The Team Roping Journal - Arizona Guide

ARIZONA GUIDE

TEAM ROPING

The

WINTER 2018/2019

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WHERE TO JACKPOT HOLE-IN-THE-WALL HOT SPOTS COWBOY FAMILY FUN

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Introducing:

TEAM ROPING

The

JOURNAL

The Score is the new podcast from the staff at The Team Roping Journal, featuring the team roping industry’s movers and shakers and the inside story on iconic moments in team roping history.

DOWNLOAD NOW

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Arizona Guide 4

DEAR ROPER A welcome to our newest venture, The Team Roping Journal’s Arizona Guide, by editor Chelsea Shaffer

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FRONTIERS Familiar faces and personalities of ropers from around the world who come to play in the Arizona sun.

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GETTING THERE What do your horses need you to know for the trip south?

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WEST PHOENIX

20 NORTH PHOENIX 28 SOUTH PHOENIX 34

WICKENBURG

48 WEEKLY JACKPOTS Your weekly roping schedule, broken down by town and arena.

49 THE BIG ONES The big jackpots you just can’t miss, no matter where you come from.

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ARIZONA EVOLUTION

The who, what, when, how, and why in the story of Arizona becoming the mecca of team roping culture.

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WOMEN WARRIORS The women of the Arizona team roping culture keep the home fires burning, and have a whole lot of fun while they’re at it, while the boys spend their days in the arena. And quite a few hang the racks and rope the feet, too.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Erin Parson’s Arizona 2 | TRJ ARIZONA GUIDE | Winter 2018/2019

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TEAM ROPING

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Last winter, my husband and I took our first trip together to the Valley of the Sun. We packed up a living-quarters trailer full of everything we’d need for ourselves, one energetic toddler, a dog and three horses, and headed south in a pickup we’d just bought. We didn’t know anything about what we were going to do or where we were going to go once we got there, but we did know we were landing at Rancho Rio in Wickenburg. We figured everything else would take care of itself.

We rolled into the arena around 5 a.m., and we were met by one of Ty Yost’s staffers who showed us to our hookup and stalls. By 8 a.m., Ty was calling my husband to come break in steers, and by 11 a.m., I was entered in the barrel race there at Rancho Rio. That afternoon, Dustin Bird showed us the best place in town to eat (Anita’s!) and that evening, we felt like we were home.

As they say, first you come for a weekend, then a couple weeks, then a month, then the winter, then you’ve got your own place there. That’s not far from the truth: We’re planning a longer stay in Arizona this year, with two loads of horses in tow.

But just how did it get to be this way?

How did Arizona become the hotbed of recreational team roping? We have talked to the sport’s founding fathers to find out who and what is responsible for the trend.

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The perfect weather is just the tip of the iceberg.

Our goal is for this magazine to be like that welcoming phone call from Ty or Dustin—to show you Arizona through the eyes of the team roping industry’s leaders. We want your stay in the Grand Canyon State to be nothing short of magical for each and every member of your family. Whether you want to rope every day, all day, or you want to check out all the hiking and dining the state has to offer, let us be your hosts.

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For Change of Address, Delivery Problems, New Subscriptions or Renewals, call The Team Roping Journal’s subscriber services department toll free at

1-866-343-1801 (US & Canada).

Foreign orders call 1-386-246-0423.

Or mail to: The Team Roping Journal, P.O. Box 420235, Palm Coast, FL 32142.

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Frontiers

PHOTOS COURTESY YOST EVENTS

| Wyoming | Nevada | North Dakota | Oklahoma| South Dakota

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Snowbirds

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Bill Phillips, 77; Cody, Wyoming

We bought a place in Wittmann, Arizona, in 2004. Before that, I came down for ProRodeos in the 1980s and 1990s and then the Senior Pro Rodeos and some jackpots. There are just so many more people coming these days, and the wind doesn’t blow here like it does in Wyoming. I was a right-of-way appraiser for the state of Wyoming, and I have a ranch there. But now I lease my ranch out, because I need money for entry fees all winter!

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PHOTOS COURTESY YOST EVENTS

|Frontiers

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Bob Grieve, 66 Buffalo, Wyoming

The high point for me is being able to ride your horses in short sleeves in the middle of winter.

It’s a longer light cycle in the winter, and of course, you know, part of the team roping is the professionalism of the jackpots. You get to reconnect with friends from all around the country who are there for the winter, too. At least where we live, in the foothills, there are so many other opportunities beyond team roping. I’ve gotten into reined cow horse, hiking, fishing, and o course the fabulous restaurants. And it’s a great travel hub, so I can do a little work, too.

Bruce Northrop, 85 Medora, North Dakota

I’ve spent 24 winters in Arizona.

My wife passed away, and I retired from the National Park Service when I was 60. I stayed in Medora, North Dakota, and I thought I had nothing to do but look out the window. I got in my pickup and drove down to Arizona. Friends had been going down there, and they bought a place in Surprise. They had a trailer house, and I stayed there for 12 winters before I bought a place up in Congress. I take two to three horses down there by myself every year. It’s about 1,400 miles, and I usually make it in three days. I’m used to the drive now! It’s worth it—the weather, the community of people, it’s really something. It’s been a great life.

AT LEFT: Cary Cook, 74; Elko, Nevada

I’ve been going for about a decade, mostly since I retired from being a real estate broker.

We started going or a couple eeks the first time, and a ter that, three eeks or a month.

When I retired, we started going four months; now it’s six months. We stay at Simpson Ranch. Of course, we go for the weather and the team roping and the camaraderie between the team ropers. I’m originally from Salmon, Idaho, and Wickenburg reminds me of my hometown. My wife ropes and barrel races and rides almost every day down there.

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PHOTOS COURTESY YOST EVENTS

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Malcolm Davis, 73; Newcastle, Oklahoma

We spend from November until April in Arizona. We’ve been going to get out of the cold weather and to rope against people of my own abilities—40-year-old and over ropers—for 15 years. We stay in Wickenburg, and it’s a very low-key place. The average age is 50 years old. It’s a nice, friendly atmosphere. I run a business called Magic Linen Services, but I can do it from Wickenburg in the winter.

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Ray Nebergall, 77; Cave Creek, Arizona

I was a building contractor, but I’ve been retired for a long time now. My wife and I started coming to Arizona for the Senior Pro Rodeos. Like so many, we came for a week, then two weeks, then a month, then three months. Finally, I said, ‘The hell with it. I’m buying a place.’ That was 15 years ago. Up until a year ago, I kept our summer place in California. But now we have a place in Flagstaff, so technically, I’m not a snowbird anymore! Most of our friends rope and are in Arizona now, too. In the summer, we can travel to our friends’ summer places, like Oregon.

Donna Shedeed, 81; Hermosa, South Dakota

My husband, Bob, and I have been in Arizona in the winter months since 1992. We were down there, 15 miles west of Wickenburg, and some of our friends from California had bought a place. We helped them fix it up, helped fix the septic tanks, electricity, and all that. We heard the property was for sale and we joked that we went with the property.

Somebody told [Rancho Rio and Dynamite Arena Owner] Ty Yost that, and he had heard Bob was a good worker so, he let us stay, and we’ve been there ever since! n

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Here’s what to plan for before you’re Arizona-bound.

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WEST PHOENIX / BUCKEYE

West Phoenix

BUCKEYE’S SOUTH BUCKEYE EQUESTRIAN CENTER PLAYS HOST TO MULTIPLE WORLD SERIES ROPINGS THROUGHOUT THE WINTER.

TRJ FILE PHOTO BY CHELSEA SHAFFER

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P The South Buckeye Equestrian and Events Center is a major hot spot for all things roping. This facility has four arenas (indoor and outdoor) that hosts two major World Series ropings, Nov. 16–18 and March 1–3. The Center also hosts weekly jackpots for team roping and barrel racing Tuesdays through Thursdays.

If you plan on camping out during the winter months, hook up your trailer at the RV Park, which has 100 full hookups, Wi-Fi and dry storage. Also, put your horses up in the two Mare Motels, which both stall 60 head in 16’x16’ stalls; or the two Castle Brooke Barns, where your horses will be put up

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in 16’x16’ stalls with rubber mat flooring, individual tack lockers, automatic waterers, and full-service care with one barn steward. Then, take your horses over to the five 60foot round pens to relax and stretch their legs.

If you’re in the mood for some food and drinks during or after a jackpot, not to worry. The Tack Room Bar and Grill, located below the crow’s nest with a full bar, is open seven days a week.

The Western Trails Arena is the host arena for High Call Productions, run by Jim Nichols every week starting Nov. 16 until March 2. Every Friday, the roping will start with the Over 40 and All

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Ladies, the #8 Handicapped, #9 Last Man Standing, and a #10 Handicapped. Saturdays will start with the #9 Handicapped, followed by the #11 Handicapped and the #13 Over/Under. You must have current Coggins paperwork when you arrive at the facility.

The “Vegas Baby!” roping run by Wade Tibbitts will be Thursday, Dec. 6, with a #14 pick or draw, #13, #12 and #11; and Sunday, Dec. 9, will be the #10 pick or draw, #9, and #8.

The Western Trails Ranch roping, produced by Wade Tibbitts, will be Sundays Nov. 18 and 25, and Dec. 2. The ropings begin with a #12 Equalizer, a Mixed and

an All-Girl, with a breakaway roping to follow.

When there aren’t roping events going on, the arena will be open for riding from noon to 5 p.m. for a $5 fee for the entire family. Then, when you aren’t riding, head over to the Grand Ave. Opre Restaurant, where they will have live bands and even host karaoke. When you get a little hungry, check out the Hungry Bull Menu for some pizza or tator tots.

If you love family-oriented venues, then you’ll love Dunn’s Arena, owned by the Tanner family in Litchfield Park. Dunn’s Arena offers full-service boarding, which includes feeding twice a day, stall cleaning, turn-outs and more. They have 20’x20’ indoor stalling or 18’x18’ outdoor covered stalls. Full hookups are limited, so you’ll need to reserve one before you pull in.

With three running arenas, the facility hosts weekly team ropings and barrel races. If you need a quick place to stop and run a few, make it Dunn’s Arena.

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ou can always eat on site at the South Buckeye Equestrian and Events Center, Dunn’s Arena and the Western Trails Arena, but sometimes you need a little break away from “home.”

Next to Dunn’s Arena, Dillon’s KC Style BBQ is located inside of the Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park, where you can check out the aquarium and eat next to the shark tank. Or, enjoy Dillon’s offerings of barbecue, burgers and fish on the outside patio, where you’ll dine with the flamingos before heading back out to explore the wildlife.

