REGION I

RANDY MARTIN

PO Box 334 • Vega, Texas 79092 806-670-2113 • randyleemartin@hotm

JERAD STOKER STUDENT OFFICERS PRESIDENT - WYATT MASK VICE PRESIDENT- JAYDA JAMESON SECRETARY/HISTORIAN - RIDLEY TIMBERLAKE

DAVID CHRISTIAN

10200 S Blessen Rd • Amarillo, TX 79119 806.674.1397 • david.christian@11ranch.com

SECRETARY - BRANDY WRIGHT

11555 US HWY 83 • Canadian, Texas 79014 806.255.0034 • tristaterodeo@yahoo.com

STATE DIRECTORS / REGION OFFICERS DAVID CHRISTIAN

10200 S Blessen Rd • Amarillo, TX 79119 806.674.1397 • david.christian@11ranch.com

PERFORMANCE REPORT

By TAYLN WRIGHT – Performance Reporter

Everything is bigger and better in Texas and this year’s state finals was no exception. 2021 brought back many of the things we look forward to in Abilene, the Special Kids Rodeo, trade show, nightly jackpots, spending time with friends and the tough competition. It also built on the back-toback format that was introduced during the pandemic.

The Special Kids Rodeo kicked off our state finals on Sunday. This event pairs around 30 to 40 local children who are mentally or physically challenged with rodeo contestants. Each Region is in charge of a station, and those stations consist of roping, barrels, pole bending and rough stock. Contestants assist the kids as they make their way to each station interacting with them and showing them the ropes and allowing them to get the feel of rodeo. Belt buckles are awarded to each participant, but the real prize is the joy it brings to these kids, their families and the contestants.

Other activities that made their return to this year’s finals were McCoy’s Mutton Busting. Region 1 was represented by 7-year-old Cutter McCreary of Canyon, Texas. Classic Equine also sponsored the nightly jackpots, which had an expanded schedule this year including high stakes ropings. Events offered were poles, barrels, breakaway, calf roping, goat tying, steer wrestling, and team roping. These jackpots give the contestants opportunity to work on horses, practice their skills while they are away from home and potentially win some money.

Something new and exciting introduced at this year’s finals was Trey Johnson’s motivational messages. Lunches were sponsored each day in the display building where Trey delivered inspirational talks to help encourage and develop young athletes to be the best they can be in the moment. 2021 brought a new twist to the back-to-back rodeo format introduced during the pandemic. This format allowed 1 head of stock for each contestant entered. With this format every roper, steer wrestler and goat tyer has the same shot, because they have the first run and a second run on the animal. Stock for timed events was

MCCOY’S MUTTON BUSTING

BIGGER AND BETTER IN TEXAS

TREY JOHNSON’S MOTIVATIONAL MESSAGES SPECIAL KIDS RODEO

JOHN HISEL & BRAXTON HUGHES

drawn and used for one day only. This allowed contestants to be able to watch their stock for the afternoon performance go in the morning the same day. The only change from the previous year was that contestants were drawn up on different days for different events, thus allowing horses ran in multiple events the opportunity to compete on a different day. Overall, this format is the fairest for competitors and helps produce the best National Team possible.

Region 1 just so happened to have three National Qualifiers this year. Gus Gaillard once again proved himself in the arena becoming a back-to-back State Champion in the Saddle Bronc. He was also the only rider to cover all 3 of his horses scoring 202 points. The team of Braxton Hughes and John Hisel clinched their spot on the National Team ending the year third in the State in the Team Roping.

Congratulations to ALL the National Qualifiers. Good Luck and bring home another National Team Title.

GUS GAILLARD

CLASSICROPE.COM