The Roping Pen - April 2016

$4.00

April 2016

Vol. 25 No. 4

25

Check out these features...

THE PATRIOT: YEAR 2!

AMERICAN HAT: TRADITION!

2 • The Roping Pen • April 2016

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 3

As I sit here pondering on what I should share with you all this month, I find myself in the middle of nowhere on a Sunday afternoon, a million miles (it seems) from where I want to be. An obligation has taken me away from my family for a few days, and I’m using this time to reflect on where I am in life and where I want to go. I believe this is good to do every once in a while - a “re-fueling for the soul.” It helps you understand the importance of the little things in life. For me, it’s the chatter of my boys laughing in the background, the smell of my wife’s perfume, the comfort of my house... a million little things that I find myself missing right now. Each thing I’ll cherish when I return.

That may sound like an old cowboy song, but that’s ok. I kind of like those old favorites. Looking at the world today, there may seem to be less and less cowboys. That may be true.

There are very few hands that actually work cattle wearing out a good horse each day. However, I think there are still a lot of folks who have the cowboy spirit running through their blood. They are in every walk of life and every occupation.

What I am talking about are those who carry with them pride, courage, honestly, determination and common sense, which is the image of a cowboy.

These characteristics can be found in a lot of people, but when you find them grouped together in one, you usually find a very successful people. They may not be the richest or the individual that stands out of a crowd, but their lives are usually complete, rounded, and enjoyed. Often times you find companies built on these characteristics as well.

I had the chance to stop by American Hat this past month and visit what is no doubt a working museum. Walking through the manufacturing plant was a different experience and the feeling of history quickly captures your attention when you see 100 year old machines at work making cowboy hats. American Hat’s story is an inspiration to those with dreams and determination. For more on this cowboy history you can read an article in this issue.

You cannot think about these personalities of individuals or companies without thinking about our country. About the fundamental characteristics of a cowboy and how the country was built by those who carried these traits. That brings me to The American event that played out last month. Wow - three years and it continues to grow. The rodeo is not your typical event and it took commitment, courage and determination to establish and continue the event. With three years under its belt, I believe it has nowhere to go but up and over the next several years The American will become one of the largest, most anticipated rodeo events of the year.

In addition, The Patriot event in Fort Worth witnessed its second year success. It too was an awesome event and one that no doubt will continue to grow in the future. The Patriot captured a large audience with multiple events playing out on the grounds of the Will Rogers Facility in Fort Worth. The team roping, barrel race, mounted shooting and the added Jr. calf roping event this year, all went off at the same time, which made the entire event different than any other. Although there are very few ways to put a spin on these events individually, gathering them together under one umbrella was enough to make this event stand out. Without a doubt, The Patriot will continue to grow and pursue it full potential in the coming years. I look forward to see what lies in store for the 2017 event.

It seems I am out of room for the month, and I hope you have a chance to get away this spring and reflect on your blessings and what to focus on in the future, the things that matter. I know I am talking to a lot of who carry that true cowboy spirit and will use that characteristic to find success in life.

Until Next Month, remember ...

Dirt: keep it under your feet...

~Ryan Davis

4 • The Roping Pen • April 2016

Celebrating 25 Years!

Table of Contents Articles & Features 4 Dirt: As I sit here pondering... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan Davis 11 RFD TV’s The American (results on p.44). . . . . Event Recap

T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F. . .

SRA

Southern Rodeo Association AHSRA

Alabama High School Rodeo Association FYRA

12 Florida Championships, Event Recap. . . . . . . . Ben Clements 14 The Patriot: 2nd Year of Success!. . . . . . . . . . . Event Recap 20 Ropers of the Round Table: Hey, Hoss. . . . Stuart Mitchell 21 Down the Line. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stran Smith 24 Pushing the Barrier: Big Changes . . . . . . . . Speed Williams 30 Feature Photo: Pollard & Stewart at the Muddy River Classic

Foothills Youth Rodeo Association

33 Fire It Up Invades Ole Miss!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Event Recap

GHSRA & GJHRA

34 American Hat Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan Davis

Georgia High School Rodeo Association & Georgia Junior High Division NTRL

National Team Roping League NEAFRA

Northeast Arkansas Family Rodeo Association NCHSRA • NCJHRA

44 Rodeo Weekend begins with PBR Iron Cowboy. . . . Recap 46 In the Loop: Travis Graves. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lone Star Ropes 50 Top Tips! Ready... Set... Go! . . . . . . . . . Tips from Bret Beach 52 Protecting Your Investment!. . . . . . . . . . . . Jason Strickland 52 Sweat & Balin’ Twine: Penny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Rhudy 53 Something Told Me.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crystal Lyons 55 Muddy River Classic, Event Recap . . . . . . . . . Ben Clements

North Carolina High School Rodeo Association North Carolina Junior High Rodeo Association

56 The Other Half: Raul the Rooster . . . . . . . . . .Gracie Mae

SCHSRA • SCJHD • SCYRA

57 Events & Advertisers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Index

South Carolina High School Rodeo Association S. Carolina Jr High Div & Youth Rodeo Assoc SWTRA - LA

Southwest Team Roping Association of Louisiana

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ON THE COVER: THE PATRIOT: OPEN YOUNG GUNS WYATT MUGGLI (LANE, OK) TYSON THOMPSON (MUNDAY, TX) PHOTOS BY 3 LAZY J The Roping Pen is published monthly. Subscription rates are $20 per year for standard mail. First class and out of country subscriptions are $36 per year. New advertising should be received by the 10th of the preceding month to appear in next issue. Please call for advertising rates. Material may not be reproduced without permission from publisher. The opinions and views expressed in all editorial materials are those of the writer or person interviewed and are not necessarily those of The Roping Pen. Send all correspondence, change of address, etc. to: The Roping Pen • P O Box 328 • Tijeras, NM 87059

57 Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For Sale & Want Ads

Associations 6+ Southern Rodeo Association ~ SRA 22 Alabama High School Rodeo Assoc ~ AHSRA 25 Southwest Team Roping Assoc of Louisiana ~ SWTRA 26 Foothills Youth Rodeo Association ~ FYRA 27 NE Arkansas Family Rodeo Assoc ~ NEAFRA 28 Georgia HS & Jr Hs Rodeo Assoc ~ GHSRA & GJHSRA 36 South Carolina HS Rodeo Assoc ~ SCHSRA 40+ National Team Roping League ~ NTRL 54 N Carolina High School Rodeo Assoc ~ NCHSRA

Editor: Ryan Davis 505-407-2151 rdavis@theropingpen.com

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The Publication office is located at 28 Rincon Loop in Tijeras, NM. Periodical Postage Paid at Tijeras, NM and additional Mailing offices.

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 5

Extraordinaire!

PRO RODEO CLOWN MIKE

WENTWORTH

T

he SRA hosts entertaining events all across the Southeast. As a premier rodeo association, fans flock to the SRA rodeo arena to see the thrill, spills, victories and defeats that play out on the arena floor. In addition to the action-packed events, the crowds are entertained by rodeo clowns. Rodeo clowns date back to the beginnings of competitive rodeo in the early 1900s, when promoters hired cowboys to entertain the crowd between events or if the competition was delayed. From there, baggy pants became the fashion of these amusing individuals as did the bull fighting protection.

One individual who you can catch upholding this rodeo tradition as a rodeo entertainer is Mike Wentworth. Mike has been a star of the rodeo arena for many years and has perfected over 20 acts that he shares with crowds at over 110 performances every year. He continues to add to his list of performances, not only with new and innovative ideas, but with his family and friends.

Mike is a homegrown southern boy who grew up in Louisville, Kentucky where he started his rodeo entertainment business. From there he landed in Ridge Springs, South Carolina after chasing down and marrying the love of his life, Lindsey Heid. Heid herself is a

rodeo star and a past SRA champion in the breakaway roping. The newlyweds settled in Ridge Springs where they live today, somewhat. They spend many weeks on the road traveling to rodeos, rather than being home.

“I get around a bit,” Mike said. “I spend about 11 months out of the year traveling to rodeos across the country.”

Along with being a rodeo star herself, Lindsey has joined the ranks of entertainer alongside Mike. You can find Mike dragging her out of the crowds at different events throughout his acts and she does rope twirling, pistol spinning and other acts throughout their contracted rodeo events. In addition to their careers in the rodeo arena, the couple enjoys their two children. Chisholm was born in 2011 a couple years after they married. Turning 5-years-old this year he has taken to the rodeo crowds and this will be his debut into the arena as he joins his dad in some of his acts. They recently introduced the newest member of the Wentworth clan in 2014, with a daughter, Hadley. She too is packed into the truck and hauled to rodeos with mom and dad throughout the year.

“I have a pretty cool career,” added Mike. “It allows me to take my family and I can’t think of a better place to raise my kids than the rodeo world.”

With 21 years in the rodeo entertainment business, Mike has seen a lot of arenas from the dirt floor. He has been a SRA card holder for over 15 years, has worked with top producers including the Lone Star Rodeo Company for 14 years. He has won numerous awards including a two-time ‘Clown of the Year’ recipitant in the IPRA and has entertained the crowds at the IFR on two different occasions. He has entertained at the SRA Finals, one that he hopes to be a part of again this year.

“The SRA can compare to any association in the country,” Mike said. “Their Finals are outstanding and one of the best I have had a chance to be a part of. Strawberry is a great president and all of the board members work hard to make the association and the finals one of the best. I hope to be lucky enough to do their Finals again this year.”

So what started out as a guy who enjoyed entertaining the crowds at small rodeos here and there has turned into a career that he would not trade for any other. Mike still does his famous rollover car act at rodeos and has added dog acts, as well as maybe what many remember him by, his ballerina impersonation act. Whatever he pulls out of his big bag of tricks, the crowds continue to enjoy them and as long as they are entertained, Mike will continue to add to his collection and travel the country with his family by his side doing what he enjoys.

