The 2026 American Rodeo kicked off May 22 inside Globe Life Field. On May 23, the top five qualifiers from the Semifinals met the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association invitees to battle for championship honors.
The American Rodeo Semifinals Results
On May 23, inside Globe Life Field the top five contestants from Friday’s The American Rodeo Semifinals battled against the invited contestants of the WPRA’s 2025 world standings. While the top five of the WPRA’s prior season world standings are invited reigning WPRA world champion, and reigning The American Rodeo champion Kassie Mowry did not compete at this year’s event. The American Rodeo announced May 22 that Mowry would not compete — reasons were not reported. Per The American Rodeo ground rules an alternative for Mowry was not put into the competition making the final list of invite athletes being the top four in the 2025 WPRA world standings.
Heidi Gunderson and 2021 bay gelding Wonder If Im Lucky (Lucky Wonder Horse x TS Sunnys Superstar x PC Mr Sunny Peppy) owned by Shannon Kulseth topped The American Rodeo Showdown Round with a 15.326 to advance to the final four Championship Round. As a qualifying contest Gunderson is eligible for the $2 million bonus.
In the Championship Round there were three qualifiers in the barrel racing eligible for the $2 million bonus, however it was WPRA invitee Hayle Gibson-Stillwell who claimed the crown. Stillwell and her National Finals Rodeo qualifying 2019 palomino mare Buncha Dinero (PC Frenchmans Hayday x Rambunchkie (TB) Bellamy Road (TB)) took home The American Rodeo Championship with a 15.428, worth $100,000.
The American Rodeo Results
Showdown Round:
- Heidi Gunderson/Wonder If Im Lucky/15.326/Advances to Final Four Championship Round
- Blake Molle/Wildchildsgotcashuno/15.334/Advances
- Dusky Lynn Hall/Ainst Seen Famous Yet/15.355/Advances
- Hayle Gibson-Stillwell/Buncha Dinero/15.443/Advances
- Carlee Otero/AM Regina George/15.468/$500
- Mindy Holloway/Heavens Got Credit/15.678/$500
- Tricia Aldridge/Designerleaptoheaven/16.028/$500
- Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi/Chitichiti Bangbang/20.465/$500
- Taylor Armenta/Hes Got Cat Style/20.486/$500
Championship Round:
- Hayle Gibson-Stillwell/Buncha Dinero/15.428/$100,000
- Heidi Gunderson/Wonder If Im Lucky/15.489/$25,000
- Blake Molle/Wildchildsgotcashuno/15.583/$10,000
- Dusky Lynn Hall/Aint Seen Famous Yet/15.694/$5,000
