The RODEOHOUSTON Super Series Wild Card on Friday, March 15, determined the final 14 athletes advancing to the Super Series Championship to be held today, March 16.
TIE-DOWN ROPING
Tuf Cooper took advantage of a trail of unsuccessful runs by his opponents, taking the win in the Wild Card Round and clinching a spot in the Super Series Championship.
Cooper said this is a big stage to play on, but he was confident going into his run.
“I was down there at the end of the competition, so I saw what my competitors were doing,” Cooper said. “I knew I had a good calf — a good dancing partner — so I just wanted to go make a solid run and I was able to do it today.”Advancing to the Championship Round:
- Tuf Cooper: Decatur, Texas — $6,000
- Ryan Jarrett: Comanche, Oklahoma — $7,000
BAREBACK RIDING
Jake Vold won the tiebreaker in Bareback Riding to advance to the Super Series Championship.
Devan Reilly also advanced to the Championship but took a loss in the tiebreaker. Reilly said regardless of the outcome, it is a big deal to advance as a bareback rider at RODEOHOUSTON.
“Well, you never know what is going to happen. Every horse out there was just rank,” Reilly said. “That is kind of why we ride bucking horses — test yourself, test your grit, test you iron. Everyone out there is as tough as nails so to come out with a 90 here was awesome.”
Advancing to the Championship Round:
- Jake Vold: Airdrie, Alberta, Canada — $11,500
- Devan Reilly: Sheridan, Wyoming — $4,875
TEAM ROPING
Team Roping duo Jake Cooper and Caleb Anderson secured the win in the Wild Card with a time of 4.4 seconds.
This is Anderson’s first time at RODEOHOUSTON, and he said that after not advancing in Semifinals 2, he wanted to come back and try his hardest.
“I was a little nervous because I messed up last night to get back, but tonight I said ‘I just need to do it,’” Anderson said.
Advancing to the Championship Round:
- Jake Cooper: Monument, New Mexico; and Caleb Anderson: Charlotte, North Carolina — $20,000
- Paul David Tierney: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Tanner Braden: Dewey, Oklahoma — $8,000
SADDLE BRONC RIDING
Chase Brooks was the first out of the chute in the Wild Card, and his score of 86 points stood up against the 11 riders behind him.Advancing to the Championship Round:
- Chase Brooks: Belgrade, Montana — $6,000
- Zeke Thurston: Big Valley, Alberta, Canada — $5,875
STEER WRESTLING
Having the most winnings on the Steer Wrestling Wild Card roster, Tyler Waguespack earned himself a spot in the Super Series Championship with a time of 4.4.
Waguespack said tonight came down to doing his job right and he is excited that it was enough to advance out of a tough round.
“It is incredible. To come through the Wild Card, it is kind of your toughest night. They only take two people out of it and we are fortunate enough, me and my traveling partner, to both advance,” Waguespack said.
Advancing to the Championship Round:
- Tyler Waguespack: Gonzales, Louisiana — $10,000
- Tyler Pearson: Atoka,ul/Oklahoma — $5,750
BARREL RACING
Jessi Fish advanced to the Super Series Championship in Barrel Racing after her time of 14.35 held up against the 11 cowgirls behind her.
Fish said her first time at RODEOHOUSTON has been unlike any other rodeo.
“A huge goal of mine was to get to come to Houston this year,” Fish said. “It has been amazing, there is nothing like it.”
Advancing to the Championship Round:
- Jessi Fish: Franklin, Tennessee — $6,750
- Jimmie Smith: Mcdade, Texas — $3,750
BULL RIDING
Sage Steele Kimzey was 10th on the roster and was only the third bull rider to stay on. His score of 93 superseded that of his opponents and secured him a spot in the Super Series Championship.
“It feels really good,” Kimzey said. “Nobody wants to go through the Wild Card just because it is so tough to advance out of this round. Once I had a little subpar performance in the Semifinal, I knew this was the hand that I was going to have to play and knew it was going to be tough but I got the job done.”
Advancing to the Championship Round:
- Sage Steel Kimzey, Salado, Texas — $8,500
- Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah — $4,000
The top four from each event in the Semifinal rounds advanced to the RODEOHOUSTON Super Series Championship, today, March 16. The remaining six from each event in the two semifinals competed in the Wild Card Round, where the top two from each event advanced to the Championship. Each event champion will walk away with a $50,000 payout, in addition to previous winnings.