Dive into the urban lifestyle at Tempo Urban Bistro and Coffee Bar and enjoy live music on Saturday nights. Get a taste of the salty sea with some lobster mac & cheese or who doesn’t love a Duroc Tomahawk Pork Chop. They serve a variety of grass-fed burgers, so you can get a different taste in a healthy way. Their outside patio seating overlooks Main Street, so if you’re wanting to do some site-seeing while eating, then head on out to the patio. Enjoy fresh food, craft beer, music and art when you dine at Tempo Urban Bistro.

Head on over to the Wild West Cowboy Steakhouse and enjoy some wild west steaks and ribs and even order yourself a shrimp cocktail flying saucer. If you’re really in the mood for different culture foods, flip your menu over to the Greek international favorites. Stop by in the morning for some breakfast because that is the most important meal of the day. If it’s a toss-up between the steak rancheros or the huevos rancheros, have one of the seven breakfast burritos listed on the menu.

In-N-Out Burger is a hot spot for a “healthier” fast-food restaurant. Enjoy a double-double cheeseburger with a side of fresh-cut fries and a coke or a milkshake. If you’re in the mood to get a little wild, try your fries animal-style—you won’t regret it.

Head on down to The Verrado Coffee Company for a nice morning coffee with some friends. Grab a cup of coffee, latte or whatever your choice of caffeine is and enjoy the Verrado community and even ask your barista for some inside scoops on community goings-on.

After you enjoy your morning brew, step over to the Verrado Golf Club for breakfast, lunch or dinner, or to enjoy drinks at the indoor and outdoor bars. Be a little casual or get a little dressed up for a date night, whatever suits your fancy. You can enjoy great meals and fine service.

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Western Turn It Up! Trails Ranch THE HUNGRY BULL Bar & Restaurant NOW OPEN!

Beginning November 15

Brought to you by: High Call Productions, Jim Nichols and Crowned T Productions, Wade Tibbetts.

37838 NW Grand Ave. Morristown, AZ 85342 Located at mile marker 123 ½

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SANDSKIA.COM | 844 921-2451 13474 N. Auto Show Ave., Surprise

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A Geo Savvy Tours is a small tour company that has semi-private, personalized tours. They are here to help you enjoy your experience in the Sedona, Grand Canyon, Payson-Strawberry-Pine, Phoenix-Scottsdale areas. They also offer wine tours in the Verde Valley. Take your kids, or drink some wine and enjoy the sites and history with these guided tours.

There’s so much more history to be learned at the Buckeye Valley Museum.

Learn about pre-Columbian pottery, photographs, and life in the early Buckeye Valley. The museum was established in 1954 by I.H. Parkman and is run by the Buckeye Valley Historical and Archaeological Society. The museum has had some remodeling over the years, but its rich history never changes. Step into the museum and take a tour to see how Buckeye became what it is today.

The Bible Museum, located in Goodyear, is a great educational spot to visit during your Arizona trip. Located in the Hampton Inn, The Bible Museum is open 24-hours a day and is filled with tons of bibles and charts. Get hands-on with the Dead Sea Scrolls. Call ahead to plan a group presentation and find out more of the history on how the Bible became what it is today.

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NORTH PHOENIX / CAVE CREEK

DYNAMITE ARENA IS CAVE CREEK’S PREMIER ROPING HOT SPOT, NOW OWNED BY YOST EVENTS.

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night team ropings. Bar patrons simply sit out on the patio and watch all the action, while ropers can slip over the fence for a cocktail or grilled meal up until closing time.

Other notable arenas in town are great places to ride and have been known to host jackpots in the past. Those are the Memorial Arena Rodeo Grounds in Cave Creek, and Larkyn Memorial Arena in New River, just northwest of town.

P No commercial roping arena in the West has more heritage than Cave Creek’s Dynamite Arena, which began hosting twice-weekly jackpots in the 1970s when locals like Jake Barnes, Clay O’Brien Cooper and Allen Bach often showed up. Now surrounded by residential development, Dynamite is still going strong just south of Cave Creek proper. It was revamped with a warm-up area and improved boxes and chutes just last year.

Yost Events took over the reins at Dynamite this year with a late-October kickoff, but will continue to host the arena’s famed Senior Wednesdays and Dynamite Sundays,

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as well as a Friday series. Yost Events even added a second arena for start of the 2018 season. Last winter, Dynamite hosted more than 23,000 teams and retained its reputation as a major social event where old friends get together.

Just down Highway 51, Arizona Horse Lovers Park will host ropings three days a week from November through March. The venue is just six minutes from Desert Ridge Marketplace (an enormous retail center) and City North (with the finest dining in the city). Producers Steve Simons and Bert and Megan McGill out of California will host #8, #9, and #10 ropings

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with 40-plus and 50-plus age restrictions, as well as an open #13 slide.

The most interesting venue open for practice and jackpotting is undoubtedly the arena behind Outlaws Bar & Grill in downtown Cave Creek. Tim Pearce will produce a variety of horse events there each week. Last fall, he was planning to host a breakaway practice and jackpot on Thursday nights and a team sorting every Sunday morning. He was hosting team roping practices on Wednesday nights and was thinking about having an Open rodeo-run competition and a #13 slide at his Friday

(NORTH PHOENIX) ARIZONA HORSE LOVERS PARK Phoenix, Arizona Producer: Steve Simons and Bert and Megan McGill AZHorseLoversPark.org

DYNAMITE ARENA Cave Creek, Arizona Producer: Yost Events DynamiteArena.com

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LEGENDARY CUSTOMER SERVICE Dynamite Horseman’s Supply has served Arizona ropers since 1995.

PHOTO COURTESY DHS

When Corky Irion opened Dynamite Horseman’s Supply in a tack trailer 23 years ago, team ropers were only starting to migrate south for the winter. But Irion, now a PRCA Gold Card member and avid roper himself, saw an opportunity to use his wealth of cowboy knowledge with customers and jumped into the tack business with both feet. Today, with tack trailers at Troy Shelley’s World Series of Team Roping events and Arizona Junior Rodeo and High School Rodeo events, DHS is a household name among ropers in Arizona and beyond.

“I have what I call a no-bullshit approach,” Irion said. “I shoot straight, and if we can help you, we’d love to. Everything we have in the store, I would use myself. We’re geared toward the sophisticated horseman who knows what he’s looking for.”

DHS sells 300 to 400 saddles annually, all made by craftsmen in Texas. Irion has seven popular trees to fit most rope horses, and his saddles are ridden by NFR headers Brock Hanson and (Irion’s son-in-law) Colter Todd.

The Irions have an arena on-site that stays well-groomed in which ropers can try out their new saddles, and the DHS parking lot is built to accommodate trailer parking.

Each February, DHS offers a clearance sale for ropers heading out of town, stocked with ropes, saddles, gear, and more.

More info: dynamitehorsemansupply.com; 480-585-4073

QORRI’S PIZZA New York style pizza, wings, calzones, and pasta

CORKY & KARLYS IRION

“Thank you for making us your favorite Wickenburg pizzeria!”

28232 N. 42nd Street, Cave Creek, AZ 85331 (480) 585-4073 Store Located ¼ Mile North of the infamous “Dynamite Arena” Arizona’s best selection of quality saddles, bits, spurs, ropes & strap goods!

www.dynamitehorsemansupply.com Mon-Fri 8 to 5pm, Sat 8 to 4pm, Sunday Closed

651 W. Wickenburg Way Wickenburg, AZ 85390

Dine-In or Take-out

928-684-2002 TRJ ARIZONA GUIDE

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NORTH PHOENIX / CAVE CREEK

EQUINE COMFORT CSI Pads Offers Saddle and Pad Fittings On-Site

PHOTO COURTESY AIM STUDIOS

SADDORIS FITTING A SADDLE WITH A CSI PAD

CSI Pads’ owner and saddle fit professional Donna Saddoris will be in Arizona throughout January and February to fit saddles and pads on ropers’ horses and take custom pad orders in the process.

CSI Pads, with the 2.5-inch contour,

are built to keep horses comfortable in the Arizona heat by maintaining airflow down the back, while their Flex-Plate technology evenly distributes bar pressure and rider weight to eliminate pressure points. CSI Pads can be shimmed to

create a perfect fit with most saddles, and they come with a 30-day “Ride it, Try it, Get it Dirty” money-back guarantee.

“I assess the horse and check the posture of the horse first,” Saddoris said. “I check to see if there are any exercises I can teach the owner to help fix the horse’s top line, because we have to reverse the posture created by poorly fitting saddles and pads. Then we figure out which saddle fits the horse best, and then we include the pad in the process to determine which thickness and type of bottom accommodates the horse and flex plate best. Then I have the roper go ride their horse so they can feel the difference.

A lot of times, that difference is instant.”

To schedule an on-site fitting, call: 816-716-8491

Jamie Walma, Realtor® 478-299-2791 Wickenburg, AZ 139 N. Frontier Street

“Let me help you rope in your next property...”

478-299-2791 EnjoyBuySell@gmail.com www.EnjoyBuySell.com

Pictured Team Roping my Dad and I

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THE CSI ELITE TEAM ATHLETES TRUST CSI ON THEIR HORSE. AIM HIGH

RIDE

CSI

CSI

HANDMADE IN THE USA 877-274-7230 | WWW.CSIPADS.COM

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NORTH PHOENIX / KINGMAN / CAVE CREEK

You saved up all year to spend the winter in Arizona with your buddies, hitting every weekday jackpot and big weekend roping. But about a week in, your head horse starts spinning out in the box, costing you big bucks and a whole lot of frustration.

That’s where Toby and Kolt Campbell can help. Horse trainers all their lives, the father-son duo, based in both Kingman and Wickenburg, take in outside horses for tune-ups, bring young horses along right, and buy and sell quality rope horses at reasonable prices.

“My dad trained reining horses for a living,” Toby said. “So I like to put a solid foundation on one. We put the bridle work on horses already going and turn them into rope horses, and we tune up horses that need it. I dang sure want horses breaking at the pole, moving off my legs, taking their leads, and moving

KOLT CAMPBELL

all parts of their body. I want everybody to be able to ride them, but I want them broke enough that they allow you to put them anywhere you want them.”

Kolt, based in Wickenburg, shoes horses in addition to training rope horses. He offers cold shoeing and corrective shoeing, when needed.

“Kolt is building his business there in Wickenburg and has been shoeing horses most of his life, as well as training horses,” Toby said. “He’s a 6 header and 9 heeler and can really get one working.”

Both Campbells are experienced in bringing young horses along—a specialty ever more critical as the cost of finished horses is on the rise.

“We really like seeing the progress on young horses and finishing them,” Toby said.

More info: 928-279-7476

PHOTO COURTESY CAMPBELL PERFORMANCE HORSES

TUNE-UP TIME Campbell Performance Horses

photo by Shawn Sandsness

Campbell Performance Horses

LET US H E L P.

Call Today!

