The American West Regional Finals is complete, sending 5 more contestants per event to the American Championship weekend. Tie down roper Cory Solomon came out on top, and is ready to take his chances at 2 million dollars.
There is 2 million dollars up for grabs at the American rodeo this year. All three regional finals are complete, and the rosters are set for Championship weekend. 5 contestants from each regionals (15) are the contenders going against the top 5 in the world from last years PRCA/WPRA Standings. If the contenders can beat the best in the world, then they will walk away with at least their piece of 2 million dollars.
The West Regional Finals was the last of the three to advance some of those contenders. In the tie-down roping it got fast. Only 5 would come out of Las Vegas and head to Arlington to the Championship weekend. Cory Solomon, 10 time NFR Qualifier, was the best. He ended up as the event winner.
Cory has had an amazing career spanning over a couple of decades. The Texas cowboy is now 36 years old, but still in the top of the world.
In a recent social media post after winning a round at the San Angelo Stock Show and rodeo, Cory said, " I haven’t felt this good in years."
Currently in 2026, he sits in the top 35 of the standings. 2023 was the last year that Solomon made the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas. However, Vegas has been considerably well to him, including now the American Rodeo held there too.
He started off his week with second place in the first round with an 8.18. Consistency was important. He made another second place run in the second run getting slightly faster with an 8.13. Solomon was sitting number 1 in the aggregate to secure that finals spot.
Cory was a 7.73 in the final round of the West Regionals to claim the event title. Now he will head to Arlington to Globe Life Field once again where he will be competing as a contender, with a 2 million dollar opportunity. He has made it this far, but there are still 14 other contenders, and 5 of the best PRCA cowboys today standing in his way.
The other 4 tie down ropers advancing from the West Regional Finals are California talent K.C Miller, 3x World Champion Tuf Cooper, 2x NFR Qualifer Dylan Hancock, and college standout Lane Webb. These 5 will join with a talent packed group of guys to compete for the 2026 American Rodeo title May 22nd and 23rd.