FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2013
CONTACT: RFD-TV Public Relations [email protected] or
702-468-0137
Eleven-Time
World Champion Charmayne James Comes Out of Retirement to Compete for Biggest
Payout
in Western Sports History
First million-dollar
cowgirl aaccepts exemption invitation
to
compete in barrel racing event at world’s richest one-day rodeo,
RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN presented
by Polaris RANGER
OMAHA, Neb. – Eleven-time World Champion,
Charmayne James, has accepted an exemption invitation and will come out of
retirement to compete in the barrel racing event during RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN, presented
by Polaris RANGER, on March 2, 2014 at AT&T Stadium in
Arlington, Texas.
James
dominated the sport of barrel racing from 1984 – 2003. She started riding
horses by the age of three and running barrels by the age of six. At 14, she won the title of World Champion
Barrel Racer and held the title for the next 10 consecutive years. She
qualified for Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) every year of her decorated
career, 19 consecutive years in total. In 1992, James was inducted into the National
Cowgirl Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas. She retired from the sport in 2003.
After
10 years of retirement, James now runs barrel horse clinics around the country
and designs saddles and riding gear. She is among one of the most decorated female
equine athletes of all time, with titles including; All Time Leading Money
Earner, Barrel Racing’s First Million Dollar Cowgirl, First Women’s
Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) member to earn the right to wear the
number one on her back and is holder of more individual world championships
than any other woman in professional sports when she retired.
“I’ve
stayed active, but will definitely be starting to train even harder to be ready
for the level of competition at THE AMERICAN,” said 11-time world champion
Charmayne James. “I’m honored to be a part of this historic event that spotlights
the deserving cowboys and cowgirls that compete in rodeos.”
James
is the third athlete selected by THE AMERICAN’s sanctioning bodies as one of
the limited exemptions. Two-time PBR world champion Justin McBride was recently
given the spot for bull riding and six-time world champion Dan Mortensen was awarded
his in the saddle bronc competition. Additional exemptions will be announced
leading up to March 2, 2014.
“Charmayne
James is the epitome of what THE AMERICAN is all about. Her achievements speak for themselves but to
see her in action will be one of the biggest highlights at THE AMERICAN,” said
Randy Bernard, Rural Media Group CEO and president. “Fans will witness history as she comes out of
retirement. It will be one of the
greatest moments of the event and we are very proud and honored that she has
chosen to come back and compete at a sport she has given so much to.”
RFD-TV’s
THE AMERICAN Rodeo will be held on March 2, 2014 at AT&T Stadium in
Arlington, Texas. It is the richest rodeo in the history of western sports with
a $2 million payout. The top-five winners from the semifinals will compete
against the top 10 athletes after the PBR World Final standings and WNFR final
world standings. The only other way to qualify for THE AMERICAN is a special
exemption granted by RFD-TV.
“Charmayne
is a great choice for THE AMERICAN barrel racing exemption with her 11 gold buckles,”
said 3-time World Champion Barrel Racer, Sherry Cervi. “I hope to be able to
compete against her, as it will be an event worth participating in and
watching. The fans will not be disappointed.”
RFD-TV’s
THE AMERICAN, presented by Polaris RANGER
is being closely coordinated with PBR’s Iron Cowboy V, which will take place
the day before THE AMERICAN on March 1, 2014 at AT&T Stadium. Combined, the
events are expected to bring more than 100,000 fans and participants to the
Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
Tickets
for RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN, presented by Polaris RANGER, and the Iron Cowboy V are on sale at the AT&T Stadium
Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations and at americanrodeo.com.
Prices for each event range from $20 to $150, not including
taxes.
Additionally,
tickets for THE AMERICAN semifinals in Mesquite, Texas, Feb. 22-23, 2014, are
available for $14, $20 and $30, not including taxes. They can be purchased at
the Mesquite Arena’s box office and at americanrodeo.com
###
Notes to Editors:
About
RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN Presented by Polaris RANGER:
Taking place at Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium on
March 2, 2014, with an estimated attendance of 75,000, RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN
Presented by Polaris RANGER is the
single largest 1-day cash prize event in the entire history of rodeo. With
$2-million on the line, the best athletes in the world will be gathering in
Dallas to compete in one epic day of raw rodeo will, skill and power. THE
AMERICAN is inviting the top 10 athletes in each of the traditional rodeo
sports as well as the top 10 from the PBR. The top 10 bull riding
contestants will be invited after the PBR World Finals in Las Vegas, and the remainder
of the primary rodeo sports contenders, will be determined after the Wrangler
National Finals Rodeo. In addition to the 10 invites, THE AMERICAN
will make five additional spots available for any rodeo athlete in the world
through five regional qualifiers. If one of those athletes goes on to win their
respective event at THE AMERICAN they will split an additional bonus pool of
$1-million dollars in prize money. With the help of broadcast partners and
sponsors, RFD-TV will be broadcasting the event LIVE on the day, helping to
bring the totality of this defining western sports experience to a wide
national audience. For more information, please visit: www.americanrodeo.com and www.RFDTV.com. Follow us on Twitter @RFDTVAMERICAN and on find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/RFDTVTheAMERICAN
About Rural Media Group, Inc. (RMG): Rural Media Group, Inc. is the world’s leading provider
of multimedia content dedicated to the rural and western lifestyle. RMG is the parent company of RFD-TV,
FamilyNet, RURAL TV, RURAL RADIO on SiriusXM channel 80, RFD-TV the Magazine
and RFD-TV the Theatre. RFD-TV, the flagship network for RMG, launched in
December 2000. RFD-TV is the nation’s
first 24-hour television network dedicated to serving the needs and interests
of rural America with programming focused on agriculture, equine and the rural
lifestyle, along with traditional country music and entertainment. RMG acquired
FamilyNet, America’s trusted entertainment network dedicated to providing
wholesome and responsible viewing choices for today’s diverse family.
RURAL TV produces rural business news covering commodity markets for both cash
and futures. Daily productions include Market Day Report and the Rural Evening
News. RMG networks are distributed into more than 63-million homes worldwide by
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cable systems. RFD-TV The Magazine is the print programming guide for the networks, which has attracted
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