FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2014
CONTACT: RFD-TV Public Relations, PR@rfdtv.com or 406-396-7316
RFD-TV’S THE AMERICAN Pays Out $1.1 million to
Bareback Rider, Richmond Champion
The Richest one-day Rodeo in Western Sports History paid out $2 million to rodeo contestants on Texas Independence Day
ARLINGTON, TX – (March 2, 2014) Cowboys and cowgirls from across the world gathered at AT&T Stadium for their chance at the $2 million dollar payout. Underdogs, legends and world champions competed in seven events on Texas Independence Day. As promised by President and CEO Randy Bernard, $2 million, in total prize money was paid out. Each RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN event champion received a $100 thousand dollar paycheck along with a prize package totaling more than $27,000 (a Polaris RANGER, a custom Cactus trophy saddle, a Bohlin Buckle and a Browning Gun.)
“THE AMERICAN was created to provide an opportunity for qualifiers to compete against the best in the world. It truly was a historic day for western sport athletes. I would like to thank the sponsors, contestants and fans for supporting and making this vision a reality,” stated Randy Bernard, President and CEO of Rural Media Group.
History was made when The Woodlands, Texan, Richmond Champion was the only qualifier to win his event. The 21-year-old Bareback Rider was one of 46 qualifiers and 9 exemptions eligible for the million dollar side pot.
Champion said, “I felt really good coming out of the Mesquite Semifinals. It was a huge confidence boost. When you come to an event like THE AMERICAN you have to set goals. After my second ride it started to hit me that I would have a chance at the million dollars.”
THE AMERICAN RESULTS
THE AMERICAN $1 Million Dollar Cowboy
•Richmond Champion, The Woodlands, TX,
Total winnings – $1.1 million
THE AMERICAN All-Around Champion
•Trevor Brazile, Decatur, TX
Bareback – THE AMERICAN Champion
•Richmond Champion, The Woodlands, TX
Shoot Out Results
•1st - Richmond Champion, The Woodlands, TX, 90 – $100,000
•2nd - Steven Peebles, Redmond, OR, 87 - $25,000 (Tie-breaker)
•3rd - Kaycee Field, Payson, UT, 87
•4th - Caleb Bennett, Morgan, UT, NS
First Round Results
Steven Peebles, Redmond, OR, 87.50; Caleb Bennett, Morgan, UT, 85.25; Richmond Champion, The Woodlands, TX, 84; Kaycee Field, Payson, UT, 84; Bobby Mote, Redmond, OR, 83.75; RC Landingham, Pendleton, OR, 82.5; Ryan Gray, Petersburg, TX, 81.25; Caine Riddle, Vernon, TX, 81; Jessy Davis, Power MT, 80.5; Clint Cannon, Waller, TX, 79.75; Casey Breuer Mandan, SD, 79.25; Will Lowe Canyon, TX, 78.75; J.R. Vezain, Cowley, WY, 77.75
No Score: Casey Colletti, Pueblo, CO; Tyler Nelson, Victor, ID,
Steer Wrestling – THE AMERICAN Champion
•Hunter Cure, Holliday, TX
Shoot Out Results
•1st - Hunter Cure, Holliday, TX, 3.75 – $100,000
•2nd - Dean Gorsuch, Gering, NE, 4.28 – $25,000
•3rd - Dru Melvin, Hebron, NE, 9.09
•4th - Wyatt Smith, Rexburg, ID, 16.93
First Round Results
Dean Gorsuch, Gering, NE, 3.74; Dru Melvin, Hebron, NE, 3.87; Wyatt Smith, Rexburg, ID, 3.95; Hunter Cure, Holiday, TX, 4.14; Jule Hazen, Ashland, KS, 4.33; Dakota Eldridge, Elko, NV, 4.43; Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, CA, 4.60; Tyler Pearson, Louisville, MS, 4.63; Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, LA, 5.56; Bray Armes, Ponder, TX, 5.70; Stan Branco, Pilot Point, TX, 6.62; Scott “Ote” Berry, Checota, OK, 6.74
