The American Rodeo: A Cinderella Story That Just May End With $1 Million Dollars

This March, the top five 'amateur' rodeo athletes will compete against the top five world standings in professional rodeo. The competition incorporates eight rodeo disciplines for the biggest payday in Western Sports, a shot at $1 million.

Courtney Kreider, SI Rodeo

As The American Rodeo Contender Tournament heads into its second weekend of qualifying rounds, the Cinderella story continues for athletes who haven’t had the easiest rodeo journey.

“I’m as pumped as I’ve ever been, and I’m just going to take this one calf at a time because I’ve never made it that far,” Breakaway Roper JJ Hampton said.

Hampton is a three-time Wrangler NFBR qualifier and holds multiple world titles in her current discipline, team roping, tie-down roping, and the all-around from 1997-2000. However, this is the Texas cowgirl’s first shot at the million-dollar purse at The America Rodeo.

“I love to rope and just what a blessing to have the opportunity to rope for that much money. I don’t know how to say it. It’s surreal,” Hampton told SI Rodeo after taking home a $10,000 check last weekend as the West Region Breakaway Champion in Las Vegas.

The American Rodeo Contender Finals are a chance for 'amateur' rodeo athletes to move forward as the top five will compete against the top five world standings in professional rodeo. The competition incorporates eight rodeo disciplines for the biggest payday in Western Sports. 

Known as JJ to fans, when asked what she would say to new women in the sport, and young women watching back at home: “Don’t ever back down and never give up.”

At 52 years old, Hampton says she is living proof.

“The last couple of years have not been that great rodeoing for me. Actually, my husband told me last year they thought I should have maybe retired after my knee replacement, but I’m gonna tell you, if you want something bad enough, don’t ever quit cause you can do it. I’m livin’ proof."

Also competing in the South Point Arena during the contender tournament was Million Dollar Cowboy, a four-time NFR Qualifier RC Landingham. 

He became the WCRA’s (World Champions Rodeo Alliance) first Triple Crown of Rodeo winner and an instant millionaire after participating in the Cowtown Christmas Championship Rodeo, located in the Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas in December of 2022.

“Winning a million dollars is huge,” Landingham stated. “We don’t get to experience that ever.”

RC Landingham talks with bareback rider Zack Brown at the West Regional Finals of The American Rodeo at the South Point Arena in Las Vegas / Courtney Kreider, SI Rodeo

The Hat Creek Cowboy is a living testament to how that kind of prize money can turn a rodeo contestant’s life around. With three separate shoulder surgeries during his career, there have been several days filled with doubt.

Being on The American Rodeo trail to the Globe Life Field in March is a fairytale for any rodeo athlete.

“Getting the opportunity to ride for that kind of money and be able to come out with a win is a life-changing experience. Anytime we get the opportunity to compete for it, we are blessed.”

Garth Brooks said it best when he sang, “Lord, I'm much too young to feel this damn old,” and at 33 years old, Landingham’s remarks were similar.

“I don’t know half the kids rodeoing anymore. The competition is getting stronger; the kids are getting better. They get more experience now than they did before professional rodeo.”

With a smile, Landingham added he’s in good shape, and seeing the younger riders, “‘just makes us older guys compete a little harder, try a little harder the last few years we got in it.”

The American Rodeo is set to take place at the Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, for a full American Western Weekend during the second weekend of March. Hosted on Western Sports' largest stage, the American Horseman Performance will set the scene first on Friday, March 8, followed by The American Rodeo on Saturday, March 9. 

The American Rodeo Contender Tournament Finals are available to watch on Fox Sports 1, including the action from the Central Regional Finals in Oklahoma City this weekend.