East Region Athletes Advance to Final Stop on Road to $1 Million

After the conclusion of the third Contender Tournament Region Finals in Lexington, Ky., attention now shifts to Abilene, Texas, for The American Contender Tournament Finals.

Click Thompson, courtesy Teton Ridge

The American Contender East Region Finals at the Alltech Arena in Lexington, Ky., determined the top five athletes in each discipline who will advance to The American Contender Tournament Finals. This final stage is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, at the Taylor Telecom Arena in Abilene, Texas.

These qualifiers mark a significant step toward the highly anticipated $1 million bonus at The American Rodeo, slated for Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

In the bareback riding division, Jacob Lees claimed the title with an aggregate score of 171.25 points, earning a $10,000 purse. Taylor Broussard secured the top advancing spot with 169 points, representing the Central Region. The top five advancing competitors also include Dean Thompson, Sam Peterson, Ty Fast Taypotat, and Nick Pelke.

Kenli Smith wins $10k and a spot at The American Contender Tournament with a 2.24-second run / Click Thompson, courtesy of Teton Ridge

In breakaway roping, Kenli Smith led with a swift 2.24-second run, earning $10,000. Morgan Sparks and Rylie Romero secured second and third places, respectively. Joining them in advancement are Taylor Raupe and Paige Wiseman.

Team Roping saw Dustin Equsquiza and Travis Graves secure the top spot with a 4.22-second run, earning $10,000. Other advancing teams include Ross Mitchell and Cole Walker, as well as Erich Rogers and Paul Eaves, along with Coleman Proctor and Levi Lord, and Brenten Hall and Kaden Profili.

Logan Hay emerged victorious in saddle bronc riding with an aggregate score of 169.25 points, earning $10,000. Other advancing riders include Ryder Sanford, Parker Fleet, Dawson Hay, and Wade Sundell.

Steer wrestling saw Will Lummus take the top spot with a swift 4.00-second run, earning $10,000. The top five also include Kyle Irwin, Stephen Mullins, Dakota Eldridge, and Stephen Culling.

Tie-down roping featured Westyn Hughes with a dominant 7.88-second run, earning $10,000. Michael Otero, Zack Cargle, James Berry, and Kincade Henry also secured advancement.

16-year-old Rylee Jo Maryman wins the East Regional title with a time of 15.096 seconds, the fastest of the weekend / Click Thompson, courtesy of Teton Ridge

Barrel Racing had Rylee Jo Maryman leading with a time of 15.096 seconds, earning $10,000. Emma Parr, Christian Shipley, Liz Pinkston, and Mindy Holloway also advanced.

Jacob Carige led the Bull Riding category with 84.25 points, earning $12,250. Other advancing riders include Christian Oliveira Silva, Dustin Boquet, Jeff Askey, and Wyatt Hart.

The top five contenders from all three regions will compete for a chance to participate in The American Rodeo, narrowing the field to just five. These top five will then face seasoned professionals who secured top positions in the PRCA/WPRA standings at the close of 2023. As veterans defend their champion titles, emerging cowboys and cowgirls will fiercely vie for the opportunity to progress to the ultimate high-stakes showdown and potentially seize the life-changing $1 million bonus.

For further details and ticket information, visit www.americanrodeo.com.

East Region Finals - Results & Top 5 Athletes Advancing

Bareback Riding

1. Jacob Lees*, 171.25 points, $10,000
2. Taylor Broussard, 169.00, $5,500 (No. 1 advancement)
3. Dean Thompson, 166, $2,500 (No. 2 advancement)
4. Sam Petersen, 165.75, $1,500 (No. 3 advancement)
5. Ty Fast Taypotat, 162.25, $500 (No. 4 advancement)
6. Richmond Champion*, 161.50
7. Nick Pelke, 159.50 (No. 5 advancement)

*Jacob Lees and Richmond Champion cannot advance twice as they earned their American Contender Tournament Finals qualifications in the Central Region Finals.

