The American Regional Contender Tournament highlighted some of the toughest barrel racers in the country between three regional qualifying events, all culminating at The American Regional Contender Tournament Finals in Abilene, Texas, February 10.
Acquired by Teton Ridge in late 2021 and celebrating its 10th year, The American Rodeo is the largest single-day payout rodeo in the United States and features competitors in all eight traditional rodeo disciplines of bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, breakaway roping and team roping. While the new ownership created format changes in the road to The American by creating The American Contender Tournament the goal of providing “underdog” athletes a change to compete against professional rodeo’s leading stars for a chance at $1 million has continued to be the main attraction of The American Western Weekend.
In its second year, The American Contender Tournament operates as a pathway for athletes not invited to The American Rodeo via a top five finish in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association or Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s world standings races. Throughout the course of more than 90 Contender Tournament Event Qualifiers competitors earned qualifications to one of three The American Contender Tournament Regional Semifinals events. The three regions consisted of West, Central and East hosted semifinals events in Las Vegas — West Region Semifinals; Central — Oklahoma City; and East — Lexington, Kentucky. Through The American Contender Tournament Regional Semifinals and Finals events athletes competed for more than $869,325.
Based on an athlete’s placing in the regional semifinals events competitors earned qualifications to The Contender Tournament Regional Finals held in Abilene, where from there the 15 qualifiers were narrowed down to the top five fastest times. Those Contenders advanced for The American Rodeo, held March 9 in Arlington, Texas, to compete against the top five from the WPRA and PRCA. As Contenders each athlete was eligible not only for the $100,000 The American Rodeo championship, but also the $1 million bonus.
Ultimately, Brandon Cullins and MJ Segers Fast Lane took home The American Contender Tournament Regional Finals topped the field with a 15.352 in Abilene, worth $15,000 and qualified on top of the field of Contenders headed into The American Rodeo.
This article was originally published in the May 2024 issue of Barrel Horse News.