No time: Nick Guy, Sparta, WI; Matt Reeves, Cross Plains, TX; Casey Martin, Sulphur, LA; Trevor Knowles, Mt. Vernon, OR
Team Roping – THE AMERICAN Champion
•Kaleb Driggers (HD), Albany, GA / Patrick Smith (HL), Midland, TX
Shoot Out Results
•1st - Kaleb Driggers (HD), Albany, GA / Patrick Smith (HL), Midland, TX, 4.38 – $100,000 per man
•2nd - Erich Rogers (HD), Round Rock, AZ, / Cory Petska (HL), Lexington, OK, 4.49 - $25,000 per man
•3rd - Jake Barnes (HR), Huntsville, TX, / Junior Nogueira (HL), Brazil, 4.61
•4th - Nick Sartain (HD), Yukon, OK, / Rich Skelton (HL), Llano, TX, NT
First Round Results
Erich Rogers (HD), Round Rock, AZ / Cory Petska, Lexington, OK, 4.27
Nick Sartain (HD), Yukon, OK / Rich Skelton (HL), Llano, TX, 4.35
Jake Barnes (HR), Huntsville, TX / Junior Nogueira (HL), Brazil, 4.40
Kaleb Driggers (HD), Albany, GA / Patrick Smith (HL), Midland, TX, 4.47
Cale Markham (HR), Vinita, OK / Buddy Hawkins (HL), Columbus, KS, 4.69
Clay Tryan (HD), Billings, MT / Jade Corkill (HL), Fallon, NV, 4.88
Charly Crawford (HD), Prineville, OR / Ryan Motes (HL), Weatherford, TX, 9.12
Riley Minor (HD), Ellensburg, WA / Brady Minor (HL), Ellensburg, WA, 13.95
Logan Olson (HR), Flandreau, SD / Jordan Olson (HL), Flandreau, SD, 14.48
No Time: Brandon Beers (HD), Powell Butte, OR / Jim Ross Cooper (HL), Monument, NM; Turtle Powell (HD), Stephenville, TX /Dugan Kelly (HL), Paso Robles, CA; Justin Davis (HD), Madisonville, TX / BJ Dugger (HL), Three Rivers, TX; Trevor Brazile (HD), Decatur, TX / Travis Graves (HL), Jay, OK; Colby Schneeman (HR), Big Lake, TX / Seth Smithson (HL), Ackerly, TX; Luke Brown (HD), Rock Hill, SC / Kollin VonAhn (HL), Blanchard, OK; Joel Bach (HD), Rhome, TX / Tommy Zuniga (HL), Centerville, TX; Speed Williams (HR), Jacksonville, FL / Shay Carroll (HL), La Junta, CO; Chad Masters (HR), Cedar Hill, TN / Clay O’Brien Cooper (HL), Gardnerville, NV
Saddle Bronc – THE AMERICAN Champion
•Wade Sundell, Boxholm, IA
Shoot Out Results
•1st - Wade Sundell, Boxholm, IA, 92.5 – $100,000
•2nd - Cort Scheer, Elsmere, NE, 89 – $25,000
•3rd - Chad Ferley, Oelrichs, SD, 83.75
•4th - Tyler Corrington, Hastings, MN, NS
First Round Results
Wade Sundell, Boxholm, IA, 90; Cort Scheer, Elsmere, NE, 88.25; Chad Ferley, Oelrichs, SD, 85.75; Jake Wright, Milford, UT, 84.5; Tyler Corrington, Hastings, MN, 84.5; Cody Wright, Milford, UT, 83.25; Taos Muncy, Corona, NM, 82.5; Jacobs Crawley, Stephenville, TX, 82.25; Tyrel Larsen, Inglis, MB, (CA), 73.75, Jesse Kruse, Great Falls, MT, 75.75
No Score: Jesse Wright, Milford, UT; Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, TX; Cody DeMoss, Heflin, LA; Rusty Wright, Milford, UT; Erik Wolford, Three Corners, USA; Dan Mortensen, Billings, MT
Tie-Down Roping – THE AMERICAN Event Champion
•Tyson Durfey, Weatherford TX
Shoot Out Results
•1st - Tyson Durfey, Weatherford TX, 6.95 – $100,000
•2nd - Trevor Brazile, Decatur, TX, 7.24 – $25,000
•3rd - Cody Ohl, Hico, TX, 7.39
•4th - Marcus Allen Costa, Sao Paulo, Brazil, NT
First Round Results
