SALINA, Kan. – Steven Dent made the biggest splash Saturday morning inside the Bicentennial Center during the first qualifier for The American, the largest one-day rodeo set for next March in Arlington, Texas.

Dent won both the bareback riding and saddle bronc riding, earning the right to compete in the semifinals, which will take place in February in Mesquite, Texas. He rode New Frontier Rodeo’s Long Pine for 86 points to win bareback riding, then matched moves with New Frontier’s Satin Sheets for 84.5 in bronc riding. In all, he earned $1,650.

He will also be part of the Midwest Classic, a Professional Roughstock Series event that begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. I will post results from that as soon as possible.

The American Qualifier
(Top 5 advancing to semifinals in Mesquite, Texas, next February)
Bareback riding: 1. Steven Dent, 86 points on New Frontier Rodeo’s Long Pine, $900; 2. Erik Wolford, 82.5, $675; 3. (tie) Josi Young and Caleb Bennett, 82, $338 each; 5. Casey Breuer, 80.5.
Saddle bronc riding: 1.  Steven Dent, 84.5 points on New Frontier Rodeo’s Satin Sheets, $750; 2. Cody DeMoss, 83.5, $562; 3. Tyrel Larsen, 81, $375; 4. Dylan Henson, 78, $188; 5. Luke Butterfield, 76.