Photos provided by SRA & Mike Wentworth

6 • The Roping Pen • April 2016

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 7

Photos Courtesy of Emily Gethke Photography: 519-279-1110

VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.SRARODEO.COM FOR COMPLETE LISTING OF POINT STANDINGS,

SRA 2016 RODEO SCHEDULE • SRA 2016

8 • The Roping Pen • April 2016

INDIVIDUAL RODEO RESULTS & MORE NEWS.

6 RODEO SCHEDULE

2016 POINT STANDINGS as of 3/14/16 • Visit www.srarodeo.com for complete listing of

Point Standings, Individual Rodeo Results and more news.

RANK & NAME...................... POINTS 9 Tyler Willis.................................171.00 10 Joshua Hefner...........................108.00 ALL AROUND COWBOY 1 Daryl Matthews.......................4137.03 TEAM ROPING (HEADER) 2 Chet Kidd.................................1631.52 1 Daryl Matthews.......................3044.25 3 Jacob Dagenhart......................1382.38 2 Will Batchelor..........................1507.70 4 Austin Stewart.........................1092.90 3 Jason Tucker...........................1307.69 5 Garrett Keeter...........................822.27 4 JD Young................................1104.00 5 Chet Kidd.................................1030.32 ALL AROUND COWGIRL 6 Langdon Pleasant.....................997.41 1 Heather Sherrill.......................1877.26 7 Eliott Hooper.............................815.67 2 Kaycee MacGibbon.....................352.40 8 Jacob Dagenhart........................677.50

9 Emery Thibodeaux....................601.02 BAREBACK RIDING 10 Dillon Harrison..........................596.25 1 Harold Miller...........................1588.10 11 Josh Lemaster............................574.08 2 Robert Messer............................787.50 12 Clint Moore................................526.24 3 Nelson Miller.............................239.20

TEAM ROPING (HEELER) SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1 Tyler Kile.................................2130.75 1 Austin Stewart...........................768.90 2 Ross Blakeney.........................1948.70 2 Chance Broadway.....................257.60 3 Clay Futrell.............................1726.44 3 Travis Deal..............................209.76 4 Adam Plyler.............................1302.66 4 Hayden Phipps...........................139.84 5 Ty Lewis....................................815.67 6 Deny Ashley.............................796.72 BULL RIDING 7 Brett Sears................................710.37 1 Wesley Buckner.........................967.50 8 Alex Brooks...............................574.08 2 Tristen Marshall........................607.20 9 Jordan Southern.......................526.24 3 Hunter Rogers...........................603.52 10 Bobby Taylor.............................430.56 4 Eli Miller....................................473.34 11 Heath Leroy...............................389.16 5 John Leinaweaver......................460.35 12 Chad Shepherd..........................287.04 6 Trace Brown...............................455.40

7 Justin Wood...............................452.64 BARREL RACING 8 Bradney Tart..............................387.00 1 Lauren Smith...........................1680.66 9 Shane Carver.............................282.90 2 Rebecca Owens........................1549.30 10 Tripp McKee...............................282.90 3 Heather Sherrill.......................1257.64

4 Hannah Warlick.......................1062.00 CALF ROPING 5 Mary Alice Tuttle........................965.70 1 Cory Kirk................................1803.28 6 Vanessa Madison.......................902.70 2 Dillon Wooten..........................1246.18 7 Brittany Bell.............................799.20 3 Ben Carroll..............................1125.67 8 Mary McGee..............................750.72 4 Daryl Matthews.......................1092.78 9 Lacey Thompson........................722.98 5 Jacob Dagenhart........................704.88 10 Emily Church.............................684.48 6 Garrett Keeter...........................692.55 11 Bronwyn Ashley.........................646.50 7 Robbie Murdock.........................532.50 12 Kenzie Cook..............................632.70 8 Josh Killian................................478.40

9 Thomas Linton...........................345.00 BREAKAWAY ROPING 10 Bradley Bullard..........................345.00 1 Amanda Stewart......................1356.30 11 Earl Bradley..............................289.80 2 Callie Garrison.........................1105.40 12 Jared Garrett.............................237.36 3 Hannah Kirk.............................898.20

4 Lucinda Fletcher........................830.80 STEER WRESTLING 5 Heather Sherrill.........................619.62 1 Will Griffin...............................966.00 6 Kolby Whitesell..........................515.20 2 Chet Kidd..................................601.20 7 Robin Pruitt...............................500.48 3 Brian Barefoot..........................496.80 8 Jamie Ellsworth..........................409.50 4 Hunter Styles.............................472.50 9 Kiley Arrington..........................393.30 5 Bennett Dove.............................432.00 10 Karla Dagenhart........................390.10 6 Robbie Vanholten.......................405.00 11 Kyla Matthews...........................378.00 7 Austin Stewart...........................324.00 12 Hayley Knox..............................375.36 8 Johnny Asher.............................286.20

• ALL FINES AND TURN-OUT FEES MUST BE PAID BEFORE ENTERING A RODEO. • SRA memberships must be purchased prior to rodeo for points to count. Membership applications can be printed from the SRA website & are available for purchase through the SRA office & at SRA first-sanctioned rodeos. You may not be able to purchase a membership at rodeos that are not SRA first-sanctioned rodeos.

• JrSRA, NHSRA & NIRA cards are accepted for rodeo entry.

Unless otherwise noted, Permits are accepted as needed at a cost of $10 per rodeo.

ADD’L RODEO FEES: (unless otherwise noted in listing)

• SRA FIRST-SANCTIONED RODEOS:

• Office Fee: $2 per contestant • Finals Fee: $5 per entry: • Stock Contractor Fee: Amount as listed on rodeo info is per entry (per team in team roping) • IPRA/SRA RODEOS: Finals Fee: $2 per contestant • CES: $8 per contestant

ABBREVIATIONS USED: ADM ADDED MONEY BB BAREBACK RIDING BR BULL RIDING CBA COWGIRLS BKWAY ROPING CBR COWGIRLS BARREL RACING CES CENTRAL ENTRY SYSTEM CR CALF ROPING

CST CENTRAL

STD TIME EF E NTRY FEE EST EASTERN

STD TIME SB SADDLE BRONC RIDING SC S TOCK CHARGE SCF STOCK CONTRACTOR FEE SW STEER WRESTLING TR TEAM ROPING

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 9

10

The American

IOWAN WINS $1.1M & TRIPLE CROWN ••••••••••••••• ARLINGTON, TEXAS FEB. 28, 2016

SUNDELL CELEBRATES!

“I’m always wound up, but I was really wound up when I found out I had that horse,” said Sundell, who was a highschool standout wrestler. He became the first saddle bronc rider to qualify for the NFR from Iowa in 2009, and has made repeat trips to Las Vegas every year since.

Roping Hall-of-Famer Clay O’Brien Cooper, 55, was Derrick Begay’s idol 30 years ago. On Sunday, the pair turned in the fastest time in team roping to earn $100,000 apiece. Begay, 32, from the Navajo Nation in Arizona, had never set foot in AT&T Stadium before Feb. 28, and BEGAY & COOPER CELEBRATE he seldom shows much emotion. But he offered fans one of the biggest smiles to ade Sundell, ever crack his face – twice – on Sunday.

31 of Box“When you’re back home practicing, you imagine holm, Iowa, earned that last steer is for $20 or $100,000, and it’s nice that $1.1 million after it worked out today,” he said. “But the best thing about an eight-second this is the partner I’m roping with – that makes it a lot rodeo ride on Feb. more special.”

28 at AT&T Stadium Cooper of Gardnerville, Nev., was characteristically during RFD-TV’s The humble, saying, “I was just glad to see that steer jump in American, presented my loop.” He referred to RFD-TV’s The American as the

by Polaris Ranger. greatest one-day rodeo in the world.

The nationally Minnesota bareback rider Tanner Aus of Granite Falls televised rodeo anSUNDELL ON STAMPEDE WARRIOR defeated the great world champion Kaycee Feild by just nually invites the a quarter-point to earn $100,000 on the same bronc 10 best professional that Taylor Price rode to win the event last year – Frontier’s athletes in the world to compete for a $1 million purse, but the Showstomper. Incidentally, Feild had just laid his father, Lewis, format also allows a handful of athletes to pay a fee to attempt to rest a week earlier. He brought his father’s saddle to center to qualify throughout the season. A million-dollar bonus was stage in the stadium and dozens of cowboys adorned it with reserved for any qualifier who could beat the best in the world roses while a special music video recorded by Jewel for the ocon Feb. 28. casion played on the jumbo screen.

But Sundell, the 2015 reserve world champion saddle bronc In steer wrestling, Montana’s Ty Erickson took the six-figure rider, was also eligible for the bonus this year – if he could win prize home, while Sarah McDonald of Georgia dominated the his event for a remarkable third straight year as the “Triple barrel racing on her roan mare. The tie-down roping offered Crown” champion. None of the qualifiers could unseat the elite plenty of drama, as well. athletes, and Sundell took home the entire bonus after an epic Hunter Herrin, on a borrowed horse, not only won the first ride of 90.75 points on a Frontier Rodeo bronc named Maple round with a 6-second run, but then came back and bumped Leaf. the man who looked to have a lock on the $100,000 check.

“I think I was born for this place,” said Sundell, who also won Tyson Durfey, who won the American in 2014, had been first to $100,000 at RFD-TV’s The American in AT&T Stadium in 2014 go and clocked in at 6.8 seconds. But Herrin, last out, turned in and again in 2015. “There’s no backing up here; you have to let a heart-thumping 6.7. it all hang out.”

