FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2014
CONTACT: RFD-TV Public Relations PR@RFDTV.com or 702-318-4220
Four-Time World
Champion Steer Wrestler, Scott “Ote” Berry
Accepts Exemption
Invitation to Compete at
World’s Richest One-Day Rodeo, RFD-TV’s THE
AMERICAN presented by Polaris RANGER
Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer comes out of
retirement to compete in the steer wrestling event
OMAHA,
Neb. – Four-time world
champion Ote Berry has accepted an exemption invitation to get back in the
arena to compete in the steer wrestling event during RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN,
presented by Polaris RANGER, on March
2 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Berry’s career started at
the age of six competing in the steer-riding event and later graduated onto
steer wrestling. He joined the PRCA in 1982 and competed in his first National
Finals Rodeo in 1985 where he won his first world title. He has qualified for
the NFR World Finals a total of fourteen times and won four world titles in
1985, 1990, 1991, and 1995. Berry is
revered for his sportsmanship and has been given the nickname the “Quiet Champion.”
In 1998 Berry was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.
“I was inspired to get
back into shape and into the saddle after retiring in 2006 and the exemption
invitation gives me the opportunity to do just that,” said Berry. “THE AMERICAN
is stepping up the game of rodeo and could change the way athletes participate
in the sport. I’m excited to be part of
this history making event.”
Ote is the fourth
athlete chosen by THE AMERICAN’s sanctioning
bodies as one of the limited exemptions. The latest exemption announcement came
in the form of a head-to-head match-up between Eight-time World Champion, Joe
Beaver and Eight-time World Champion, Fred Whitfield. The two will compete at
the semifinals for the tie-down roping exemption.
Other exemptions
awarded include; Eleven-time World Champion, Charmayne James for barrel racing,
Two-time PBR World Champion, Justin McBride for bull riding and Seven-time
World Champion, Dan Mortensen for saddle bronc. Additional exemptions will be
announced leading up to March 2.
“To have Ote on the
roster as one of our exemption athletes, speaks to how special this event truly
is; we are honored to have him join us on March 2" said
Randy Bernard, Rural Media Group CEO and president. “Ote has always been a
great ambassador to the sport of rodeo and to the state of Oklahoma. The fact
that he is coming out of retirement to compete proves that THE AMERICAN is
about the fans and the athletes.”
THE AMERICAN will take
place on March 2 at the home of the Dallas Cowboys, AT&T Stadium, in
Arlington, Texas. With a $2 million payout, it will be the richest one-day
rodeo in history. Of the qualifiers, the Top-five winners in each rodeo event
at the semifinals will advance to compete in THE AMERICAN against the best in
the world.
“Ote is one of those
guys you look up to and want to be like, he’s a legend. He was always really
good to me and sometimes when you’re competing, you need that athlete you
admire to inspire you,” said Sid Steiner, 2002 World Champion. “For him to
compete in THE AMERICAN, shows what an exciting time it is for rodeo and for
the cowboys competing for a big payday and exposure.”
Tickets for THE
AMERICAN semifinal being held in Mesquite, Texas, Feb. 22-23, 2014, are
available for $14, $20 and $30, not including taxes. They can be purchased at
the Mesquite Arena’s box office and at americanrodeo.com
Tickets
for RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN, presented by Polaris RANGER, and the Iron Cowboy V are on sale at the AT&T Stadium
Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations and at americanrodeo.com. Prices for each event range from $20 to
$150, not including taxes.
###
Notes to Editors:
About
RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN Presented by Polaris RANGER:
Taking place at Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium on
March 2, 2014, with an estimated attendance of 75,000, RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN
Presented by Polaris RANGER is the
single largest 1-day cash prize event in the entire history of rodeo. With
$2-million on the line, the best athletes in the world will be gathering in
Dallas to compete in one epic day of raw rodeo will, skill and power. THE
AMERICAN is inviting the top 10 athletes in each of the traditional rodeo
sports as well as the top 10 from the PBR. The top 10 bull riding
contestants will be invited after the PBR World Finals in Las Vegas, and the
remainder of the primary rodeo sports contenders, will be determined after the
top ten in the world standings are named. In addition to the 10
invites, THE AMERICAN will make five additional spots available for any rodeo
athlete in the world through five regional qualifiers. If one of those athletes
goes on to win their respective event at THE AMERICAN they will split an
additional bonus pool of $1-million dollars in prize money. With the help of
broadcast partners and sponsors, RFD-TV will be broadcasting the event LIVE on
the day, helping to bring the totality of this defining western sports
experience to a wide national audience. For more information, please visit: www.americanrodeo.com and www.RFDTV.com. Follow us on Twitter @RFDTVAMERICAN and on find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/RFDTVTheAMERICAN
About Rural Media Group, Inc. (RMG): Rural Media Group, Inc. is the world’s leading provider of multimedia
content dedicated to the rural and western lifestyle. RMG is the parent company of RFD-TV,
FamilyNet, RURAL TV, RURAL RADIO on SiriusXM channel 80, RFD-TV the Magazine
and RFD-TV the Theatre. RFD-TV, the flagship network for RMG, launched in December
2000. RFD-TV is the nation’s first
24-hour television network dedicated to serving the needs and interests of
rural America with programming focused on agriculture, equine and the rural
lifestyle, along with traditional country music and entertainment. RMG acquired
FamilyNet, America’s trusted entertainment network dedicated to providing
wholesome and responsible viewing choices for today’s diverse family.
RURAL TV produces rural business news covering commodity markets for both cash
and futures. Daily productions include Market Day Report and the Rural Evening
News. RMG networks are distributed into more than 63-million homes worldwide by
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Comcast, Verizon FiOS TV, AT&T U-Verse, Mediacom, Charter, Optimum,
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cable systems. RFD-TV The Magazine is the print programming guide for the networks, which has attracted
over 180,000 paid subscribers. RFD-TV The Theatre is a 2000 capacity
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produced. Corporate headquarters are in
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