Semifinal 1 Separates the Field as Fort Worth Finals Near

There are no contracts in rodeo, and no salaries. Cowboys and cowgirls either win or lose. It is a do or die profession. The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo is one of the biggest stops of the year for these athletes. Huge paydays, and a great way to start the new year off with a bang. The top 2 from 7 progressive brackets and 2 wild card contestants make up the roster for 2 semi final rounds before narrowing it to the top 8 for Championship Saturday night. 

Semi Finals 1 on Wednesday night brought a lot of excitement back into Dickies arena as the first set of finalists were decided. 

Bareback riding set the tone early. Three rides landed with the same score, with Sam Petersen, Tilden Hooper and Jacob Lees all earning 87 points and sharing the top spot. Petersen, fresh off his first National Finals Rodeo where he won the average, looked right at home. So did Hooper, a veteran who knows exactly how to manage nights like this. Also moving on was Wacey Schalla, the 20 year old who became the youngest million-dollar cowboy earlier this season.

Justin Shaffer came out firing in the Steer Wrestling, stopping the clock in 3.8 seconds aboard his Horse of the Year, Banker. Garrett Oates stayed right with him at 3.9, while Trisyn Kalawaia and Mason Couch were third and fourth to advance.

Breakaway roping continued to belong to World Champion Shelby Boisjoli-Meged. She was smooth and fast, turning in a 2.2 second run to win the round. Rylee George stayed close at 2.3, followed by Martha Angelone and Shalee King.

In her interview after the win with Katy Lucas, Shelby said, "most of it has just been making that run in the practice pen as many times as I can so that when I have to I can come here and feel confident in it." 

Saddle bronc riding was arguably the most exciting event of the night. With one guy left to nod his head, three cowboys sat tied right on the cut line at 86 points. But that final man out was none other that Stetson Superman Wright. Wright did what he usually does, making a ride that looked routine and easy and scored 89.5 points to win the round. Darcy Radel and Damian Brennan stayed in the mix at 89 points, and Ryder Wright advanced with an 88.5. 

It was a power-couple kind of night in Fort Worth. After watching his wife Shelby win the round in the breakaway, Haven Meged came back out and tied for the round win himself in the tie-down roping. Haven was an8.6 alongside Blane Cox. The two tied for the top spot. Beau Cooper and Zack Jongbloed grabbed the final advancing spots. 

Penalties and costly mistakes made the team roping interesting. Tyler Tryan and Levi Lord set the pace with a 4.5, and would come out as the round champs. Corben Culley and Trent Vaught followed, while brothers Dawson Graham and Dillon Graham made a smart run to advance. Brady Tryan and Paden Bray survived a five-second penalty when Bray slipped a leg on the heeling side, but it was still good enough for fouth.

The ground was fast in the barrel racing. Weatherford college cowgirl, Acey Pinkston took full advantage, stopping the clock in 16.30 as the last girl out. Acey won the round followed closely behind by Tayla Moeykens with a 16.39. Makenna Shook stayed in the mix at third with a 16.43. Two fan favorite teams tied at fourth. Tricia Aldridge and. Adios and Kassie Mowry and Jarvis both ran a 16.50. Kassie had the fastest time of the two in the progressive rounds, so she wins the tie breaker to advance. 

Bull riding ended the night in familiar fashion. Out of the eight cowboys that nodded their head, only one stayed on for the 8 seconds. Rookie Hayden Welsh was the last man out and made it count, covering his bull for 90.5 points and taking home all of the day money, $10,000. Not only did that ride advance Hayden to the Fort Worth finals but also gave him a boost in the World Standings and the Resitol Rookie of the Year race. 

Semifinal 2 runs Thursday night as another four per event will advance. Saturday  night, the 2026 Champions will be crowned.