from 2024 September Ropers Sports News

TRAIL BLAZER

Teton Ridge Sports answers some commonly asked questions about the American Contender Tournament, how to qualify, what the Semi-Finals formats consist of and more.

Where can prospective contender athletes locate information on American Contender Tournament qualifiers?

Visit AmericanRodeo.com and hover over the Athlete Hub. There you will see Open Rodeo Qualifier Events as well as conventional jackpot Qualifier Events. Additionally, Better Barrel Races (BBR) sanctioned races are posted here: https://www.betterbarrelraces.com/TheAmerican.

How do athletes qualify for one or all of the three The American Contender Tournament Regional Semi-Finals rodeos?

A: Athletes earn Automatic Advancement (AA) according to how many people enter the American qualifier “sidepot” at a rodeo or jackpot in each designated region. Automataic Advancement spots are awarded according to the scale below. Athletes must enter the qualifier prior to competing. Each entry is time stamped. You must have a qualified ride or run in order to advance.

ENTRY SCALE:

1-5 entries = 1 Automatic Spot

6-10 entries = 2 Automatic Spots

11-15 entries = 3 Automatic Spots

16-20 entries = 4 Automatic Spots

21-25 entries = 5 Automatic Spots

26-30 entries = 6 Automatic Spots

31-50 entries = 8 Automatic Spots

51+ entries = 10 Automatic Spots

Q: When and where are the American Contender Tournament Regional Semi-Finals rodeos?

A: The American Contender Tournament Regionals are geographically distributed across the United States. Below are the 2025 dates and locations:

ACT WEST REGIONAL SEMI-FINALS & FINALS:

January 9-11, 2025 - Las Vegas, Nevada - South Point Arena. $314,325 paid out at the 2024 event! The deadline to qualify for the West Regionals is December 15, 2024.

ACT EAST REGIONAL SEMI-FINALS & FINALS:

January 23-25, 2025 – Lexington, Kentucky - Alltech Arena. $284,100 paid out at the 2024 event! The deadline to qualify for the East Regionals is December 29, 2024.

ACT CENTRAL REGIONAL SEMI-FINALS & FINALS:

February 13-15, 2025 – Tulsa, Oklahoma - Tulsa Expo Ford Truck Arena. $380,525 paid out at the 2024 event! The deadline to qualify for the Central Regionals is January 5, 2024.

Q: How will the Regional Semi-Finals buy-ins work?

A: In the 2024-25 season direct buy-ins will be offered at each of the three Regional Semis. Fees are $1,000 per entry, plus service charge. Buy-ins fill positions up to the total of 125 in each discipline at each Regional and entry details will be posted at least 30 days prior. No walk-up entries will be taken.

Q: What is the ACT Regional SemiFinals format in roughstock?

The roughstock format is one long go on Friday night with a Finals for the Top 10 on Saturday. There are separate jackpot payouts offered in Long Go, Finals and Aggregate. There is $20,000-added per discipline guaranteed in the Finals.

What is the ACT Regional Semi-Finals format in the timed events?

The timed event format is two preliminary go-rounds held on Thursday and Friday with a Finals on Saturday for the Top 10, plus the Top 3 from the Redemption (buy-back) Round. Jackpot payouts are awarded in each round, plus in the Aggregate. There is $20,000-added per discipline guaranteed prize money in the Finals.

Q: How much are the entry fees at qualifiers?

A: Entry fees in the timed events are $415. Entry fees for select Roughstock approved qualifiers are $545. At this time only Open rodeos and a select few high school and college rodeos offer this discounted fee. Direct buy-in fees at Regionals are $1,000, plus the Stripe service charge. The entry fees in the barrel racing are $415 unless the producer arranges for fees of $545 with $125 of that being jackpotted (special approval). There are no additional fees at ACT Regional Semi-Finals unless you enter a Redemption Round.

Q: How do you advance through the tournament?

A: The Top 5 in each discipline from each Regional Finals will advance to The American Contender Tournament Finals on April 11, 2025, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Then, the Top 5 from the ACT Finals in each discipline will advance The American Rodeo Round of 10 at Globe Life Field on April 12, 2025. The Top 4 from the round of 10 then advance to The American Rodeo Championship Round that same day in Arlington where qualifiers take aim at The Million Dollar Contender Bonus!

In the heart of California, the 114th annual Rodeo Salinas wrapped up with a bang, drawing a lively crowd of over 16,400 rodeo enthusiasts.

Known as the Crown Royal Day of Champions, the event didn’t just showcase top-notch rodeo action; it also highlighted the community spirit and fierce competition that makes this event a cornerstone of Western culture.

Among the day’s highlights was a standout performance by local hero Daniel Green, a name synonymous with rodeo resilience and skill. Green, a tentime Wrangler National Finals Rodeo header and a three-time Cinch Timed Event Champion, added another feather to his hat by clinching the gold card team roping title alongside Cody Cowden. This victory was sweetened by the fact that Green is a long-standing supporter of Ropers Sports News, a publication proud to champion its advertisers and celebrate their achievements within its pages.