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ROPE HORSE TRAINING • TUNE-UPS • START TO FINISH • HORSES FOR SALE

Toby Campbell (928) 279-7476 Katina Campbell (928) 279-4675 Farrier Services in Wickenburg, Prescott & surrounding areas Kolt Campbell (928) 279-2600

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PHOTO COURTESY CAMPBELL PERFORMANCE HORSES

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arold’s Cave Creek Corral is one of a kind. The food is good, the atmosphere casual, and the live music makes dancing a nightly endeavor.

Harold himself was a flamboyant character with friends who were both cowboys and movie stars. The place hasn’t lost that flavor.

Voted one of Arizona’s 17 most iconic bars, Harold’s features seating for 600 inside and 200 on the outside patio, plus two bars and the dance floor. Choice handcarved steaks and daily-delivered fresh seafood are served, with dancing lessons each Friday night.

The place has spawned several copycats. Across the parking lot is the Buffalo Chip Saloon, also with multiple bars, dancing and live music. It one-upped Harold’s by adding a bull riding arena out back. Catch the action Wednesday and Friday nights, with mutton busting, too. It’s an all-ages venue, so the under-21 crowd just needs a parent along. Harold’s is a hard-core Pittsburgh Steelers fan headquarters, so the Buffalo Chip is a bonafide Packers paradise during NFL season.

The “Chip” is not the only eatery that added rodeo to the menu along with live music. Down the street is Outlaws Bar & Grill, with a full-size arena. The largest bar and restaurant in northern Arizona features live barrel racing, team roping, mounted shooting, ranch sorting, bull riding and more.

The Horny Toad began as a rival to the former Satisfied Frog, and still offers good fare. Other eateries you don’t want to miss are El Encanto—the Mexican cantina complete with its own duck pond—and Cartwright’s, a throwback elegant steakhouse. Finally, the par-70 Rancho Mañana Golf Resort in town was a historic dude ranch and offers the acclaimed restaurant Tonto Bar & Grill.

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SOUTH PHOENIX / QUEEN CREEK

South Phoenix

QUEEN CREEK’S HORSESHOE PARK PLAYS HOST TO A MASSIVE WORLD SERIES OF TEAM ROPING QUALIFIER PRODUCED BY TROY SHELLEY EACH DECEMBER.

PHOTO BY SEASONS SHARP

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(SOUTH PHOENIX)

PHOTO BY JAMIE ARVISO

CASA GRANDE RODEO GROUNDS Casa Grande, Arizona Producer: multiple Facebook.com/ CasaGrandeRodeoGrounds

WALKING N ARENA Casa Grande, Arizona Producers: Rube Woolsey Rube-Woolsey.com

P Any ropers with barrel racing wives will appreciate that Queen Creek has its own barrel racing association and hosts regular jackpots. But the town is also home to one of the biggest ropings in the Valley or anywhere, all year. The annual World Series of Team Roping event, scheduled this year for Dec. 27–30 at Horseshoe Park, is produced

by Troy Shelley and company.

It’s a weekend that has typically drawn some 500 teams per roping for years, and pays five figures to each roping’s champs. The weekend prior, Shelley is putting on a World Series roping down in Marana, as well.

New this winter will be the Kirchenschlager Classic Series, every Tuesday starting in mid-November at Horseshoe Park. Trevor Kirchenschlager,

a 9-plus heeler who spent time on the rodeo road with his brother, Tate, and cousin, Dakota, will come from Texas and partner with his girlfriend, Makayla Boisjoli, to produce the weekly series.

The Canadian Boisjoli family has spent years winning in the Arizona jackpot scene.

In September, Kirchenschlager’s plans were to keep the ropings affordable at pick-one-draw-two for $150, enter twice, with great cattle and lots of prizes. The ropings are expected to pay back 75 percent and possibly offer a $25-per-man buyback in the first round, with half that added to the pot. Each Tuesday, he expects to host a #9 and a #11, using a World Series barrier and five-second barrier penalty, and was still thinking about whether to

host practice sessions.

Additionally, Rattlesnake Arena in Queen Creek boards horses and offers team roping practice with two arenas, trail riding and a round pen. The P&M Arena in Mesa will be hosting ropings produced by Willson’s Double C Productions. The venue also offers barrel racing practice and weekly jackpots, plus team roping practice twice a week.

In Gilbert, Double C will produce various jackpots at the non-profit John Volken Academy Ranch (pg. 32).

Shelley Productions offers ropings at Coolidge’s Gallopin Goose Arena, complete with food, cocktails and live music. The property is home to the Gallopin Goose Saloon and Grill—a historic honkytonk where Waylon Jennings started his solo career.

HORSESHOE PARK & EQUESTRIAN CENTRE Queen Creek, Arizona Producer: multiple Facebook.com/HorseShoePark

AROS ARENA EVENTS Picacho, Arizona Producer: George Aros ArosRoping.com

RATTLESNAKE ARENA San Tan Valley, Arizona Facebook.com/RattlesnakeArena

P&M ARENA Mesa, Arizona Producer: multiple PMArena.com

GALLOPING GOOSE ARENA Coolidge, Arizona Producer: Shelley Productions

O

EY Practice Recreational vehicles Multiple Arenas

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PHOTO BY SEASONS SHARP

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SOUTH PHOENIX / QUEEN CREEK / SAN TAN VALLEY

i

RAWHIDE—THE 1800S OLD WEST TOWN.

AGE FOTOSTOCK

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he San Tan Historical Society is free on Saturdays and gives you the historical flavor of the area, from its connection to architect Frank Lloyd Wright to the benefit provided the community by the German POWs camped here during World War II. You can also visit the Desert Wells Stage Stop and an original 1930s homestead. Investigate the Gold Mine Mountain area and all its old claims, as well as the folks who were innovative enough with irrigation to make farming work in the desert.

Mesa offers the Arizona Museum of Natural History, and in nearby Chandler, you can find exhibits of antique trains at the Arizona

San Tan Flat is a big, open-air combination of a campfire, restaurant, and concert. Modern with a country flare, it’s where you can chill with close friends, roast marshmallows with your kids or dance the night away with live tunes almost every night. Here you’ll find what some say is the best ribeye in Arizona, along with

Railway Museum. You could also take a vintage train ride at Desert Breeze Park, or see if anything’s happening at Rawhide—the 1800s Old West town. Chandler also offers the Solar System Walk, with a scale model of the planets; Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, which shows off dragsters, monster trucks, off-road racing and even drag boats; plus, Makutu’s Island—a tropical-themed indoor play center.

Finally, west of town near Interstate10, check out Hohokam Pima National Monument, featuring the remains of Snaketown, an ancient Hohokam village.

scrumptious creamed corn and rolls.

Neither should you miss out on the award-winning Olive Mill. More than 7,000 varieties of olive trees around Queen Creek provide the fresh, local foods in the gift shop. As for the award-winning food, check out the vanilla bean olive oil waffle for

breakfast, made from scratch and served with whipped cream and berries, peaches or bananas and cream. Lunch and dinner involves bruschetta, paninis, pizza and more, plus beer and wine.

It’s pet-friendly and kids can roam freely in the beautiful outdoor garden seating.

Hankering for Mexican?

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Cerrano’s, in the older part of town, is the ticket. For anything else, head to the Queen Creek Marketplace for chains like Buffalo Wild Wings, Olive Garden, Panera, and Smashburger—plus the all-important In-N-Out Burger.

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HORSE SHOPPING?

PHOTO COURTESY KYLIE MCLEAN

Who isn’t horse shopping in Queen Creek? Nothing is more important than horsepower in the Valley of the Sun, and Bar Diamond Quality Performance Horses knows it. Owner Kylie McLean is a third-generation rancher, originally from Alberta, Canada, and partnered with Roger Sorenson in 2016 to found this horse business in San Tan Valley.

“What sets us apart is that we take the time it takes to make a high-end rope horse,” McLean said. “We buy high-end prospects so we start with a good product and plan to finish with a great product.”

Specializing in cutting and working cow-horse rejects, Bar Diamond Quality Performance Horses works to make horses with a strong foundation able to go any direction for ropers of any number.

For more information, contact Kylie at 480-278-0079.

Specializing in cutting, ranch, and working cow-horse rejects, Bar Diamond Quality Performance Horses works to make horses with a strong foundation able to go any direction with any number of roper.

Owner Kylie McLean is a third-generation rancher who seasons each horse under the same conditions in which her customers will compete, ensuring each horse is ready for the next owner.

KYLIE MCLEAN 2690 W. Gail Rd San Tan Valley, AZ 85142

480-278-0079

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SOUTH PHOENIX / GILBERT / MARICOPA

MORE THAN A GOOD JACKPOT

The John Volken Academy Ranch, formerly the Welcome Home Ranch, hosts various team ropings, plus barrel races every Thursday night, offering great ground in its 140-foot by 240-foot covered arena, 135-foot by 240-foot outdoor arena, overnight stalls, on-site feed store and more.

Beyond that, though, the John Volken Academy Ranch is operated by students of the John Volken Academy, a non-profit organization dedicated to long-term addiction treatment through behavioral therapy.

“John Volken, who founded the ranch and the program, really emphasizes working hard as part of the program and learning to be a good employee,” said Austin Reeves, student-council deputy for the JVA Ranch. “That’s where the ranch comes in. It is an each-one

32

teach-one program. We are a work-centered program.

We learn to deal with all the things that can go wrong on the ranch and fix them, the same as we learn to fix the things that are wrong in our lives. We don’t receive wages—we are here to change our lives. We keep it very clean and organized to the best of our abilities.”

Students stay at the ranch for a minimum of two years, and some get involved in the Western way of life outside of their work responsibilities.

“We don’t necessarily live that way, but it’s an experience to say the least,” Reeves said. “We have two ranch horses donated years ago that a lot of guys will go ride or rope the Heel-O-Matic.”

PHOTO COURTESY JVA RANCH

John Volken Academy Ranch

The students operate a feed store, which sells ropes, horse feed, and dog products. The students also operate a full-service horse boarding facility and an equine hydro therapy pool.

To book your next event or to help save someone’s life, please call Ranch Manager Johnny Haggard at 480-6958005.

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RESILIENCE

PHOTO COURTESY CROSSFIRE TR

Crossfire TR Flooring—an authorized, independent Polylast dealer.

Trusting a business run by ropers, for ropers, is somehow just a little easier.

That’s one reason Jaguar and Michayla Terrill’s Crossfire TR Flooring has seen such success in their three years in

business. The other reasons? A quality product and top-notch customer service.

“We can install flooring anywhere there is concrete or a slick surface,” Michayla said. “ We have installed our resilient rubber flooring in barn aisles, wash bays, concrete-based stalls, quarantine or sick stalls, as well as cross ties and tie areas. Our flooring acts as an insulator—warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. It also absorbs the sound so barn aisles and tie areas are much quieter for the horses. It’s great for outdoor wash racks or sitting/viewing areas, so long as there is a solid subsurface. We have also installed our flooring in loafing sheds and dog kennels.”

