Brothers Steven and David Peebles are set to hit the arena during the semifinals of RFD-TV’s The American, presented by Dish. Older brother and 2015 bareback riding world champion Steven qualified for The American at the New Year’s Eve Hoof’N Holler event on December 31, 2017.

But not before little brother David — five years Steven’s junior — posted a score that beat his big bro and also gave the younger a qualification. 

Watch The American LIVE Feb. 18-25 on FloRodeo.

Growing up, the Peebles brothers — Robert, Steven, and David — all competed in a variety of sports, but the large age difference between the two youngest boys meant they didn’t always have the opportunity to compete against each other. Now, while oldest brother Robert pursued a career as an electrician, the younger pair are on an even playing field in the sport they both eventually fell in love with.

And the competition factor has certainly amped up.

“I’d say we're more competitive now but a good competitive. We really push each other; he’s helped me tremendously with all his mentoring, so that’s always been very good,” said David.

“He gets lucky every once in a while,” Steven laughed before talking with pride about his younger brother placing higher in the qualifier over him. “I mean, absolutely, if I’m not going to win it’s cool to watch family win for sure.”

The coaching clearly went beyond the arena when Steven handed the phone to David. Midway through the interview, the elder attempted to coach the younger through his answer.

“I’m trying to focus my concentration on you,” David said as Steven — who has extensive interview experience during his career — handed out suggestions in the background.All jokes aside, the pair have an even tone and steady confidence in each other as they prepare to take on the world’s richest one-day rodeo, starting with the semifinals that begins tonight.

“It will be a good feeling, having a family member there at it and both going on for it; it just makes it that much better when were riding against each other and doing it all at the same time,” said the younger Peebles. 

Both will have to make it through the semifinals long round, then finish in the top five in the shoot-out before they will have the chance to take on the best competitors of today in the finals. With a small field of competitors between the two performance of the semifinals to get by, it’s hard not the speculate about the excitement the two might feel if they both made it through.

“It would be cool to both be able to ride for a million at The American. I’m sure my mom would be a nervous wreck,” said Steven. 

And to have a chance at a million dollars? That would be the ultimate test of brotherly competitiveness. 

“I’m sure we both want to win a million pretty bad, but I don’t even know what words to use to explain how happy I would be,” said Steven. 

“I dang sure want it and I’m going to do everything in my power to try to get it, just like him,” said David.