Athletes are one step closer to winning $65,000 after Semifinal 1 at RODEOHOUSTON®.
Riley Webb and Zack Jongbloed tied in the tie-down roping with a time of 8.8 to advance to the championship. “I’m feeling great,” Jongbloed said. “I don’t have to come back and compete against a bunch of tough guys. I got to punch my ticket for Sunday, it was awesome.”
Webb said, “To win this rodeo once — this rodeo can change the trajectory of someone’s season, year and life.”
Mason Clements took first place in bareback riding and is now focused on Sunday’s final. “It’s always exciting to get a round win, a progression-round win,” Clements said. “I always look at it like the job’s not done until you have the hardware on your belt.”
Team roping duo Travis Graves and Tanner Tomlinson worked together to secure the win. “This is the hometown rodeo for me,” Tomlinson said. “It’s one I’ve always dreamed of winning. My heeler [Graves] is amazing. It’s our first year roping together, so I’m really excited.”
Statler Wright claimed the saddle bronc win with a ride on Yesterday’s Delivery of CALGARY STAMPEDE®. “The horses here are awesome,” Wright said. “My brother [who had previously ridden Yesterday’s Delivery] was sitting next to me in the truck and told me everything I needed to do.”
Stephen Culling bypassed the Wild Card round by winning the steer wrestling. “It’s always nice to come in and do well,” Culling said. “It’s a breath of fresh air to come in here and have some luck in the Semifinals.”
Barrel racing champion Leslie Smalygo credited her horse, Gus, for their continued success. “That was four runs on Gus, and he’s just gotten faster every single time,” Smalygo said. She said it is important to keep Gus loose and energized to maintain his speed.
No stranger to pressure, Shelby Boisjoli-Meged clenched her first place of the night and a $3,000 payout. “It’s a huge relief, but we still have to run two more runs, so it’s kind of a sprint and a marathon,” Boisjoli-Meged said. “You’re really trying to stay solid but competitive at the same time.”
Bull rider Wacey Schalla advanced to Championship Sunday after securing the top score. “I’m definitely one step closer, but each ride are all clean slates, so I’m just going to take it one at a time,” Schalla said.
The RODEOHOUSTON Finals begins at 2:45 p.m. Sunday, March 23 in NRG Stadium.
All contestants advancing to the Finals:
Tie-Down Roping:
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- Riley Webb, Zack Jongbloed, John Douch and Marty Yates
Bareback Riding:
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- Mason Clements, Cole Riner, Bradlee Miller and Orin Larsen
Team Roping:
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- Travis and T. Graves, D. Graham and D. Graham, T. Wade and W. Thorp, J. Smith and D. Rich
Saddle Bronc:
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- Statler Wright, Kolby Wanchuk, Ryder Wright and Chase Brooks
Steer Wrestling:
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- Stephen Culling, Ty Erickson, Ryan Shuckburgh and Cash Robb
Barrel Racing:
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- Leslie Smalygo, Jordon Briggs, Summer Kosel and Jamie Olsen
Breakaway Roping:
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- Shelby Boisjoli Meged, Rickie Fanning, Taylor Munsell and Bradi Good
Bull Riding:
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- Wacey Schalla, Stetson Wright, TJ Gray and Jordan Spears
Visit rodeohouston.com for more information about our 2025 athletes and click here to see the advancing athletes.