Daniel Green’s journey at Rodeo Salinas was more than just a competition; it was a celebration of a storied career that has inspired many. From his early days roping at NFRs with legends like Allen Bach and Kory Koontz to his recent triumphs, Green has always shown that he’s as much a part of the rodeo fabric as the bulls and broncs themselves. His win in Salinas wasn’t just for him but for every reader and supporter of Ropers Sports News, proving that dedication and community support go a long way in the rodeo world.

Other champions of the day included Rial Engelhart, who snagged the all-around title, and Levi Rudd, who dominated in steer wrestling. The rodeo also saw impressive performances in saddle bronc riding, with Wyatt Casper taking the win and Jeter Lawrence, who championed the bull riding.

Barrel racing was fast with Tiany Schuster, and Martha Angelone flexed in breakaway roping, each athlete earning their well-deserved buckles.

Looking forward, the anticipation is already building for next year’s showdown. Set for July 17-20, 2025, the 115th California Rodeo Salinas promises more of the heart-pounding action, community spirit, and Western tradition that attendees have come to love. For those inspired by the likes of Daniel Green and other champions, Rodeo Salinas is not just an event; it’s a testament to the enduring spirit of the West.

Stay tuned with Ropers Sports News for updates, stories, and highlights from the rodeo circuit, where we continue to support and celebrate the cowboys and cowgirls who make every rodeo memorable. As Daniel Green shows us time and again, in the arena of life and rodeo, it’s not just about how you start, but how you finish — strong, with the community in your corner.

For more information on next year's event and to keep up with all the rodeo news, follow us at California Rodeo Salinas on social media and check out our website for the latest updates and ticket information.

$385,000 Awarded at the WCJR

While the history book is rewritten at the World Championship

Guthrie, Okla. --- The WCJR record books were rewritten, and history was made as The Lazy E Arena and the WCRA DY (WCRA Division Youth) capped off a dominant event with over $385,000 shelled out at the 2024 WCJR (World Championship Junior Rodeo) in Guthrie, Oklahoma.

Bronc Evans dominated the event, raking in nearly $8,000 over the five-day event and going home with the Youth World Champion Heeler and Header, Youth Event Champion Heeler, Men’s All-Around World and Event Champion. Drew Ellen Stewart claimed another title for the WCJR (2023 Pole Bending World Champion) as the Ladies All-Around with 24,457 points.

Two athletes rose to the No. 1 position in a highly competitive Junior World Points race to earn the coveted all-around title. Jake Shelton and Alli Autrey distanced themselves from the Junior Division competition by more than 8,000 points, respectively. Shelton took home more than $4,500 at the event, while Autrey cashed in over $4,300.

Dusky Lynn Hall was unstoppable in Barrel Racing. The 10-year-old clocked the fastest time in the semifinal rounds with 17.108 and the fastest time in the Championship round with 17.097. The youth division athlete not only earned the event champion, but she also took home the Event All-Around title. Entering the event as her first year, she cashed in over $6,680. Arina Dee Haugen claimed the Youth Barrel Racing World Championship with over 5,000 points. In the four disciplines (breakaway roping, pole bending, goat tying, barrel racing), the athlete placed fourth in the round and third place on the all-around leaderboard.

After finishing in 6th place in the semi-final round and entering the final round as the runner-up in world points, Bella Skinner clinched the top spot in the Junior Championship Round with a stunning 17.214 time, securing the Junior Barrel Racing world and event titles and earning over $9,000.

Bareback riding was dominant throughout the championship event, with two riders notching 80+ scores. Brody Dent landed in the Championship Round after placing third in the qualifying rounds and third in the semi-finals. The Oregon Cowboy went into the semi-final round with more than 7,700 points. He distanced himself from Collin Roland by more than 2,000 points. Despite Roland winning the event with an 83.5 score, Dent took home the world title with an equally impressive 79.0 score. He earned 9,340 points at the event and more than $3,500 in earnings.

Jesus Villa Jr. made history at the Lazy E Arena, setting an arena record with a monstrous 91.5-point ride. Jesus stayed atop the WCRA DY Leaderboard all season and never gave up his points lead. It was good to win the World and Event Championship and over $5,000.

Jake Holmes blew away the steer wrestling competition. The Kansas native clinched the top spot on the leaderboard, securing his place in the Championship Round. With a commanding lead of 1000 points, he blazed through the competition with a lightning-fast 4.18-second run, claiming the event champion and world title. Holmes walked away with an impressive earning of over $4,000 for the week.

Briana Carr won the Youth Pole Bending World title with 7,534 points, securing the world championship. Carr outperformed All-Around Cowgirl Stewart in a close competition by more than 400 points to claim first place. During the championship round, Carr and Stewart navigated the course, with Ashtyn Mordica ultimately winning with 20.360 seconds, while Carr finished second with 20.5515 seconds. Carr earned over $2,600 as a result of her victory.