Breakaway Roping

1. Kenli Smith, 2.24 seconds, $10,000
2. Morgan Sparks, 2.42, $5,500
3. Rylie Romero, 2.59, $2,500
4. Taylor Raupe, 2.83, $1,500
5. Paige Wiseman, 3.27, $500

Tie-Down Roping

1. Westyn Hughes, 7.88 seconds, $10,000
2. Michael Otero, 8.78, $5,500
3. Zack Cargle, 9.29, $2,500
4. James Berry, 13.09, $1,500
5. Kincade Henry, 16.82, $500

Steer Wrestling

1. Will Lummus, 4.00 seconds, $10,000 
2. Kyle Irwin, 4.10, $5,500
3. Stephen Mullins, 4.26, $2,500
4. Dakota Eldridge, 4.67, $1,500
5. Stephen Culling, 5.00, $500

Saddle Bronc Riding

1. Logan Hay, 169.25 points, $10,000
2. Ryder Sanford, 168.50, $5,500
3/4. Dawson Hay, 166.25, $2,000
3/4. Parker Fleet, 166.25, $2,000
5. Wade Sundell, 165.25, $500

Team Roping

1. Dustin Egusquiza/Travis Graves, 4.22 seconds, $10,000 per man
2. Ross Mitchell/Cole Walker, 4.53, $5,500
3. Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves, 4.82, $2,500 
4. Coleman Proctor/Levi Lord, 5.28, $1,500
5. Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, 5.45, $500

Barrel Racing

1. Rylee Jo Maryman, 15.096 seconds, $10,000 
2. Emma Parr, 15.234, $5,500
3. Christian Shipley, 15.273, $2,500
4. Liz Pinkston, 15.338, $1,500 
5. Mindy Holloway, 15.411, $500

Bull Riding

1. Jacob Carige, 84.25 points, $12,250
2. Chrisian Oliveira Silva, 80.25, $7,750 
3. Jeff Askey, 6.14
4. Dustin Boquet, 5.52
5. Wyatt Hart, 4.49

West Region Finals - Top 5 Athletes Advancing

Bareback Riding: 

1. Garrett Shadbolt
2. Cole Reiner
3. Bradlee Miller
4. R.C Landingham
5. Darien Johnson 

Breakaway Roping: 

1. JJ Hampton
2. Bailey Bates
3. Anna Jorgenson
4. Sutton Mang
5. Jackie Crawford 

Tie-Down Roping: 

1. Colton Farquer
2. J. Cody Jones
3. Colton Kofoed
4. Tyler Forsberg
5. Kala’i Nobriga

Steer Wrestling: 

1. Tyke Kipp
2. Connor Mckell
3. Sawyer Strand
4. Casey Collins
5. Kade Greer

Saddle Bronc Riding: 

1. Quentin "Q" Taylor
2/3. Wyatt Casper
2/3. Sawyer Eirikson
4. Mitch Pollock
5. Leon Fountain

Team Roping: 

1. Pedro Egurrola/Little Michael Camelot Jr.
2. Aaron Tsinigine/Denton Dunning
3. Jake Clay/ Trey Yates
4. Levi Simpson/Logan Cullen
5. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith

Barrel Racing: 

1. Lisa Zachoda
2. Kathy Grimes
3. Darian Raupers
4. Lakken Bice
5. Kelly Yates

Bull Riding: 

1. Cody Teel
2. Warlei De Oliveira Da Silva
3. Rawley Johnson
4. Chase Dougherty
5. Hayes Weight

Central Region Finals - Top 5 Athletes Advancing

Bareback Riding

1. Tilden Hooper
2. Richmond Champion
3. Caleb Bennett
4/5. Jacob Lees
4/5. Ty Pope

Breakaway Roping

1. Josie Conner
2. Kelsie Domer
3. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh
4. Colee Cox 
5. Cheyanne Mccartney

Tie-Down Roping

1. Shane Hanchey
2. Dylan Hancock
3. Lane Livingston
4. John Douch 
5. Joel Harris

Steer Wrestling

1. Jacob Talley
2. Ty Erickson
3. Rowdy Parrott
4. Matt Reeves
5. Tanner Brunner

Saddle Bronc Riding

1. Shea Fornier
2. Lefty Holman
3. Ben Andersen
4. Kolby Wanchuk
5. Riggin Smith

Team Roping

1. Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham
2. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueria
3. Shay Carroll/Logan Moore 
4. Coy Rahlmann/Billie Jack Saebens
5. Clay Smith/Nicky Northcott

Barrel Racing

1. Brandon Cullins
2. London Gorham
3. Merrick Moyer
4. Grace Hancock
5. Latricia Duke

Bull Riding

1. Roscoe Jarbo
2. Matt Palmer
3/4. Kase Hitt
3/4. Cooper James
5. Clayton Thorp