The action at RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN presented by Polaris RANGER was one for the history books.
Bareback riding
After winning his event, Richmond Champion had to wait for others to finish before finding out if he would win the grand prize of $1 million.
“Words can’t even express how I feel right now, that was amazing,” Champion said after winning the bareback riding event.
He wished the rest of the competitors luck and thanked the fans for being there.
“This day is amazing,” he said.
Team Roping
Team ropers Kaleb Driggers and Patrick Smith won $100,000 each.
“What and amazing day and amazing experience to be here,” said Smith, as he praised God and thanked his family and sponsors.
“I was sitting there and I don’t want anybody to do bad, but I was sure hoping to win,” said Driggers, the header.
Steer wrestling
Hunter Cure, with a time of 3.75 seconds, captured the steer wrestling win.
“I knew that that was a really nice honest steer, I took an aggressive start. It worked out today and got him to hit clean, so I’m very excited,” Cure said, describing his run.
“Just the size and the scope of- and the production, having to put off something this large,” Cure said, tipping his hat to RFD-TV and its CEO and President Randy Bernard.
Saddle Bronc
Wade Sundell, beat out Cort Scheer, with 92.5 points.
“Words can’t explain what I’m going through in my mind,” he said as he accepted his check for $100,000.
“You don’t see it a whole lot in bronc riding and to do it twice in about 30 minutes is awesome,” he said.
Sundell promised a party that night.
Tie-down Roping
Tyson Durfey was the first to go and the one to beat in tie-down roping.
He roped his calf in 6.95 seconds with a nearly flawless run.
“You know, I really come into today, and there’s so many legends here. I got to see Ty Murray and Justine McBride and all these guys that I’ve dreamed about meeting and getting to know. To be here in front of fellow Texans. This is the best thing in the world, I can tell you that,” said Durfey.
He said he hoped the fans would return for THE AMERICAN for many years to come.
In second was Trevor Brazile, winning $25,000.
Barrel Racing
Lisa Lockhart won the $100,000 riding An Oakie With Cash, a.k.a. “Louie.”
The stadium erupted into cheers after she rounded the third barrel and finished her run.
“Our horses are our soul mate and our teammate. You know, it’s a team effort,” Lockhart said, letting a few tears flow in a post-run interview.
She called winning the top prize a life-changing experience.
Bull riding
J.B. Mauney, with 90.5 points on Cowtown Slinger, took away the top prize for bull riding.
“Just had to quit thinking, go back to why I ride bulls, and that’s because I had fun doing it,” he said when asked about his success for the year.
He also credited his wife for helping change the way he looked at bull riding.
