We have made it through the bracket portion of the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, and the Semifinals are set. As always, San Antonio showcases the top athletes in rodeo, and this year is no different.
20 athletes advanced to the Semifinals in each event, and those 20 are split into two groups of 10 to compete in Semifinal 1 and Semifinal 2. The top five athletes each night from each event will advance to the Finals. The athletes who don’t advance will move to a do-or-die Wildcard round where one final spot in the finals is up for grabs.
In total, 11 athletes will compete in the Finals in San Antonio.
Once those 11 athletes are set, Rodeo Live will be on-site, in the Ultra Club by Michelob Courtyard, bringing you all the excitement leading into the final day of rodeo action, starting at 7:30 PM Eastern.
Hosts Janie Johnson, Tim O’Connell, Sierra Spratt, and Luke Branquinho get you set for the Final performance of one of the most important rodeos of the year.
Before all of that, there is work to be done in the Semis. Here is a quick look at what to watch for on Thursday and Friday night.
Semifinal 1:
Semifinal 1 is highlighted by 2025 World Champion Rocker Steiner in the Bareback Riding. Rocker will be competing against NFR qualifiers Wacey Schalla, Jess Pope, Tilden Hooper, Bradlee Miller, and others.
In the Steer Wrestling, four 2025 NFR qualifiers will be competing with Will Lummus, Ty Erickson, J.D. Struxness, and Justin Shaffer among the 10 qualifiers.
In the Team Roping, Kellen Johnson and Trent Vaught look to add to their $4,500 earned after being the top qualifier from their bracket. They’ll be competing against big names like Derrick Begay and Colter Todd, Cody Snow and Hunter Koch, Lightning Aguilera and Wyatt Cox, and more.
The Saddle Bronc field is once again dominated by the Wrights, with the family filling four of the 20 total Semifinal spots. In Semifinal 1, it is Stetson and Ryder competing for a spot in the finals. They’ll be matched up against Damian Brennan, 2026 breakout bronc rider Darcy Radel, Q Taylor, and more.
In the Tie-Down Roping, Ty Harris looks to continue his dominant San Antonio showing. In Bracket 5, he won all three rounds and pocketed nearly $8,000. Current World No. 1 Kincade Henry, Chet Weitz, and Brushton Minton are also among the qualifiers in the first Semi.
In the Breakaway Roping, Jill Tanner looks to add another Texas Swing win to her 2026 resume. She has stiff competition, roping against Bailey Bates, Sawyer Gilbert, Jackie Crawford, and more.
In Barrel Racing, the field is loaded with talent. Emily Beisel, Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Michelle Alley, Carlee Otero, and back-to-back World Champion Kassie Mowry are all set to compete.
The names to watch out for in tonight’s Bull Riding are Tristen Hutchings, T Parker, Clayton Sellars, and Bryce Jensen, as all will be looking to lock in their spot in the finals.
Semifinal 2:
Friday night will bring another exciting Semifinal performance with five more athletes in each event moving on to the Finals.
In the Bareback Riding, 2024 World Champion Dean Thompson, Cooper Cooke, Sam Petersen, Cole Reiner, and Legiton Berry are all scheduled to compete.
In Steer Wrestling, look out for 2025 World Champion Tucker Allen. It should be a great performance with Tyler Waguespack, Dalton Massey, Stetson Jorgensen, Rowdy Parrott, and Dakota Eldridge all competing.
Team Roping is highlighted by Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira, who are the high-money winners of the Team Roping through the bracket rounds. They will be competing against Dustin Egusquiza and JC Flake, Andrew Ward and Jake Long, Coleman Proctor and Travis Graves, and more.
In Saddle Bronc Riding, the other two of the four Wrights will be competing, with World No. 1 Rusty and Statler riding alongside Zeke Thurston, Ben Andersen, Sage Newman, and more.
Tie-Down Roping will showcase World Champions Haven Meged and Shane Hanchey roping against John Douch, Joel Harris, Kyle Lucas, Cory Solomon, and others.
Hailey Kinsel and Sister highlight the Barrel Racing in Semifinal 2. They will ride against Paige Jones, Wenda Johnson, Anita Ellis, LaTricia Duke, and more.
Breakaway Roping will feature Taylor Munsell, Josie Conner, our very own Jordan Hollobaugh, and more as five will secure their spot in the Finals Saturday night.
World No. 1 Mason Moody looks to keep his great start to the season going in the Bull Riding. He matches up against Trey Benton III, Colten Fritzlan, Tristan Mize, and more.