Stran Smith excelled past competitors to win Tie-Down Roping with a time of 8.5 seconds to win $50,000 in the BP Super Series Championship Shootout, winning a total of $54,175.
“I rode a new horse this year. He’s one that Stetson [Vest] has been riding, but when it came to the $50,000, I knew I needed to ride a fast one,” Smith said. “ I had already figured out exactly what I would need to qualify for the NFR, so the $50,000 is an added bonus that will just make my year a little easier.”
Bareback rider Ryan Gray took the Championship by storm with a score of 90.5 to win the $50,000 prize money in the BP Super Series Championship. Gray’s total winnings equaled $55,350.
“It feels good to have that money in my pocket now looking forward to the rest of the year,” Gray said. “Winning Houston will give me a chance to get my knee fixed and take a few weeks off, then come back strong. I just had a really good ride, and it feels good to win.”
Turtle Powell and Corey Petska ran a 4.1 second run in Team Roping to win the Championship winning a total of $112,500.
“The steers in the [Championship] are always good, and to see Chad Masters and Jade Corkill run a 4.8, I knew that we had to do our best,” Powell said. “I got an outstanding start and it could have gone either way — tonight was my night.”
Petska said, “I knew that I just had to go fast, because of the guys running a 4.8. Turtle was getting out fast and turning them fast, so I just had to do my job. Winning here will take away all of the all-night drives and long-distance trips.”
Saddle Bronc Rider Rod Hay had a good night with a score of 87.5, winning a total of $54,250 and the BP Super Series Championship.
“My horse really hesitated tonight. I expected him to come out hard, but he still did a nice job tonight,” Hay said. “I won it the first time I came here and have always had good luck, but it’s been hard to get the buckle. So it feels good to finally win Houston.”
Cody Cassidy ran a time of 3.8 seconds in Steer Wrestling to grab the BP Super Series Champion title and $52,650.
“To come here and compete with the 50 best guys in the world, then come out on top just feels indescribable. My steer was supposed to run good then throw well, so I just stayed close on the barrier,” Cassidy said. “I owe all of my success to the horse I rode tonight — he’s 24-years-old and probably knows more about steer wrestling then I do. Before San Antonio I was thinking about just going home, but I’m glad I didn’t.”
Bull Rider Shawn Hogg held on for four rides to win with a score of 86.5 for the $50,000 and the BP Super Series Championship. His total earnings equaled $56,250.
“Every guy in the rodeo is great, and to start off the year with $50,000 is just great,” Hogg said. “I got my finger caught in the rope after about 4 seconds, so I just tried to float him and keep the pressure off my finger. Luckily, everything worked out. I won the 2007 circuit finals in Texas, but nothing compares to winning this. Houston definitely tops my list.”
Sherry Cervi ran a time of 14.63 to win the BP Super Series Championship and $50,000, and a total of $61,500.
“I’ve been giving my horse a break, so Fort Worth was her first one back; then bringing her here and winning is amazing. Tonight was really a tribute to my dad since he is the breeder of my horse and Cory Petska’s horse,” Cervi said. “It just really feels great to come here and win it, especially since I set a new stadium record in the Semifinals for the short pattern.”
The RodeoHouston Super Series continues with an Xtreme Bulls competition March 21. For complete results and more information, visit rodeohouston.com.
