RodeoHouston: Schedule, Format And What To Watch For

BY MIKE SNOW @MICHAELSNOWTCC

RodeoHouston is back and better than ever in 2023. The Rodeo is organized into a 20-day tournament-style competition that will pay out over $2.1 million in total across eight events. Each champion is awarded $50,000 for winning the Finals alone. It is one of the biggest single rodeo checks an athlete can earn, reflected in the fact that each winner of the 2022 rodeo made the NFR that year.

The Format

RodeoHouston is broken into five three-day Super Series, two Semifinal rounds, two Wild Card rounds, and a Championship round. Each Super Series includes three rounds, with one round being performed per day. There will be eight contestants in each event. Each Series will see the top four money earners advance to the Semifinal rounds where 10 athletes will compete in each event.

Once in the Semifinals, the top four athletes in their events will move on to the Championship round while the other six will move to one of the two Wild Card rounds for a final shot at earning a spot in the Championship.

Those athletes in the Wild Card round will compete for one final spot in each event in the Championship.

The Championship round will include 10 athletes competing in each event where the top four will immediately ride again in the Championship Shootout Round to determine who will be crowned champion and walk away with the $50,000 check.

What to Watch For

RodeoHouston may be the single most important rodeo for those who want to make the 2023 NFR as it gives you a massive boost in the PRCA World Standings. In 2022 every winner of RodeoHouston went on to the 2022 NFR

Here is what to watch for in each Super Series.

Super Series I (Feb 28-March 2)

Breakaway Roping in Super Series I takes center stage. 2022 RodeoHouston Champion Erin Johnson returns to defend her title, but has some stiff competition. She will be going up against Shelby Boisjoli as she comes off a win in San Antonio, Kelsie Domer who posted a 1.6-second run in San Antonio, and Jackie Crawford.

Super Series II (March 3-5)

In Super Series II there are plenty of big names, including a loaded Saddle Bronc field. The field is highlighted by Superman himself, Stetson Wright. Stetson is coming off of a win at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo where he set the arena record in the Finals with a 92.5-point ride. Competing alongside Wright is Ben Andersen, who just won the Dixie National with a 90-point ride on Ragin Lunatic. 2022 NFR qualifiers Wyatt Casper, Chase Brooks and Tanner Butner are also competing in Super Series II.

Super Series III (March 6-8)

Super Series III may be the most balanced with talent throughout each event, but eyes will be on Bareback Riding as two of the best in the world face off three nights in a row. 2023 World Champion Jess Pope and 2022 World Champion Kaycee Feild headline the event and the two are not unfamiliar with sharing a stage together. Pope is currently outside of the top 50, but that is likely to change shortly as he only has five outs since the NFR. Feild on the other hand is No. 10 in the PRCA World Standings and will likely climb inside the top five with a strong showing in Houston.

Super Series IV (March 9-11)

Bull Riding is shaping up to be a good one in Super Series IV with several NFR qualifiers competing. Trey Holston is currently No. 3 in the world and will be competing over the three days. No. 15 Jack Gilmore and No. 24 Trey Benton are also featured in the group.

Super Series V (March 12-14)

Steer Wrestling will be an exciting one in the final Super Series as it features several athletes inside the top 50. Will Lummus, the current world No. 1 headlines the field and is coming off back-to-back wins at the Silver Spurs Rodeo and Georgia National Rodeo. Other Bulldoggers in the top 50 competing are No. 16 JD Struxness, No. 23 Stan Branco, No. 29 Caden Camp, No. 33 Riley Duvall, and No. 38 Bridger Chambers.

How to Watch & Broadcast Schedule

You can watch every performance LIVE on The Cowboy Channel and The Cowboy Channel+ App. For a full broadcast schedule click HERE.