Click Thompson, courtesy Teton Ridge
East Region Athletes Advance to Final Stop on Road to $1 Million
The American Contender East Region Finals at the Alltech Arena in Lexington, Ky., determined the top five athletes in each discipline who will advance to The American Contender Tournament Finals. This final stage is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, at the Taylor Telecom Arena in Abilene, Texas.
These qualifiers mark a significant step toward the highly anticipated $1 million bonus at The American Rodeo, slated for Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
In the bareback riding division, Jacob Lees claimed the title with an aggregate score of 171.25 points, earning a $10,000 purse. Taylor Broussard secured the top advancing spot with 169 points, representing the Central Region. The top five advancing competitors also include Dean Thompson, Sam Peterson, Ty Fast Taypotat, and Nick Pelke.
Kenli Smith wins $10k and a spot at The American Contender Tournament with a 2.24-second run.
Click Thompson, courtesy of Teton Ridge
In breakaway roping, Kenli Smith led with a swift 2.24-second run, earning $10,000. Morgan Sparks and Rylie Romero secured second and third places, respectively. Joining them in advancement are Taylor Raupe and Paige Wiseman.
Team Roping saw Dustin Equsquiza and Travis Graves secure the top spot with a 4.22-second run, earning $10,000. Other advancing teams include Ross Mitchell and Cole Walker, as well as Erich Rogers and Paul Eaves, along with Coleman Proctor and Levi Lord, and Brenten Hall and Kaden Profili.
Logan Hay emerged victorious in saddle bronc riding with an aggregate score of 169.25 points, earning $10,000. Other advancing riders include Ryder Sanford, Parker Fleet, Dawson Hay, and Wade Sundell.
Steer wrestling saw Will Lummus take the top spot with a swift 4.00-second run, earning $10,000. The top five also include Kyle Irwin, Stephen Mullins, Dakota Eldridge, and Stephen Culling.
Tie-down roping featured Westyn Hughes with a dominant 7.88-second run, earning $10,000. Michael Otero, Zack Cargle, James Berry, and Kincade Henry also secured advancement.
16-year-old Rylee Jo Maryman wins the East Regional title with a time of 15.096 seconds, the fastest of the weekend.
Click Thompson, courtesy of Teton Ridge
Barrel Racing had Rylee Jo Maryman leading with a time of 15.096 seconds, earning $10,000. Emma Parr, Christian Shipley, Liz Pinkston, and Mindy Holloway also advanced.
Jacob Carige led the Bull Riding category with 84.25 points, earning $12,250. Other advancing riders include Christian Oliveira Silva, Dustin Boquet, Jeff Askey, and Wyatt Hart.
The top five contenders from all three regions will compete for a chance to participate in The American Rodeo, narrowing the field to just five. These top five will then face seasoned professionals who secured top positions in the PRCA/WPRA standings at the close of 2023. As veterans defend their champion titles, emerging cowboys and cowgirls will fiercely vie for the opportunity to progress to the ultimate high-stakes showdown and potentially seize the life-changing $1 million bonus.
For further details and ticket information, visit www.americanrodeo.com.
East Region Finals - Results & Top 5 Athletes Advancing
Bareback Riding
1. Jacob Lees*, 171.25 points, $10,000
2. Taylor Broussard, 169.00, $5,500 (No. 1 advancement)
3. Dean Thompson, 166, $2,500 (No. 2 advancement)
4. Sam Petersen, 165.75, $1,500 (No. 3 advancement)
5. Ty Fast Taypotat, 162.25, $500 (No. 4 advancement)
6. Richmond Champion*, 161.50
7. Nick Pelke, 159.50 (No. 5 advancement)
*Jacob Lees and Richmond Champion cannot advance twice as they earned their American Contender Tournament Finals qualifications in the Central Region Finals.
