Veteran tie-down roper Fred Whitfield of Hockley, Texas, took home the Semifinal 2 win at RODEOHOUSTON on Thursday. Whitfield, 49, who won the event in 2000 and 2013, said that it feels great to be back at the event.

"This is my hometown rodeo," Whitfield said. "I'm out here competing against guys half my age, so a win in the final would be the icing on the cake for me."

Advancing to Championship Round (winnings to date):
Fred Whitfield: Hockley, Texas -- $7,250
Sterling Smith: Stephenville, Texas -- $5,375
Stran Smith: Childress, Texas -- $3,750
Riley Pruitt: Gering, Nebraska -- $4,750

BAREBACK RIDING
Mason Clements of Santaquin, Utah, won both the Super Series I and Semifinal 2 rounds in bareback riding. Clements said that he is ready to take care of business in the championship round.

"Winning both of my rides has my confidence sky-high," Clements said. "I'm so motivated and ready to win in the championship."

Advancing to Championship Round (winnings to date):
Mason Clements: Santaquin, Utah -- $8,500
Tyler Nelson: Victor, Idaho -- $6,500
Bobby Mote: Stephenville, Texas -- $4,833
JR Vezain: Cowley, Wyoming -- $4,250

TEAM ROPING
Erich Rogers and Corey Petska, five-year team roping partners, claimed the Semifinal 2 team roping win. Rogers said that he and Petska are friends in and out of the arena and that he is confident in their ability to work as a team.

"The atmosphere in the arena is intense and there are a lot of good ropers out there," Rogers said, "but we work together well and don't plan on changing anything going into the Championship."

Advancing to Championship Round (winnings to date):
Erich Rogers: Round Rock, Arizona; and Cory Petska: Marana, Arizona -- $15,000
Riley Minor: Ellensburg, Washington; and Brady Minor: Ellensburg, Washington -- $15,000
Chad Masters: Cedar Hill, Tennessee; and Travis Graves: Bluff Dale, Texas -- $9,000
Pace Freed: Bluff Dale, Texas; and Trey Yates: Pueblo, Colorado -- $9,000

SADDLE BRONC RIDING
Jacobs Crawley of Boerne, Texas, had the top Saddle Bronc took the win in Semifinal 2 and secured his spot in the Super Series Championship. He is proud to represent Texas at RODEOHOUSTON.

"Being a bronc rider from Texas isn't that common," Crawley said. "I'm trying to bring bronc riding back to Texas."

Advancing to Championship Round (winnings to date):
Jacobs Crawley: Boerne, Texas -- $11,500
Jake Watson: Hudson's Hope, British Columbia, Canada -- $4,500
Tyrel Larsen: Inglis, Manitoba, Canada -- $5,000
Wade Sundell: Boxholm, Iowa -- $4,875

STEER WRESTLING
Tyler Waguespack of Gonzales, Louisiana, wrestled his steer in 4.2 seconds to win Semifinal 2 in steer wrestling. Waguespack is confident in the horse taking him to the championship.

"I know that Cadillac is going to do his job in the championship," Waguespack said. "Now, I've just got to do mine."

Advancing to Championship Round (winnings to date):
Tyler Waguespack: Gonzales, Louisiana -- $6,500
Clayton Hass: Weatherford, Texas -- $6,500
KC Jones: Decatur, Texas -- $5,250
Kyle Irwin: Robertsdale, Alabama -- $4,250

BARREL RACING
Kassie Mowry of Dublin, Texas, is headed to the championship in barrel racing. Mowry's time of 14.01 put her in the chase for $50,000.

Advancing to Championship Round (winnings to date):
Kassie Mowry: Dublin, Texas -- $10,000
Stevi Hillman: Weatherford, Texas -- $8,000
Carley Richardson: Pampa, Texas -- $4,750
Brenda Mays: Terrebonne, Oregon -- $3,750

BULL RIDING
Brennon Eldred of Sulphur, Oklahoma, took home the Semifinal 2 bull riding win with a 90-point ride. This is Eldred's third time competing at RODEOHOUSTON.

"I feed off the atmosphere here at RODEOHOUSTON," Eldred said. "If you can get on bulls, this is the place to do it."

Advancing to Championship Round (winnings to date):
Brennon Eldred: Sulphur, Oklahoma -- $10,500
Trey Benton III: Rock Island, Texas -- $6,000
Cole Melancon: Hull, Texas -- $4,500
Garrett Smith: Rexberg, Idaho -- $3,375

The top four from each event in the semifinal rounds 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, 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 March 26.