The first of two semifinal performances at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Thursday and that means half the field for Saturday’s final round has been set in each event.
There will be another semifinal round Friday night to determine the other four athletes that will round out the short go in each event.
Bareback Riding
Cole Reiner and Wyatt Bloom each took home $3,500 for 87-point rides. Reiner did so on Calgary Stampede’s Witless Margie and Bloom did so Championship Pro Rodeo’s Lizard Back.
There was also a tie for third in the semifinals as three-time world champion Tim O’Connell and 21-year-old Jesse Pope each scored 86 points to advance to the finals.
Steer Wrestling
All four bulldoggers who advanced to the finals had runs of 4.7 seconds or better.
Seven-time NFR qualifier Matt Reeves stopped the clock at 3.9 seconds to lead the way but Dirk Tavvener was not far behind at 4.2.
Two-time world champion Hunter Cure was third at 4.6 seconds and 2019 world champion Ty Erickson was the last qualifier with a time of 4.7 seconds.
Team Roping
Luke Brown and Patrick Smith collected a $4,000 check for having the top time of 4.6 seconds in Team Roping on Thursday night.
They are advancing to the semifinals alongside Kal Fuller/Reagan Ward, Clay Smith/Jade Corkill and Clay Ullery/Jake Edwards.
All four pairs had times of less than 6.5 seconds.
Saddle Bronc Riding
In the Saddle Bronc, Sterling Crawley had the top ride of the night with 87 points on on Calgary Stampede’s Arriving Kamloops.
Ryder Wright was second with 86.5 points and Allen Boore was not far behind with 86.
Kolby Wanchuk and Jesse Wright tied for fourth and Wright will move on based on the tiebreaker.
Tie-down Roping
New Mexico native Shad Mayfield continued to impress as he had the best time in the first semifinal go-round on Thursday.
Mayfield stopped the clock at 8.4 seconds, more than .5 seconds clear of the rest of the field.
Cory Solomon was second with an 8.9-second run, Ryle Smith notched a time of 9.2 seconds and Matt Shiozawa rounded out the Top 4 at 10.9 seconds.
Barrel Racing
Ivy Hurst went from the wild card round on Wednesday to first place in the semifinal round on Thursday. She had a time of 16.47 seconds, just barely beating out Ashley Castleberry and Jimmie Smith who came in at 16.48 and 16.49 seconds respectively.
With a time of 16.58 seconds, Ivy Conrado-Saebens was fourth.
Breakaway Roping
Cadee Williams, who was the top earner in Bracket 7, was also the top earner in the first semifinal go-round, collecting a $4,000 check for her time of 2.5 seconds.
Jordan Jo Frabrizio earned $3,000 for her time of 3.1 seconds and Martha Angelone collected $2,000 for her time of 3.1 seconds.
Tanagai Zilverberg was the only other cowgirl to have a time. At 12.2 seconds, she was the fourth finalist from Thursday’s performance.
Bull Riding
Only three bull riders had 8-second rides, meaning it is uncertain who the other finalist will be.
Ky Hamilton finished in first place with an 89-point ride and Maverick Potter and Brady Portenier had rides of 84.5 and 83 points respectively.