Stetson Vest made his RodeoHouston™ debut with the 2010 BP Super Series IV Tie-Down Roping Champion title. His overall time was 30.7 seconds in three rounds with a payout of $6,000. He competed against his uncle, Stran Smith, who placed third.
“I’m just trying to stay in the game and take it one round at a time,” Vest said. “Just don’t let them beat you.”
Advancing to the Semifinals with Vest and Smith are Cade Swor and Joseph Parsons.
Jason Havens earned the BP Super Series IV Bareback Riding Championship with an overall score of 239.5 in three rounds and a payout of $7,500.
Havens has been bareback riding since he was 14 and has appeared at RodeoHouston nine times.
“I just try to stay relaxed,” Havens said. “And go over plays in my head, so when I’m out of the chute I can react.”
Joining Havens at the Semifinals will be Ryan Gray, Jared Keylon and Caleb Bennett.
Brady Williams and Marty Becker were named BP Super Series IV Team Roping Champions. Their overall time was 19.4 seconds in three rounds, with a payout of $10,000.
“After getting my horse warmed up, the next goal is to simply rope a steer and hope to advance,” Becker said. “Second or third place would have been good enough, but first is always nice.”
Advancing with Williams and Becker will be Caleb Mitchell and Justin Copp, Charly Crawford and Russell Cardoza, and Riley and Brady Minor.
Bryce Miller secured his spot in the Semifinals for Saddle Bronc Riding with a Super Series IV win. His overall score was 239.5 in three rounds with a payout of $6,750.
“I needed to do good here,” Miller said. “I’m ready to carry this momentum to Austin and back here for the Semifinals next week.”
Advancing to the Semifinals with Miller will be Jesse Kruse, Shaun Stroh and Wade Sundell.
Billy Bugenig claimed the BP Super Series IV Champion title in Steer Wrestling with an overall time of 15.4 seconds in three rounds and a payout of $5,000.
“It’s always nice to win,” Bugenig said. “For the Semifinals, I’m just gonna go in and try to finish in first again.”
Advancing to the Semifinals with Bugenig will be Blake Knowles, Stockton Graves and Josh Peek.
Howdy Cloud earned $7,000 and the title of BP Super Series IV Bull Riding Champion with a score of 168 in three rounds.
“Before I leave the chute I think to myself, ‘just ride,’” Cloud said. “It always feels good to win at Houston.”
Advancing to the Semifinals with Cloud are Jarrod Ford, Beau Schroeder and Jordan Hooton.
Kelli Tolbert, BP Super Series IV Barrel Racing Champion, earned $9,500 and had an overall time of 44.92 seconds in three rounds. Next on her list is two weeks in Texas, then home to Utah to rest and prepare for more competitions.
“Although I have been around horses all my life,” Tolbert said, “this is only my second year as a professional.”
Advancing to the Semifinals with Tolbert will be Rachael Myllymaki, Julie James and Sherrlynn Johnson.
Watch all of these contestants and more during the RodeoHouston BP Super Series Semifinals, March 17-18. The top four from each event in each Semifinal round will advance to the BP Super Series Championship March 20. The remaining six from each event in each Semifinal will compete in the Wild Card March 19, where the top two from each event will advance to the BP Super Series Championship. RodeoHouston BP Super Series Champions walk away with a $50,000 payout. The RodeoHouston Super Series continues through March 20, with an Xtreme Bulls competition March 21.
