After the East Regional Finals wrapped up, the first group of $2 million dollar contenders earned their spot to Arlington Texas this May!
The American Rodeo has been one of the largest events in Western Sports for many years. This unique event offers contender cowboys and cowgirls go up against the best in the world for a chance at huge paydays. This year, there is $2 million dollars on the line. The top 10 have a chance at $100,000 if they win their event in Arlington. This gives contenders a huge incentive if they can beat the best in the sport.
The qualifying process to get to Arlington include regional qualifiers and regional finals before advancing to Championship weekend which is scheduled for May 22nd and 23rd in Globe Life Field.
The first of the three regional qualifiers took place this last weekend in Lexington, Kentucky. This East Regional Finals took 5 qualifiers in each event. These are the first 5 contenders who will match up with the top 10 from the PRCA/WPRA standings last year.
Bareback Riding
In the bareback riding, Tilden Hooper was the event champion. Hooper qualified for his 10th NFR in 2025, but finished outside the top 10 in the World Standings when it was all said and done. Although it was not exactly the finals he was hoping for, he now gets a chance at 2 million dollars at the American.
Also advancing from the East Regional finals is Richmond Champion, the first ever American Rodeo bareback riding champion. He is back once again with a repeat on his mind. 8x NFR Qualifier Tanner Aus, Canadian young gun Chet Deitz, and Texas Circuit Finalist Bodee Lammers also advance.
Steer Wrestling
The steer wrestling also had some familiar names in the field. 2x NFR Qualifier Louisiana Man, Tristen Martin took the title and will head to Arlington. After winning Round 2, he came back to also win the finals with a time of 3.93 seconds. Martin had the two fastest times of the entire rodeo weekend.
Gavin Soleau, Bridger Andreson, Shane Frey, and Clayton Culligan will also join Martin in Texas in May.
Team Roping
Luke Brown and Buddy Hawkins are no strangers to the big stages. Luke has 16 trips to the NFR and Buddy has 7. They teamed up to get the Lexington win and advance to Globe Life. Their textbook 4.68 in the finals took the win.
Young guns Owen Gillespie and Cole Walker took second. Also advancing is Clay Smith with Coleby Payne, Coy Rahlman with Logan Medline, and Cory Kidd with Carson Johnson.
Breakaway Roping
There was one 16 year old breakaway roper that was hard to beat all weekend in Lexington. Stephenville Texas cowgirl, Emmry Edwards is the event champion. She now has a once in a lifetime opportunity at 2 million dollars before she is even legal to vote. Edwards did not back down in the finals, and was a 2.06 for the win.
Rickie Fanning, Lydia Townsend, 2024 World Champion Kelsie Domer, and Beau Peterson rounded out the top 5 advancing contenders.
Saddle Bronc
The story stayed the same in the saddle bronc with a lot of familiar names on top. It was a battle until the last horse bucked on finals night. Ryder Sanford’s was 87.75 points on Straight Tequila to clinch the win. Sanford had a great weekend in Lexington to continue is great 2026 season he is having. Ryder qualified for the NFR in 2023, and currently sits in the top 15 this year.
What a field of guys, with Dawson Hay, Ben Anderson, Layton Green, and Ben Ashbacher finishing second through fifth to head to Arlington.
Tie-Down Roping
The tie down roping also came down to last man out on finals night in Lexington. The finals roster was stacked with talent. Bryce Derrer was the best with a 7.63 second run. Derrer is hot in 2026 and is looking to make his first NFR. He started his year with a huge win at the San Angelo Fiesta Days, and has stayed consistent throughout the winter. Derrer sits in the top 15 of the PRCA standings.
The other 4 tie down ropers advancing from the East Regional Finals in the tie down roping are Cason Kingsbury, Andrew Burks, Cole Clemons, and Zack Jongbloed.
Barrel Race
The 12-year-old phenom, Dusky Lynn Hall dominated once again. The million dollar cowgirl took home the East Regional American Finals title and has her chance at the big money in Arlington once again. A 15.177 was enough to come out on top, a familiar place for the young cowgirl.
Hall wasn't the only young gun to advance. 10 year old Tabitha Dyal also moves on to Arlington. Randee Prindle, Missy Jean Etheridge, and Bayleigh Choate will make their way to Globe Life as well.
Bull Riding
There were only three guys to have a qualified ride. The three bull riders advancing to Arlington are Jayden Roy, Jeremy Maisonneuve, and Jesse Petri. Jayden's 86.50 points in the finals was enough to take the event win and the $10,000 home before having his chance at the 2 million in May.