Trevor Brazile, Decatur, TX, 7.09; Cody Ohl, Hico, TX, 7.26; Marcus Allen Costa, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 7.36; Tyson Durfey, Weatherford TX, 7.51; Caleb Smidt, Bellville, TX, 7.52; Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, LA, 7.97; Justin Maass, Giddings, TX, 8.02; Clif Cooper, Decatur, TX, 8.95; Joe Beaver, Huntsville, TX, 9.60; Scott Kormos, Teague,TX, 9.89; Cory Solomon, Prairie View, TX, 10.36, Ryan Jarrett, Comanche, OK, 10.69; Tuf Cooper, Decatur, TX, 18.73; Blane Cox, Cameron, TX, 19.03
No Time: Timber Moore, Aubrey, TX; Randall Carlisle, Bryan, TX; Fred Whitfield, Hockley, TX
Barrel Racing – THE AMERICAN Champion
•Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, SD
Shoot Out Results
•1st - Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, SD, 14.035 – $100,000
•2nd - Robyn Herring, Huntington, TX, 18.991 – $25,000
•3rd - Jane Melby, Burneyville, OK, 19.203
•4th - Shelly Anzick, Livingston, MT, 19.505
First Round Results
Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, SD, 13.983; Shelly Anzick, Livingston, MT, 14.127; Robyn Herring, Huntington, TX, 14.145; Jane Melby, Burneyville, OK, 14.167; Gretchen Benbenek, Missoula, MT, 14.246; June Holeman, Arcadia, NE 14.285; Clint Sherlin, Athens, TN, 14.300; Taylor Jacob, Carmine, TX, 14.339; Sherry Cervi, Marana, AZ, 14.358; Mary Walker, Ennis, TX, 14.367; Michele McLeod, Whitesboro, TX, 14.422; Tami Semas, Prineville, OR, 14.458; Shada Brazile, Decatur, TX, 14.516; Kay Blandford, Sutherland Springs, TX, 14.574; Katelyn McLeod, Whitesboro, TX, 14.660; Sabrina Ketcham, Fraser, CO, 14.691; Erin Ricotti, Escalon, CA, 15.708; Charmayne James, Boerne, TX, 19.101; Kenna Squires, Fredonia, TX, 19.137; Christy Loflin, Franktown, CO, 19.258; Kaley Bass, Kissimmee, FL, 19.324
Bull Riding – THE AMERICAN Champion
•J.B. Mauney, Moorseville, NC
Shoot Out Results
•1st - J.B. Mauney, Mooresville, NC, 90.5 – $100,000
•2nd - Guilherme Marchi, Ferris, TX, NS – $25,000 (based off of first round score)
•3rd - Joao Ricardo Vieira, Decatur, TX, NS
•4th - Mike Lee, Decatur, TX, NS
First Round Results
Guilherme Marchi, Ferris, TX, 89.75; Mike Lee, Decatur, TX, 89.25; Joao Ricardo Vieira, Decatur, TX, 88.75; J.B. Mauney, Mooresville, NC, 87.5; L.J. Jenkins, Porum, OK, 86.25; Eduardo Aparecido Silva, Decatur, TX, 84
No Score: Marco Eguchi, Decatur, TX; Tanner Byrne, Prince Albert, SK (CA); Cody Nance, Paris, TN, Stormy Wing, Dalhart, TX; Matt Triplett, Columbia Falls, MT; Jory Markiss, Missoula, MT; Silvano Alves, Decatur, TX; Skeeter Kingsolver, McLouth, KS; Justin McBride, Marquette, NE
###
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 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 DBS, telco and cable systems including DISH Network, DIRECTV®, Comcast, Verizon FiOS TV, AT&T U-Verse, Mediacom, Charter, Optimum, Brighthouse, Suddenlink, Time Warner, Cox, and more than 600 independent rural 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 soft seat venue in Branson, MO where entertainment programming is produced. Corporate headquarters are in Omaha, NE, and production operations are in Nashville, TN. For more information, visit www.rfdtv.com, www.myruraltv.com, and www.familynet.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook: @OfficialRFDTV @RURALTV @FamilyNet @RURALRADIO80