Most popular as a horse trailer flooring, Crossfire TR Flooring’s resilient rubber flooring is a seamless, permanent solution that’s slip-resistant and prevents corrosion. It absorbs 50 percent more

shock and doesn’t require shavings, making the trailer significantly easier to clean.

Trailers are ready to use within 48 hours after the three- to four-hour installation process.

“We also have an awesome veterinary clinic flooring,” Michayla added. “It is non-porous, slip-resistant, and keeps clinics sanitary and reduces cleaning time since it has no seams to trap junk.”

Located in Maricopa, Crossfire TR Flooring is willing to travel across the United States if the size of the job permits.

For more information, contact Jaguar or Michayla in Maricopa at crossfiretrflooring@yahoo.com or call 970-6290088.

For resilient rubber flooring installation in Congress, contact JW Surfacing’s Jason and Shawna Warner at jwsurfacing@gmail.com or call 208-520-7264.

an Authorized Polylast Dealer

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-Troweled Application – NEVER pull mats again g -NEVER use Shavings again -10 Year Limited Warrantyy

Crossfire TR Flooring

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ROPEAZ18 to save 10%

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WICKENBURG /

The Team Roping Capital of the World

W

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PHOTO BY KARI DECASTRO

RANCHO RIO HOSTS WEEKLY JACKPOTS AND MAJOR EVENTS.

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Countdown

8 Reasons You’ve Gotta See NRS Wickenburg

955 West Wickenburg Way, Wickenburg, Arizona 85390 | nrsworld.com | 928-684-7987

3

1

FRESHIES NRS will have the freshest supply of your favorite ropes in all of Arizona, stored in their must-see rope room.

Converted from a closet in the old Double D Western World, the new rope room will have the largest inventory of fresh ropes you can find.

2

COURTESY NRS-WICKENBURG

PHOTO BY KARI DECASTRO

POP-UP TACK SHOPS The Main NRS store in Wickenburg will continue to be the hub of all things Western, but there will be NRS pop-up tack shops, too, at all of your favorite arenas, stocked with everything roping-related you could need on the spot. At Rancho Rio, Downtown and Simpsons.

FEEDING FRENZY Need Purina or Nutrena feed? NRS has you covered. Ropers across the country have come to rely on Nutrena’s and Purina’s lines of products to keep their horses healthy no matter where they travel. Plus, NRS has nearly any supplement you could need to keep your horse sound enough to score sharp, leave flat, run hard and finish fast.

4

THE HOOK UP From rodeos to road trips, NRS Trailers is your number-one stop for all things trailer-related. With six locations in five different states, NRS Trailers is an authorized dealer in every major brand in the market.

NRS’s Wickenburg dealership will carry the following major brands: Twister, CM, 4 Star, SMC, Sundowner, and Big Bend, and offers custom Outlaw Interiors.

6

SHOP TIL YOU DROP NRS is home to all of ropers’ favorite brands—Cinch, Wrangler, Ariat, Cactus, Classic and Stetson, and so many more. NRS has sales and specials throughout the year, and the store carries lots of items you won’t find anywhere else.

8

5

SHARPEN UP NRS offers ground dummies from all major brands. While your significant other shops, make sure your head loop is sharp before taking one home to your arena or throw one in the bed of your pickup to take to each jackpot.

Anderson Bean and Olathe Boot Co. to design a line of boots that are ready to ride— in their new Ride Ready line.

All boots in this line come with additional features like riding heels, spur rests and a custom midsole that helps the boot keep its shape and adds durability. Beyond the Ride Ready styles, NRS Wickenburg has one of the largest boot selections you’ll find anywhere, period.

7

RIDE READY NRS Wickenburg has teamed up with Rios of Mercedes,

LIDS Whether you need to sharpen up the shape of your lid or need a new, crisp straw for the Arizona heat, NRS Wickenburg will have a full-service hat bar equipped with experienced hat-shapers. From Resistol and Charlie 1 Horse to American Hats, you’ll find them at NRS.

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3 Largest Selection of Fresh Ropes in AZ IF IT'S RIGHT FOR ROPING

IT'S RIGHT HERE

WICKENBURG We've got 'em all!

Western & Feed Store: 955 West Wickenburg Way Wickenburg, AZ 85390 Shop NRSworld.com Experience NRSranch.com

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3 Road Ropers Travel Leads to

Wickenburg

Shop Large: NRS Western and Feed Store 955 West Wickenburg Way

NRS Trailers 30247 US Hwy 60

NRS Tack Essentials

Rancho Rio Arena Downtown Arena | Simpson Arena

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WICKENBURG /

PHOTO COURTESY TWISTER TRAILERS

MADE FOR AZ

Twister Trailers, available through the new NRS Trailers Wickenburg, offers custom and pre-designed trailer options.

Twister Trailers has spent two decades designing trailers that withstand the elements while keeping ropers and their horses comfortable traveling up and down the road. In 2018, the company is expanding its existing five-retail-location relationship with NRS Trailers by adding a sixth location in Wickenburg.

“NRS Trailers will offer the same great

service and industry-leading Twister Trailers at our Wickenburg location that customers have become accustomed to at all of our current locations,” said Mike Henderson, managing partner at NRS Trailers.

Twister Trailers specializes in large trailers equipped with air-ride systems, perfect for traveling rough roads to

jackpots or long roads home. Insulated lining in the horse compartment comes standard in each of these trailers, keeping horses comfortable in the Arizona heat or Canadian cold. Plus, stalls in Twister Trailers are six inches longer than most other competitors, meaning horses stepping off Twister Trailers feel better about doing their job at the end of a long drive.

“That area of Arizona is the mecca of team roping in the winter,” Ryan Robinson, director of marketing for Twister Trailers, said. “Ropers are a huge part of our business, so we really wanted to have a dealership available for them.”

While NRS Trailers will have a full inventory of Twister Trailers, ropers can also custom order a Twister Trailer. That process takes about two to four months from start to finish, so it can easily be finished by the end of the winter—just in time for the long drive home.

More info: twistertrailer.com; nrstrailers.com

Images © Wayne Norton

21 N. Frontier St., Wickenburg, AZ 85390

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PHOTO COURTESY DESERT CABALLEROS

WICKENBURG /

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JOINT SUPPORT LubriSynHA’s line of products is just as important for humans as it is for dogs, cattle and horses.

The Grand Canyon State is not the place to be laid up—whether you’re talking horses, pets or humans. LubriSynHA, the high-molecular weight hyaluronan liquid supplement, replaces the fluid in joints that gets degraded over time, keeping ropers and their horses performing better, longer.

“Our human product is actually our number-one seller,” Kelly Allday, director of marketing for LubriSynHA, said.

“It’s very affordable compared to other human supplements. It works out to about $1 a day, with no side effects, and no contraindications with other medicines. People will see results in seven to 10 days, so it’s really effective.”

The human line, which comes in both

a one-month and three-month supply, has been on the market for eight years, and its slightly more concentrated than the equine or pet formulas. Humans can ingest the grape or original, slightly sweet formula once daily, and the product is vegan and gluten free. Most users mix it with a smoothie.

The product is manufactured in an FDA-approved facility, and its high molecular weight mimics the body’s natural fluid, setting the supplement apart.

“Anybody can take it, especially anybody who is predisposed to joint problems,” Allday said. “If you’ve had an injury or you’re an athlete, it works as a restorative as well. Young athletes take it to protect vulnerable joints, and the older

crowd takes it to see significant results.”

Of course, the product is widely known for its substantial impact in horses—particularly in those old campaigners that take a pounding, day after day, jackpot and practice after jackpot and practice. Plus, ropers can buy the entire line of LubriSynHA products at the new NRS Wickenburg year-round.

More info: lubrisyn.com

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Reduces Joint Discomfort Naturally in

7-10 Days!

Don’t Let Pain Get in the Way of Your Active Lifestyle!

Our trusted formulation of high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid works to naturally replenish the synovial fluid within the joint and reduce pain in 7-10 days!

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www.LubriSyn.com

Untitled-14 1

(800) 901-8498

10/25/18 10:03 AM

WICKENBURG /

YOU’RE COVERED

American National Insurance’s Arizona agents have your back.

American National agents Carrie Gross, Hunter Sherwood and Lisa Carter are your one-stop-shop for insurance needs in Arizona, no matter where you call home the rest of the year.

American National Insurance, a World Series of Team Roping sponsor, offers home insurance with horse liability coverage, auto insurance, life insurance, business insurance and horse mortality.

They also offer horse boarding coverage with care, custody and control, tack coverage, personal and boarder coverage, and arena coverages.

“We can cover all of ropers’ Arizona insurance needs,” Gross, a fifth-genera-

tion rancher and active team roper, said.

“We also have agents all over the country, so if they have insurance needs in another state, they can keep all their insurance under one company. They will receive the discounts offered by having all their coverages with American National Insurance.”

Gross and Sherwood are both deeply rooted in the team roping industry, and because of their connections are able to see where ropers and ranchers are most vulnerable.

“The biggest thing that I run into is usually, by no fault of their own, ropers are underinsured in a lot of areas they haven’t had anyone talk to them about, explaining the potential liability issues they might have,” Sherwood, also an active roper and rancher, said.

Most ropers don’t realize that most insurance policies don’t cover equine liability, Carter added. A roper herself, Carter pointed out that horse trailers are rarely covered if they’re stolen or dam-

aged in an accident and require comprehensive and collision deductibles to cover replacement and repair, too.

“My family and I rope and participate in World Series team ropings, and my son high school rodeos,” Carter said.

“Being an agent with American National has been so fulfilling in helping educate and protect the great people in this industry.”

More info: americannational.com “The biggest thing that I run into is usually, by no fault of their own, ropers are underinsured in a lot of areas they haven’t had anyone talk to them about, explaining the potential liability issues they might have.”

—HUNTER SHERWOOD

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TRJ FILE PHOTO

COURTESY BAR S ANIMAL CLINIC

ANIMAL HEALTH Bar S Animal Clinic

42 | TRJ ARIZONA GUIDE | Winter 2018/2019

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A SPECIAL A SPECIAL ABREED SPECIAL BREED

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OUR EQUINE EQUINE OWNERS OWNERS INSURANCE INSURANCE OUR IS DESIGNED FOR YOU: EQUINE OWNERS INSURANCE

OUR Horse enthusiasts enthusiasts —YOU: whether for for recreation recreation or or to to race, race, breed breed or or show show •• Horse whether IS DESIGNED DESIGNED FOR— YOU: IS FOR Equine operations operations of of various various sizes sizes and and scopes scopes •• Equine

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Choose additional coverages can SO IS YOUR YOUR OPERATION SO IS EQUINE OPERATION Agent Agent in your your care, care, liability liability for for horse horse show show judges, judges, computers, computers, golf golf carts, carts, non-owned non-owned tack tack in 114 Tucker Tucker Street Suite 88 your just makes makes senseinformation, to choose choose coverage coverage that addresses your specific specific interests interests and and 114 Street Suite ItItmore. just sense to that addresses and more.

