SAN ANTONIO -- The winter rodeos can set up a rodeo contestants season for success or make them scramble to the bitter end. 

The most important of those rodeos and the most lucrative is the one held at the San Antonio Stock Show in the AT&T Center. Arizona team ropers Erich Rogers, from Round Rock, and Cory Petska, from Marana, know exactly how important a win at the $1.7 million rodeo is. 

They were crowned champions here in 2014 and left with $21,129 in earnings helping them secure Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifications. With Rogers heading and Petska heeling, they had the fastest time in the first round of Bracket 4. Their 5.6-second run earned the $2,281 and a good opportunity to compete in the semifinals.

Contestants here advance out of their brackets into one of two semifinals based on their earnings. While a round win doesn't guarantee them a spot in the semis, it puts them in a very favorable position. Then they advance to the final round on Feb. 25 based on their total earnings from the brackets and the semifinals. 

Rogers and Petska are currently first and second in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world standings with $21,965 in earnings. If they advance through the competition levels, earn a title and as much money as they did three years ago, they will nearly double that and get a big lead in the world. 

There was a tie for the top spot in the bull riding and it came in dramatic fashion. Two Idaho cowboys, Garrett Smith and Dallee Mason each had 88 point rides to win $1,995. Smith from Rexburg rode Rafter H Rodeo's bull named Feel The Noise. Mason, from Weiser got on Cervi Brothers Rodeo's Rank Frank. 

The tie-down roping was especially tough on Friday night. There was a three-way tie at the top with 8.2 second runs and an 8.3 took the fourth place. Hunter Herrin, last year's champion from Apache, Oklahoma, is among those that are tied. Herrin is also the arena-record holder here with a 6.6-second time last year. 

Logan Hoefer, from Magrath, Alberta and Jordan Ketscher from Squaw Valley, California, were also at the top of the board. Each of these men won $1,171. Last year's RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo champion Clint Kindred finished fourth to earn $570. 

Bracket 4 will finish with two rounds of competition here on Saturday at 1 and 7:30 PM.

By Susan Kanode