PUEBLO, Colo. — Jory Markiss entered the 2013 Built Ford Tough World Finals ranked 10^th in the world standings and was thus clinging to the final guaranteed qualifier spot for THE AMERICAN.

However, after a 2-for-6 performance in Las Vegas, the 24-year-old slipped to 11^th and fell one spot shy of getting his shot to ride at the world’s richest one-day rodeo.

Regardless, all Markiss needed was one qualifying event to battle his way back into the field, and after scoring 179 points on two rides at the Springfield, Mo., Touring Pro Division event last weekend, the Missoula, Mont., native has guaranteed his chance at competing for $1 million on March 2 in Arlington, Texas, during the inaugural THE AMERICAN.

“It’s definitely flattering,” Markiss said. “I’m stuck without words. The fact that we can ride for this amount of money shows our sport is growing, too, and must have hit the next level.

“I have the potential to win a million bucks at the end of the year (the 2014 World Finals), but to say the least, I am excited that we have the opportunity to ride for this amount of money and we don’t have to wait until the end of the year.”

Jory Markiss puts up 92.25 points on I’m A Gangster Too at the 15/15 Bucking Battle in Grand Rapids, Mich. 

Markiss is the latest to earn a spot in THE AMERICAN’s bull riding draw after Skeeter Kingsolver, who won a qualifier event in Little Rock, Ark., Justin McBride, who was awarded an exemption, as well as the Top 10 bull riders in the world standings at the conclusion of the 2013 Built Ford Tough Series secured their invites for the one-day rodeo, which is the day after the PBR’s Iron Cowboy V. 

There are four more remaining Touring Pro Division qualifiers in Fort Worth, Texas; Denver; Pueblo, Colo., and Mesquite, Texas, for riders to earn their way to THE AMERICAN. Rural Media Group CEO and President Randy Bernard, who is the former CEO of the PBR, may also hand out additional exemptions, similar to the one McBride received.

The marquee event will pay $100,000 to the winners of each rodeo event ― bareback riding, bronc riding, team roping, tie-down roping, barrel racing, steer wrestling and bull riding ― and $25,000 for second place.

In addition to the winning payouts, if a "qualifier" (such as Kingsolver, McBride or Markiss) happens to win the event at AT&T Stadium they will have earned their share of an additional $1 million bonus to be split among any of the qualifiers, who happen to win their respective event.

RELATED: Western sport legends talk about THE AMERICAN

Markiss said he wasn’t too discouraged after falling 419.62 points shy of the 10^th spot in the world standings after World Finals.

“I was a little disappointed, but it wasn’t heartbreaking or anything,” Markiss admitted. “I knew there was a bunch of points there and what not, and all it was going to take was for someone to ride one more bull and it happened.”

Markiss rebounded in a big way over the weekend in Missouri. He first rode Marlin for 89.5 points Friday night before picking up an identical score later in the evening aboard Cash’N In.

“Marlin turned back right there in the gate, made a couple of rounds, went back into the bucking chute while he was still bucking then faded back out.

“Cash’N In was really good right there around the left and had a lot of snap, kick and change up.”

Markiss finished second overall in the event average and was the top scorer among 10 riders that opted to pay the additional $500 entry fee to make themselves eligible to compete for THE AMERICAN qualifying spot. Markiss, who double entered for $1,000, held off Matt Triplett (85 points), Stetson Lawrence (80.5 points) and Nathan Schaper (78 points) to earn the bid.

Joseph McConnel won the event with 179.5 points, but decided not to pay the entry fee for THE AMERICAN qualifier and was ineligible to earn the bid.

Markiss, who earned a combined $4,087.99 this weekend, spent close to $2,000, if you include the additional TPD event entry fees and travel costs, to try and earn a spot for THE AMERICAN.

“It was definitely a gamble,” he said. “But it’s OK, because I have an opportunity to win more money.”

After making the World Finals for the first time in his career, Markiss believes THE AMERICAN should have a similar electric and exciting environment of the PBR’s marquee event.

“You get all of those legends and World Champions – and all of those young guns – lined up wanting that cash and they are out to get it,” Markiss said. “It’s going to be brutal.”

It is especially going to be challenging because he will have to compete against McBride — a two-time World Champion — who will come out of retirement for the single-day event.

“That’s awesome,” Markiss said. “I had the pleasure to ride with Chris Shivers, Luke Snyder and all of these others. But to have a chance to ride against Justin will be fun.”

McBride announced during the 2013 World Finals that he had accepted an exemption to come out of retirement and compete in bull riding at THE AMERICAN.

RELATED: Justin McBride announces he will ride at THE AMERICAN

“I was a little less excited when I found out he was – just because I know of the competition we’re going to have to deal with now,” Markiss continued with a laugh.

For now though, Markiss wants to think less about THE AMERICAN and more on his goal of moving up the Built Ford Tough Series standings in 2014.

Still, the inaugural AMERICAN is going to be a memorable experience.

“This is the first event that they have ever had with an opportunity to win this kind of cash,” Markiss concluded. “To be a part of it is an honor definitely.

“It will be something I can tell my grandkids.”

Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko