The American Rodeo

from Humps N Horns Bull Riding Magazine - Apr 2021

by Humps N Horns Bull Riding Magazine

PBR - Glendale

By Terry Blake

When the RFD-TV’s The American began in 2014, the goal was to give cowboys and cowgirls a chance to win one of the richest paydays in western sports. The American has been a great success over the past six years and crowned a new set of champions on March 6-7 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

While the champions were crowned just a few short weeks ago, the journey for the majority of the contestants began almost a year ago as they competed in qualifier events across the country in an effort to punch their tickets to compete in The American Semi-Finals in Fort Worth, Texas. For those who compete in the Semi-Finals, the goal is to be one of the top spots who get to progress to the big show at AT&T Stadium with a chance to test their skills against the top rodeo athletes in the sport and a shot at a $1 Million payday. In the bull riding, the semi-final rounds began with about 80 contestants who each rode one bull with the top ten coming back for the short round to face a second bull. The top six scores from the Semi-Finals would advance to The American at AT&T Stadium.

**JC Mortensen led the pack at the conclusion of the semifinal rounds in Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas.**
Photo by Jake Link Photography, The American Rodeo / Rural Media Group.

The bull power was immense throughout the semi-finals with some of the top stock contractors in the country bringing their animal athletes to town. When the dust finally settled in the historic Cowtown Coliseum, the top six who were set to advance were 1. JC Mortensen, 2. Dalton Kasel, 3. Cooper Davis, 4. Koby Radley, 5. Laramie Mosely, 6. Marco Eguchi.

Each of these competitors would be eligible for the $1 Million pot established just for the semi-finals qualifiers who are able to win their respective events in The American.

**Dalton Kasel spurs one during The American Semi-Finals in Fort Worth, Texas.**
Photo by Steve Wrubel Photography, The American Rodeo / Rural Media Group.

When it kicked off on March 6, The American began with a long round where the six qualifiers plus the top ten bull riders from the 2020 PRCA World Standings would square off with their first bulls. The top eight from this round would advance to Sunday afternoon which would consist of a short round of eight contestants followed by a winner take all shootout round of the top four riders.

**516 American Hat’s Mad Hatter (Andrews Rodeo Co.) earns a bull score of 45 points as he dispatches his rider in 3.2 seconds.**
Photo by Andre Silva Photography, The American Rodeo / Rural Media Group.

The bulls which were selected for The American included many NFR and PBR World Finals caliber bulls. The cowboys, however, came ready to ride and were able to post seven qualified rides in the long round. Since eight cowboys were set to advance to the short round, Ky Hamilton was able to advance on time after he rode his first bull for 6.41 seconds.

When Sunday rolled around and the short round of eight began, the advantage had definitely shifted to the bulls. As the eight contenders took their turns at conquering the bovines, only one man was able to make the full eight seconds. Colten Fritzlan rode Chiseled (Powder River Rodeo / D&H Cattle Co,) for 89.5 points and led the way for the final four shootout.

**Sage Kimzey came close to repeating as The American champion with an 89 point ride on Midnight Rain (Dakota Rodeo/ Berger/ Struve) in the shootout round.**
Photo by Andre Silva Photography, The American Rodeo / Rural Media Group.

The final four bull riders in the shootout round were all ready for the challenge. Dustin Boquet was the first man out of the chutes and he posted an 87 on Magic Trick from Frontier Rodeo Co. Dakota Rodeo’s bull, Soup in a Group, was able to get the best of Eguchi and put him on the ground before the 8 second whistle. Sage Kimzey, the six-time PRCA World Champion Bull Rider, made sure he did not go unnoticed for his chance to win another buckle from The American. He made a great ride for 89 points on Midnight Rain (Dakota Rodeo / Berger / Struve). The last man out, Colten Fritzlan, came in to the shootout round having won the long round and short round. He kept the momentum going as he and dance partner, Safety Meeting (Dakota Rodeo / Berger / Struve) twisted in the dirt of AT&T Stadium to the tune of 90.25 points. Fritzlan was the only bull rider to ride all three bulls for the weekend. Fritzlan has had a pretty good run over the past three months. He started back in December 2020 when he won the aggregate title for the ten days of the National Finals Rodeo, then won his debut event on the PBR’s Unleash the Beast Tour, and capped it off with the $100,000 victory at the RFD-TV’s The American. Congratulations to Colten and the other winners from The American Rodeo!