In bull riding, Brazilian Joao Ricardo Vieira of Brazil was Sundell had to sweat the run of fellow Triple Crown conthe lone man to ride his final bull, earning $100,000 for an tender Lisa Lockhart of South Dakota, who also won the pre81.75-point effort. By virtue of staying on his bull for the lonliminary round of her event and looked likely to split Sundell’s gest duration of those who bucked off, North Dakotas Stetson million-dollar windfall. But by less than two-tenths of a second, Lawrence placed second.

Lockhart was edged to second in barrel racing, making Sundell Every event champion also took home nearly $50,000 in the lone bonus winner.

His paycheck of $1.1 million comes close to the $1.4 million it prizes that included new Polaris RANGERs. In addition, The has taken him nine years of professional bronc riding to earn in American paid out more than a half-million dollars through its Semi-Finals and its Contestant Patch Auction in Fort Worth, his career. Sundell recently won the Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier February 17-21. (see all the official results on page 44) Days rodeo on Maple Leaf.

W

photos courtesy of RFD-TV ~ Andy Watson, photographer

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 11

Championships FLORIDA

FEBRUARY

27-28,

2016

J3 Ranch & Arena - Sarasota, FL • Produced by John Johnson & JX2 Productions • Story by Ben Clements he Florida Championships moved south a few years ago and has Hernandez and Zack Holland. Hernandez and Holland also won the found a great home in Sarasota, Florida. The event is produced incentive average.

by Jx2 Productions and takes place at the beautiful J3 Ranch and The Florida Championships came to a close with the #8 Pick/ Arena. This year the event took place February 27-28, 2016.

Draw. The team of Greg Lord and Donnie Hix took first place in the The first roping of the weekend was the #15 Handicap. Travis average with a time of 30.20 seconds on three steers. They won Forman from Dade City, FL and Bradley Massey from Perry, FL $3320, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Secteamed up to win first place in the average. The duo won $1370, ond place was Jesse Mayhew from Catawba, North Carolina and John trophy Gist knives and $6000 in Flex Earnings for roping 3 steers in Schnebly from Daytona Beach, Florida. Third place in the average 31.30 seconds. Second place was Hayden Grant from Bronson, FL was the team of Jodi Gray and Shanan Campbell. and Pedro Maestas from Tome, NM, while third place went to Dorman and heeler Colton Matthews from Lakeland, FL. Next on the books was the #13 Handicap. Mike Sanders from Avon Park, FL and hometown heeler Jay Holmes were the winners of the roping. They caught 4 steers in 37.86 seconds. The win paid them $2356, trophy Gist knives and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings.

Second place was the team of Mitchell Hembree from Danville, AL and Jed Weeks from Wauchula, FL. The third place finishers were Hayden Grand and Bubba Ireland.

In the #12 Division the win of the roping went to the Florida team of Wilbur Durrance and Scott Seiler. They stopped the clock in 37.53 seconds on four steers and thus earned $3282, trophy Gist knives and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Hayden Grant and Colton Matthews. Third place in the roping was the team of Coley Barner from Willard, New Mexico and Tom Clark from Reddick, FL. Durrance and Seiler won the incentive average.

The #12 Gold Plus Division and the 80% payback was a hit among the competitors at the Florida Championships. Mary Ann Brown from Keedysville, Maryland and Jay Holmes were the average champions. They were 35.60 seconds on four steers and pocketed $2394 plus $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Frank Kana and Jed Weeks as they took home $1436 plus $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings for roping two steers in 19.10 seconds. They also won the incentive average and added an additional $1026 to their winnings.

Third place in the main average was Jay Johnson and Tom Clark.

The final roping of the first day was the #11. The team of Alberto Fernandez from Miami, FL and Scott Seiler from Ocala, FL were the winners. They were 36.59 seconds on 4 steers to secure the victory.

They received $2948, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Mary Ann Brown and Kenny Brown with 38.82 seconds on 4 steers. Third place went to Colt Papy and Ryon Springer. Fernandez and Seiler also won the incentive average.

Alex Montero and heeler Colton Matthews were the winners of the #10 Division. They were 41.40 seconds on four steers and won $3424, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Ryon and Will Springer both from Ocala, FL. Colton Matthews and Reece Brown finished in third place. Springer and Springer were the incentive winners.

Scott Seiler struck again in the #10 Gold Plus. This time he was heeling for Brother Campbell from Franklin, Tennessee. The team was 42.40 seconds on four steers to earn $2274 plus $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Deb Raulerson and Nick Hart with a four steer total of 45.63 seconds. Third place went to Deb Raulerson and Seiler. The pair also won the incentive average.

The winners of the #9 Division were from Loxahatchee and Okeechobee, Florida respectively. The win went to Beck Hyslop and Scott Weaver. They won $4580, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place went to Bob Herrington from San Mateo, Florida and Faith John from Punta Gorda, Florida with a time of 64.75 seconds on four steers. They took home $3440 plus $2000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Third place in the average was Juan

T

12 • The Roping Pen • April 2016

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 13

The Patriot: #13 LARI DEE GUY (ABILENE, TX) RENE CERVANTES (JAL, NM)

#12 WILL O'QUINN (FT WORTH, TX) SLICK ROBISON (WEATHERFORD, TX)

#11 BOBBY DOYLE (LEESVILLE, LA) HARVEY MCDANIEL (DEVILLE, LA)

#10 CASEY SPERRY (GILMAN CITY, MO) DONNIE MCNEECE (BETHANY, MO)

#9 MARC SMITH (BALL, LA) DONNIE LEFLETT (BENTON, LA)

14 • The Roping Pen • April 2016

All photos © 3 Lazy J

:2

nd

Year of

Success!

February 22-27, 2016

R

opes, guns, fast horses, cowboy hats and loads of cash were on hand in Fort Worth this year as The Patriot hit the Will Rogers Memorial Center at the end of February. The 5-day event filled the facility as team ropers took to the John Justin building, the barrel racers and mounted shooters raced and shot their way through the Coliseum all the while the youth of rodeo took aim on their calves in the multipurpose arena. Cowboys and cowgirls flocked the streets and alleyways in every nook and cranny of the Will Rogers Memorial Center riding, roping and gunning their way towards a chance to win big!

The wooden planks of old Fort Worth gave a welcoming creak to the many who attended this year’s event. The gathering marked the second year for The Patriot and #12 YOUNG GUNS OPEN YOUNG GUNS TYLER MCGUFFEE (BOSSIER CITY, LA) WYATT MUGGLI (LANE, OK) growth throughout the event. The MASON PITTS (HAUGHTON, LA) TYSON THOMPSON (MUNDAY, TX) Better Barrel Racing event also increased the number of racers who raced through the clover leaf pattern throughout the week. The team roping maxed one of its 175 team divisions and witnessed more ropers in all of the others, there were more mounted shooters riding popping targets throughout the week and the WPRA OPEN ALL GIRL new addition of the Jr. calf roping MEGAN WHITE (ABILENE, TX) saw close to 300 entries. With RFDLORRAINE MORENO (MATHIS, TX) TV’s Semi-Finals playing out up the road at the Fort Worth Stockyards the weekend prior and loads of rodeo enthusiast in town preparing for The American, the Patriot fell right into place sandwiched between the two events and ropers, racers and shooters took full advantage of the

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 15

chance to compete throughout the week.

The team roping was no doubt the crown jewel of The Patriot and Kevin Hall, Producer of the event was excited from day one and throughout the entire event as he watched contestants line the streets and fill the arenas.

“We have been working on this event for a while and too see it come together was exciting,” said Hall. “With the second year now, we feel like the roots are set to have this event continue in Texas and blossom in the future. We are using a proven, demanding format that ropers enjoy and many are saying they like having this type of high quality event close to home.”

Hall was excited to see the #12 division fill, capping out at 175 teams. The event paid out handsomely, topping the week’s events with $278,400 in total cash payout. All of the divisions grew in numbers from last year and every division paid great.

Ropers who enjoy playing the high stakes game of team roping found a great place to do it at The Patriot!

In addition to the #13, #12, #11, #10 and #9 division ropings, The Patriot also opened the door for an All-Girl roping, as well as The Patriot Young Guns ropings. The All-Girl event was featured on Thursday afternoon following the #11 roping and boy did the ladies set them down. From beginning to end, the event was filled with great roping. Thursday also gave way to the first of The Patriot Young Guns Roping. The #12 Young Guns matched the skills of some of the best young ropers in the country and they let it all hang out for their share of the payouts. A lot of money was up for grabs and the youth ropers proved they wanted a taste of victory throughout every round. The Open Young Guns wrapped up on Saturday evening

and like the #12 event, it too was something to watch. With $25,000 guaranteed money, the future of team roping was at its best as these ropers took charge of the roping pen and showed the world what they could do. Not only did the ropers show up to claim their share of the tremendous payouts, the winners of the Open Young Guns earned the very first exemption into the RFD-TV’s American Semi-Finals for 2017!

A total of more than $2.2 million in cash and prizes was awarded at The Patriot this year. In addition to the big money paid out in the team roping, barrel racing, youth calf roping and mounted shooting events, the event also opened the door to a lot of fun. Friday night was a free concert by songwriter/ performer Brice Long and Saturday everyone had a chance to sit back and listen to the true country sounds of Dayrle Singletary. Mixed into the event was the Celebrity shootout where over a dozen celebrities from all walks of life took to the arena floor to shoot it out in a mounted shooting competition. Those entered were auctioned off prior to the event to benefit the Wounded Warriors. Congratulations to second year champion Ben Clements for his quick draw and fast shooting to win the event.

Although the weeks was filled with lots of fun, the name of the game was team roping and several ropers strolled out of Fort Worth a whole lot richer than they did coming in. Starting with the #13 roping it was the team of Lari Dee Guy and Rene Cerventes who topped the Average and was the first to dip into the big payouts. They duo roped four head in 31.53 seconds to win the roping and earn $70,000 in cash!