For more more contact me at: and For information, contact me at: Kingman, AZ 86401 86401 risks. Choose Choose additional additional coverages coveragesKingman, that can canAZinclude include protection for for horses horses that that are are risks. that protection in your your care, care, liability liability for for horse horse show show judges, judges, computers, computers, golf golf carts, carts, non-owned non-owned tack tack in carrie.gross@american-national.com carrie.gross@american-national.com CARRIE GROSS CARRIE GROSS and more. more. For For more more information, information, contact me at: at: and contact me 928.753.7582

928.753.7582 928.753.7582 Agent CARRIEAgent GROSS CARRIE GROSS

Hunter Sherwood Agent Agent

928-243-6520 Licensed in AZ & NM

Lisa Carter 114 Tucker Street Street Suite 88 CARRIE GROSS 114 Tucker Suite CARRIE GROSS 702-278-1721 Licensed in NV, UT, & AZ Kingman, AZ 86401 Kingman, Agent AZ 86401 Agent

Carrie Gross

602-510-4940 Licensed in AZ

LIABILIT Y Y LIABILIT Y LIABILIT

LIABILIT Y LIABILIT Y Certain horse-related •• Certain horse-related Certain horse-related ••activities Certain horse-related activities and and participants participants at at • Certain horse-related shows, exhibitions and events activities and participants at activities and participants at

activities and and participants participants at at activities shows, exhibitions and events • •Boarding Certain horse-related •• Certain horse-related Riding instruction • Riding instruction activities and and participants at activities Hay and and sleigh sleigh rides rides participants at •• Hay shows, exhibitions and events events shows, exhibitions and • Boarding Boarding •• Boarding

shows, exhibitions and events LIABILIT Y Riding instruction •• Riding instruction shows, exhibitions and events

Carriage and and buggy buggy rides rides •• Carriage

Riding instruction ••• Riding instruction • Hay andand sleigh rides Hay sleigh rides

PROPERTY PROPERTY

Boarding •• Boarding

Carriage and buggy rides •• Carriage and buggy rides •Residences Carriage and buggy rides andhousehold household •• Residences and Hay and and sleigh sleigh rides rides •• Hay contents

PROPERTY PROPERTY PROPERTY Farm products and supplies Carriageand and buggy rides rides PROPERTY •• Farm products supplies •• Carriage and buggy Residencesand andhousehold household •• Residences • Barns

Residencesand andhousehold household •• Residences contents PROPERTY contents PROPERTY

Tack, hayand andgrain grain •• Tack, hay contents

Residences andhousehold household Farmproducts products andsupplies supplies ••• Residences and Farm and Farm machinery •• Farm machinery

• Farm products and supplies contents contents • Barns

Farmproducts productsand andsupplies supplies •• Farm • Barns

Tack,hay hayand andgrain grain •• Tack,

• Barns • Tack, hay and grain

• Farm machinery Tack,hay hayand andgrain grain •• Tack,

• Farm machinery

114 Tucker Street Suite 114 Tucker Street Suite 88requirements Productsand andservices servicesmay maynot notbe be available inall allstates. states.Terms, Terms, conditions andeligibility eligibility requirementswill willapply. apply.Life Lifeinsurance insuranceand andannuity annuityproducts productsmay maybe beunderwritten underwrittenby byAmerican AmericanNational NationalInsurance InsuranceCompany, Company, Galveston, Texas.Property Propertyand andcasualty casualty Farm machinery Products and services may not be available in all states.

Terms, conditions and eligibility requirements will apply.

Life insurance and annuity products may be underwritten by American National Insurance Company, Galveston, Texas.

Property and casualty Products available in conditions and Galveston, Texas.

•• Farm machinery productsand andservices servicesmay maybe beunderwritten underwrittenby byAmerican AmericanNational NationalProperty PropertyAnd AndCasualty CasualtyCompany Companyor orAmerican AmericanNational NationalGeneral GeneralInsurance InsuranceCompany, Company,both bothof ofSpringfield, Springfield,Missouri.

Missouri. products and services may be underwritten by American National Property And Casualty Company or American National General Insurance Company, both of Springfield, Missouri. products Kingman, AZ 86401 Kingman, AZ 86401 114 Tucker Tucker Street Street Suite Suite 88 114 carrie.gross@american-national.com carrie.gross@american-national.com Kingman, AZ 86401 86401 14-142.93388.V3.8.2017 Kingman, AZ 14-142.93388.V3.8.2017 14-142.93388.V3.8.2017 928.753.7582 928.753.7582

Hunter Sherwood

928-243-6520 Licensed in AZ & NM

carrie.gross@american-national.com carrie.gross@american-national.com carrie.gross@american-national.com carrie.gross@american-national.com Lisa Carter Carrie Gross 928.753.7582 928.753.7582 928.753.7582 702-278-1721 928.753.7582 Licensed in NV, UT, & AZ

Lisa Carter Lisa Carter 702-278-1721 UT, & AZ Licensed in AZ & NM Licensed in NV, Licensed in NV, UT, & AZ Hunter Sherwood

602-510-4940 Licensed in AZ

Carrie Gross Carrie Gross 602-510-4940 LicensedLicensed in AZ in AZ

Productsand andservices servicesmay maynot notbe beavailable availablein inall allstates. states.Terms, Terms,conditions conditionsand andeligibility eligibilityrequirements requirementswill willapply. apply.Life Lifeinsurance insuranceand andannuity annuityproducts productsmay maybe beunderwritten underwrittenby byAmerican AmericanNational NationalInsurance InsuranceCompany, Company,Galveston, Galveston,Texas.

Texas.Property Propertyand andcasualty casualty Products and services may not be available in all states.

Terms, conditions and eligibility requirements will apply.

Life insurance and annuity products may be underwritten by American National Insurance Company, Galveston, Texas.

Property and casualty Products productsand andservices servicesmay maybe beunderwritten underwrittenby byAmerican AmericanNational NationalProperty PropertyAnd AndCasualty Casualty Companyor orAmerican AmericanNational NationalGeneral GeneralInsurance InsuranceCompany, Company, bothof ofSpringfield, Springfield,Missouri.

Missouri. products and services may be underwritten by American National Property And Casualty Company or American National General Insurance Company, both of Springfield, Missouri. products Company both 928-243-6520 702-278-1721 602-510-4940

14-142.93388.V3.8.2017 14-142.93388.V3.8.2017 14-142.93388.V3.8.2017 Productsand andservices servicesmay maynot notbe beavailable availablein inall allstates. states.Terms, Terms,conditions conditionsand andeligibility eligibilityrequirements requirementswill willapply. apply.Life Lifeinsurance insuranceand andannuity annuityproducts productsmay maybe beunderwritten underwrittenby byAmerican AmericanNational NationalInsurance InsuranceCompany, Company,Galveston, Galveston,Texas.

Texas.Property Property andcasualty casualty Products and services may not be available in all states.

Terms, conditions and eligibility requirements will apply.

Life insurance and annuity products may be underwritten by American National Insurance Company, Galveston, Texas.

Property and casualty Products and productsand andservices servicesmay maybe beunderwritten underwrittenby byAmerican AmericanNational NationalProperty PropertyAnd AndCasualty CasualtyCompany Companyor orAmerican AmericanNational NationalGeneral GeneralInsurance InsuranceCompany, Company,both bothof ofSpringfield, Springfield,Missouri.

Missouri. products and services may be underwritten by American National Property And Casualty Company or American National General Insurance Company, both of Springfield, Missouri. products 14-142.93388.V3.8.2017 14-142.93388.V3.8.2017

14-142.93388.V3.8.2017 14-142.93388.V3.8.2017 14-142.93388.V3.8.2017 14-142.93388.V3.8.2017

Untitled-11 1

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COURTESY DEL E. WEBB CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS/ RODNEY CROWELL IMAGE JOSEPH LLANES

WICKENBURG /

N nee re r t t eD E W i i n re entin t e erien e t t in ire t e enter t e ter e t inter n

e 2 / te r in t P r i er e i e er ien e n rti ti 00 e t n er

NOVEMBER

Rodney Crowell Trio 11/13/18 7:30 PM One of America’s most admired songwriters, Crowell scored five #1 country hits with his 1988 album “Diamonds & Dirt.”

Dailey & Vincent 11/16/18 7:30 PM Elite entertainers in Americana music performing the best in bluegrass, traditional country and gospel music.

The Comedy and Music of Gary Mule Deer 11/18/18 7:30 PM A longtime Special Guest for Johnny Mathis, Gary Mule Deer’s unique comedy and music have set him apart as one-of-a-kind.

ere in Wi en r i t e e t e Wit r in rt n e ti n tr n r t e nit n ert enre

DECEMBER

Suzy Bogguss Christmas 12/20/18 7:30 PM Country hits, folk interpretations and holiday classics, all with Suzy’s signature crystal clear vocals.

JANUARY

The Paul Thorn Band 1/13/19 7:30 PM A formidable guitarist, Thorn returns with a thoroughly Southern blend of blues, rock and roots music.

Ben & Noel Haggard 1/25/19 7:30 PM Sons, Ben and Noel, offer fresh takes on Merle’s legendary songs like “Sing Me Back Home” and “Workin’ Man Blues.”

FEBRUARY

Tracy Byrd 2/7–2/8/19 7:30 PM Tracy will be performing during Wickenburg’s 71st Annual Gold Rush Days celebration. This multi-platinum country artist will entertain with a catalog of more than 30 hit singles in a 25-year career.

MARCH

Bar D Wranglers 3/1/19 7:30 PM Colorado troubadours take you on a nostalgic ride with traditional Western music, cowboy poetry, and humorous tall tales.

Cirque Éloize Saloon 3/23/19 7:30 PM 3/24/19 3:00 PM Live country music combined with the strength and agility of circus guarantees an action-packed thrill-ride.

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BAR S Animal Clinic

W IN T ER ROPING CAMP • RV Hookups • Daily Roping Practice • Covered Horse Pens • Round Pen • • Pastures • Hot Heels • Lots of desert for outside riding • Farrier on-site

We provide superior care for your equine, canine and feline companions.

Our caring medical team offers medical, dental, surgical and diagnostic treatments. For those who are traveling, we have climate controlled indoor kennels to make your dog or cat’s stay a pleasant one.

3953 S. Tweedy Rd. Casa Grande, AZ 85194

Rick A. Regusa, DVM | Elise Dunphy, VDM | Barry Littell, DVM Office Hours by Appointment: 8:30-5:30 M-F; 8:30-12 Sat.

www.barsanimalclinic.com

JOEL WENGERT

3920 Industrial Way | Wickenburg, AZ 85390

6 0 2 - 882 - 2563

(928) 684-7846

I N T I M A T E

T H E A T E R.

