The weekend ended with contestants of Super Series II advancing to compete in the Semifinals on March 19 through 20.
After three years of competing at RODEOHOUSTON®, Bareback rider Cole Franks accomplished what he has been working toward. He credits years of practice and repetition for his success. “One piece of advice I would give to my younger self is to dream bigger and never limit my potential,” Franks said.
Saddle Bronc rider Zeke Thurston held on to the top spot with a score of 84 points and will advance to the semifinals. “I always look forward to RODEOHOUSTON because it’s exciting to come here,” Thurston said. “It’s one the contestants always anticipate, and the money is big.”
Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi utilized the crowd’s energy to help secure her spot in barrel racing for the Semifinals. Brittany and her horse, Bobby, will be racing towards the $65,000 grand prize.
19-year-old Wacey Schalla scored an 88 in the bull riding event, coming out on top of the series, and does not plan to stop there. “This is the kickstart of the summer, and I will celebrate when I make it to Vegas,” Schalla said.
Team ropers Coy and Colton Brittain claimed the first spot in tonight’s Super Series II with a time of 5.9, their first RODEOHOUSTON win as brothers. “[Winning] feels amazing; our families put everything we had into us rodeoing,” Coy said.
Clocking in at 10.5 seconds, tie-down roper, Bo Pickett, placed first in Super Series II, continuing his journey at RODEOHOUSTON. “My story is not written completely yet. I am just going to keep working at it and see what happens,” Pickett said.
Sawyer Gilbert won the Super Series II in breakaway roping, crediting much of her victory to her horse. “When you have a good horse, you want to win big because the horse deserves it,” Gilbert said. “Sometimes it’s not your time, and that’s okay, just handle it with grace.”
Steer wrestler Eli Lord credited tonight’s success to the luck of the draw, managing a solid run and winning with a time of 5.0 seconds. “All the bulldoggers were excited to have this steer because he was a lot slower than the others,” Lord said.
The RODEOHOUSTON Super Series will continue Monday, March 10, at 6:45 p.m. in NRG Stadium.
Last night’s winners advancing to the Semifinal round (winnings to date):
- Tie-Down Roping: Bo Pickett, Caldwell, Idaho – $4,750
- Bareback Riding: Cole Franks, Clarendon, Texas – $5,000
- Team Roping: Coy Brittain and Colton Brittain, Tolar, Texas – $11,000
- Saddle Bronc: Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta – $7,500
- Steer Wrestling: Eli Lord, Sturgis, South Dakota – $5,000
- Barrel Racing: Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas – $6,250
- Breakaway Roping: Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, South Dakota – $3,250
- Bull Riding: Wacey Schalla, Arapaho, Oklahoma – $5,000