45 More Athletes Are One Step Closer to $1 Million Dollars

The American Contender Tournament made it's second of three stops in Oklahoma City, Okla., for the Central Regional Finals, where 45 athletes will advance to the Contender Tournament Finals to be held Feb. 10 in Abilene, Texas.

Courtesy Teton Ridge

The Event

The American Contender Tournament consists of three regions that all host regional finals. The top five athletes in each discipline per region advance to the Contender Tournament Finals. The West Regional Finals were held Jan. 11-13 in Las Vegas, Nev. The East Regional Finals will be held Jan. 25-27 in Lexington, Ky. The Contender Tournament Finals put athletes one step closer to their chance at winning $1 Millon at The American Rodeo on March 9 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

The Central Regional Finals were held at the historic Jim Norick Arena in Oklahoma City, Okla., where rodeo history runs deep. The Jim Norick Arena hosted the National Finals Rodeo from 1965 to 1978. This weekend, more history was made as athletes competed, trying to advance further down the road to The American.

Who Won?

Bareback Riding

The bareback riding is a tale of veterans and rookies. 

Tilden Hooper, a two-time American winner, won the event and $10,000. But his eyes are on a much larger prize. The two times prior, when Hooper took home The American Championship (2021 and 2022), he was an invited athlete and was not competing for the million-dollar bonus. This year is different; he is not an invited athlete, and he wants his chance at the million dollars.

Richmond Champion was the first athlete to win the million dollars at the first-ever American in 2014. He is looking for a repeat for the 10-year anniversary of The American. He is one step closer to his chance, as he finished second at the Central Regional Finals, advancing him to the Contender Tournament Finals.

Jacob Lees has never competed at The American, but don’t count him out. Lees is fresh off of his first trip to the National Finals Rodeo, a win at the Texas Champions Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, and a win at Rodeo San Diego (Calif.). Lees continued his hot streak, finishing fourth to advance to the Contender Tournament Finals.

Tie-Down Roping

Courtesy Teton Ridge

Shane Hanchey did what Shane Hanchey does– when the pressure is on, he wins. Hanchey progressed to the finals on Saturday night through the redemption round (basically a second chance round), and he made the finals count. 7.71s later, Hanchey bested the field. Hanchey was quick to credit his equine teammate– a five year old gelding who was making his first rodeo appearance.

Steer Wrestling

Of the five advancing in the steer wrestling, three are past American champions. 

Jacob Talley won the American in 2021, but he was an invited athlete and did not have a chance at the million-dollar bonus. Talley won the first round at the Central Regional Finals, placed in the second round, and won the aggregate to advance to the finals Saturday night. Talley saved his best for last and threw the fastest steer of the event in 3.54 seconds to capture the championship and cash in on $10,000.

Courtesy Teton Ridge

Ty Erickson is a two-time American Champion, but both times was an invited athlete. Erickson’s road to The American this year would allow him an opportunity at the million-dollar bonus. Aboard his prized equine partner, Crush, Erickson was able to win second with his 3.7-second run. 

Matt Reeves is a two-time American Champion, as well. Reeves was eligible for the million-dollar bonus in 2018 when he won his first American title, but he was an invited athlete in 2020 when he won it the second time. Reeves is looking for a repeat of 2018, and he is one step closer, advancing to the Contender Tournament Finals with his 4th place finish.

Full Results

Bareback

1. Tilden Hooper - 168 points
2. Richmond Champion - 167.75
3. Caleb Bennett - 166.75
4. Jacob Lees - 165.5
5. Ty Pope - 165.5

Breakaway

1. Josie Conner - 2.34 seconds
2. Kelsie Domer - 2.47
3. Jordan Jo Hollobaugh - 2.56
4. Colee Cox - 2.78
5. Cheyanne McCartney- 2.89

Courtesy Teton Ridge

Tie-Down Roping

1. Shane Hanchey - 7.71 seconds
2. Dylan Hancock - 8.01
3. Lane Livingston - 8.03
4. John Douch - 9.0
5. Joel Harris - 9.62

Steer Wrestling

1. Jacob Talley - 3.54 seconds
2. Ty Erickson - 3.7
3. Rowdy Parrott - 3.78
4. Matt Reeves - 3.83
5. Tanner Brunner - 4.03

Saddle Bronc

1. Shea Fornier - 171.25 points
2. Lefty Holman - 170
3. Ben Andersen - 169.75
4. Kolby Wanchuk - 169.25
5. Riggin Smith - 166

Team Roping

1. Dawson Graham/ Dillon Graham - 4.28 seconds
2. Kaleb Driggers / Junior Nogueria - 5.03
3. Shay Carroll/ Logan Moore - 5.15
4. Coy Rahlmann/ Billie Jack Saebens - 5.55
5. Clay Smith/ Nicky Northcott - 9.81

Courtesy Teton Ridge

Barrel Racing

1. Brandon Cullins - 14.747 seconds
2. London Gorham - 15.080
3. Merrick Moyer - 15.211
4. Grace Hancock - 15.366
5. LaTricia Duke - 15.373

Courtesy Teton Ridge

Bull Riding

1. Roscoe Jarboe - 160.25 points
2. Matt Palmer - 155.5
3. Kase Hitt - 85
4. Cooper James - 85
5. Clayton Thorp - 84.25

Courtesy Teton Ridge

For more information about The American Rodeo, the Contender Tournament Finals, or The American Western Weekend, check out americanrodeo.com.