Click Thompson, courtesy of Teton Ridge
The American Rodeo Tie-Down Roping: Who’s Up for the $1 Million?
The sport's most elite tie-down ropers will compete this weekend at The American Rodeo in Arlington, Texas. Between the top five from the 2023 PRCA World Standings and the contenders who battled their way through the qualifying tournament series, tie-down roping will be a knife fight.
Only the contenders will have a chance to win the grand prize of $1 million, but first, they will have to go through a tough set of invitees to get there. See who they're up against and place your bets on who will reign supreme in this tough field of tie-down ropers.
Tie-Down Roping Invitees:
L-R: Caleb Smidt, Riley Webb, Tuf Cooper, Shad Mayfield, Haven Meged.
Riley Webb — This young Denton, Texas talent is fresh off his first World Championship and a dominant 2023 season. He just won his Super Series in Houston and is looking to keep that momentum moving forward to Globe Life.
Haven Meged — This 2019 World Champion and Resistol Rookie of the Year is coming off of a stellar 2023 NFR, during which he clinched his second Average title. A win at Odessa and a top finish at San Antonio landed him No. 7 in the 2024 World Standings, as he awaits his go at The American, where he will compete alongside his World Champion wife, Shelby Boisjoli-Meged.
Shad Mayfield — Money Mayfield has had an incredible start to his 2024 season; wins at Fort Worth and San Antonio have landed him at a familiar spot, No. 1 in the World. He has nearly $100,000 won with plenty of rodeos left to have another storybook year; although battling with some injuries, Mayfield's game is better than ever, and he is on fire going into this $100,000 weekend.
Caleb Smidt — A legend in the sport of tie-down roping who recently announced his retirement from professional rodeo, is just coming off of a Super Series win in Houston, where he decided to come out and play for the big money that rodeo has to offer. We expect to see Smidt and Pockets in their true winning fashion as he sets his sights on his third championship at The American.
Tuf Cooper — Between Cooper's 15 NFR qualifications and 4 World Championships, he is more than qualified to get the job done in Arlington. The Cooper name is synonymous with professional rodeo and tie-down roping, and they hold many accolades throughout the entire family. A recent win in Tuscon, Ariz., has his momentum rolling into the weekend, and eager to get his first win at The American.
Tie-Down Roping Contenders:
L-R: J. Cody Jones, Westyn Hughes, Zack Cargle, Kincade Henry, Shane Hanchey.
Shane Hanchey — This 2021 American Champion had to take the long route to get to Globe Life, but he is just as tough as ever. The 14-time NFR Qualifier and World Champion has some extra motivation to secure a $1 Million payout as he and his wife are expecting their first baby boy at the end of May. With his recent win at the Contender Finals in Abilene, his chances at a big payout are as strong as ever.
J. Cody Jones — This California native came from the West Region qualifying finals and made a smoking run of 8.15 in Abilene to secure a nice $10,000 payday and a chance to rope at Globe Life. The multiple-time California Circuit Finals qualifier and father is going to lay it all out on the line for a life-changing payout.
Kincade Henry — Henry sits No. 9 in the World Standings race and has qualified for the NFR two times in his short career in the professional rodeo scene. This is his second year to qualify for the big show, and he just narrowly missed the championship and million-dollar payday when he was edged out by a fellow competitor, Ty Harris, at the last second. He is as motivated as ever to clinch the championship this year and thrives under the pressure to do well; he will be a huge force to be reckoned with on Saturday.
Zack Cargle — This Georgia native made his way through the contender tournament ranks in a big way. Winning second at the East Region Finals and now fourth at Abilene, he has racked up a good chunk of change in American earnings and is looking to make his first performance on a big stage a good one.
Westyn Hughes — Hughes is a three-time NFR qualifier known for his quickness on the ground. His fast hands are hard to beat, and in 2021, he earned a career-high in earnings, good for No. 3 in the world when it was all said and done. Although Hughes is battling some back problems, he still earned a qualification to the Semi-Finals in Houston, and he credits his great mare Zanna for picking up the slack and keeping them in the conversation for a 7 figure bonus.