ALL TICKETS NOW ON SALE

Big

E N T E R T A I N M E N T.

Webb Center

Rodney Crowell Trio

Suzy Bogguss Christmas

NOV 13

DEC 20

Country

Country

Dailey & Vincent

The Paul Thorn Band

Bluegrass

NOV 16

The Comedy & Music of Gary Mule Deer

Southern Rock & Blues

JAN 13

Ben & Noel Haggard

Country

NOV 18

Country

JAN 25

An Evening with Lyle Lovett & Robert Earl Keen Country

DEC 6

928-684-6624 VIEW FULL SCHEDULE AT

PARTIALS_TTRJ_1218AZ.indd 45

Tracy Byrd Country

FEB 7 & 8

Bar D Wranglers Western

MAR 1

Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock & Roll Greatest Hits

MAR 7

Cirque Éloize Saloon

Live country music & circus arts

MAR 23 & 24

Tracy Byrd

DEWPAC.ORG

11/1/18 1:19 PM

WICKENBURG /

COURTESY JONES EQUNIME HEALTH

JONES EQUINE HEALTH ENDORSEE BLAIR BROWN

CUSTOM FIT Jones Equine Health Horsepower is everything in team roping, and nowhere is that more obvious than in the tough roping climate in Arizona, with daily ropings filling the schedule. That’s why Amanda and Coby

Jones’ Jones Equine Health and Consulting, based in Wickenburg throughout the winter months, is ready to help.

“We’ve been creating custom supplements for about three years,” Amanda said. “We can customize supplements off of bloodwork. That’s really my favorite thing to do. We have special blends for horses that you can put up to four additives in—focus, calming, joint and ulcer care all in one blend.”

Amanda will work with your vet to craft supplements that solve problems like chronic colic, ulcers, lameness and more, and can also help formulate supplements to manage in-arena problems like focus and calming.

“It’s helpful to see a horse in person or have the owner text me photos and videos so I can really know what’s going

OUR PRODUCTS GET THE RESULTS YOU WANT!

on,” Amanda said. “We can also do custom formulations from CBC and chem panels with vets.”

Jones Equine Health works with Total Health Enhancement’s T.H.E. Equine Edge and LKS Equine supplements, using natural ingredients and no fillers, sugars or drugs in the products. These products keep ropers from having to feed this supplement and that supplement, with the custom formulations making feeding an easy, one-scoop process.

“My husband is a horse shoer and we both rope,” Amanda said. “He trained and showed cutting horses, and we got into team roping and I run barrels, so we really know how important care is.”

More info: jonesequinehealth.com; 509-999-0667

Jones Equine Health & Consulting wants to help both horse and rider fill nutritional gaps with premium products to be healthy and competitive.

SPECIAL BLENDS Combine your horses need in one formula!

- Weight Gain - Performance Blends - Ulcer Treatment - Calming Cookies Custom Formulations off blood work!

LKS/ T.H.E. Authorized Dealer & Consultant JonesEquineHealth.com (509) 999-0667 JonesEquineHealth@gmail.com

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COURTESY TX FEED AND GRAIN

FEEDING THE VALLEY TX Feed and Grain Fourth-generation Arizona farmer Rohn Alder operates TX Feed and Grain, conveniently located along U.S. Highway 60 just three miles from Rancho Rio in Wickenburg.

Alder’s TX Feed and Grain, named after his great-grandfather’s left-hip cattle brand, first registered in Arizona in the early 1930s, sells every quantity and quality of hay—from premium first-quality alfalfa to Bermuda, mix and steer hay.

TX Feed and Grain provides some 500 tons of steer hay to Mike Fuller’s Downtown Arena annually, and also sells hay to Kyle Chrisman at Simpson’s Ranch and Ty Yost at Rancho Rio. “I’m hands-on. I go and see the hay on the farms myself so I know when I get a specific load, the quality will be what I sell it as,” Alder, a team roper himself, said. “I want to see exactly what is going on the truck. I have a one-on-one relationship with all of the farmers I buy from, so I can ensure quality.”

TX Feed and Grain delivers hay around Wickenburg for just a $20 delivery-and-stacking charge, and will travel into the mountains outside of town for just $50.

“Whatever the roper needs, we try to primarily specialize in that. That’s my claim to fame. I understand the growing, processing and seasonal changes. There’s a lot to it, and that knowledge is what we bring to the table,” Alder said.

The store, in its sixth year in business, also sells Nutrena feed, OH Kruse Feed and Grain, G-Farms alfalfa pellets, and Total Equine. More info: 928-684-4448

TX HAY & GRAIN FEED STORE Fine Quality Feeds • Alfalfa • Mixed • Bermuda

Call for Deliveries:

928-684-4448

NOW AVAILABLE Total Equine Pellets

STORE HOURS: Monday - Friday: 9-5 | Saturday: 8-4 | Sunday: 9-2

30358 US Highway 60/89 in Wickenburg TRJ ARIZONA GUIDE

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47

11/2/18 11/2/18 10:40 9:41 AM

ROPING CALENDAR /

DON’T MISS A JACKPOT

COURTESY YOST EVENTS

Here’s The Team Roping Journal’s guide to weekly team roping in Arizona

SUNDAYS

MONDAYS

TUESDAYS

WEDNESDAYS

THURSDAYS

FRIDAYS

SATURDAYS

North Phoenix Dynamite Arena

Wickenburg Simpson Arena Rancho Rio

Wickenburg Simpson Arena

Cave Creek Dynamite Arena

Cave Creek Dynamite Arena

Coolidge Goin’ to the Goose

Coolidge Goin’ to the Goose

Phoenix Horse Lover’s Park

Wickenburg Simpson Arena Rancho Rio

Phoenix Horse Lover’s Park

Buckeye South Buckeye Equestrian Center

Wickenburg Downtown Arena Morristown Western Trails Ranch

Phoenix Horse Lover’s Park

Morristown Horns and Hooves Arena Queen Creek Horseshoe Park

Morristown Horns and Hooves Arena

Morristown Western Trails Ranch Horns and Hooves Arena

Morristown Western Trails Ranch Wickenburg Simpson Arena Downtown Arena

Morristown Western Trails Ranch Horns and Hooves Arena All schedules are subject to change.

Please check with each individual producer to confirm dates, and call before you haul if the weather is questionable!

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ROPING CALENDAR /

THE BIG ONES

Nov. 30–Dec. 2 Shelley Productions W Horse Shoe Park, Queen Creek Dec. 3–Dec. 11 Yost Productions W Rancho Rio, Wickenburg Dec. 1, Dec. 6, Dec. 8 Yost Events Dynamite Arena, Cave Creek Dec. 22 Yost Events Rancho Rio, Wickenburg

Dec. 26–Dec. 29 Yost Events Rancho Rio, Wickenburg Dec. 28–Dec. 31 Shelley Productions W

COURTESY YOST EVENTS

These are the ropings that will get you into the World Series of Team Roping Finale in Las Vegas in December 2019 or just plain line your pockets with cash and your trophy room with prizes.

Feb. 1–Feb. 3 John English W

March 1–March 3 Vicky Mounyo W

Rancho Rio, Wickenburg

South Buckeye Equestrian Center, Buckeye

Feb. 8–Feb. 9 Yost Events

Horse Shoe Park, Queen Creek

Rancho Rio, Wickenburg

Jan. 11–Jan. 13 Shelley Productions W

Feb. 14–Feb. 17 Yost Events W

West Pinal County Mounted Sheriff’s Posse Arena, Casa Grande

Dynamite Arena, Cave Creek

Jan. 19 Yost Events Rancho Rio, Wickenburg

Feb. 20 George Aros Aros Arena, Picacho

March 4–March 9 Yost Events Rancho Rio, Wickenburg April 6–April 7 Fuller Productions W Rancho Rio, Wickenburg April 26–April 28 The Ropin’ Company W Apache Gold Arena, Globe

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ARIZONA

EVOLUTION

KENNY AND MICHELLE REEVES, FOUNDERS OF THE REEVES FOUNDATION, AT THEIR PRICE CANYON RANCH IN SOUTHERN ARIZONA.

PHOTO COURTESY RICHARD MAYFIELD

How and why Arizona became the winter hot spot for the sport of team roping.

By Chelsea Shaffer

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W

PHOTO COURTESY RICHARD MAYFIELD

COURTESY RON TREAT

hen seven-time world champion Clay O’Brien Cooper got his driver’s license at 16, he packed up his life and headed east from his home in California. Anyone who was eaten up with swinging a rope was in Arizona, including young talents like Brett Beach and Jake Barnes, and that’s just where the young Champ wanted to be.

Back then, the late Jim Riley was just building the now famous Dynamite Arena for a private facility and for use by the local sheriff’s posse for a practice facility. Open ropings were the only game in town, and some small towns and a few rodeo committees hosted jackpots year-round.

“We’d go to the Arizona Rope-A-Thon, 10 days of team roping put on by Bill Roer in Laveen, and I could rope in the Junior-Senior with my dad,” Cooper remembered. “When I got over there, there were two or three open ropings a week, and some amateur rodeos, too. That Phoenix area had quite a bit of stuff to compete in. When I was 18, I bought my first place right off of Gilbert Road. That was my headquarters. I’d go to Texas and Oklahoma in the summer but in the winter, I stayed right there in Phoenix. All the good winter rodeos were there. And they had great annual jackpots—Prescott, Kingman—they were great in the late ’70s and early ’80s, before I got my card. Then George Aros started the two-back roping, which is now the Cervi, and that was a good one, too.”

But as the team roping bug bit more and more local Arizonans and ranchers wintering in the desert sun, Riley saw the chance to turn team roping into a business. Starting in 1973, he hosted Tuesday and Thursday practice sessions, then after the practice had a two-for-$10 jackpot, holding back a third of the pot for his efforts.

Ropers flocked to Dynamite to rope 700-pound steers—corriente cattle that were broke to lead.

Riley bought steers that came over from Mexico as 4- or 5-year-olds, who spent most of their lives south of the border staked out in backyards so they didn’t run away. They might have trouble fitting in the chutes, but they were still decent to rope because they knew how to lead, said Riley’s nephew and eventual Dynamite owner, Ron Treat, chuckling.

“Things weren’t controlled by the number system back then,” Treat explained. “But a contractor had to protect his people. There was no way to do anything about it other than tell certain guys they couldn’t rope because you couldn’t keep your steady customers. So you’d have junior and senior ropings, and minimum-age ropings to figure out ways to cut the top guys out.”

