The rodeo athletes left it all in the arena last night in the hopes of punching their tickets to the RODEOHOUSTON® Semifinals and getting one step closer to winning the $50,000 grand prize.
Team ropers Riley Minor and Brady Minor will move on to the Semifinals after a 6.3-second run. The brothers have worked together for as long as they can remember. Brady spoke on the compatibility of working with a family member, “It’s easy ‘cause we grew up together doing it; with brothers, you can tell them how it is and improve your skills.”
Tied for the top team roper spot overall with the Minor brothers are Jake Clay and Trey Yates, who had a 4.6-second run. “As long as I remind myself to have fun and take it for what it’s worth, no matter the outcome, it eases the agony or makes the victories feel even better,” Yates said.
Sage Newman, the saddle bronc champ advancing to defend his two-year winning streak at RODEOHOUSTON, walked out of the arena, securing his first Super Series Championship win and accompanying guitar. Newman spoke about his favorite pre-run ritual, “I pray before every ride; other than that, I joke around with my buddies behind the chutes and just try to have fun.”
Bull rider Jordan Spears had one of two scored rides last night, finishing the Super Series V Championship with a 78 for the round. “I knew that if I could do my job and stay on, I could get the win in the series… Once you get here, you just clear your mind and do your job.”
When speaking on what keeps him coming back to RODEOHOUSTON Spears said, “There’s not very many rodeos you go to that have the crowd and the energy in this building.”
After a successful run, tie-down roper Haven Meged secured his spot for the Semifinals, getting him one step closer to the $50,000 winnings. “I just try not to overthink it,” Meged said.
Bareback rider Rocker Steiner scored an 87 and will advance to the Semifinals. When asked how he prepared to ride ‘Texas Toast’ he stated, “I didn’t really know that horse, but I like to eat Texas Toast,” he stated, “He used to be a bronc, which can be hit or miss, but it turned out well.”
Travis Munro claimed the top spot in Steer Wrestling and will move on to the Semifinals, giving all credit to those around him, including his horse. “My horse’s name is Careful, owned by Tristan and Josee Martin. It scored like a rock; I couldn’t ask for anything better,” Munro said.
With a time of 19.94 seconds and overall winnings of $5,500 at RODEOHOUSTON, Megan McLeod-Sprague will be making another appearance in the NRG Stadium at the Semifinals on Wednesday in the barrel racing event. “I come from a small town in Idaho with a bunch of farmers, so to be in an atmosphere like this is so exhilarating,” Sprague said. She continued talking about the event, saying, “We get treated so well by the RODEOHOUSTON committee and the concerts are awesome; there’s nothing that isn’t great here.”
Hope Thompson locked in her spot in the breakaway semifinals with a time of 3.9 seconds. Talking about how she secured this advancement with the help of her horse, she said, “That’s a pretty green horse, young horse. This is his first really big winter rodeo. It was a gut feeling and he definitely did his part.” Thompson continued, “He is the reason I got to play the RODEOHOUSTON guitar tonight.”
The RODEOHOUSTON Semifinals will begin Wednesday, March 13, at 6:45 p.m. in NRG Stadium.
Last night’s winners advancing to the Semifinal round (winnings to date):
- Tie-Down Roping: Haven Meged, Miles City, Montana – $8,000
- Bareback Riding: Rocker Steiner, Weatherford, Texas – $5,500
- Team Roping: Riley Minor, Ellensburg, Washington, and Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Washington – $12,000; Jake Clay, Sapulpa, Oklahoma, and Trey Yates, Pueblo, Colorado – $12,000
- Saddle Bronc: Sage Newman, Melstone, Montana – $6,750
- Steer Wrestling: Travis Munro, Townsville, Australia – $5,500
- Barrel Racing: Megan McLeod-Sprague, Marsing, Idaho – $5,000
- Breakaway Roping: Hope Thompson, Abilene, Texas – $7,000
- Bull Riding: Jordan Spears, Redding, California – $4,000
More about the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage, and provides year-round educational support within the community. Since its beginning in 1932, the Rodeo has committed more than $600 million to the youth of Texas and education. The 2024 Rodeo is scheduled for Feb. 27 – March 17. The 2024 World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, presented by Cotton Holdings, is scheduled for Feb. 22 – 24. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com and follow @RODEOHOUSTON online via Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram and YouTube for all the latest news.