Ahead of the 2022 WCRA Cowtown Christmas Championship Rodeo, WCRA (World Champions Rodeo Alliance) has announced those athletes advancing directly to the Showdown Round on Saturday, Dec. 17, courtesy of their No. 1 standing on the leaderboard. The Cowtown Christmas Championship Rodeo will be the final leg of the 2022 WCRA Triple Crown of Rodeo Series presented by Lazy E Ranch and Arena.
Launched in 2019, the Triple Crown of Rodeo is an annual bonus that will pay $1 million to any one athlete, or collection of athletes, who win first place in any three consecutive WCRA Major Rodeos. The most recent Triple Crown of Rodeo event was held in Salt Lake City, July 20-25, 2022.
The No. 1 seeded athlete roster is highlighted by an $1 Million Triple Crown of Rodeo Contender, RC Landingham. The 32-year-old Bareback Rider earned his second consecutive win at July’s Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo, putting him in contention to be a millionaire. If Landingham triumphs at the Cowtown Christmas Championship Rodeo, he will be the first victor of the WCRA Triple Crown of Rodeo $1 Million Bonus.
Landingham will compete in the December 17 showdown round where the top three athletes in each discipline will earn a position in the Triple Crown of Rodeo Round. Landingham must place in the top spot in the TCR Round to take home the $1 million cash bonus.
Also taking a No. 1 position on the leaderboard is 2x WCRA Team Roping Champions Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira while 2022 Women’s Rodeo World Champion Martha Angelone notched a spot in the breakaway roping. Million Dollar Cowgirl Kassie Mowry also clinched a position in the barrel racing.
A complete list of athletes that earned a No.1 berth to the Cowtown Christmas Championship Rodeo:
Bareback Riding: RC Landingham (Hat Creek, California)
Saddle Bronc: Kody Rinehart (Rienzi, Mississippi)
Bull Riding: Josh Frost (Randlett, Utah)
Steer Wrestling: Michael Bates (Mexican Springs, New Mexico)
Team Roping: Kaleb Driggers (Header | Stephenville, Texas) and Junior Nogueira (Heeler | Lipan, Texas)
Tie-Down Roping: Shad Mayfield (Clovis, New Mexico)
Barrel Racing: Kassie Mowry* (Dublin, Texas)
Breakaway Roping: Martha Angelone (Stephenville, Texas)
*Indicates seeded into Triple Crown of Rodeo Round due to decreasing runs on horses
Fans can watch the historic event on PlutoTV (Ridepass) December 14-17. On December 25 and Noon CT fans will be able to tune into the Triple Crown of Rodeo Round of the Cowtown Christmas Championship Rodeo on a CBS network broadcast.
Since launching in May of 2018, the WCRA and its partners have awarded more than $12,600,000 in new money to rodeo athletes. All rodeo athletes interested in learning more about the WCRA or the VRQ should visit wcrarodeo.com.
