WORLD’S BEST RODEO ATHLETES ADVANCE TO THE AMERICAN RODEO ON MARCH 11

As the dust settled in Las Vegas following the National Finals Rodeo, presented by Teton Ridge (NFR), and the leaderboard of western sports athletes in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) was decided, the Top 5 champions in each rodeo discipline immediately punched their ticket to advance to The American Rodeo at Globe Life Field on March 11, 2023 in Arlington, Texas.

A full list of champion athletes advancing to The American

Rodeo Contender Round from the PRCA and WPRA leaderboards–including all-star names like Hailey Kinsel, Stetson Wright, Jess Pope, Martha Angelone and any more – can be found HERE.

The revered champion competitors will go up against underdog “Contenders” that have rigorously competed over the course of the year in the newly launched American Rodeo Contender Tournament to advance to the ultimate high-stakes showdown. While the professional athletes will be defending their champion status, the everyday cowboys and cowgirls going up against them will be chasing a life-changing $1 million bonus.

Fans will have the opportunity to cheer on those dedicated “Contenders” in addition to professional athletes that fell outside of the Top 5 (No. 6-20) in the standings, as they put it all on the line at three nationally televised events held in Utah, Oklahoma and Kentucky prior to The American Western Weekend in Texas.

Acquired by Teton Ridge in late 2021, The American Rodeo, celebrating its 10th year, is the only rodeo where the pros compete against “the joes and the janes,” featuring competitors in all eight traditional rodeo disciplines: barrel racing, breakaway roping, steer wrestling, team roping (heading and heeling), tie down roping, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding.

With an unmatched total purse of more than $6 million in 2023, non-stop rodeo action, live music from multi-platinum recording artist Cody Johnson, entertainment and more, the industry-leading event is the centerpiece of Teton Ridge’s The American Western Weekend in Arlington, March 8-11.

Following the Regional Finals, all eyes will turn toward Arlington, Texas as the enhanced week of western sports and entertainment gets underway at 9 a.m. CST on Wednesday, March 8 with The American Contender Tournament Wild Card. On Thursday, March 9 fans can watch at 6:45 p.m. CST.