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The inaugural Cody Johnson Championship Event crowned Craig Moore (Stephenville, Texas) and TyDaniel Haller (Midland, Texas) as the first Cody Johnson Championship Event 12.5 Team Roping Champions, taking home their share of the $282,000 payout.

The Texas team left the Bell County Expo Center (Belton, Texas) with significantly heavier pockets, earning $80,000 in total ($40,000 per man) and an elite prize package. The inaugural Cody Johnson Championship Event 12.5 winners beamed with excitement as they collected Cactus Trophy Saddles, custom guitars, Gist buckles, Resistol hats and HatPacs, Turtlebox speakers, Cactus saddle pads, and Cactus Gear horse blankets.

Entering the short round in the second-high call position, the duo knew they had to rope smart to continue their smooth path to success. Roping their fourth and final steer in 8.38 seconds, the duo bested the competitive field of ropers, all vying for the prestigious payout and prize lineup.

Narrowly beating reserve champions James Lockhart and Shaun Berry by five one-hundredths of a second, the Texan team led the field with an aggregate time of 32.73 seconds on four steers. “I don’t think words can explain it. I was just happy to catch four for Craig. This event has been great; we are grateful for Cody Johnson and all he has done for the sport. It’s just what our industry needed,” reflected heeler Haller.

“It was a God-sent blessing. Anytime you can come out here and rope for this kind of money and do what you love to do is a blessing. It is so exciting to win the very first Cody Johnson Roping; this is something you can never take away,” said Moore, the header from Stephenville, Texas.

The event, which paid out $282,000 in total, marked the midway point of the historic week, with several titles still hanging in the balance as the celebration of Western heritage and community strength continued.

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