Breakaway Roping
1. Kenli Smith, 2.24 seconds, $10,000
2. Morgan Sparks, 2.42, $5,500
3. Rylie Romero, 2.59, $2,500
4. Taylor Raupe, 2.83, $1,500
5. Paige Wiseman, 3.27, $500
Tie-Down Roping
1. Westyn Hughes, 7.88 seconds, $10,000
2. Michael Otero, 8.78, $5,500
3. Zack Cargle, 9.29, $2,500
4. James Berry, 13.09, $1,500
5. Kincade Henry, 16.82, $500
Steer Wrestling
1. Will Lummus, 4.00 seconds, $10,000
2. Kyle Irwin, 4.10, $5,500
3. Stephen Mullins, 4.26, $2,500
4. Dakota Eldridge, 4.67, $1,500
5. Stephen Culling, 5.00, $500
Saddle Bronc Riding
1. Logan Hay, 169.25 points, $10,000
2. Ryder Sanford, 168.50, $5,500
3/4. Dawson Hay, 166.25, $2,000
3/4. Parker Fleet, 166.25, $2,000
5. Wade Sundell, 165.25, $500
Team Roping
1. Dustin Egusquiza/Travis Graves, 4.22 seconds, $10,000 per man
2. Ross Mitchell/Cole Walker, 4.53, $5,500
3. Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves, 4.82, $2,500
4. Coleman Proctor/Levi Lord, 5.28, $1,500
5. Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, 5.45, $500
Barrel Racing
1. Rylee Jo Maryman, 15.096 seconds, $10,000
2. Emma Parr, 15.234, $5,500
3. Christian Shipley, 15.273, $2,500
4. Liz Pinkston, 15.338, $1,500
5. Mindy Holloway, 15.411, $500
Bull Riding
1. Jacob Carige, 84.25 points, $12,250
2. Chrisian Oliveira Silva, 80.25, $7,750
3. Jeff Askey, 6.14
4. Dustin Boquet, 5.52
5. Wyatt Hart, 4.49
West Region Finals - Top 5 Athletes Advancing
Bareback Riding:
1. Garrett Shadbolt
2. Cole Reiner
3. Bradlee Miller
4. R.C Landingham
5. Darien Johnson
Breakaway Roping:
1. JJ Hampton
2. Bailey Bates
3. Anna Jorgenson
4. Sutton Mang
5. Jackie Crawford
Tie-Down Roping:
1. Colton Farquer
2. J. Cody Jones
3. Colton Kofoed
4. Tyler Forsberg
5. Kala’i Nobriga
Steer Wrestling:
1. Tyke Kipp
2. Connor Mckell
3. Sawyer Strand
4. Casey Collins
5. Kade Greer
Saddle Bronc Riding:
1. Quentin "Q" Taylor
2/3. Wyatt Casper
2/3. Sawyer Eirikson
4. Mitch Pollock
5. Leon Fountain
Team Roping:
1. Pedro Egurrola/Little Michael Camelot Jr.
2. Aaron Tsinigine/Denton Dunning
3. Jake Clay/ Trey Yates
4. Levi Simpson/Logan Cullen
5. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith
Barrel Racing:
1. Lisa Zachoda
2. Kathy Grimes
3. Darian Raupers
4. Lakken Bice
5. Kelly Yates
Bull Riding:
1. Cody Teel
2. Warlei De Oliveira Da Silva
3. Rawley Johnson
4. Chase Dougherty
5. Hayes Weight
Central Region Finals - Top 5 Athletes Advancing
Bareback Riding
1. Tilden Hooper
2. Richmond Champion
3. Caleb Bennett
4/5. Jacob Lees
4/5. Ty Pope
Breakaway Roping
1. Josie Conner
2. Kelsie Domer
3. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh
4. Colee Cox
5. Cheyanne Mccartney
Tie-Down Roping
1. Shane Hanchey
2. Dylan Hancock
3. Lane Livingston
4. John Douch
5. Joel Harris
Steer Wrestling
1. Jacob Talley
2. Ty Erickson
3. Rowdy Parrott
4. Matt Reeves
5. Tanner Brunner
Saddle Bronc Riding
1. Shea Fornier
2. Lefty Holman
3. Ben Andersen
4. Kolby Wanchuk
5. Riggin Smith
Team Roping
1. Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham
2. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueria
3. Shay Carroll/Logan Moore
4. Coy Rahlmann/Billie Jack Saebens
5. Clay Smith/Nicky Northcott
Barrel Racing
1. Brandon Cullins
2. London Gorham
3. Merrick Moyer
4. Grace Hancock
5. Latricia Duke
Bull Riding
1. Roscoe Jarbo
2. Matt Palmer
3/4. Kase Hitt
3/4. Cooper James
5. Clayton Thorp