Jesse Odem and Richard Mayfield started putting on their annual Pot of Gold Roping at the Rawhide Arena in Scottsdale in 1979, using various age-combination ropings across various divisions as a predecessor to the handicap system in use today. They offered a high-stakes $1,000-a-team roping, and as that roping grew in popularity, other producers offered pre-Pot of Gold jackpots for folks coming into town.

“We had a lot of friends from out of state,” Mayfield, now 79, said. “So we wanted to put on a roping in Arizona for when it was cold everywhere else. You had to be over 40, and it had to be a combo of ages to add to 80, 90, 100, 110, and 120. The first year, people didn’t know or understand what was going on. The second year, we had 1,600 teams!”

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Pot of Gold Roping, Scottsdale, Arizona

PHOTO COURTESY RICHARD MAYFIELD

CLOCKWISE: JAY ELLERMAN AND BOBBY HARRIS; JESSE ODOM, BOB MATHEWS, LEVI GARCIA, AND RICHARD MAYFIELD; GENE RAY WARD AND KEN LUMAN; ODOM, BOB ARNOLD, BABE HALLER, AND MAYFIELD; CURRY AND LUMAN; ODOM, DICK YATES, BRONC CURRY, AND MAYFIELD

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PHOTO COURTESY COLLEEN WATSON AND BIRD FAMILY

PHOTO COURTESY RICHARD MAYFIELD

B

ut team roping’s perfect storm developed over the Valley of the Sun in the early 1990s. Denny Gentry rolled out his number system with the development of the United States Team Roping Championship in 1990, addressing problems that Riley and others across the country faced with an uneven playing field. In an instant, the retired ranchers and businessmen flocking to the warm Arizona weather suddenly had a place to play.

“When the state lines opened up, and all the states could come together because of the handicapping system, it gave people a place to rope,” Gentry said. “Ron Treat, and Riley before him, were the forerunners to the whole snowbird thing.”

Riley passed away in 1992, and Treat and his brother inherited the family business. Treat bought out his brother and hatched a plan to grow the business and the sport there outside Cave Creek.

“I had an idea that I had to make friends with Denny and figure out how I could do the Arizona deals for the USTRC,” Treat said. “We became good friends, and we did a lot of things together. He and I went back to the Eastern Regional Finals one year to help them, and we came up with the idea of the affiliate program, and we started it at Dynamite. We did a lot of things like that and tried them there.

We found out what I was dealing with— the snowbirds were coming down; people were figuring out that’s where to be in the winter. It was more of the Gold-Plus clientele.”

Treat was a perfectionist about his productions—from the cattle he leased to the score to the numbering of ropers—and it paid dividends. He helped build the popular Lasso del Sol USTRC qualifier every New Years in Scottsdale and the Pine Country Classic over Labor Day, drawing in ropers from across the country to play in the sun. Eventually, others took notice and added on roping after roping, anywhere they could fit an arena.

“We put on a great big USTRC roping, and that’s what got it started,” Gentry remembered of the USTRC’s early days in Arizona. “They thought we were crazy with that high-dollar entry fee, and it ex-

ploded the USTRC. Because there were so many people there from all over, the word got out fast. Ronnie did about five or six months at Dynamite, then three or four big USTRC ropings throughout the year. That really got it going.”

J

ust as Treat was taking over the reins at Dynamite and growing it into the Goliath it is today, Montana’s Beaver Bird, a rancher and Indian National Finals Rodeo qualifier in the calf roping, had grown sick of the cold. He had lots of brothers to help with the family ranch in Cut Bank, so he picked up with his wife, Judy, and headed to Wickenburg—which at the time prided itself in its title of the dude ranch capital of the

world.

Bird took a job at the Wickenburg Inn, a dude ranch owned by celebrity host Merv Griffith, Jr. He had lots of rancher buddies who’d also moved to Arizona, and they were all driving over an hour to Riley’s Dynamite Arena in Cave Creek.

“They talked Merv into building an arena out there, and they started putting on ropings in 1992,” Brad Smith, Beaver’s son-in-law who helped him with his book work, said. “They were good old boys who’d come rope, mostly locals. They just got bigger and bigger, but eventually the inn closed.”

Though the dude ranching market was shrinking, Bird knew the roping market was on the rise. So he started building Beaver’s Horse World Arena on Recon Road, and began putting on his ever-popular #10 drawpot, over-40 roping every Tuesday, and an all-ages day every Saturday.

“It was just friends and your word in Wickenburg back then,” Bird’s daughter, DeeDee Smith, said. “Dad had lots of northern people coming to rope—friends from Montana, Oregon, Washington, Canada. They all became our great friends and family. It got to where, even though there were other producers in town, they wouldn’t touch Tuesdays because that was Beaver’s day.”

nother Montana native by the name of Ty Yost popped onto the Wickenburg roping scene in the mid-1990s, with experience putting on ropings from Montana to the Dakotas.

Yost, who’d been putting on ropings at his parents’ arena since he was a freshman in college, was working in construction in the Phoenix area and needed to break in cattle for some of his northern ropings, so he started producing some jackpots at the Gilbert Rodeo Grounds in 1997. Eventually, he branched out to having popular Thursday night ropings at Dunn’s Arena in Litchfield Park, and then at the Wickenburg Rodeo Grounds.

“Back in the day, it was more of a gentlemen’s sport there in Arizona,” Yost remembered. “It was a social thing. If you went to a US roping and won $3,500,

A

TOP: BEAVER BIRD WATCHES A STEER AT ONE OF HIS JACKPOTS; A BUCKLE FROM ONE OF BIRD’S ICONIC THANKSGIVING ROPINGS, STILL PUT ON BY HIS FAMILY AT DOWNTOWN ARENA EACH YEAR.

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E REE

DY

E RE

RO

O

1986

2006

that was huge.”

After a decade of putting on jackpots and building a following at Dunn’s, one fateful trip to fencing contractor Ty Grantham’s Wickenburg shop changed the course of Arizona team roping.

“Ty and I didn’t really know each other then,” Yost remembered. “I had just moved to Wickenburg, and he drove me down to look at the field that would become Rancho Rio. It was a steep entry way, and the weeds were over the hood of the truck. And he just said, ‘Let’s put a roping arena here.’”

“I saw that opportunity,” Grantham added. “And if you’re going to do it, you go into business with the best, and that was Ty Yost.”

That was 2010, and Yost and Grantham, with the backing of friend Bob Crosthwaite, went to work clearing the property for Rancho Rio. In 2011, the crown jewel of Arizona team roping opened its gates, hosting events as part of Yost’s National Team Roping Tour and World Series of Team Roping qualifiers, as well as barrel races and other outside events.

“It’s evolved to more of a professional jackpotting scene,” Yost said. “We see more of the gamblers turn out. You’ll have ropings with 60 teams that pay $8,000.

Denny Gentry changed the whole landscape.”

Rancho Rio now hosts 27,000 teams annually, with some 60 ropings scheduled in December alone. Its success has helped usher in a golden age of roping in Wickenburg, while Dynamite Arena, now also under the ownership of Yost Events, hosts another 25,000 teams over its fourand-a-half month season. Both arenas, like most in Arizona, cater to the 50-andup age group, and host specialty ropings throughout the season. The Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce says that the city has 10,000 residents year round, swelling to 14,500 in the winter months—many of them team ropers—with even more traveling in and out of the city thanks to Rancho Rio and the other arenas popping up every year.

PHOTOS COURTESY RON TREAT

1973

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T

he creation of a little roping in Las Vegas called the World Series of Team Roping Finale did more for roping in Arizona than many may realize. Thousands of ropers annually migrate across the Southwest, from Texas through New Mexico and Arizona and on to Vegas, allowing for an explosion in jackpotting along the way.

“With that multi-million-dollar roping next door, ropers coming to and from Vegas helped explode everything down there,” Gentry said. “Now all those guys are coming through the greater Phoenix area on their way to Las Vegas, driving that market even more. They’re giving away a million dollars the week before the Finale.”

In fact, Rancho Rio in Wickenburg paid out some $1.3 million at its Viva Las Vegas Wickenburg, which this year will run Dec. 3 through Dec. 11.

PHOTOS COURTESY RON TREAT

PHOTOS COURTESY RON TREAT

T

he forces of supply and demand work their wonders on the team roping market, and year after year, new arenas and new producers roll out the red carpet for ropers with hopes of striking it rich.

“Every year there are 10 or 15 new arenas that pop up, and every year there are just as many that go broke,” Gentry said. “People think it’s easy pickings, but the ropers are loyal to certain arenas and producers.”

Yost has proved his staying power and acquired Dynamite Arena in 2018 from Bryan Beaver and Kami and Daren Peterson, giving his Yost Events a huge share of the Arizona market. His NTR Finals, held in early March and paired with The Horse Sale at Rancho Rio, have increased Yost and Grantham’s brand value even more.

“The season down here is getting longer and longer,” Yost said. “Our NTR Finals used to be in February, and now ropers are staying to go to them in March. People get a taste of the weather, and some are coming down in October. It’s just something that’s great to be a part of.” n

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: JIM RILEY; ALLEN BACH; RILEY BEFORE A TEAM ROPING; MIKE BRASHEAR LEADING A CRAPS GAME AFTER A JACKPOT AT DYNAMITE ARENA.

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Women Warriors Who Make Winter in Arizona Work

By Kendra Santos There’s a saying that, “Behind every good man is a great woman.” It takes two to team rope, and in a lot of cases ropers migrate to Arizona—a.k.a Wintertime Roping Paradise—two by two.

Some of these women warriors rope. Others are there to simply enjoy the good company of the team roper in their life, and also make the most of all the sunny winter fun and festivities the Grand Canyon State has to offer, be it golfing, shopping, sightseeing, or last—but certainly not least—cheerleading at the ropings.

KENNY AND MICHELLE REEVES, FOUNDERS OF THE REEVES FOUNDATION, AT THEIR PRICE CANYON RANCH IN SOUTHERN ARIZONA.

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Many of these women have spent a lifetime standing by their team roping man, and it’s hard, less-than-glamorous work at times. They set up camp in the trailer or RV they call home for their Arizona stay. They keep those small quarters tidy, the clothes clean (manure stains and all), and food on the table—oftentimes setting extra places at the table for roping buddies who stop in unexpectedly to eat and visit.

Wintering in Arizona takes on a life of its own, and there’s a huge herd of wonderful women who help make it happen without a hitch. Whether in the support role of wing-woman—out legging up her husband’s young horse in the desert or mucking a few stalls while he runs some practice steers—or out golfing or enjoying a spa day with the girls, they always seem to be smiling.

These roping-world wonder women bring their wintertime neighborhoods to life. One of many such spots is in tiny Wittmann, Arizona, just a few miles from Wickenburg. Talk about a cowboy community. Two of the wintertime tenants on Restin Road are Bill and Pat Spratt, and Ozzie and Judy Gillum. A rock’s throw across the way, you’ll find the likes of brothers Brady and Riley Minor, and their wives, Ashley and Jordan, over on Leisure Lane.

