Written by: Courtesy

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Contestants move forward for a chance at the $2.35 million purse

Fort Worth, Texas  – February 28, 2019 – Lives will be changed and champions will be crowned at RFD-TV’s The American Rodeo as the event returns to Arlington, Texas on March 2-3, 2019. Athletes traveled from across the U.S. to compete at Cowtown Coliseum in The American Semi-Finals, which determines who will have a chance to compete for $2.35 million at AT&T Stadium in The American.

Today concludes the second day of the Semi-Finals and is the start of who will advance to compete at AT&T Stadium on March 2-3 for a total purse of $2.35 million.

“The excitement continues to grow at Cowtown Coliseum,” said Randy Bernard. “The competition has noticeably heightened. We have one day left to see who will compete at The American.”

In tonight’s events, Garrett Shadbolt rode bareback bronc AMERICAN GRAFFITTI for 84.5 points and to the top of the leaderboard on night two. The bareback riders came to win tonight, with Daylon Swearingen taking a 82.5 ride on BEAR NAKED for second place and Casey Colletti finishing just behind him in third with 82 points on WHITCHY WOMAN. In the steer wrestling, Bridger Anderson threw down his steer for the fastest time of the second performance with a 3.99. Justin Shaffer was hot on his heels with a 4.5 and JD Struxness, who came in third, had a 4.72.

“Athletes and fans alike are that much closer to The American, the weekend they’ve been waiting for all year long,” said Bernard.

When the flag dropped for Dustin Morgan and Nick Rowland in the team roping, they shot to the lead in the second performance with a 5.01. The most successful cowboy of all time, Trevor Brazile, turned a steer for his heeler, Billie Jack Saebens, and the team stopped the clock with a time of 5.28, finishing in second place. Finishing third with a 6.12 was Spencer Mitchell on the head side with Russell Cardoza heeling. In the saddle bronc, Layton Green rode saddle bronc PULP FICTION for eight seconds and earned a score of 81.75, winning the second performance of the Semi-Finals. Aboard SNAKE STOMPER, former world champion Spencer Wright rode to a score of 81. Half a point behind, Wyatt Casper finished third in the performance with a score of 80.5.

In the breakaway roping, Taylor Munsell’s horse came to a stop at a time of 2.65 to put her in first place of the second performance. Lari Dee Guy proved her winning reputation, finishing second with a time of 3.62. Coming in third was Kelsey Espensen, roping her calf in 3.64 seconds.

The second night of tie down roping proved to have the fastest cowboy yet, Ty Harris, who topped the leaderboard of both performances with a 7.46. Landyn Duncan finishes second with an 8.03. In a tie for third and fourth place were Braden Harris and Monty Lewis, both tying their calves in 8.89 seconds. The men showed the women what they are made of in performance two of the barrel racing. Craig Brooks laid down the fastest time of the night with a 14.104. Michael Duffie turned the third and hustled home to stop the clock with a time of 14.163. Just three thousandths of a second behind him was Sydni Blanchard, running a 14.166 which was good for third place.

The bull riding in performance two brought only one qualified ride, Sean Willingham, who rode CHECKMATE for the full eight seconds to bring a score of 77.50.

Semi-Finals for The American Rodeo are now through Friday, March 1 in the Fort Worth Stockyards at Cowtown Coliseum. Finals for The American Rodeo are March 2-3 at AT&T Stadium. Live results are available at http://www.americanrodeo.com/live-results