In the #12 roping that filled to the 175 team capacity this

THE PATRIOT: THE RESULTS...

PATRIOT #13, AVG: 1. Lari Dee Guy (Abilene, TX) / Rene Cervantes (Jal, NM), 31.53, $70,000; 2. Chad Cherry (Guthrie, OK) / Ken Bailey (Okmulgee, OK), 31.98, $33,854; 3. Taylor Mitchell (Midland, TX) / Bobby Simmons (Midland, TX), 33.34, $22,570; 4. Wayne Smith (Dickens, TX) / Jed Middleton (Wolfforth, TX), 33.42, $18,808; 5. Stephen Kinchen (Tickpaw, LA) / Corey Sparks (Coushatta, LA), 33.45, $15,046; 6. Justin Parish (Mineral Wells, TX) / Slick Robison (Weatherford, TX), 33.85, $13,166; 7. Jason B Hughes (Mount Vernon, TX) / Todd Jaggers (Mount Vernon, TX), 33.91, $9,404; 8. Greg Williams (Morrilton, AR) / Eddie Cole (Branch, AR), 34.72, $5,642; 9. Hank Brown (Pleasant Hill, LA) / Corey Sparks (Coushatta, LA), 36.48, $2,000 • 3-HEAD CONSOLATION: 1. Micah Smith (Mc Gregor, TX) / Shawn Vargas (Hico, TX), 23.14, $6,048; 2. Josh Snapp (Midland, TX) / Jake Griffith (Midland, TX), 23.66, $4,536; 3. Shane Williams (Millsap, TX) / Slick Robison (Weatherford, TX), 24.04, $3,024; 4. J R Wood (Sinton, TX) / Shane T Brown (Robstown, TX), 24.05, $1,512; 5. Alex Gilder (Dallas, TX) / Montrel Gilder (Frankston, TX), 24.23, $0 • ROUND 1 FAST TIME: 1. Hank Brown (Pleasant Hill, LA) / Corey Sparks (Coushatta, LA), 5.88, $2,000; 2. Pake Stamper (Mounds, OK) / Adam Wilson (Shawnee, OK), 6.5, $1,600 • ROUND 2 FAST TIME: 1. Doug Watts (Catoosa, OK) / Joel Maker (Tahlequah, OK), 6.09, $2,000; 2. Micah Smith (Mc Gregor, TX) / Jered Hollaway (Decatur, TX), 6.16, $1,600 • SHORT GO FAST TIME: 1. Hank Brown (Pleasant Hill, LA) / Corey Sparks (Coushatta, LA), 5.91, $2,000; 2.

Stephen Kinchen (Tickpaw, LA) / Corey Sparks (Coushatta, LA), 6.37, $1,600 PATRIOT #12, AVG: 1. Will OQuinn (Ft Worth, TX) / Slick Robison (Weatherford, TX), 31.52, $80,000; 2. Eddie Cole (Branch, AR) / Blake Larmon (Jay, OK), 33.52, $36,150; 3. JP Powell (Decatur, TX) / Jered Hollaway (Decatur, TX), 33.59, $26,440; 4. J B Raymond (Center, TX) / Tyler Bach (Mount Vernon, TX), 33.8, $21,590; 5. Kayelen Helton (Stephenville, TX) / Jessy Remsburg (Leighton, AL), 33.94, $19,180; 6. Clayton Fain (Giddings, TX) / Sabian C Walther (Ledbetter, TX), 34.16, $16,770; 7. Mike Eubank (Plantersville, TX) / Johnnie Philipp (Washington, TX), 34.88, $14,360; 8. Kevin Smart (Lampasas, TX) / Hamp Conlan (Lampasas, TX), 37.26, $12,050; 9. Chad Cherry (Guthrie, OK) / Cale Pedersen (Perry, OK), 37.36, $9,640; 10. Hank Brown (Pleasant Hill, LA) / David Porter (Leesville, LA), 37.75, $4,820; 11. Jayme Marcrum (Springtown, TX) / Scott Adrian (Kaufman, TX), 38.45, $2,000; 12. Jeff Schieber (Newkirk, OK) / Dale Simpson (Crescent, OK), 38.52, $2,000 • 3-HEAD CONSOLATION: 1. Stanley Neff (Colorado City, TX) / Cooper Robertson (Perrin, TX), 21.74, $6,402; 2. Brian Gregg (Guthrie, OK) / Ken Bailey (Okmulgee, OK), 22.32, $4,268; 3. Jeff Schieber (Newkirk, OK) / Robby Hull (Burbank, OK), 23.56, $3,298; 4. Tracey Cearley (Montgomery, TX) / Ryan OHearn (Magnolia, TX), 23.7, $2,328; 5. Bubba Paschal (Beaumont, TX) / Brody Bellett (Silsbee, TX), 24.29, $1,746; 6. Chris Perry (Arcadia, LA) / Corey Sparks (Coushatta, LA), 29.63, $1,358 • ROUND 1 FAST TIME: 1. Colton Blair Tate (Cameron, TX) / Jessie Tate (Cameron, TX), 5.31, $2,000; 2. Bubba Paschal (Beaumont, TX) / Brody Bellett (Silsbee, TX), 5.81, $1,500 • ROUND 2 FAST TIME: 1. Clayton Fain (Giddings, TX) / Cody Owens (Mission, TX), 5.69, $2,000; 2. JP Powell (Decatur, TX) / Jered Hollaway (Decatur, TX), 5.76, $1,500 • ROUND 3 FAST TIME: 1. J B Raymond (Center, TX) / Kolby Miller (Salado, TX), 6.76, $2,000; 2. Michael Nash (Marshall, TX) / Daniel Barton (Buckner, AR), 6.9, $1,500 • SHORT GO FAST TIME: 1. JP Powell (Decatur, TX) / Jered Hollaway (Decatur, TX), 7.41, $2,000; 2. Will OQuinn (Ft Worth, TX) / Slick Robison (Weatherford, TX), 7.55, $1,500 PATRIOT #11, AVG: 1. Bobby Doyle (Leesville, LA) / Harvey McDaniel (Deville, LA), 31.67, $76,000; 2. Bo Finley (Weatherford, TX) / Cesar Ornelas (Poolville, TX), 33.28, $37,909; 3. Gary Cripps (Gentry, AR) / Brock Jones (Tupelo, OK), 33.88, $21,061; 4. Sam Scott (Hillman, MN) / Manny Flores (Douglas, AZ), 36.66, $18,854; 5. Aaron Brisbane (Smithville, MO) / Jeremy Michaelis (Mercer, MO), 37.64, $14,743; 6. Brian Kennedy (Jonesville, LA) / David Porter (Leesville, LA), 37.76, $12,636; 7. Bubba Paschal (Beaumont, TX) / David Porter (Leesville, LA), 37.94, $10,530; 8. Jacque Woolman (Llano, TX) / Eric Randle (Moody, TX), 39.1, $8,424; 9. Scott Clark (Gravette, AR) / Jason Obrien (Pineville, MO), 39.59, $6,318; 10. Chris Dawson (Burneyville, OK) / Jay Holmes (Sarasota, FL), 39.86, $4,212; 11. Buddy Bledsoe (Fairfax, OK) / Tyler Pollard (Talala, OK), 40.1, $2,000 • 3-HEAD CONSOLATION: 1. Derrick Crawford (Hermitage, TN) / Chad Roseberry (Puxico, MO), 23.96, $5,581; 2. Brian Gregg (Guthrie, OK) / Leon Stipes (Salina, OK), 23.98, $3,721; 3. David Leeton (Bellville, TX) / Joey Hermes (Sutherland Springs, TX), 24.72, $2,875; 4. Jeremy Ross (Estevan, SK) / Lance Brown (Virden, MB), 29.72, $2,029; 5. Megan White (Abilene, TX) / Randy Lewis (Abilene, TX), 30.85, $1,522; 6. Jim Brinkman (Ericson, NE) / Jon Pudwill (Scotia, NE), 15.54 on 2, $1,184 • ROUND 1 FAST TIME: 1. George Galindo (Godley, TX) / Adrian Galindo (Godley, TX), 6.37, $2,400; 2. James Whitlow (Refugio, TX) / Ronnie Lopez (San Antonio, TX), 7.17, $1,600 • ROUND 2 FAST TIME: 1. Austin Massey (Kingman, KS) / Brandon Farris (Gracemont, OK), 5.8, $2,400; 2. David R Hull (Wilson, OK) / Dave Daube (Ardmore, OK), 6.72, $1,600 • SHORT GO FAST TIME: 1. Aaron Brisbane (Smithville, MO) / Jeremy Michaelis (Mercer, MO), 7.47, $2,400; 2. Brian Kennedy (Jonesville, LA) / David Porter (Leesville, LA), 7.57, $1,600 16 • The Roping Pen • April 2016

year, the team that backed into the box and roped four head faster than any one else included header Quinn OQuinn and his partner Sick Robinson. Their 31.52, 4-head average topped the field and earned them the largest check of the week - $80,000.

A lot of ropers wanted to taste some of this year’s tremendous Patriot payouts. The team of Bobby Doyle and Harvey did just that in the #11 roping winning the average with a quick time of 31.67 seconds ion four head. They finished well in front of the pack and were rewarded with $76,000 in cash.

It was the team of Casey Sperry and Donnie McNeece who took advantage of the payouts in the #10 roping. The team put together four runs in 34.17 seconds, well ahead of the rest of the field to earn a payout of $70,000 in cash.

The last of the big ropings of the week, the #9 was claimed by a team who showed up to prove they had the winning combination. Marc Smith and Donnie Leflett left no questions unanswered as they stopped the clock 4 different times for a combined total of 38.79 seconds. The smoothness and quick times on four head earned the team $71780 in cash.

