With the qualifier fields set and the first regional just one week away, all eyes turn to the top athletes in the qualification system, each looking to secure a spot at The American Rodeo Championship Weekend — and a share of the historic $2 million Qualifier Bonus.
Set for April 10-11 in Lexington, Kentucky, the Eastern Regional Qualifier will feature athletes across all career stages, each taking a unique path to arrive, all with the same goal: to advance.
All paths lead to Arlington.
Each regional includes all eight rodeo disciplines. The semifinals feature up to 125 athletes per event, including competitors advancing from qualifiers, athletes ranked No. 6-20 in the 2025 PRCA/WPRA world standings (with five seeded per region), and a limited number of direct buy-ins.
The finals, held during the Saturday night performance and televised nationally on FOX, will feature the top 10 athletes from the semifinals, along with three advancing from the Redemption Round. Both rounds take place in the same venue on consecutive days.
More than $540,000 in prize money is guaranteed at the regional level. In total, 27 athletes will leave the regional finals with $10,000 each before advancing to Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on May 22-23.
Those who advance will compete head-to-head against the sport’s elite — the top five finishers from the 2025 PRCA/WPRA world standings in each discipline. That group includes athletes like 10-time world champion Stetson Wright, bareback riding champion Rocker Steiner, two-time barrel racing world champion Kassie Mowry and three-time tie-down roping world champion Riley Webb.
Where history will be made inside the home of the Texas Rangers.
So, who will answer the call in Lexington and claim their place at Globe Life Field?
In barrel racing, all eyes will be on reigning IPRA champion Breandie Inman. No stranger to major stages, Inman has proven herself in competitive formats like World Champions Rodeo Alliance events and the Premier Women’s Rodeo World Championship. She’ll face a deep field that includes young phenom Dusky Lynn Hall and WCRA DY Junior Barrel Racing World Champion Savanna Shumpert.
In breakaway roping, the Reininger twins, Kylie and Kelsie, bring both experience and composure. Proven on the Premier Women’s Rodeo World Championship stage, the pair return to the box with high expectations. They’ll be joined by rising standouts Harley Pryor and Amy Ohrt, as the next generation of breakaway ropers takes center stage at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park.
In tie-down roping, Brodey Clemons enters with momentum after winning the 2026 Resistol Rookie Roundup. A 2025 qualifier, Clemons is no stranger to The American Rodeo Championship Weekend stage and will look to return. He’ll face a competitive field that includes NFR qualifiers Cole Clemons, Zack Jongbloed and Haven Meged.
Jongbloed will also look to make an impact in steer wrestling, pulling double duty in Lexington. He’ll be joined by fellow NFR qualifiers Bridger Anderson and Cody Devers in a deep and competitive field.
Team roping will feature several high-caliber partnerships, including the recent pairing of 2024 Resistol Rookie of the Year Tyler Tryan and five-time NFR qualifier Levi Lord. Fresh off a win at the Bob Feist Invitational, the duo will look to carry their momentum into Lexington. In another notable pairing, NFR qualifier Nelson Wyatt will team up with 2025 Resistol Rookie of the Year Nicky Northcott.
In bareback riding, veterans Tim O’Connell, Clayton Biglow and Richmond Champion headline the field. Champion, the first rodeo athlete to win $1 million at a single event at the 2014 American Rodeo, now has his sights set on becoming the first to claim the $2 million bonus. They’ll be joined by recent NFR qualifiers Ben Andersen and Dawson Hay, along with Logan Hay and 2025 Resistol Rookie of the Year and 2024 College National Finals Rodeo champion Gus Gaillard.
In bull riding, world champion Josh Frost leads the field as he looks to secure his place at The American Rodeo Championship Weekend. He’ll be challenged by PBR talents Ramon de Souza and Donovan Rutherford.
As anticipation builds for the first of three regional qualifiers, athletes and fans alike will be watching closely to see who advances, and who moves one step closer to Arlington and a shot at rodeo history.