Champions from the top rodeos in the U.S. and Canada gathered in NRG Stadium, Sunday, March 26, to compete in the RODEOHOUSTON Super Shootout: North America’s Champions for their chance to win $25,000 and bragging rights as the best of the best.
With a total purse of $250,000, the RODEOHOUSTON Super Shootout is one of the richest one-day rodeo events in the world. Each rodeo athlete competed as an individual as well as with a team. Each champion received a $25,000 payout, and the winning team received a $12,500 payout. The teams consisted of the champion athletes from the following eight rodeos: Calgary Stampede, Cheyenne Frontier Days, Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, National Western Stock Show, Reno Rodeo, Rodeo Austin, RODEOHOUSTON, and San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo.
Tonight’s high point team was Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. The winning team consisted of bareback rider Tim O’Connell, steer wrestler Matt Reeves, saddle bronc rider Jake Wright, barrel racer Ivey Conrado and bull rider Riker Carter.
BAREBACK RIDING
Tim O’Connell of Zwingle, Iowa, claimed the RODEOHOUSTON Super Shootout Bareback Riding Championship title with a 90-point ride. O’Connell said the competition in the Shootout is of high caliber, so he knew he needed to ride well coming into tonight’s contest.
“We compete against eight standouts in each event and ride the best bucking broncs in the sport,” O’Connell said. “With the best-of-the-best here, you have to step up your game. It makes for a special day.”
TOP FOUR
- Tim O’Connell: Zwingle, Iowa — $25,000
- Jake Brown: Cleveland, Texas — $10,000
- Orin Larsen: Inglis, Manitoba, Canada— $5,500
- Clayton Biglow: Clements, California — $3,500
STEER WRESTLING
Sterling Lambert of Fallon, Nevada, wrestled his steer in 5 seconds flat to win the RODEOHOUSTON Super Shootout Steer Wrestling Championship. He left the arena with the Champion title and $25,000 — the most he said he has ever won at one rodeo.
“The atmosphere at RODEOHOUSTON is amazing and we are treated so well,” Lambert said. “I competed against the best bulldoggers out there, so winning feels amazing.”
TOP FOUR
- Sterling Lambert: Fallon, Nevada — $25,000
- Dakota Eldridge: Elko, Nevada — $10,000
- Matt Reeves: Cross Plains, Texas — $5,500
- Baylor Roche: Tremonton, Utah — $3,500
SADDLE BRONC RIDING
A 90-point ride in the Super Shootout Saddle Bronc Riding secured the win for Taos Muncy of Corona, New Mexico. Muncy said he battled an injury for the last six months, so this championship is more than just another win. It is his way of restarting his rodeo career.
“I have been hurt, so to get this win is a relief,” Muncy said. “Since this is such a prestigious rodeo, the win means so much more. I’m excited to be back.”
TOP FOUR
- Taos Muncy: Corona, New Mexico — $25,000
- Zeke Thurston: Big Valley, Alberta, Canada — $10,000
- Clay Elliott: Nanton, Alberta, Canada – $5,500
- Jacobs Crawley: Boerne, Texas – $3,500
BARREL RACING
Ivy Conrado of Hudson, Colorado, won the Super Shootout Barrel Racing Championship with a 14.27 second run, even though her stirrup fell off going into the first barrel. Conrado said that when she looks at her Championship belt buckle, she will always remember that moment.
“The Super Shootout is a prestigious rodeo because you get to compete against other champions,” Conrado said. “I love that because I don’t ever want a handout. I want to compete against the best.”
TOP FOUR
- Ivy Conrado: Hudson, Colorado — $25,000
- Pamela Capper: Cheney, Washington — $10,000
- Abby Penson: Blossom, Texas — $5,500
- Stevi Hillman: Weatherford, Texas — $3,500
BULL RIDING
A first-time rider at RODEOHOUSTON, Riker Carter of Stone, Idaho, captured the Bull Riding Super Shootout Championship. Carter said the crowd motivated him and this win is the biggest win of his career.
“This place is better than any place I’ve ever been before,” Carter said. “When the people here are cheering as loud as they are, I can barely here the buzzer. It’s an amazing feeling.”
TOP FOUR
- Riker Carter: Stone, Idaho — $25,000
- Sage Steel Kimzey: Strong City, Oklahoma — $6,333
- Markus Mariluch: Daingerfield, Texas — $6,333
- Neil Holmes: Cleveland, Texas — $6,333
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.