The Young Guns ropings were tough from beginning to end. In the #12 Young Guns the times were fast throughout each round. The team of Tyler McGuffee and Mason Pitts was the fastest of the youth ropers and finished with a four-head combined time of 28.62 seconds. The team walked away with $20,000 in their pockets. In the Open Young Guns, not only did the winners get an invite to attend the RFD-TV’s SemiFinal event next year, but earned the guaranteed payout of $25,000 in cash. The winning team who roped four-head in 27.05 seconds was Wyatt Muggli and Tyson Thompson. These

two ropers are well on their way to stardom in the roping pen and this was a welcoming invitation to their team roping careers.

The Patriot also hosted a first class all-girls roping where some of the best of the best female ropers in the world congregated to test their skills in the arena. All eyes were on some of the women who have won big events in the past, but in the end it was the team of Megan White and Lorraine Moreno who sailed into the championship circle. They toped four head in 32.24 seconds to claim the win and earned $8,620 .

No doubt the Big Ball came to “Cowtown” this year in the form of The Patriot event. Professional from start to finish, The Patriot adds another great, big money roping to the year long team roping schedule. The staff and accommodations at the Will Rogers Memorial Center were top notch and the city of Fort Worth welcomed the ropers, racers and pistol carrying cowboys and cowgirls throughout the week. The Patriot staff, that included a top of the line secretary personnel, as well as the “Iron man,” Phillip Murrah who flagged the event, as well as the announcers, “pistolero” - Ben Clements and the “latin lover” - Ferron Lucero, who you can always catch on The Final Spin kept the event rolling along. Austin and Cooper Roberts of Robertson Ranch cattle company did a great job with the cattle at the event and all of the hard working staff who worked tirelessly in the stall office and the multiple arenas helped the event run smooth from beginning to end. The door will be opened again for The Patriot next year and ropers can start looking forward to new information on the 2017 event soon!

PATRIOT #10, AVG: 1. Casey Sperry (Gilman City, MO) / Donnie McNeece (Bethany, MO), 34.17, $70,000; 2. Yancy Lamb (Boerne, TX) / Lightning Aguilera (Athens, TX), 38.32, $34,545; 3. David Perry (Avinger, TX) / L T Worley (Whitewright, TX), 39.16, $22,401; 4. David Outlaw (Bonham, TX) / Carra Outlaw (Bonham, TX), 39.34, $16,801; 5. Jerry Bailey (Pauls Valley, OK) / Lance Lagasse (Concordia, KS), 39.82, $14,934; 6. Curtis Grady (Burnet, TX) / Tom Monroe (Elm Mott, TX), 41.06, $13,067; 7. Sam Scott (Hillman, MN) / Rick George (Oktaha, OK), 41.28, $9,334; 8. Jerry Imhoff (Wann, OK) / Kolt Osentowski (Whitman, NE), 41.58, $5,600; 9. Randy Littrell (Stephenville, TX) / Jim Littrell (Kiowa, CO), 41.89, $2,000 • 3-HEAD CONSOLATION: 1. Jake W Ashford (Red Oak, TX) / Tom Monroe (Elm Mott, TX), 22.43, $6,004; 2. Steve AllDay (Shelbyville, KY) / Andrew Kelley (Conway, AR), 23.81, $4,503; 3. Duke Dixon (Nowata, OK) / Tyler Pollard (Talala, OK), 24.33, $3,001; 4. Randy Gaydos (Pleasanton, TX) / Ronnie Lopez (San Antonio, TX), 25.74, $1,500 • ROUND 1 FAST TIME: 1. Chris Fleet (Marlin, TX) / Cody Puttkamer (Marietta, OK), 5.51, $2,140; 2. Shannon Morgan (Coweta, OK) / Jeff Tyler (Haskell, OK), 5.95, $1,430 • ROUND 2 FAST TIME: 1. Darren Ridley (Las Animas, CO) / Kevin Morlan (Las Animas, CO), 6.86, $2,140; 2. Rich Shelton (Jefferson, TX) / Rex Dorman (Henderson, TX), 7.02, $1,430 • SHORT GO FAST TIME: 1. Curtis Grady (Burnet, TX) / Tom Monroe (Elm Mott, TX), 7.82, $2,140; 2. Sam Scott (Hillman, MN) / Coby Littlesoldier (New Town, ND), 8.45, $1,430 PATRIOT #9, AVG: 1. Marc Smith (Ball, LA) / Donnie Leflett (Benton, LA), 38.79, $71,780; 2. Brad Booth (Weatherford, TX) / Matt Martin (Dennis, TX), 42.47, $34,920; 3. Seth Handley (Corrigan, TX) / Johnny Ray Eaton (Corrigan, TX), 43.03, $23,280; 4. Aaron Brisbane (Smithville, MO) / Michael Mapp (Long Point, NSW), 44.1, $19,400; 5. Brian Gregg (Guthrie, OK) / Keith Randolph (Edmond, OK), 44.37, $15,520; 6. Dwayne Turner (Springfield, CO) / Trenton L Turner (Springfield, CO), 44.57, $13,580; 7. Todd Martin (Steelville, MO) / Bruce Barnett (West Plains, MO), 44.84, $9,700; 8. Sarah Brinkman (Ericson, NE) / Jon Pudwill (Scotia, NE), 48.53, $5,820; 9. Noel Nolen (Weatherford, TX) / David Felton (Dennis, TX), 48.66, $2,000 • 3-HEAD CONSOLATION: 1. Jason Lee Farmer (Lorena, TX) / Brandon Jones (Lorena, TX), 26.72, $6,240; 2. James Southerland (Poolville, TX) / Ron Goodwin (Peaster, TX), 29.09, $4,680; 3. Ashton Lindsey (Needville, TX) / Kenneth Atkinson (Richmond, TX), 29.21, $3,120; 4.

Wes Young (Claremore, OK) / Anthony Trimble (Rose, OK), 30.98, $1,560 • ROUND 1 FAST TIME: 1. Duke Dixon (Nowata, OK) / Logan Allen (Ozark, MO), 7.37, $2,200; 2. Michael Bailey (Aurora, TX) / Ron Goodwin (Peaster, TX), 7.64, $1,400 • ROUND 2 FAST TIME: 1. Todd Cole (Pattonville, TX) / Cody Prescott (Floresville, TX), 6.61, $2,200; 2. Chuck Fretwell (Pleasanton, TX) / Brandon Smith (Pleasanton, TX), 7.64, $1,400 • SHORT GO FAST TIME: 1. Todd Martin (Steelville, MO) / Bruce Barnett (West Plains, MO), 7.82, $2,200 2. Brian Gregg (Guthrie, OK) / Keith Randolph (Edmond, OK), 7.91, $1,400 PATRIOT #12 YOUNG GUNS, AVG: 1. Tyler McGuffee (Bossier City, LA) / Mason Pitts (Haughton, LA), 28.62, $20,000; 2. Tyler Hobert (Clearwater, KS) / Ricky Yaussi (Udall, KS), 30.97, $11,644; 3.

Tanner Tomlinson (Angleton, TX) / Cash Duty (Weimar, TX), 31.76, $5,860; 4. Blane Maxwell (Bertrand, MO) / Lane McPheeters (Salem, IN), 31.85, $5,274; 5. Andrew Storey (Cotulla, TX) / Reno Stoebner (Stephenville, TX), 32.32, $4,102; 6. Scooter Tidwell (Azle, TX) / Charlie Davis (Big Sandy, TX), 32.88, $3,516; 7. Garrett Elmore (Springer, OK) / True Lacina (Amarillo, TX), 34.19, $2,930; 8. Ike McBroom (Baskin, LA) / Eric Williams (Bagwell, TX), 34.84, $2,344; 9. Coy Rahlmann (Ellsinore, MO) / Blake Wheeler (Flint, TX), 35.1, $1,758; 10. Coy Rahlmann (Ellsinore, MO) / Mason Pitts (Haughton, LA), 36.63, $1,172 • OVERALL FAST TIME: 1. Blane Maxwell (Bertrand, MO) / Lane McPheeters (Salem, IN), 5.41, $2,000; 2. Laramie Allen (Llano, TX) / Clayton McLaughlin (Burnet, TX), 5.98, $1,000 OPEN YOUNG GUNS, AVG: 1. Wyatt Muggli (Lane, OK) / Tyson Thompson (Munday, TX), 27.05, $25,000; 2. Cooper Lee (Quitman, AR) / Coy Brittain (Rockwall, TX), 27.32, $9,600; 3. Marcus Theriot (Poplarville, MS) / Coleby Payne (Kemp, TX), 29.07, $5,100; 4. Cooper Lee (Quitman, AR) / Jace Harris (Vilonia, AR), 32.34, $3,000; 5. Jarett Freeman (Tolar, TX) / Blake Bentley (Joshua, TX), 34.13, $2,000; 6. Cody Snow (Los Olivos, CA) / Trey Yates (Pueblo, CO), 35.13, $1,000 • ROUND 1 FAST TIME: 1. Cory Clark (Stephenville, TX) / Wesley Thorp (Stephenville, TX), 5.15, $1,000 • ROUND 2 FAST TIME: 1. Cyle Denison (Iowa, LA) / Andrew Hill (Corsicana, TX), 5.22, $1,000 • ROUND 3 FAST TIME: 1. Twister Vinson (Hawley, TX) / Brady Norman (Springer, OK), 4.8, $1,000 • SHORT GO FAST TIME: 1. Cody Snow (Los Olivos, CA) / Trey Yates (Pueblo, CO), 5.73, $1,000 WPRA OPEN ALL GIRL, AVG: 1. Megan White (Abilene, TX) / Lorraine Moreno (Mathis, TX), 32.24, $8,620; 2. Beverly Robbins (Muscle Shoals, AL) / Jessy Remsburg (Leighton, AL), 34.45, $5,172; 3.