COFFEE CENTRAL “There are 14 arenas in our little neighborhood,” Judy said. “You can stand on our (second-story) porch, and see several arenas going at the same time. The weather is user friendly, and the horse activities here are endless. If you aren’t into roping, there are team pennings, sortings, mounted shootings, competitive trail rides, and huge barrel races. All kinds of clinicians come here in the wintertime to help people with their horses and horsemanship. Arizona’s just a hub for all equine activity—team roping included, but so much more.”

On any given morning as the sun’s

coming up, you’re likely to find Bill and Brady drinking coffee with Ozzie in the cozy living room that overlooks the Gillums’ arena, which is also a regular stopping spot for the likes of Judy and Ozzie’s adopted sons Jake Barnes and Clay O’Brien Cooper. Ozzie starts the first pot of coffee at about 4 a.m.

“When I get up at 6, I refill it,” Judy said. “We usually go through three 12cup pots of coffee each morning. You never know who might show up, so I never know if I’m cooking for one, 10, or 20. But of course everyone is welcome.

We always make it work.”

That’s how roping women roll. Judy Wales Gillum is the daughter of the late Roy Wales and sister to the late Jimbo Wales. She and Ozzie summer in Williams, Arizona, from May to October, and winter in Wittmann, from October to May. “We follow the good weather,” Judy said. “Williams is at 7,000 feet, so it’s cooler in the summertime. And Wittmann’s warmer in the wintertime.”

Judy’s roped all her life. She put herself through college at Arizona State University in Tempe on a rodeo scholarship, but not until convincing her dad that girls really can rope. She started running barrels and ribbon roping at 6, but it took twice that many years until seventh grade to get Roy to give his girl a shot at what would become her passion. “(ProRodeo Hall of Famer) John Miller was staying with us at our place in Queen Creek at that time, and I would sneak out when he was roping the dummy so he could teach me how to do it,” Judy remembers gratefully. “John finally asked my dad, ‘If Judy can rope the dummy 100 times without missing, will you let her rope on Neatwood?’ Neatwood was a really renowned rodeo horse at that time—by Driftwood, of course.

“My dad just laughed at first. But one day I got off of the school bus, and John hollered at me to come out to the barn.

He had it all set up with my dad, and

TOP: JAKE BARNES, LEFT, AND CLAY O’BRIEN COOPER, RIGHT, HAVE CAMPED WITH JUDY GILLUM AND HER HUSBAND, OZZIE, SINCE THEY WERE MERE YOUNG BUCKS. CENTER: JENNIE SPRATT IN THE WINNER’S CIRCLE WITH BRODY PETERSON IN BILLINGS, MONTANA, LAST SUMMER. BOTTOM: CAROL NICHOL HAS BEEN CHEERING ON HUSBAND CECIL FOR 60 YEARS NOW, AND HAS RAISED A LOT OF TEAM ROPERS.

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TOP: JUDY GILLUM, WHO WAS TAUGHT TO ROPE BY PRORODEO HALL OF FAMER JOHN MILLER, SPINS ONE. BOTTOM: JENNIE SPRATT IN HOT PURSUIT OF ANOTHER TEAM ROPING WIN.

I roped that dummy 100 times. That’s when my dad really got behind me and my roping.”

At 16, ProRodeo Hall of Famer Clay O moved in with the Wales family in Queen Creek. Clay and his partner in seven gold buckles, Jake, became part of the Wales and Gillum families way back when, and when the Gillums used to spend the springtime in the original Cowboy Capital of the World in Oakdale, California—and Jake, Clay, and other cowboys rodeoed out of trucks and Capri Campers—Jake and Clay each had his own room at Judy and Ozzie’s.

Jake and Clay still camp with the Gillums when they’re anywhere near Wittmann, and they bring their friends.

“When Jake started roping with Junior

(Nogueira), he brought Junior into the circle,” Judy said. “Junior will stay here some again this winter, including before the NFR. Ozzie sometimes sets up an NFR arena inside our arena, and the neighborhood really gets to hopping. Jake and Clay, the Minor boys—a lot of guys have come to get warmed up for Vegas.”

Judy has her specialties in the kitchen, and her roping-world-renowned tacos cannot be beat. Jake holds the Judy-tacos record at seven, and fellow World Champion Header Aaron Tsinigine is second in line at five. After breakfast dishes are done, Judy typically heads to the arena to practice, or loads up and goes to a roping with the guys.

“Even at my age (65), I still feel very competitive, because of my number (she’s a #3 at both ends),” said Judy, who helps a lot of horses via equine therapy using Young Living Essential Oils and Bemer Therapy Equipment. “I feel like I have a good chance, and that makes it fun. All the friends we make thanks to roping is unreal. It’s unbelievable how broad my roping and rodeo family is. One day I was

driving to Texas, and I was thinking about all the people along the way that I could call if I broke down or needed a place to stop with the horses. That’s pretty special, and it’s all because of roping.

“Arizona has just become a winter roping mecca. There are so many different arenas—probably eight—where people can rope every day, and for a $100 entry fee you can win over $1,000. The payoffs are amazing, and you cannot beat the Arizona weather in the wintertime.”

THE MATRIARCH Carol Nichol of Cottonwood, California, has never picked up a rope. But the roping matriarch has been front and center for 60 years while her husband of 58 of those years, Cecil, was roping up a storm.

This crew is thick with ropers, including Cecil and Carol’s son, Bob Nichol; sonin-law Jeff Davis; grandson and National Finals Rodeo heeler Justin Davis; son-inlaw Allen Gill; and grandson Brody Gill.

“Cecil and I went together a couple years before we got married, so I had a taste of it, and knew what I was getting

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into,” Carol laughs. “Cecil loves to rope, but the best part for both of us is the lifelong friends. We’ve spent a couple months in Arizona for over 20 years now—generally January and February—and it’s good to get out of the rain, and for Cecil to get to be somewhere with so many ropings that time of year. There’s not much going on in the wintertime at home.

“It’s like an annual reunion when we get back to the Spratts’ place (where they set up housekeeping) every winter,” Carol said. “We basically have the same couples there in camp every year, and it’s always fun to see them. We see people in Arizona that we don’t get to see otherwise, and it’s great to get to catch up.

“Cecil practices every morning there at Bill’s, then we’ll go to lunch, and play some golf in the afternoon. He’ll sometimes play cards in the evenings, or we’ll go to dinner and a movie with another couple from camp. Sometimes us ladies who don’t rope go golf without the guys. That trailer we stay in gets really small, so we tend to go out to eat a lot. We’ve all done our share of cooking over the years, and it’s good to get out. There are a lot of good places to eat around there in Arizona. Or we sometimes have barbecues and potlucks in camp. We definitely don’t go hungry.

“The best part of going to Arizona every winter for me is pretty much getting to

do what I want to do. I’ve been retired for several years now, and it’s nice to just relax and enjoy life. Good friends. Good golf. Good food. Roping has never been my thing, but it’s his. I understand that, and I enjoy watching and visiting. We all have a good time.”

WINTER WARM-UP Jennie Spratt is Bill and Pat’s daughter-in-law, and Cecil and Carol’s SprattCamp neighbor. Jennie and her husband of 30 years, T.J. Spratt, work hard yearround running the family ranch near Lysite, Wyoming, alongside their daughter, Coralee. So they don’t have a set annual stay in Arizona.

“When we don’t have anyone to hold down the fort at home, it’s just not possible to get away,” Jennie said. “We go to Arizona every chance we get. We camp in an old fifth-wheel trailer, but it’s just so nice to thaw out and get warm.”

She’s a #4-plus header, and he’s a #4plus header and a #4 heeler.

“The reason we team rope is so we can rope together,” Jennie smiled. “He has to rope with me, and I don’t rope with anybody else. That’s just the way it is.

“We get to Arizona as often as we can to hang with family and enjoy the weather. We see people in Arizona that I haven’t seen since I was a kid in Montana.

It’s a great, big roping reunion, and it’s so much fun.”

Jennie grew up a breakaway roper, and T.J. roped calves and steer roped in his prime.

“When we got too old to be competitive in those, we took up team roping,” Jennie said. “And wow, it’s way tougher than it looks.”

Jennie and T.J. are relative late-comers to the annual Arizona winter team roping party.

“We only started spending time in Arizona about the last five years,” she said. “It only takes us two eight-hour days of driving to get to paradise. The first time we went, it was like, ‘Why haven’t we been doing this forever?’ At home, it’s cold and windy all the time. In Arizona, it’s 70 degrees every day, the wind doesn’t blow, and there are no bugs.

“And the shopping in Arizona is amazing. I’m a second-hand store junky. I don’t need a darn thing, but just like to see if I can go find something cool. I also like old jewelry. My favorite is old Indian jewelry.

“Arizona in the wintertime is like a fairytale world. When you get there, you don’t have a care in the world. We don’t even watch the news or turn on the radio when we’re there. All that enters your mind is, ‘My goodness, what a beautiful day. I think I’ll rope.’” n CAROL NICHOL IS THE MATRIARCH OF ONE GREAT ROPING AND RODEO FAMILY.

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Desert Caballeros Western Museum . . . 38

Ride Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Don Compton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Roper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CV4

Downtown Arena. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CV3

Sands Kia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Dynamite Horseman Supply . . . . . . . . . . 23

Soft Ride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

JOIN TODAY! (800) 844 -1409 www.usrider.org

Custom Handbags & Accessories Jodi Edwards

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WHY DO YOU ROPE?

I rope as a hobby, but you can win so much money. It’s something I can do with my husband, Tanner Luttrell, and my family. We live in Marana, and we’re neighbors with the Potters and Sherry [Cervi] and Cory [Petska]. I like the culture here because there’s so much going on. It’s the best place to rope. In the fall and the winter, I tend to mainly team rope. I run barrels at the ProRodeos in the summer and rope at the World Series. All the horses I ride and compete on are horses we’ve raised, and I do both events on them. It gives them time off of each one, and it gives them something else to do. It makes them better in the long run.

IMPULSE PHOTOGRAPHY

– Erin (Parsons) Luttrell, 5 header; Marana, Arizona

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downtown arena Wickenburg, AZ

Family oriented practices Pamper your horse in one of our 70 available pens Close enough to walk to town *BONUS PERKS* Come rope with Tyler Magnus at Downtown Arena starting Nov 19th!!

Call to reserve a session! 512-940-4786 or 559-250-2210

For full roping flyers & up-to-date info visit

www.ropedowntownaz.com and like & follow us on FaceBook!!

Downtown Arena - 520 N Tegner St, Wickenburg, AZ Mike & Karen Fuller: (559) 250-2210 OR fullerhorses@gmail.com Daily, weekly, monthly rates - Credit cards accepted - Cattle for sale/lease

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