Cash Myers is a Million Dollar Cowboy.

That’s what they call those special wranglers who’ve been good enough to amass a million dollars or more during their rodeo careers.

It isn’t easy to become a Million Dollar Cowboy.

Myers — the defending All Around champion at the 64th annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo — is entered in the Steer Wrestling and Tie Down Roping competitions at this year’s event.

A championship in either will earn him somewhere in the neighborhood of $2,000. As a competitor in more than one event, Myers is eligible for the All Around championship — maybe another two-grand.

If he picks up some “Day Money” along the way (Money earned for being among the top six in either go-round), Myers could walk away with somewhere around $7,000 for the weekend.

As you can see, it takes a lot of riding and roping, a lot of skill and a little luck to join the million dollar club.

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“I had a pretty good run in this morning (during the “slack” portion of the competition) in the Steer Wrestling,” said Myers. “My run tonight was a bit better. The steer was a little tricky. He wanted to run to the right — run away from me — but I got out pretty fast, got my weight on him and was able to have a good run.”

In the morning slack, Myers posted a 6.1-second run — good for fourth place in the first go-round and about $200 in day money. During Thursday night’s prime time event, Myers posted the fastest time — 5.8 seconds — to take the lead in the second go and the early lead, at 11.9 seconds, for the steer wrestling championship.

He was back on his horse moments later for his second go in the Tie Down Roping. He was out of the money for the first go-round. Myers’ 10.9-second run was far off the pace set by Cade Swor, who won the first go with a time of 8.0 seconds. Myers’ hunt for the money fell short when he posted a “No Time” in his second go.

“I just missed the throw,” said Myers. “That steer broke out fast, I broke out fast to catch him — you need to be fast in this event — but I got going a little too fast and overthrew him.”

Myers remains in the hunt for the All Around title.

Blake Knowles posted the second best run of the night in Steer Wrestling. Knowles 5.9 second run was just .1-second behind Myers. Brad McGilchrist had a 6.0-second run, Billy Bugenig and Nick Stubblefield had identical 6.5-second runs, and local favorite and world steer wrestling champion Luke Branquinho nearly had a 6.5-second run but he broke for the arena a tad too early and had a 10 second penalty added for breaking the barrier early.

While Myers had trouble in his Tie Down Roping run, Tim Pharr found the going much easier. Pharr’s 8.5-second run was the best of the night. He was followed by Trent Creager (9.2) and Cade Swor (10.3). Creager is the early leader after his two go rounds with a total time of 17.6 seconds. Swor is right behind him at 18.3.

The Team Bronc Riding opened the second night of the four-day rodeo at the Unocal Events Center.

The Jason Smith team was first to finish — after catching its horse, saddling it and riding it across the finish line. They were followed by the Dan Stoneburner team and the Charlie Logan team.

Jess Davis had the best ride among the Bareback Riders. He posted a score of 76 for his eight second run. He was followed by George Gillespie (70) and Dale Stoller (67).

Cody DeMers 77 point ride from Thursday night remains the top score. Davis moved into second, followed by two Thursday night riders — Budd Munns (75) and Kaycee Feild (72).

The team of Eric Pybas and Josh Wineman had the best ride in the local Elks Open Team Roping competition. They posted a 9.5 second run. Bill Wineman and Luke Andrews (14.0) and the duo of Jon Fleming and Danny Fleming (14.3) came in second and third.

The top six teams in the Elks Open return during Sunday’s matinee for the title run.

The champion was crowned in the Elks Recreation Team Roping #6 event. Cheyene Torres and John Chaves won the title with an 8.0-second run.

The pros then took to the arena with the PRCA Team Roping.

Chris Wooten and Jared Hixon had a 5.6-second run to lead the night. They were followed by Brian Griffith and Chris Smith (6.3) and Jake Stanley and Russell Cardoza (7.0).

Two cowboys shared the best scores in the Saddle Bronc Riding. Clayton Price and Steve Dollarhide each had 75 point rides. Taos Muncy put a 74 on the board and Joe Willoughby a 61.

Rusty Allen’s 87-point Thursday night ride remains the best so far. Two other Thursday riders sit in second and third — Cody Wright (80) and Johnny Hammack (76).

It was another close night in Barrel Racing.

Lita Scott finished the three barrel course in 17.79 seconds. Joni Galvan was right behind with a 17.91 run with Rachael Myllymaki third at 17.99.

It was another good night for the bulls — not so good for the bull riders.

J.C. Beach posted a score of 85 to take over first place after his eight second ride.

Ted Bert’s 76 point ride from Thursday night is good for second. Colin McTaggart had a 71 point ride Thursday night to put him into third.

The top three are the only riders to have successful eight second rides.

For the night, it was Bulls 7, Cowboys 2. For the two nights, the bulls are up 15-3.

The action continues today and tomorrow at the Unocal Events Center. The rodeo action gets underway at 2 p.m. both days.

q Sports Editor Elliott Stern can be reached at 739-2235 or by e-mail to elliottstern@santamariatimes.com