When Tarleton State University student Richmond Champion traveled to Arlington on March 2, he never imagined he would be returning home with $1.1 million and the title “The American.”

Champion is a bareback rider for the Tarleton rodeo team, but when Tarleton rodeo is out of season, he travels all over looking for new opportunities to further his career and better himself as a rider.

Champion competed in The American, sponsored by RFD-TV. The competition is set up to be the largest, richest one-day rodeo in the history of the sport.

The winner of each individual event receives a check for $100,000 and the second place finisher receives $25,000.

There is also a million dollar “side pot” set aside for each of the five qualifiers from each event who are selected by the Professional Bull Riders, Pro Roughstock Series, United States Team Roping Championships, Better Barrel Racers, and the Ultimate Calf Roping. Those qualifiers have the chance to claim the million dollar prize if they can beat all the best and win their event.

After winning the bareback portion of the rodeo and receiving $100,000, Champion patiently waited for the overall results to see if he would be the lucky one to receive the big paycheck.

“I was more excited about making a successful ride on assault at the time they handed me the $100,000 check. Then the waiting game started for the million, but to be honest, I was just trying to take it all in. It’s not very often that you get to ride that caliber of horses against the best guys in the world on a stage like AT&T Stadium,” Champion said.

Champion’s big win has cannonballed him to fame. After hitting the 5,000-friend maximum on Facebook, Champion was forced to create a fan page, which is something not many people have the opportunity to do.

Champion is a member of the Tarleton rodeo team, which is ranked No. 1 in the Southwest region and No. 21 in the nation, as of March 11.

He also holds the No. 1 seed in the bareback riding in the region with 810 points, 315 points ahead of the second place contender. In the nation, Champion is currently sitting No. 2.

When asked about his future plans with his career and new earnings, the 21-year-old millionaire responded, “I haven’t spent a dime. I’m still working on setting up a financial plan for it. I plan to finish the year at Tarleton, as well as my college rodeo season. Bareback riding has taken me to some amazing places, and I’m just starting my career, so, God willing, I plan to stick with it as long as I can. There is nothing else I’d rather do.”