MARCH 14, 2007 — HOUSTON — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Twenty-eight riders qualified for the Super Series Championship by placing in the top four in their respective events during the March 10, Super Series Semifinal 1 performance of RodeoHouston.
Oklahoma native Blair Burk won Semifinals 1 Tie-Down Roping Champion with his horse “Sweetness.”
“Sweetness is an explosive horse,” he said, “and really makes it happen fast.”
Bo Casper, a Kansas cowboy, won Semifinals 1 Bareback Bronc Riding Champion. Casper did not change his strategy because of the new competition in the night’s event, saying, “We come out here every night to battle it out against the top guys in the world.”
Matt Sherwood, who rides with Walt Woodard in the Team Roping event, said, “We were so far at the bottom (of the round) that we just had to be aggressive tonight to see what would happen. We just tried to be fast enough.”
Sherwood and Woodard were fast enough in Super Series Semifinal 1, winning their event with a time of 4.6 seconds.
Alberta, Canada, cowboy Dustin Flundra won Semifinals 1 Saddle Bronc Champion. He will not be too nervous about the Super Series Championship, saying, “Finals will be just another day for me.”
Dean Gorsuch of Nebraska won Semifinals 1 Steer Wrestling Champion. He said he is looking forward to the Championship because his wife and daughter will be cheering him on. “They help me more than anything,” he said.
Jackie Dube won Semifinals 1 Barrel Racing Champion. This Giddings, Texas, cowgirl said that RodeoHouston is “much like a hometown rodeo because my friends and family come out to support me. On Saturday night, I’ll just let her rip.”
Luke Haught of Weatherford, Texas, won Semifinals 1 Bull Riding Champion.
Super Series Semifinal 1 winners will compete on Saturday in the Super Series Championship against the winners of Thursday’s Semifinal 2 and Friday’s Wildcard Round.
Winners of Super Series Semifinal 2 will be announced Thursday, March 15, at a 6:45 p.m. performanfeaturing singing sensation Beyoncé.
