The road to 1 million kicked of this weekend in Sin City with cowboys and cowgirls hoping to grab the $10,000 check and a spot in Arlington to compete in The American Rodeo. Turning a few heads were Luke Branquinho and Kaycee Fields who weren't quite ready to hang it up and fade off into retirement. Both of the "comeback kids", as they were playfully referred to in a Teton Ridge post, made their presence known in the Semi-finals with both securing a spot in the final round. Unfortunately, neither was able to secure their spot at Arlington with a first place win but fans were thrilled to see them back in action. Branquinho did not go home empty handed as he took 2nd and a $5,500 check. Field took 5th place and a $500 check. Also back in action but able to capitalize in the final round for a first place win was Stetson Wright with an 85.5 point ride on Pinto Pass. Stetson Wright was out for last season due to an hamstring injury that he couldn't quite push through after Round 2 of the 2023 National Finals Rodeo which left him unable to compete all 10 rounds. He opted to take off for the 2024 season to heal and get back to his fighting strength and after watching him compete at the West Regional Championship, he looks more ready than ever to dominate in the 2025 rodeo season.
In the bareback riding, Leighton Berry took first thanks to his 88 point ride on Opal Hills. 11 year old Dusky Lynn was a force to be reckoned in the barrel racing with and took first with a 14.941 second run. Shane Scott punched his ticket to Arlington with an 83.5 point ride on Trophy Case in the bull riding. Justin Schaffer beat Branquinho to a first place win with his 4.25 second run in the steer wrestling. Kash Bonnett & Logan Cullen got it done in 4.62 seconds for a first place in the team roping. Fast on the draw in the tie-down roping was Qyade Hiatt who secured his spot at Arlington with a 9.77 second run. And Sadie Grant took first in the breakaway roping with a lightning fast 2.27 second run.
The East Regional Championships will take place on Jan 24-25th in Lexington, Kentucky and the Central Regional Championships will take place on February 14-15th in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Crown Jewel of Rodeo, The American Rodeo, will take place April 11-12th in Arlington, Texas at the Globe Life Field.
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