Reiner secures Super Series II title
Bareback rider Cole Reiner won the RodeoHouston Super Shootout as an alternate last year, one day after winning his series in the regular rodeo.
That turned out to be the last running of North America’s Champions.
RodeoHouston got rid of the one-day event this year, choosing instead to add a second wild-card round and more money to the now $2.2-million overall purse; and while Reiner wasn’t excited to see it go, he’s happy to see everyone getting richer, because like everything else these days, the travel isn’t getting any cheaper.
“I loved the Super Shootout,” he said.
“It was great. It was a chance at $25,000 with 12 guys. That’s hard to find anywhere else in the country. But the way they split the money up, paying six holes now, and adding more money across the entire competition, that’s good for all of us. I wish they didn’t have to take the Shootout away to do it, but whenever you get a chance at money, even when you’re not first, second or third, that’s good for rodeo.”
Not that Reiner has to worry about not winning.
The Wyoming native also won his super series in 2022, then went on to the championship short round, and he brought that momentum back to Houston, clinching the Super Series II title with $7,500 in earnings Sunday at NRG Stadium.
“The horses are good here, obviously,” Reiner said. “It’s RodeoHouston. But the money is motivating for sure. I’ve had a slow winter rodeo run so far, and this rodeo can change your whole season. We watched Jesse Pope win RodeoHouston last year, and then go on to win a world championship — and this rodeo was a huge part of his success.”
More available money means more chances at success.
RodeoHouston previously paid only the top four positions in each round. Now the top six placers in each super series round earn a check, and every competitor in Sunday’s championship long round claims a prize.
A shootout win Sunday still pays $50,000. And that’s plenty of motivation for bull rider Ky Hamilton.
The native Australian — who fulfilled a lifelong dream to compete at rodeo’s highest level when he moved to the United States four years ago — placed first in his super series for the second straight year with $9,000, making him the first athlete to sweep all three rounds of their series in this year’s RodeoHouston.
Now he’s hoping to actually compete in the semifinals.
“I went to a PBR (Professional Bull Riders) event in between my super series and the semis last year, and I lacerated my kidney, so I didn’t get to compete in The American or the semifinals here at Houston,” Hamilton lamented. “It put a damper on things, and I was mad — but I’m back this year and ready to go.”
Sterling Smith was up for the challenge in tiedown roping.
The rodeo veteran’s fast start included a win in Round 1 and placing second in Round 2, securing $5,000, which was just enough to take the series. Matt Shiozawa, another veteran roper, finished right behind him with $4,500.
In the other roping events, team ropers Dawson Graham and Dillon Graham won the third round and their series with $14,000; and Cadee Williams emerged victorious with $5,000 in the debut of breakaway roping as an everyday event.
Ben Anderson ($3,750) rallied with 87.5 points on Xena Warrior to win the third round and secure his series in saddle bronc, Jesse Brown ($6,250) was the top steer wrestler, and Shannon McReynolds ($5,500) finished on top in barrel racing.