Pole Bender Merrick Moyer secured her place in Lazy E and WCRA history by earning an impressive 10,070 points to clinch the world championship in the Junior Division, despite receiving a 5.0-second penalty for a downed pole in the championship round, allowing Kiley Hargrave Batten to claim the top spot with a flawless 19.995-second run in the round.

Myles Nixon made moves in the youth tie-down roping after earning the World Championship and Event Champion titles. Courtesy of his leaderboard position, Nixon was seeded into the championship round after having the No. 1 position. Earning more than $3,000 throughout the week in winnings, he locked in the dualwin after topping the competition in the championship round after an 8.20-second time.

In the Junior Division, Kyan Wilhite maintained a formidable lead atop the Tie-Down World Champion Leaderboard with an impressive 14,523 points. At the same time, his traveling partner Tyler Calhoun secured the event championship. Kyan’s dominant performance throughout the event solidified his defense of the 2023 world title, securing a 2,000-point lead over 2023 allaround cowboy Briar White.

Josey James was the last to rope in the breakaway roping event. The Texan backed into the box with the World Championship already clinched, thanks to her 16,000+ points entering the championship round.

James placed in the top four in the two qualifying and semi-final rounds. This is Josey’s second event title (2023 breakaway event champion).

Harley Pryor and Kaydence Tindall were in a race for a piece of the historic payout. Kaydence walked away as the event breakaway champion after a 2.0-second time, while Stewarts earned the World Champion Youth Title with Pryor. Stewart recorded 5,558 points and $2,480 in earnings.

In a historic first for WCJR, Bronc Evans secured an unprecedented five titles. He dominated the competition, amassing over 10,500 points in heading and another 8,400 in healing, nearly doubling the points of the second-place contender. Additionally, Bronc, alongside header Cross Ringelstein, clinched the top spot during the round with the fastest time of the evening, clocking in at 6.57. Evans also takes home the men’s World and Event All-Around championship.

In the Junior Team Roping, Conley Kleinhans defended his second straight heading world championship title. With Brank Cookston at the heels, the pair were the only team to deliver a qualified time in the championship round to land in the world championship and event title. The pair had over 6,000 points each.

A highly competitive saddle bronc race occurred during the Saturday evening event. The 2023 World Champion Saddle Bronc holde, Cooper Lane, won the top position in both long rounds. Going into the championship round, he ranked third in the world standings, trailing the No. 1 Jasper Frost by 1300 points. Cooper prepared in the chute, knowing that winning the event was crucial to securing the world championship title. Cooper did just that and earned the highest-marked ride of the night, thus winning both the world and event titles and a $7,000 payday.

Alli Autrey advanced to the championship round thanks to her position on the Division Youth Leaderboard. She secured the goat-tying world champion title with over 6,100 points ahead of Sadie Patterson. Autrey, who won the Youth World Championship title in 2023, ran the fastest time of the week, clocking in at 6.38 seconds, to also secure the Junior Event Champion title.

Allie Calcote secured the Youth Goat Tying Junior World Championship after holding the lead by a small margin. Allie entered the event in the No. 1 spot in world points behind, with Drew Ellen Stewart edging the world champ position by nearly 400 points going into the final round. Despite earning the 3rd place in the round, she kept Drew Ellen at bay to take home the title. Rianne Tinsley ran the fastest time of the evening with a 6.87-second time.

All results can be found https://wcrarodeo.com/

Wcra

About WCRA DY (World Champions

Rodeo Alliance Division Youth):

WCRA DY is a culmination of a leaderboard race of rodeo events worldwide. Athletes can qualify for July 2023 $200,000 Added Money World Championship Junior Rodeo at the Lazy E Arena by nominating their rodeo efforts and earning points for the WCRA DY leaderboard positions using the VRQ (Virtual Rodeo Qualifier). Athletes can nominate their rodeo efforts starting May 2, 2022, and have until Sunday, June 25, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. to nominate and earn points. The top 16 on the leaderboard will qualify for the event with no entry fees.

ABOUT LAZY E ARENA:

The Fabulous Lazy E Arena – just southeast of Guthrie and northeast of Edmond/ Oklahoma City – was established in December 1984, just in time for the ’84 National Finals Steer Roping Finals. Originator of the E, E.K. Gaylord II had a vision that both the National Finals Steer Roping Finals and the National Finals Rodeo would happen the same time, in the same area, creating the most epic days rodeo had seen. While the plan only worked for one year, as the NFR moved to Vegas in ’85, the legacy and standards E.K. set from the beginning still carry on today. From giving PBR its start to the Timed Event Championship of the World, the Lazy E has hosted world champions, world championships and personalities galore. In 2005, Gaylord sold the property to a partnership from Nevada, and in October 2013, the property was sold to the McKinney Family from Midland, Texas. The ownership group has long recognized not only the tremendous facility but also the importance of the Lazy E’s place in Rodeo and Oklahoma history. The Family has committed to maintaining the Lazy E as the World’s premier western entertainment facility. Many updates and renovations are taking place at the Arena which will only enhance the lure of the Lazy E to the general population.