Jackie Crawford (Stephenville, TX) / Courtney Small (Welch, OK), 28.51, $3,448; 4. Lari Dee Guy (Abilene, TX) / Whitney Desalvo (Springfield, AR), 36.64, $1,000 • OVERALL FAST TIME: 1. Megan White (Abilene, TX) / Lorraine Moreno (Mathis, TX), 6.79, $576; 2. Jackie Crawford (Stephenville, TX) / Courtney Small (Welch, OK), 7.13, $384 The Magazine for America’s Roper • 17

18 • The Roping Pen • April 2016

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 19

BY STUART MITCHELL

M

Hey, Hoss...

ississippi is not that far away, but the miles he’s traveled are many. He worked public jobs for the railroad, raised a family as good as any.

Horses and cows were part time work and full time fun. Most of the time the work wasn’t fun until all the cows were done.

Life was good in Mississippi but the kids grew up and moved away like so many. His later years were slowing him down but his face would never frown.

His attitude was glowing and his advice was always flowing. He had a lot to say and share; his words would often fill the air.

“Hey Hoss, back when I was young horses were for work and not for fun.”

“Hey Hoss, after I got married I rode for pay and not to play.”

“Hey Hoss, my kids worked fairly well, but not as much as they like to tell.”

“Hey Hoss, the older I get the more I regret; worked hard many years and shed many tears.”

Now life gets shorter the older I get, so many things I’ve not finished yet.

His knowledge of horses was vast and true; I’d have listened more closely if only I knew.

“Don’t lead a horse by the bit. Reins come in pairs. Curry a horse with the direction of his hair. Every time you saddle him check his feet, be careful, thorough and complete.”

Many men have come and gone that made an impact, but “Hoss” few have given more wisdom that stayed intact.

I think of you often with chuckles and smiles. Hey Hoss, I’ll see you when I’ve finished the last of my miles.

20 • The Roping Pen • April 2016

Sat, April 23, 2016 Franklin, Georgia HEARD CO. AG CENTER BOOKS OPEN AT 9am ROPE AT 9:30am

#13 pt - hdcp • $30/man, 4 head #10 slide • $150/roper (draw 5 partners) may enter heading and/or heeling, but only once per end #11 pt - hdcp • $30/man, 4 head #9 pt • $30/man, 4 hd #8 pt / #7 Inc. • $25/man, 3 head • USTRC Regional Flex Earnings to Average Winners of each roping • NTRL National Shootouts to 1st-10th of each roping • Breast Collars awarded to #6 or above #5, #4, #3 or below High Point Roper Cinch Jeans & Shirt Certificate to reserve High Point Roper: #6 or above, #5, #4, and #3 or below 2016 USTRC membership required. Memberships may be purchased at the event. TRIAD numbers only.

For more information, Contact Ed Allen (256)749-0541

www.STSRanch.com

couple of weeks ago, I had an amazing experience with an unbelievable group of people who are changing lives through what they love. Whenever I showed up at Hamilton, TX to teach this school, I knew it would be good, but I had no idea how life changing it as going to be. Equine Champions For Christ was created by Kenny Hague, Jo Hague, and Michael Goertz in early 2008. They all volunteer their time and efforts to come up with some of the best clinics possible. They aren’t the only ones involved. An overwhelming number of volunteers work diligently behind the scenes to make these camps possible. Everything is done with the highest degree of excellence. They do all of this at NO CHARGE to the young people who attend.

E.C.F.C. is such an amazing ministry because it gave me the opportunity to sow life into these boys in and out of the arena. It doesn’t matter if these boys are future world champions or will only rope as a hobby, this clinic gave me a chance to be able to truly help God show each one of these guys their value. Everyone working this clinic wanted these boys to know they have a specific calling and a plan for their life. Students came from all over the United States and Canada, but over the course of three days, formed a camaraderie that couldn’t be explained.

I always tell my students that I will get way more out of the clinic

than they do in one way or another, and once again this rang true. I was truly blessed beyond measure. I usually leave a clinic mentally and physically exhausted, but I left this one motivated and rejuvenated spiritually. I told Kenny to start planning another one for this summer.

Put their website and Facebook page on your radar. The last clinic filled up quickly: equinechampionsforchrist.com God bless, and see you down the line...

Photos courtesy of Stran Smith

A

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 21

W

ell I'm not sure about where you are but spring has definitely arrived in sweet home Alabama! We might have even skipped straight to summer. The AHSRA had a blast competing alongside the AJHSRA in the Garrett Colesium in Montgomery Alabama. We even had a special guest Saturday named Christopher. Christopher is a little boy who absolutely loves rodeo but due to a rare lung disease he has he is unable to travel far, but luckily for us his doctors cleared him to come watch our rodeo! We all wore white in support of lung disease and I was so proud and humbled but certainly not surprised at how well our rodeo family welcomed and encouraged him. To keep up with Christopher's progress, he has a facebook page called "Memory Jars for Christopher" (www.facebook.com/memoriesforcjp). This month the AHSRA will be heading north to Priceville, Alabama on April 9th and 10th. We will be rodeoing alongside the Professional Cowboys Association so be sure to come out and see us for double the rodeo action! I'll be praying for packed stands and good competition! For more information check out AHSRA.org! Good luck and safe travels to everyone on the rodeo road this month. ~ Love always, Miss Lizzy Sexton

PHOTOS FROM THE PENSACOLA RODEO • FEB 27 & 28, 2016

22 • The Roping Pen • April 2016

Photos courtesy of JD Photography

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 23

Big Changes T

here’s lots of big news to share this month. We have recently moved to Center, Texas. I’m working for a man who is building a premier indoor arena where I’ll be able to stay home and teach.

It’s been over ten years since Rich Skelton and I won our last world championships. With the PRCA ruling and all the partner changes, Rich called the other day and asked if I wanted to rope with him at the ERA rodeos.

So, after going to the best roping of the year, the George Strait in Boerne, TX, I went and spent a couple of days practicing with Rich at his new indoor arena. I didn’t do any good at the Strait where I pretty much played dodge ball – I threw my rope and the steers dodged it.

Practicing with Rich again was like old times. I can’t even guess how many steers we’ve roped together in the practice pen. We were a little rusty the first day, but we did make a lot of nice 3-second runs. One of the things I talked about when I voiced over these practice sessions is I totally expect the 3-second barrier to be broken in the couple of years. I look for a 2.7, 2.8 or 2.9 run to take place at some point in the near future.

With the ERA rodeos kicking off in the next few weeks at Redmond, OR, Napa, ID, and Salt Lake City, UT, it’s going to be very exciting to compete at a high level again. By making the move to Center, it’s going to allow me to stay home more and work at my roping which I haven’t gotten to do in some time. Rich and I have talked many, many times about how great it would be to have a tour of rodeos with a finals. I just never thought it would happen during my rodeo career.

As I get more questions about the ERA and how it works, there is one thing I want to say. The contestants attending the rodeos this year were handpicked.

However, at the end of the year the bottom three in each event will be removed and replaced by new contestants who have

24 • The Roping Pen • April 2016

qualified. Those who are dropped off will have to re-qualify. Look for the ERA to publish more information about the qualification system.

Now, it’s back to the one thing I don’t miss about rodeo – the chase of finding head horses. It’s always a battle to try and find the next great head horse. I plan to find a way to allow people to upload videos of head horses for sale. These horses should be broke and be able to stop well, side pass, etc. I will have a series of drills they have to go through to help me determine if we even want to try them and to help save time of trying horses that won’t work.

What’s new with me: One of the big reasons for moving to Center is to be able to stay home and teach more. Over the last few months I had begun to be away teaching private schools more and more.

Both of my kids have decided they would prefer to rope and ride rather than play select ball as they did last year. Hali wants to Junior Rodeo and is interested in running barrels and breakaway roping in addition to team roping.

After spending a weekend at a softball tournament where it was 30 degrees and the wind was blowing 20 M.P.H., Hali’s team won second and each received a small trophy. We were sitting in the truck and Hali looked at that trophy and back at me and said, “Dad there’s not a part of my body that doesn’t hurt.” She had won $1,800 the previous week at a World Series Pick/Draw and I could see the light bulb go on. Gabe won a nice check at the Wildfire Sponsor Roping, so now they’ve both had a taste of winning and are all about roping. There’s no mistake – it’s a dream come true for me and I’m thankful that’s what they want to do.

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 25

Follow us on Facebook! • Check us out online at rodeofyra.com

• • • • • • • • • • • UPCOMING RODEOS • • • • • • • • • • • April 30: J/S 10 am & P/W 7pm •• May 1: P/W 10am & J/S 3pm Latigo Farms • 3472 Hwy 414 • Landrum, SC 29356

July 30: J/S 10am & P/W 7pm •• July 31: P/W 10am & J/S 3pm Cottonwood Arena • 8024 Park Place Rd. • York, SC 29745

May 21: J/S 10am & P/W 7pm •• May 22: P/W 10am & J/S 3pm Stockman Farms •4507 Callison Hwy • Troy, SC 29848

Aug 20: J/S 10am & P/W 7pm •• Aug 21: P/W 10am & J/S 3pm Stockman Farms •4507 Callison Hwy • Troy, SC 29848

June 11: J/S 10 am & P/W 7pm •• June 12: P/W 10am & J/S 3pm Latigo Farms • 3472 Hwy 414 • Landrum, SC 29356

Sept 3: J/S 10am & P/W 7pm • Sept 4: P/W 10am & J/S 3pm Sugar Ridge Arena • 481 Sugar Ridge Rd. • Inman, SC 29349

FINALS: OCT 28-30 • TIMES TBA • DOUBLE J ARENA • 501 LOCKABY RD • PENDLETON, SC 29670 • DOUBLEJBARRELHORSES.COM

TEALLYREIN GRAY FROM UNION, SC AGE 4 • PEE WEE DIV. EVENTS: BARRELS POLES, GOAT TYING, & MUTTON BUSTING HORSE’S NAME: GIRLY PARENTS: WILL & JONI GRAY

Favorite event & why: Goat tying. She's tried tie goats since before she could walk and constantly played with goat strings.

