Tyson Durfey of Weatherford, Texas, took home the Semifinal 1 win in tie-down roping at RodeoHouston on Wednesday. The reigning 2016 tie-down roping champion is confident in his horse, Niko, and his ability to adapt to any challenge the Super Series Championship might present.

"My horse, Niko, always puts me in a position to win," Durfey said. "He rarely makes mistakes, so it all boils down to the draw of the calf."

Advancing to Championship Round (winnings to date):
Tyson Durfey: Weatherford, Texas -- $6,750
Caleb Smidt: Bellville, Texas -- $8,500
Tuf Cooper: Decatur, Texas -- $5,250
Ace Slone: Cuero, Texas -- $3,375

BAREBACK RIDING
After a thrilling ride, Jake Vold of Airdrie, Alberta, Canada, won the Semifinal 1 event. Vold said that he has confidence going into the championship round.

"There's a great group of guys here at RodeoHouston and a great group of horses," Vold said. "It's anybody's game."

Advancing to Championship Round (winnings to date):
Jake Vold: Airdrie, Alberta, Canada -- $6,000
Ty Breuer: Mandan, North Dakota -- $6,000
Chad Rutherford: Itasca, Texas -- $5,500
RC Landingham: Vina, California -- $3,375

TEAM ROPING
Charly Crawford and Walt Woodard, both of Stephenville, Texas, claimed the Semifinal 1 win. Crawford said RodeoHouston is a great place to ride, but much of the duo's success is dependent upon the calf they pull.

"Houston has great fans, the best athletes and great competition," Crawford said. "Tonight it was easy, but it's all dependent on the draw."

Advancing to Championship Round (winnings to date):
Charly Crawford: Stephenville, Texas; and Walt Woodard: Stephenville, Texas -- $13,500
Clay Smith: Bowie, Texas; and Paul Eaves: Millsap, Texas -- $12,000
Zac Small: Welch, Oklahoma; and Levi Lord: Sturgis, South Dakota -- $10,000
Trevor Brazile: Decatur, Texas; and Patrick Smith: Lipan, Texas -- $8,500

SADDLE BRONC RIDING
Cort Scheer of Elsmere, Nebraska, had the top saddle bronc ride of Semifinal 1 to secure his spot in the Super Series Championship. Sheer said he loves what he does and is going to use this win as motivation for the Super Series Championship.

"Any day riding broncs is the best day," Scheer said. "This win gives me more momentum, and big rodeos are exciting because the crowd is so loud."

Advancing to Championship Round (winnings to date):
Cort Scheer: Elsmere, Nebraska -- $9,000
Isaac Diaz: Desdemona, Texas -- $ 5,500
Layton Green: Meeting Creek, Alberta, Canada -- $6,875
Chuck Schmidt: Keldron, South Dakota -- $5,625

STEER WRESTLING
Baylor Roche of Tremonton, Utah, wrestled his steer in 4.6 seconds to win the Semifinal 1 event. Roche said that it is always great to be at RodeoHouston.

"The atmosphere in the arena is pretty electric," Roche said. "[RodeoHouston] is a great place to be in the top 10."

Advancing to Championship Round (winnings to date):
Baylor Roche: Tremonton, Utah -- $6,583
JD Struxness: Appleton, Minnesota -- $5,000
Nick Guy: Strasburg, Colorado -- $4,750
Trevor Knowles: Mount Vernon, Oregon -- $4,500

BARREL RACING
Sydni Blanchard of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is headed to the Super Series Championship in barrel racing. In back-to-back nights, Blanchard came away with a win and is now in the chase for $50,000.

Advancing to Championship Round (winnings to date):
Sydni Blanchard: Albuquerque, New Mexico -- $8,500
Taylor Langdon: Aubrey, Texas -- $ 6,500
Kelly Tovar: Rockdale, Texas -- $6,000
Nellie Williams-Miller: Cottonwood, California -- $5,750

BULL RIDING
Parker Breding of Edgar, Montana, took home the Semifinal 1 win after a tie for first with Cody Campbell of Summerville, Oregon. The tie was decided by Breding's greater winnings to date. Breding said there is nothing like performing at RodeoHouston.

"It's great to ride in such a big arena in front of all of the fans, even if you don't do well," Breding said. "It's even better though if you win."

Advancing to Championship Round (winnings to date):
Parker Breding: Edgar, Montana -- $5,500
Cody Campbell: Summerville, Oregon -- $3,250
Neil Holmes: Cleveland, Texas -- $7,000
Sage Steele Kimzey: Strong City, Oklahoma -- $2,750

The top four from each event in the semifinal rounds will advance to the RodeoHouston Super Series Championship on Saturday, March 25. The remaining six from each event in the two semifinals will compete in the wild card round on Friday, March 24, where the top two from each event will advance to the championship. Each event champion will walk away with a $50,000 payout, in addition to previous winnings.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a Section 501(c)(3) charity that benefits youth, supports education, and facilitates better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation. Since its beginning in 1932, the Show has committed more than $430 million to the youth of Texas. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com and connect with #RODEOHOUSTON online via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for all of the latest news. The 2017 Show runs through Sunday, March 26.

Courtesy of RodeoHouston