Stars Align at Houston Rodeo Wildcard

The Wildcard action started at the Houston rodeo for the cowboys' and cowgirls' last chance to advance to Championship Sunday.
Stars Align at Houston Rodeo Wildcard
Stars Align at Houston Rodeo Wildcard /

This was it—be the top dog or go home. Every contestant had to put everything on the line during the first wildcard performance at the Houston rodeo. There was no room for error and no playing safe when a $50,000 championship bonus was on the line.

In the bareback riding, Rocker Steiner was looking for advancement to continue his Texas Swing-winning ways. After starting a stellar 2024 year by winning Fort Worth and San Antonio, Steiner needed to advance to the finals.

Steiner would get on Calgary Stampede's Born Fearless, which seems fitting for the 20-year-old who has appeared fearless throughout his whole professional career. In the end, though, it was Born Fearless that came out on top, opening the door for the other five bareback riders to advance.  

The last man to nod his head, Clint Laye, stayed on top and in the middle of Pete Carr, Pro Rodeo's San Angelo Sam, for 87.5 points and the win.  

The calf roping featured hard-running, strong calves that put the talent-laden group to the test. Riley Pruitt was first out and set the pace with a 9.6-second run. World Champion Haven Meged outpaced him with a 9.3 to take the lead for several runs. Riley Pruitt took a chance with one wrap and a hooey and lost the bet, watching his 9.1-second run turn into a no-time.  

Second to last was Macon Murphy, who made a solid run and tied his calf in 9.1 seconds to take the lead and the advancement card.  

Murphy told Pro Rodeo Sports News, "This is my third time here and my first time advancing to the finals. This is very exciting."

It was a night full of excitement for several and disappointment for more.  Just the champion in each event will move forward, and the final contestants will be determined in Saturday night's wildcard round.

RODEOHOUSTON Wildcard Round 1 Full Results

Bareback riding: 1. Clint Laye, 87.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s San Angelo Sam, $3,000; 2. R.C. Landingham, 85.5, $2,000; 3. Jess Pope, 84.5, $1,000; 4. Cole Franks, 82, $750; 5. (tie) Rocker Steiner and Clay Jorgenson, NS, $500 each.

Steer wrestling: 1. Ty Erickson, 4.7 seconds, $3,000; 2. Stephen Culling, 6.6, $2,000; 3. Will Lummus, 16.6, $1,000; 4. Jacob Talley, 16.8, $750; 5. Cameron Morman, 17.7, $500; 6. Travis Munro, NT, $500.

Team roping: 1. Cash Duty/Ross Ashford, 5.1 seconds, $3,000 each; 2. Jake Clay/Trey Yates, $2,000; 3. Cole Thomas/Matt Schieck, 10.8, $1,000; 4. (tie) Brenten Hall/Tyler Worley, Marcus Theriot/Cole Curry and Bradley Massey/Zack Mabry, NT, $500 each.

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Lefty Holman, 83.5 points on Calgary Stampede’s Wrong Flavour, $3,000; 2. Logan Cook, 82.5, $2,000; 3. Isaac Diaz, 80, $1,000; 4. Ryder Wright, 79, $750; 5. Logan Hay, 75, $500.

Tie-down roping: 1. Macon Murphy, 9.1 seconds, $3,000; 2. Haven Meged, 9.3, $2,000; 3. Tuf Cooper, 9.6, $1,000; 4. Westy Hughes, 10.0, $750; 5. Blane Cox, 11.3, $500; 6. Riley Pruitt, NT, $500.

Barrel racing: 1. Sissy Winn, 14.64 seconds, $3,000; 2. Dona Kay Rule, 14.67, $2,000; 3. Halyn Lide, 14.97, $1,000; 4. Shelley Morgan, 14.98, $750; 5. Grace Gardiner, 20.27, $500; 6. Ilyssa Riley, 26.39, $500.

Bull riding: 1. Josh Frost, 80.5 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Bar Fly, $3,000; 2. Hayes Weight, 79, $2,000; 3. Trey Kimzey, 76, $1,000; 4. (tie) Tyler Bingham, Jordan Spears and Grayson Cole, NS, $500 each.

Breakaway roping: 1. Shelby Boisjoli-Meged, 2.3 seconds, $3,000; 2. Kendal Pierson, 3.1; $2,000; 3. Addie Weil, 12.20, $1,000; 4. Bradi Good, 12.50, $750; 5. (tie) Josie Conner and Braylee Shepherd, NT, $500 each.


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Laura Motley Lambert
LAURA MOTLEY LAMBERT

Laura Lambert resides in Wiggins, Colo. With her husband, Ricky and two sons, Brayden and Boedy. She attended the University of Northern Colorado while studying economics. She is an accomplished rodeo athlete and barrel horse trainer. Over the years, Laura has been active in journalism in a variety of roles. While continuing to cover western sports and country music, she is currently enjoying expanding her reach into multiple sports including MLB, NFL, PGA and LPGA. You can reach her at lauralambertmedia@gmail.com