Nine athletes, representing eight Wild Card 2 event wins, secured the final qualifying spots in RODEOHOUSTON Championship round Friday night at NRG Stadium, moving one step closer to the buckle and $65,000 payout.
Wild Card performances represent the final path to the Championship at RODEOHOUSTON. Contestants who do not place in the top four of their semifinal round move into one of two Wild Card rounds, where only the winner of each event advances. With no margin for error, the round demands precision, timing and execution — a single ride or run determines who moves on.
Tie-down roper Ty Harris delivered under pressure, capitalizing on his run to secure a Championship berth.
“I knew when I roped him, I had a chance at the round,” Harris said. “You feel like you’re missing out if you’re not here. So, I’m glad to be a part of it.”
Wild Card 2 Champions
- Tie-Down Roping — Ty Harris, San Angelo, Texas – $7,000
- Bareback Riding — Jayco Roper, Oktaha, Oklahoma – $7,250
- Team Roping — Kavis Drake, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and Denim Ross, Botha, Alberta – $6,750
- Saddle Bronc Riding — Kade Bruno, Challis, Idaho – $9,500
- Steer Wrestling —Chase Crane, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – $6,750
- Barrel Racing — Katie Halbert, Port Lavaca, Texas – $6,250
- Breakaway Roping — Taylor Munsell, Alva, Oklahoma – $5,000
- Bull Riding — Stetson Wright, Beaver, Utah – $6,000
Barrel racer Katie Halbert credited her success to staying relaxed and trusting her horse in an unfamiliar setting.
“My horse does well in small indoor pens with walls, so I wasn’t expecting a whole lot today,” Halbert said. “I didn’t overthink it. I just rode my horse, asked her, and she rose to the occasion.”
With the Championship field now set, the top athletes across all events will compete Saturday afternoon for the RODEOHOUSTON title, a $65,000 payout and one of the most prestigious buckles in the sport.
Path to the Championship
These champions will advance to Saturday’s Championship round, where they will compete for one of rodeo’s most prestigious titles. Additional athletes will continue their journey in the Wild Card rounds, where only the top athlete in each event will earn the final remaining spots in the Championship.
The RODEOHOUSTON Super Series is a 20-day tournament-style competition that ultimately crowns champions in bareback riding, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, women’s barrel racing and breakaway roping. Each event champion receives $65,000, in addition to winnings earned in earlier rounds, along with a custom-made saddle and belt buckle. Champions also receive an invitation to compete at RODEOHOUSTON the following year.
RODEOHOUSTON is an official PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) (NFR) National Finals Rodeo money event, with earnings from RODEOHOUSTON counting toward qualification for the NFR and the PRCA World Standings. For information about RODEOHOUSTON athletes, click HERE.