RodeoHouston™ BP Super Series III Champions Named

Fred Whitfield won the 2010 BP Super Series III Tie-Down Roping Champion title with an overall time of 27.8 seconds in three rounds. After 35 years of professional roping experience, Whitfield felt confident going into tonight’s competition and earned a payout of $6,000.

“It’s all about the draw and getting a good calf,” he said. “I was lucky tonight and got one that placed two different times.”

Advancing to the Semifinals with Whitfield are Jake Hannum, Jeff Chapman and Timber Moore.

Steven Peebles earned the BP Super Series III Champion Bareback Riding title with an overall score of 245 in three rounds.

“I felt pretty good before I left the chute,” he said. “I really wanted to place first and knew what I had to do to pull it off.”

Peebles has seven years of bareback riding experience and his payout for Super Series III was $8,000. Advancing with Peebles in the Semifinals will be Tom McFarland, Clint Cannon, and Kelly Timberman.

Jake Weddle and Broc Cresta made their RodeoHouston debut with the BP Super Series III Team Roping Champion title. Their overall time was 19.9 seconds in three rounds and a payout of $10,500. Weddle and Cresta had never met until their first RodeoHouston appearance two years ago.

“It helps when you have a good, experienced partner, but it depends a lot on the calf too,” Weddle said. “Our goal is just to focus real hard and when the calf comes out of the chute we want to catch ’em and knock ’em down.”

Meeting Weddle and Cresta at the Semifinals will be Clay Tryan and Travis Graves, JoJo LeMond and Randon Adams, and Jake Cooper and Jim Ross Cooper.

Anthony Bello secured his spot in the Semifinals for Saddle Bronc Riding with a Series III third round score of 79 and an overall score of 238.5. Bello earned $5,500 and this is his first time to advance in the Semifinals.

“I’ve never done well here before, so I’m excited about moving on in the competition.”

Advancing with Bello will be Ty Atchinson, Jesse Bail and Cort Scheer.

Lee Graves claimed the BP Super Series III Steer Wrestling Champion title with an overall time of 13.4 seconds in three rounds and a payout of $6,250.

Advancing with Graves will be Wade Sumpter, K.C. Jones and Ken Lewis.

Brett Thompson came from behind, earned $6,000 and the title of BP Super Series III Bull Riding Champion with a third round and overall score of 81.

“I don’t get nervous about riding anymore,” he said. “It’s the thrill of the ride and rush of adrenaline that gets me through each ride.”

Advancing with Thompson will be Shawn Hogg, Steve Woolsey and Luke Haught.

Christina Richman won the BP Super Series III Barrel Racing Champion title with an overall time of 45.13 seconds in three rounds. She earned $8,500 in her first appearance this year at RodeoHouston.

“I’m not sure if it has sunk in yet, but I look forward to the Semifinals.”

Advancing with Richman will be Sue Berg, Tana Poppino and Jana Isaac.

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