saddle Bronc ride of Semifinal 1 to secure his spot in the Super Series Championship. Sheer said he loves what he does and is going to use this win as motivation for the Super Series Championship.
“Any day riding broncs is the best day,” Scheer said. “This win gives me more momentum, and big rodeos are exciting because the crowd is so loud.”
ADVANCING TO CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND (WINNINGS TO DATE):
- Cort Scheer: Elsmere, Nebraska — $9,000
- Isaac Diaz: Desdemona, Texas — $ 5,500
- Layton Green: Meeting Creek, Alberta, Canada — $6,875
- Chuck Schmidt: Keldron, South Dakota — $5,625
STEER WRESTLING
Baylor Roche of Tremonton, Utah, wrestled his steer in 4.6 seconds tonight to win the Semifinal 1 Steer Wrestling event. Roche said that it is always great to be at RODEOHOUSTON®.
“The atmosphere in the arena is pretty electric,” Roche said. “[RODEOHOUSTON®] is a great place to be in the top 10.”
ADVANCING TO CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND (WINNINGS TO DATE):
- Baylor Roche: Tremonton, Utah — $6,583
- JD Struxness: Appleton, Minnesota — $5,000
- Nick Guy: Strasburg, Colorado — $4,750
- Trevor Knowles: Mount Vernon, Oregon — $4,500
BARREL RACING
Sydni Blanchard of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is headed to the Super Series Championship in Barrel Racing. In back-to-back nights, Blanchard came away with a win, and is now in the chase for $50,000.
ADVANCING TO CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND (WINNINGS TO DATE):
- Sydni Blanchard: Albuquerque, New Mexico — $8,500
- Taylor Langdon: Aubrey, Texas — $ 6,500
- Kelly Tovar: Rockdale, Texas — $6,000
- Nellie Williams-Miller: Cottonwood, California — $5,750
BULL RIDING
Parker Breding of Edgar, Montana, took home the Semifinal 1 win after a tie for first with Cody Campbell of
Summerville, Oregon. The tie was decided by Breding’s greater winnings to date. Breding said there is nothing like performing at RODEOHOUSTON®.
“It’s great to ride in such a big arena in front of all of the fans, even if you don’t do well,” Breding said. “It’s even better though if you win.”
ADVANCING TO CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND (WINNINGS TO DATE):
- Parker Breding: Edgar, Montana — $5,500
- Cody Campbell: Summerville, Oregon — $3,250
- Neil Holmes: Cleveland, Texas — $7,000
- Sage Steele Kimzey: Strong City, Oklahoma — $2,750
The top four from each event in the Semifinal rounds will advance to the RODEOHOUSTON® Super Series Championship on Saturday, March 25. The remaining six from each event in the two semifinals will compete in the Wild Card Round, Friday, March 24, 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.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a Section 501(c)(3) charity that benefits youth, supports education, and facilitates better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation. Since its beginning in 1932, the Show has committed more than $430 million to the youth of Texas. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com and connect with #RODEOHOUSTON online via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for all of the latest news. The 2017 Show runs through March 26.