CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Rodeo Corpus Christi is off to an electrifying start as youth athletes from across the nation delivered standout performances in the $55,000 CEAT Division Youth Showcase, kicking off five nights of elite rodeo action. Several competitors impressed with multiple podium finishes, setting the tone for the remainder of the week.
In Pole Bending, Kennzie Nixon posted a clean and commanding run of 20.636 seconds to win the event and collect $2,000.00. Natalie Ohrt secured second with a 21.156-second run, earning $1,500.00. Nixon and Ohrt were the only two athletes to run clean in the field.
The Goat Tying round saw Alli Autrey rope the win with a 6.70-second clean run, earning $2,000.00. Drew Ellen Stewart followed in second with a 7.36 to collect $1,500.00, while Kennzie Nixon added to her earnings with a 7.48-second third-place finish worth $1,000.00. Sadie Patterson took home $500.00 for fourth.
In Steer Wrestling, Ryan Thompson charged to the win with a blazing 4.50-second time, claiming $2,000.00. Jake Holmes earned $1,500.00 with his 5.22-second run. David Barrett Shelton finished third for $1,000.00, and Jake Shelton earned $500.00 in fourth.
Saddle Bronc Riding delivered a tight race at the top, with Ethan Cart earning the winning ride of 79 points aboard ALBERTA GIRL to lead the field and claim the $2,000.00 top prize. Hardy Osborn followed close behind with a 74-point ride, securing second and $1,500.00. Cash Sellman turned in 69 points to finish third and take home $1,000.00, while Wyatt Lavergne rounded out the top four with a 67-point ride, earning $500.00.
Only one team recorded a qualified time in Team Roping, and they made it count. Austin Perez and Kutter Richardson finished in 15.64 seconds despite breaking the barrier, which cost them a penalty—but they still earned the full $10,000 ($5,000 each) in ground money as the sole finishers.
In Breakaway Roping, twin sisters dominated the leaderboard. Kylie Reininger won the event with a blazing 2.02-second run and earned $2,000.00, followed closely by Kelsie Reininger, who secured second with a 2.07 for $1,500.00. Kali Jo Bannister took third with a 2.26 for $1,000.00, and Shada Cline clocked 6.96 seconds to earn $500.00 in fourth.
Tie-Down Roping was a tight race, but Cruz Melanson claimed the top spot with a 9.75-second run, earning $2,000.00. Bryce Ehlinger secured second with a 9.99 for $1,500.00, Cougar Racca finished third at 10.30 to earn $1,000.00, and Rendon Powledge placed fourth with a 10.90, earning $500.00.
In Barrel Racing, Natalie Ohrt and VF BORN TA BA WINNER topped a tight field with a 14.135-second run, winning $2,000.00. Clayann Holbrook (14.207) earned $1,500.00, Brylen Beicker (14.312) earned $1,000.00, and Savannah Sanders (14.431) earned $500.00 to round out the top four.
Only two cowboys made the whistle in Bull Riding. Brennan Polito led with an 82.00-point ride on TANK and took home $2,750.00, while Ty Lavergne followed with a 77.00-point ride on BLUE to earn $2,250.00.
Rodeo Corpus Christi kicked off with the CEAT Division Youth Showcase tonight on May 6, and will be followed by progressive rounds on May 7–9, leading into the Showdown Round and Kid Rock Rodeo Round on May 10.
Fans can watch Rodeo Corpus Christi on RidePass via Pluto TV nightly from May 6–10 at 7 p.m. CDT. Additionally, the Kid Rock n Rodeo Round will air on CBS Sports Network on May 25 at Noon EDT.
Since its inception in May 2018, the WCRA and its partners have awarded more than $19.7 million in new money to rodeo athletes. For more information about the WCRA or how to get involved through the VRQ system, visit wcrarodeo.com.
Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media/WCRA
