RODEOHOUSTON® Super Series V champion athletes advance to the Semifinal rounds set for Wednesday, March 22, and Thursday, March 23.
TIE-DOWN ROPING
Ryan Jarrett of Comanche, Oklahoma, took home the title of Super Series V Tie-Down Roping Champion. Jarrett said he enjoys competing at RODEOHOUSTON®, and plans to keep the same strategy for the Semifinals to make sure he remains consistent.
“[RODEOHOUSTON®] always has a good atmosphere,” Jarrett said. “I won’t do anything different to prepare. I will just keep doing what I’m doing.”
ADVANCING TO SEMIFINAL ROUND:
- Ryan Jarrett: Comanche, Oklahoma — $6,500
- Matt Shiozawa: Chubbuck, Idaho — $5,750
- Riley Pruitt: Gering, Nebraska — $4,000
- Reese Riemer: Stinnett, Texas — $1,500
BAREBACK RIDING
Steven Dent of Mullen, Nebraska, won the Super Series V Bareback Riding Champion title. Dent said his goal coming into the Rodeo was to advance to the Semifinals. Now that he achieved his goal, he does not plan to change his routine for the Semifinals.
“This was my goal coming in — to advance,” Dent said. “Winning was just a bonus. This is what I do for a living, so I’m just going to keep doing what is working.”
ADVANCING TO SEMIFINAL ROUND:
- Steven Dent: Mullen, Nebraska— $5,375
- Chad Rutherford: Itasca, Texas — $4,625
- JR Vezain: Cowley, Wyoming — $3,875
- RC Landingham: Vina, California — $2,500
TEAM ROPING
Brothers Riley and Brady Minor of Ellensburg, Washington, claimed the title of Super Series V Team Roping Champions. Riley said that it feels really good to have a chance at winning $50,000.
“We’ve been to this Rodeo eight or nine times and have had quite a bit of success,” Riley Minor said. “Maybe this will be the year we do it.
ADVANCING TO SEMIFINAL ROUND:
- Riley Minor: Ellensburg, Washington, and Brady Minor: Ellensburg, Washington — $12,000
- Dustin Bird: Cut Bank, Montana, and Russell Cardoza: Terrebonne, Oregon — $8,000
- Kaleb Driggers: Stephenville, Texas, and Junior Nogueira: Burleson, Texas — $6,000
- Jake Cooper: Monument, New Mexico, and Dustin Davis: Terrell, Texas — $6,000
SADDLE BRONC RIDING
Roper Kiesner of Ripley, Oklahoma, took home the Super Series V Saddle Bronc Riding Champion title. This is Kiesner’s first time competing at RODEOHOUSTON®.
“I wasn’t even supposed to be here because I was on the alternate list,” Kiesner said. “Getting the call to come to Houston and then winning tonight, it’s a dream come true.”
ADVANCING TO SEMIFINAL ROUND:
- Roper Kiesner: Ripley, Oklahoma — $5,375
- Wade Sundell: Boxholm, Iowa — $4,125
- Audy Reed: Spearman, Texas — $3,500
- Clay Elliott: Nanton, Alberta, Canada — $3,375
STEER WRESTLING
Dakota Eldridge of Elko, Nevada, won the Super Series V Steer Wrestling Championship. Eldridge is seeking a back-to-back title, as he is the reigning RODEOHOUSTON® Super Series Steer Wrestling Champion.
“I’m excited,” Eldridge said. “It would mean a lot to win again. My RODEOHOUSTON® buckle is pretty special and it would be great to follow it with another win.”
ADVANCING TO SEMIFINAL ROUND:
- Dakota Eldridge: Elko, Nevada — $3,750
- Trevor Knowles: Mount Vernon, Oregon — $3,000
- Kyle Irwin: Robertsdale, Alabama — $3,000
- Tanner Milan: Cochrane, Alberta, Canada — $3,000
BARREL RACING
Sydni Blanchard of Albuquerque, New Mexico, had the fastest time during the last two rounds of Super Series V, and won the Super Series V Barrel Racing Championship. Blanchard said she loves RODEOHOUSTON® because it is the largest rodeo she competes in all year.
“This rodeo can really give us barrel racers a head start going into the season,” Blanchard said. “The atmosphere in the arena is great. I’m trying to take it all in while I’m here.”
ADVANCING TO SEMIFINAL ROUND:
- Sydni Blanchard: Albuquerque, New Mexico — $6,000
- Nellie Williams-Miller: Cottonwood, California — $5,000
- Carley Richardson: Pampa, Texas — $3,750
- Nancy Csabay: Taber, Alberta, Canada — $2,750
BULL RIDING
Eli Vastbinder of Athens, Texas, was named the Super Series V Bull Riding Champion during his RODEOHOUSTON® debut. Vastbinder, who was on the alternate list at first, said that he’s watched RODEOHOUSTON® since he was a kid.
“Pulling up, it was a pretty cool feeling,” Vastbinder said. “I grew up watching old films of RODEOHOUSTON® and really consider it an honor to be here.”
ADVANCING TO SEMIFINAL ROUND:
- Eli Vastbinder: Athens, Texas — $6,250
- Parker Breding: Edgar, Montana — $3,000
- Joe Frost: Randlett, Utah — $2,875
- Tim Bingham: Honeyville, Utah — $2,500
The top four from each event, from each Super Series advanced to a Semifinal Round. The top four from each event in the Semifinal rounds will advance to the RODEOHOUSTON® Super Series Championship, 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 RODEOHOUSTON® Super Series continues through March 25, with the RODEOHOUSTON® Super Shootout: North America’s Champions® presented by Crown Royal, on Sunday, March 26.
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.