Categories: Rodeo News

Sutton Rodeo to open up CBS Sports, Rodeo schedule with Champions Challenge

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PRCA Officials with Sutton Rodeo Family at Press Conference for the announcement

In a joint press conference, Sutton Rodeo and the PRCA announced the Wrangler 2014 Champions Challenge TV schedule on January 16, 2014. The Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo on February 4, 2014 will be the first stop. The new TV-friendly series will air on CBS Sports Net and is modeled after the mid 1980s Winston Rodeo Series.

The top seven contestants in the world standings from 2013 were drafted following the 2013 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Sponsored Teams include Wrangler, Justin Boots, B&W Trailer Hitches, Coors and three remaining PRCA teams awaiting sponsors. The Champions Challenge also includes three wildcard teams, explained Sarah Muirheid, Director of Marketing for the PRCA.

Cowboy Lifestyle Network and Kirchmann Media Group were on hand for the official announcement in Rapid City. Sutton Rodeo contributed $40,000 in prize money for the $128,000 payout on February 4, 2014. The Wrangler Champions Challenge presented by Justin Boots will have eight stops across the United States from February to September.
The event dates include: (air dates are different)

February 4^th – Rapid City, SD
February 27^th – Scottsdale, AZ
May 17^th – Redding, CA
May 31^st – Spanish Fork, UT
September 7^th – Puyallup, WA
September 17^th – Amarillo, TX
September 27^th – Omaha, NE

Ten teams of contestants will compete which are compressed of the above sponsors plus three wild card teams. The wild card teams will constantly be changing based on the selection criteria. Wild Card Teams include current world standings leader, the venue champion and the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour standings leader.

Sarah Muirheid and Gretchen Kirchmann – reviewing TV schedules

Muirheid identified the wildcard teams as the PRCA, Pro Rodeo Gear and Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame for now. Cowboy Lifestyle Network and Kirchmann Media Group asked how that will be handled if a contestant is already drafted on a team. Muirheild stated, the invitation will roll down to the next eligible contestant. For example if Tuf Cooper is leading the 2014 Tie-Down World Standings, the wild card position will roll down to number two. In theory, the top seven Tie-Down Ropers could already be on teams opening up the wild card slot for number eight through 30 in the world standings.

The draft was modeled off the NFL draft with selections, trades and strategy. Continue to stayed tuned for more details from Cowboy Lifestyle Network and Kirchmann Media Group as they cover the Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo January 31 – February 8, 2014.

Read the official press release feature article below:

Gretchen Kirchmann

Gretchen Kirchmann is a veteran journalist covering a variety of events across the country each year. She founded Kirchmann Media Group in 2009 and works as a marketing consultant with a forte for the western lifestyle industry, festivals, fairs and rodeo world. Her work includes 15 national communication awards plus coverage of Nashville's CMT Awards and CMA Fanfest. A favorite assignment was attending the all cast reunion of the Dukes of Hazard in 2006 and 2007 at Dukesfest. In December you will find her covering the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and Miss Rodeo America pageant live from Las Vegas. Her favorite color is orange, favorite song "Rocky Top" and she loves to dance especially clogging.