Most memorable moment in FYRA: Goat tying all by herself & carrying her flag in grand entry.

Most successful moment at FYRA: She started Foothills Youth rodeo at 17 months old in all 4 events. At age 3, she started doing her patterns solo.

Future plans: When she gets older she wants to be a rodeo queen.

26 • The Roping Pen • April 2016

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FYRA & DONNA FARMER

GET READY FOR OUR FIRST RODEO...

April 8 & 9 Forest City, Arkansas!

Check out our Facebook page for future dates & details on upcoming rodeos! www.facebook.com • Search "North East Arkansas Family Rodeo Association" PHOTO COURTESY OF NEAFRA

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 27

GHSRA & GJHSRA

T

he March Rodeo was a blast it was held in Franklin, Georgia where we previously had our first rodeo of the season. I think I can speak for most people when I say we really enjoyed the nice barn and hookups. Qualifying for reining Cow Horse was also in Franklin. We also had a successful cake auction all the money raised goes to are senior scholarship fund.

If anyone has any suggestions for fundraisers please let me know. GHSRA is not just about helping kids succeed in Rodeo it’s also about teaching life lessons and getting a good start in life after High School. That’s why it’s so important we do the best we can to help raise money for senior scholarships. Lastly but surely not least thank you to everyone who helped make these rodeos possible.

Claire Waldrop Student Secretary

28 • The Roping Pen • April 2016

Photos courtesy of JD Photography

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 29

Jake Pollard & Cole Stewart #11 DIVISION WINNERS

MUDDY RIVER CLASSIC • FEB 12-14, 2016 Agricenter Show Place Arena - Memphis, Tenn Photo by C Bar C Photography – Valerie Ford 30

31

32 • The Roping Pen • April 2016

FIRE IT UP

Invades Ole Miss!

HATTIESBURG, MISSISSIPPI

W

MARCH 5-6, 2016

hat a beautiful weekend for….ROPING, of course! Hattiesburg, Mississippi once again proved that the ropers will come.

Beautiful weather, generous pay-out, tons of prizes, family, and friends; what more could you ask for?

Starting off our weekend was the #7, where we gave away plenty of cash, saddles, buckles, breast collars, and spurs all the way down to 6th place. Keith Bond and Tyler Ladner took home the top honors with a 24.93 on 3. Then we went right into our #8 saddle blowout. And oh boy, did the ropers show up! Over 500 hundred teams showed up to compete for those beautifully tooled, Cactus saddles.

Chris Kolb and Charles Ray Polk were the big winners with a 36.60 on 4. Finishing out our saddle winners were Michael Polk/ Jimmy Ford, JJ Mccaskill /Charles Ray Polk, Chelsea Gainey/ Todd Morris, and Marcus Jones/ Shawn Stringer. We didn’t stop there. Breast collars and spurs were given all the way to 10th place. That ended out our day; one in which we ran over 700 teams out the boxes.

Starting our Sunday morning, was the #9 roping, where Jay Mccaskill and Bryce Graves took #1 with a 34.37 on 4, giving them cash and saddles. Cash, buckles, breast collars, and spurs were still carried out through 5th place. Then on to our #10 trailer roping. Ryan Persick and Nick Gonzales III wrapped this one up with a 26.14 on 4 to bag themselves a pretty hefty payout and saddles.

Cash, buckles, and breast collars carried through to 5th place, and 6th-10th earned themselves nice sets of trophy spurs. Garrett Jackson was the big winner of the day taking home some cash, prizes, the high point trailer, and some definite bragging rights! Way to go, Garrett. To finish our day out, we had the #12, 80% payback roping. Michael Shows and Tyler Pierson took home the win in this one with a 34.13 on 4.

As always, we want to thank the ropers for coming out and supporting us. We strive to put on the best ropings we can, and give back as much as we can, and be as fair as we can. We couldn’t do what we love doing without the support of you! We hope to see you down the road. Until then, hold on to this: Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer ~ Romans 12:12.

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 33

...history in the making!

CENTURY PLUS… HISTORY… & PUSHING INTO THE FUTURE

T

he American Hat Company is more than a hat company, it is a company that has endured the times, pushed through devastating circumstances and is one of today’s leading cowboy hat manufacturers. More than that, the company is still manufacturing hats the same way, by hand, one at a time, like they have for decades in the past.

Walking through the factory in Bowie, Texas is all but a step back in time. The factory is a working museum and if you get a chance to visit the hands-on approach, it is worth it. This is one of the many things that makes American Hats unique and their quality unmatched.

American Hat Company was started 101 years ago just outside of Houston, Texas.

Sam Silver, with his grandson Bubba Silver started and operated the company for many years before selling to Bill and Billie George who continued to run the company over several decades. In the 90’s a gentleman, Keith Maddox agreed to buy the company for 10-million dollars. A lot of money to gather, Maddox who had become a legend in the western apparel sales industry came back 60 days later ready for the purchase.

However, at that point the owners decided not to sell, but instead handed the company off to their kids to continue the operation.

Maddox, who some say has a fetish for quality cowboy hats, was disappointed at the time, however, the door that seemed closed was not slammed shut, and through the years creaked back open. The George family struggled to maintain the operation of the company and in 2003 filed bankrupt-

cy. With the now bank-owned company, with a history of making cowboy hats for some of the most famous individuals in the western industry facing closer, Maddox walked into the bank, cash in hand, and a determination to maneuver the company back into the mainstream of the western industry.

Maddox went to work improving the conditions of the company. With years of sales knowledge in his corner, determination and grit burned in his soul, he soon realized the humid conditions just outside the Houston area was no place for the hat company. In the same year he bought the company, he moved the manufacturing, including the historic hat blocks and other equipment to its present day location in Bowie, Texas, just north of Fort Worth.

The story does not end there with Maddox riding off into the sunset. However, the hat company that was known for many years for its Bangora style straw hats, with the rain-resistant finish, as well as its maxi-felt, pink, red and green hats that were in style throughout the 70’s and 80’s hit another derailment. This crashing blow almost devastated the company.

In 2005 a range fire swept over the Texas plains scorching everything in sight. Bowie, Texas was in its path and with a stockpile of hat bodies in rail cars parked outside the relatively new headquarters, the fire swept in and never looked back. A total of 13.5 million hat bodies were lost in a single day.

The loss was all but the end to the company who was in its early years of re-structure.

Maddox dug in and without slowing down,

KEITH MADDOX started out as a young salesman for Hyer Boots, a boot company that rose out of the plains of Kansas and was soon one of the most sought after boots of the American West. Maddox helped push the Hyer brand until he stepped over to the famed Tony Llama boot company. It was with Tony Llama where Maddox made a name for himself. With charisma, charm and knowledge, Maddox was soon known as the “Sky King.” This because he traveled to many of his clients, coast to coast in his personal plane. Maddox stood out among the company as one of the highest earning salesmen and played a role in driving the western wear industry into all four corners of the country. The “Sky King” made a name for himself in the hat business even prior to buying American Hat Company. He owned and operated a custom cowboy hat store in the Stockyard area of Fort Worth.

Two decades there and then on to the ownership of American Hat company, Maddox has had a mix of accomplishments to his credit and looks to be on to another one as American Hat is one of the most respected cowboy hat companies in the country.

34 • The Roping Pen • April 2016

YEP – KEEP THE “X” TO THE BACK. Inside cowboy hats are the ribbons that many think are placed inside to help remind them which way to wear the hat. However, there is history behind the “X” or bow inside today’s cowboy hats according to Keith Mudee at American Hat there are two reasonable explanations of the ribbon formed into the “X” in cowboy hats. 1: The “X” resembles the skull and crossbones. For many years hats were finished using mercury which as we know today makes people sick. It is also the reason we have the expression – “Mad as a hatter.” 2: Originally, the inside of a hat had a ribbon that went around the inside of the sweatband. This ribbon could be drawn up to make the hat smaller or let loose to make it bigger. The ribbon was tied together at the back of the hat in a bow.

ees who are always well-dressed in sport coats and fine cowboys hats to assist their customers. Helping them buy the quality hat that serves their needs and getting them shaped to their specifications.

The American Hat has endured highs and lows, seen overwhelming dedication, suror letting anyone of his employees go, he drives the brand and quality of their prod- vived natural disasters and have offered a gathered his troops and went back to work. ucts ahead. Their focus is to make a world product that is trusted by many is on a path Spending every wooden nickel he could dig class hat affordable for everyone. The prices of success. The last several years has seen a up, breaking into his retirement, his 401K, of their hats range to allow buyers to find substantial progress to the company, thanks to the hard work of the employees in the as well as loans from friends and family, he the best hat for their money.

You can only find American Hats at re- factory, as well as their marketing approach. literally brought the company back from the Keith Mundee has ashes.

