The day so many dream of has arrived: The American Rodeo. On Friday night, fifteen contenders in each event battled it out, seeking a top-five finish to advance to Saturday's Showdown Round. Those five athletes will now compete against the top five athletes from the 2025 PRCA/WPRA World Standings in each event. From that round of 10, the top four in each event will advance to the Championship Round. In this impressive roster, many athletes have a chance at the $2 million bonus, which can only be won by contenders, not invitees (top five from World Standings). Athletes are listed in no particular order. Bareback RidingRocker Steiner | PRCAInvitee Rocker Steiner is returning to defend his 2025 title, amongst an impressive field of former The American Rodeo Champions. Invitees:Rocker SteinerWacey SchallaSam PetersenKade SonnierJess PopeContenders:R.C. LandinghamTanner AusLeighton BerryKeenan HayesTilden HooperBreakaway RopingJosie Conner will rope alongside her fiancé, tie-down roper Riley Webb, in the Showdown Round. Invitees:Taylor MunsellShelby Boisjoli-MegedJosie ConnerRylee GeorgeAspen MillerContenders:Madison OuthierKelsie DomerJackie CrawfordRickie FanningFallon RuffoniTeam RopingWith multiple former champions, including the three-time titlist team of Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira, this event will be incredible to watch. In Friday night's Semi-Finals, Dustin Egusquiza and JC Flake set a new arena record at a blistering 3.41 seconds. Header Invitees:Tanner TomlinsonKolton SchmidtClint SummersKaleb DriggersAndrew WardHeader Contenders:Dustin EgusquizaBilly Bob BrownPedro EgurrolaCory KiddColeman ProctorHeeler Invitees:Jake LongJunior NogueiraJade CorkillJonathan TorresKaden ProfiliHeeler Contenders:JC FlakeBlaine VickMichael Calmelat, Jr.Carson JohnsonTravis GravesSteer WrestlingAs a reminder, invitee positions do NOT roll down. Unfortunately, Stetson Jorgenson sustained a major knee injury at the end of April and will not compete. Invitees:Rowdy ParrottJesse BrownStetson JorgensonTucker AllenWill LummusContenders:Dalton MasseyRiley BarberGavin SoileauDon PayneClayton CulliganTie-Down RopingTwo-time champion Shad Mayfield has undergone two hip surgeries in the past six months and will not compete in Globe Life Field. Again, invitee positions do not roll down, and only four invitees will rope in this event. Invitees:Riley WebbShad MayfieldKincade HenryJoel Harris John DouchContenders:Zack JongbloedTy HarrisTuf CooperAndrew BurksCory SolomonSaddle Bronc RidingThe roster in saddle bronc riding is absolutely stacked, including 2025 Champion, Damian Brennan. The Aussie will be seeking to defend his title this year. Invitees:Damian BrennanZeke ThurstonStatler WrightRyder WrightStetson WrightContenders:Sage NewmanBrody CressShorty GarrettKade BrunoLogan HayBarrel RacingHeidi Gunderson and Wonder If Im Lucky | Lexi Smith Media2025 Champion, Kassie Mowry, will not be competing this year. Like the steer wrestling and tie-down roping, only four invitees will be running in the Showdown Round. Invitees: Carlee OteroHayle Gibson-StillwellBrittany Pozzi TonozziTricia AldridgeKassie MowryContenders:Taylor ArmentaHeidi GundersonMindy HollowayDusky Lynn HallBlake MolleBull RidingOn the list of invitees, two cowboys will compete in two events inside Globe Life Field. Wacey Schalla earned an invite in bareback riding, while Stetson Wright earned his in saddle bronc riding.Invitees:Ky HamiltonWacey SchallaTristen HutchingsTJ GrayStetson WrightContenders:Luciano De CastroJesse PetriAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow