The energy just keeps growing in NRG Stadium as we narrow in on the final set of contestants still alive at RODEOHOUSTON. Semi finals 1 and 2 are complete.
RODEOHOUSTON, the biggest regular season rodeo of the PRCA/WPRA is already coming to a close this year. We have watched contestants battle their way through 5 Super Series trying to get their spots into the semi finals. Now, semi finals 1 and 2 are complete, and the finals is beginning to take shape, where $65,000 is up for grabs in each event.
The top 4 out of each semi finals advance to the finals. All semi finals contestants who did not advance get one more chance in the wild card rounds.
Bareback Riding
In the bareback riding Semi Finals 1, Kade Berry was 86.5 points on The Cervi Brothers' Guardian Angel. This was enough for the win to advance to the finals. He was followed by Bradlee Miller, Wacey Schalla, and R.C. Landingham.
In Semi Finals 2, the reining World Champion and reining RODEOHOUSTON champion, Rocker Steiner came out on top. He was 87 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo's Storm Warning. Steiner advances along with Keenan Hayes, Cole Reiner, and Mason Stuller.
Steer Wrestling
The steer wrestling got fast in Semi Finals. In the first set Denell Henderson was a 4.2 to win the semis. Trisyn Kalawaia, Mike McGinn, and Tristain Martin were all in the 4 second range as well to be the top 4.
The second Semi fFnals had a similar story with a pair of 4.2s at the top by Holden Myers and Seth Peterson. Dalton Massey came in third to advance. Dakota Eldridge and Don Payne tied for fourth, but after the tie breaker, Dakota will advance.
Team Roping
We only saw one 4 second run in the team roping during the Semi Finals and that was Dustin Egusquiza and JC Flake. They won the first semis followed by Jake Smith/Douglas Rich, Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, and Korbin Rice/Cooper Freeman.
In Semi Finals 2, reining RODEOHOUSTON champs Derrick Begay and Colter Todd were a 5.1 for the win. Something about that team in NRG Stadium is special. They are looking to defend their title come Championship night. The other three teams advancing are Brady Tryan/Paden Bray, Chad Masters/Jace Helton, and Bubba Buckaloo/Cole Curry.
Saddle Bronc
None other than Stetson Wright came out on top of the saddle bronc in Semi Finals 1. He was 86.5 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo's Vintage Villan. Also advancing from this set was Weston Patterson, Kole Ashbacher, and Layton Green.
In the second Semis, Shorty Garrett was 88 points on Calgary Stampede's Yesterday's Delivery for the win. He was followed by Easton West, Jake Finlay, and Allen Boore.
Tie-Down Roping
The first Semi Finals performance saw Michael Otero be 8.9 to take the win. Brushton Minton followed with a 9.3. Shane Hanchey and Seth Hall also advanced.
Things got even faster in Semi Finals 2. Reining World Champion, and reining RODEOHOUSTON Champion, Riley Webb came out on top with a textbook 8.0. Quade Hiatt was right behind him with an 8.1. Marty Yates and current season leader Kincade Henry were not far behind also in the 8 second range to advance.
Breakaway Roping
The breakaway roping has gotten faster every round as well. In the first Semi Finals, Joey Williams was a 2.5 to tie the fastest time we have seen this year. A 2.6 by Maddy Jacobs was just behind her. Rylee George and Hali Williams were each 2.8 to round out that top four who will advance to the finals.
Semi Finals 2, Beau Peterson took the top spot with a 2.6 herself. Macy Young, Jill Tanner, and Cadee Williams also have a chance at the big payday.
Barrel Race
The barrel race had a familiar story. Two of the greatest came out on top in their respective semi finals. Hailey Kinsel and Sister were the fastest in the first semi finals with a 14.48. LaTricia Duke, Lisa Lockhart, and Summer Kosel were the top 4.
In Semi Finals 2, the reinging World and RODEOHOUSTON Champion Kassie Mowry and Jarvis ran the fastest time we have seen, leading the pack by nearly half a second. Mowry was a wicked 14.09. Chloe Gray, Paige Jones, and season leader Emily Beisel will head to the finals as well.
Bull Riding
The bull riding was a bit of an eliminator pen in the Semi Finals. Only a handful of guys made the 8 seconds, and that is all it took to advance. In Semi number 1 Jake Gardner was 83.5 points on Generations Pro Rodeo's Red Dead followed by T Parker.
Ernie Courson Jr led the second Semi Finals with 88 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo's Sting. Rooke, Hayden Welsh also made the 8 seconds to advance.