Which Cowboys and Cowgirls Are Headed to The American Rodeo Showdown Round?

Championship Saturday has arrived, and five contenders are about to go head-to-head with the top five athletes from the 2025 PRCA/WPRA World Standings.

Youth barrel racer Dusky Lynn Hall has a shot at the $2 million contender-only prize | The American Rodeo

The day so many dream of has arrived: The American Rodeo. On Friday night, fifteen contenders in each event battled it out, seeking a top-five finish to advance to Saturday's Showdown Round.

Those five athletes will now compete against the top five athletes from the 2025 PRCA/WPRA World Standings in each event. From that round of 10, the top four in each event will advance to the Championship Round.

In this impressive roster, many athletes have a chance at the $2 million bonus, which can only be won by contenders, not invitees (top five from World Standings). Athletes are listed in no particular order.

Bareback Riding

Rocker Steiner | PRCA

Invitee Rocker Steiner is returning to defend his 2025 title, amongst an impressive field of former The American Rodeo Champions.

Invitees:
Rocker Steiner
Wacey Schalla
Sam Petersen
Kade Sonnier
Jess Pope

Contenders:
R.C. Landingham
Tanner Aus
Leighton Berry
Keenan Hayes
Tilden Hooper

Breakaway Roping

Josie Conner will rope alongside her fiancé, tie-down roper Riley Webb, in the Showdown Round.

Invitees:
Taylor Munsell
Shelby Boisjoli-Meged
Josie Conner
Rylee George
Aspen Miller

Contenders:
Madison Outhier
Kelsie Domer
Jackie Crawford
Rickie Fanning
Fallon Ruffoni

Team Roping

With multiple former champions, including the three-time titlist team of Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira, this event will be incredible to watch. In Friday night's Semi-Finals, Dustin Egusquiza and JC Flake set a new arena record at a blistering 3.41 seconds.

Header Invitees:
Tanner Tomlinson
Kolton Schmidt
Clint Summers
Kaleb Driggers
Andrew Ward

Header Contenders:
Dustin Egusquiza
Billy Bob Brown
Pedro Egurrola
Cory Kidd
Coleman Proctor

Heeler Invitees:
Jake Long
Junior Nogueira
Jade Corkill
Jonathan Torres
Kaden Profili

Heeler Contenders:
JC Flake
Blaine Vick
Michael Calmelat, Jr.
Carson Johnson
Travis Graves

Steer Wrestling

As a reminder, invitee positions do NOT roll down. Unfortunately, Stetson Jorgenson sustained a major knee injury at the end of April and will not compete.

Invitees:
Rowdy Parrott
Jesse Brown
Stetson Jorgenson
Tucker Allen
Will Lummus

Contenders:
Dalton Massey
Riley Barber
Gavin Soileau
Don Payne
Clayton Culligan

Tie-Down Roping

Two-time champion Shad Mayfield has undergone two hip surgeries in the past six months and will not compete in Globe Life Field. Again, invitee positions do not roll down, and only four invitees will rope in this event.

Invitees:
Riley Webb
Shad Mayfield
Kincade Henry
Joel Harris
John Douch

Contenders:
Zack Jongbloed
Ty Harris
Tuf Cooper
Andrew Burks
Cory Solomon

Saddle Bronc Riding

The roster in saddle bronc riding is absolutely stacked, including 2025 Champion, Damian Brennan. The Aussie will be seeking to defend his title this year.

Invitees:
Damian Brennan
Zeke Thurston
Statler Wright
Ryder Wright
Stetson Wright

Contenders:
Sage Newman
Brody Cress
Shorty Garrett
Kade Bruno
Logan Hay

Barrel Racing

Heidi Gunderson and Wonder If Im Lucky | Lexi Smith Media

2025 Champion, Kassie Mowry, will not be competing this year. Like the steer wrestling and tie-down roping, only four invitees will be running in the Showdown Round.

Invitees:
Carlee Otero
Hayle Gibson-Stillwell
Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi
Tricia Aldridge
Kassie Mowry

Contenders:
Taylor Armenta
Heidi Gunderson
Mindy Holloway
Dusky Lynn Hall
Blake Molle

Bull Riding

On the list of invitees, two cowboys will compete in two events inside Globe Life Field. Wacey Schalla earned an invite in bareback riding, while Stetson Wright earned his in saddle bronc riding.

Invitees:
Ky Hamilton
Wacey Schalla
Tristen Hutchings
TJ Gray
Stetson Wright

Contenders:
Luciano De Castro
Jesse Petri