Speed Williams & Rich Skelton Compete @ The American
0Eight-Time Team Roping World Champions to
Reunite for World’s Richest One-Day Rodeo
Speed Williams and Rich Skelton will compete for
$1,000,000 at The American on March 1, 2015.
Nashville, Tenn. – It’s been 10 long years since the winningest team in the history of roping entered a rodeo together.
Now, a decade after winning a record eight consecutive world championships together, Speed Williams and Rich Skelton will reunite for the first time for RFD-TV’s The American, presented by Polaris Ranger, on March 1 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The former partners are no strangers to winning millions of dollars – Williams, 47, had earned more than $2 million when he retired in 2009, but it took him 23 years. And Skelton, 48, has raked in nearly $3 million over almost 30 years as a professional roper from Llano, Texas. Despite having qualified 15 and 21 times, respectively, to professional rodeo’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, the legendary pair never had a chance – until now – to win $1 million in one day.
“This rodeo gives anyone a chance to compete with the top ten in the world, even if a guy has retired from full-time competition,” said Williams, a Florida native now living in DeLeon, Texas. “It brings a whole new element to the sport of rodeo.”
The team of Williams and Skelton become the third and fourth superstars to accept an exemption into The American. The others accepting exemptions thus far include 11-time world champion barrel racer Charmayne James and eight-time world champion tie-down roper Fred Whitfield.
“The American is honored to invite two of the greatest world champion team ropers ever,” said Randy Bernard, CEO of RMG Events. “They both are very deserving. The American is about inviting the legends that have dedicated their lives to the sport of rodeo.”
In addition to the select few exemptions, the top five contestants in each event at the conclusion of the American Semifinals in Fort Worth will advance to compete against the top 10 reigning professionals in rodeo and bull riding during RFD-TV’s The American on March 1. The American takes over the home of the Dallas Cowboys for the second straight year with the collective cash prize package coming to an unprecedented $2.4 million inside AT&T Stadium.
Tickets for the American Semifinals at the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, Feb. 18-22, are available for $40 per single day or a three-performance package of $100, not including taxes. They can be purchased at the Cowtown Coliseum box office, at stockyardsrodeo.com, or americanrodeo.com
Tickets for RFD-TV’s The American, presented by Polaris Ranger, and the Iron Cowboy VI are on sale at the AT&T Stadium Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations and at americanrodeo.com. Prices for each event range from $20 to $150, not including taxes.