FAMOUS CUSTOMERS You can find many of today’s top rodeo athletes, as well as many of the past legends in the rodeo arena spent the last sevToday you can find wearing American Hats. Tuf Cooper, JW Harris, JB Mauney, Tyson Durfey are just a few of today’s top rodeo stars wearing American eral years helping the American Hat Hats. Those who wore the trusted name in the past include – Freckles Brown and Jim Shoulders. You can also find The American operate brand at almost every Hat name on the recently founded “BFO” Bull Fighters Only athletes. In addition to the famed heads of the rodeo arena covered market, western retail store by American Hat, their products can also be found among stars such as Kid Rock and Pherrell Williams. The American Hat company and lend his supacross the country. also headlined the well-known movie, Urban Cowboy where John Travolta starred as a modern day cowboy hero in the 1980 film. port to his friend Keith Maddox to The name is becommove American Hat into the future. Mundee, ing more and more recognized throughout tail stores and cannot buy directly from the the world of cowboys and cowgirls today as company. That is unless you head to one of like Maddox has seen tremendous sucthe best cowboy hat you can buy. You can the few trade shows the company attends. cess in the western-wear industry and has find the American Hat brand from coast to Many who have shopped at one of the sev- helped implement many ideas to promote coast, Canada, Italy and France. American eral trade shows during the NFR can’t miss American Hat. With two great minds and Hat Company is proud of their history and the American Hat Company booth. Usually the combined grit to make even great betthe fact that their hats are made in the USA. surrounded by cowboys and cowgirls of all ter, the duo, mixed along with several othThe company exists because of the hard different ages, the congestion is usually in- ers who are industry strong leaders, the hat work and determination of not only the man tegrated with several American Hat employ- company is well on its way to the top. behind the name, but the many employees FRIENDS TO COWBOYS American Hat Company is the proud sponsor of several rodeo’s and different associations including: IFYR who steam, stitch, sand, sew, box and deliver (International Finals Youth Rodeo), NLBRA (National Little Britches Rodeo Association), NHSRA (National High School Rodeo Association), every hat. Their company motto of “Bigger NRS Event Center and the NTRL. “I am proud to be a part of American Hats,” said John Johnson, owner of the NTRL. “They is not better – Better is better!” is one that are making big strides in the youth competitors of today and their hats are phenomenal. They make a great quality hat.”

All photos courtesy of American Hat The Magazine for America’s Roper • 35

The Impact of Rodeo A

s the spring season is underway, to promote an upcoming rodeo one of the rodeo producers asked alumni of the SCHSRA to tell where they are now, and the stories have been so interesting and heartwarming. As a parent of one of the alumni and a parent of a current member, I was touched by each story and the impact participating in rodeo has had each person’s life.

Although my dad was from the Lone Star state of Texas, I did not grow up as a part of a rodeo family. I wasn’t around horses and to this day, I have only ridden a horse five times in my life.

Having competed in rodeo and being an excellent horseman himself, my husband was instrumental in getting two of our daughters to compete in rodeo events. I must admit that there were times when I worried for their safety and I was always glad when they could shave some time off their events. It was easier for me to hold my breath. But during the years when Katie competed and now as Jini competes, I have come to realize what a wonderful impact rodeo has had on us as a family and as an association. Rodeo isn’t just a sport it is a way of life with a philosophy that can lead us wherever life takes us.

The rodeo cowboys and cowgirls are expected to practice and prepare on their own time and at their own expense. Although they belong to a team, each event is an individual sport, so the friendships they forge must be able to withstand the competition they have between one another. Within the arena, each cowboy or cowgirl is a fierce competitor, but within minutes of finishing events, these same competitors are hanging out as friends, cheering each one another to hang on until the buzzer, or offering a pat on the back when a tie didn’t make the time. They live by the cowboy code and to kids who come to see them, they are viewed as heroes from a time long past. No other sport makes you dress like John Wayne, but they live it and they love it. That is apparent.

In all of the accounts given by the alumni, they credited rodeo with giving them direction, courage, responsibility, and most of all friendships that are still a part of their lives. They gave credit to the many adults who worked within the association for being wonderful role models and for giving of their time to run this association. All of them compared SCHSRA to being a family. And we are a family that supports each member during the good and the hard times through faith, hope and prayer. After all, once rodeo season starts we see each other more than we usually see our homes as we travel and camp together almost every weekend through state finals.

So here’s to you, SCHSRA alumni! Thanks for reminding us what a great sport rodeo is and for reminding us what an impact it has on the future of those currently competing. Here’s to you who once were cowboys and cowgirls and who are now veterinarians, teachers, linemen, farriers, and bookkeepers.

We were proud of you then and we are still proud of you as you continue to live by the cowboy code and represent us well.

Rodeo life----Live it! Love it!

~ J Justice

36 • The Roping Pen • April 2016

& Junior and Youth Divisions •

HS Rodeo Schedule • April 8 & 9 @ Lowrys, SC

Hosted by the Chester County Sheriff’s Foundation

April 16 @ Lumberton, NC RCH 2 rounds only

April 22 & 23 @ Aiken, SC All other Program Sponsorships Due

May 6 & 7 @ Iva, SC May 13 & 14 @ Marietta, SC May 20 & 21 @ Lumberton, NC Cutting Finals Fri Night ~ RCH Finals on Sat Queen/Princess Contest on Saturday

May 26-28 @ Clemson, SC STATE FINALS

July 17 @ Gillette, Wyoming NATIONAL HS FINALS

•

JH Rodeo Schedule • April 23 @Aiken, SC

11:00 am ~ All Other Program Sponsorships Due

May 14 @ Marietta, SC 11:00 am

May 21 @ Lumberton, NC Princess contest only

May 27-28 @ Clemson, SC STATE FINALS

June 19-25 @ Lebannon, TN NATIONAL JR HS FINALS

•

Youth Schedule •

Call-In Mon night before the rodeo, 7–9 pm to Tara Howell Crisp 803-504-4106.

No late call-Ins accepted

April 9 @ Lowrys, SC

Lowrys Park @ Noon • All Program Sponsorships Due

May 7 @ Iva, SC

Crescent High School FFA •12 Noon

37

38 • The Roping Pen • April 2016

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 39

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The Magazine for America’s Roper • 41

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The Magazine for America’s Roper • 43

FRIDAY NIGHT • FEBRUARY 27, 2016 Photo By: Andy Watson/BullStockMedia.com

Rodeo Weekend in Arlington, Texas began with the

PBR Choctaw Casino Iron Cowboy

B

Before 35,000 cheering fans at AT&T Stadium on Saturday, Shane Proctor emerged from the world’s Top 40 Professional Bull Riders to win the 2nd PBR Major of the 2016 Built Ford Tough Series season, the Choctaw Casino Iron Cowboy powered by Kawasaki and brought to fans locally by Sonic.

Not only did Proctor take home $115,625 as the winner, he earned 885 world standings pts which moved him from No. 8 to the No. 1 position in the PBR world standings.

“People had written me off after my shoulder surgeries a couple of years ago, and they didn’t know how I would come back,” Proctor said. “But I’ve been working really hard, and

while I don’t think I’m 100 percent, I’m working towards that and when I get to 100 percent, who knows what can happen.”

Proctor went 3-for-4 on the night and was the only rider to cover his bull in the 4th and final round, sealing his victory with an 81.5-pt ride on DaNutso (D&H Cattle Co.).

As the 2nd of 4 majors, the Iron Cowboy included a unique format, awarding increased pts and prize money to its winners. Proctor also had a chance to win the $25,000 Bad Boy Mowers Bonus when he drew the Bad Boy Mowers Bounty Bull Asteroid (Dakota Rodeo-Berger/ Struve) in Round 2. Proctor bucked off the 2012 PBR World Champion Bull in 3.68 sec., and the $25,000 will carry over to the next PBR Major: The Last Cowboy Standing, during Helldorado Days in Las Vegas on May 13-15.

By taking over the No. 1 spot in the world, Proctor unseated his brother-in-law J.B. Mauney, the 2x reigning PBR World Champion.

Mauney bucked off War Party (BMC Bucking Bulls/Jeff Robinson) in 1.85

sec. in Round 1, & fell to No. 2 in the rankings.

“J.B. was one of the first to come and congratulate me,” Proctor said.

“And as long as the check makes its way back east [to North Carolina], it’s all good.”

Joao Ricardo Vieira, the 2013 PBR Rookie of the Year, earned the 2ndplace finish in the Iron Cowboy with a total of 180 pts. He earned 55 pts with a tie for 3rd place in Round 1, and 125 pts with his 1st place finish in Round 3. Vieira, the 2x defending Iron Cowboy champion, lasted just 3.92 sec. atop Midnight Train (Gene Owen/J.A.R.S. Bucking Bulls) during his final out of the night in Round 4.

Guilherme Marchi, the 2008 PBR World Champ, finished in 3rd place with a total of 125 pts, which he earned by winning Round 1 with an 87.5-pt ride on Rebel Yell (Hadley Cattle Co.) Marchi advanced to Round 3, but was bucked off by Walk Off (Jeff Robinson) in 6.87 sec. during a re-ride, which prevented him from advancing to Round 4.

Rubens Barbosa finished in 4th place with 98.3 pts. He earned 23.3

pts for a 5th- place tie in Round 1, and 75 pts for his 2nd place finish in Round 3. American Hustle (D&H Cattle Co.) dispatched Barbosa in 3.56 sec. in the final round.

Finishing 5th was the only other rider to advance to Round 4, Fabiano Vieira. Vieira earned 73.3 pts on the night.

Jared Allen’s Pro Bull Team’s Air Time earned the Salem Nationalease High-Marked Bull award in Arlington with a bull score of 45.5 pts out of 50, tossing Marchi in Round 2 in 1.93 sec.

The Choctaw Casino Iron Cowboy powered by Kawasaki is the 8th event on the 2016 PBR BFTS schedule. The season will consist of 26 stops, traveling to such cities as Chicago, New York, Anaheim, California, and Nashville. It will culminate in the PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals in Las Vegas on Nov. 2-6 when the 2016 PBR World Champion, the bull rider who earns the most world standings pts during the season, will receive the coveted World Championship belt buckle and $1 million bonus.

Official results from RFD-TV’s The American presented by Polaris RANGER •February 28, 2016

BAREBACK RIDING: Preliminary Round: 1. Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa, DeMoss, Heflin, La., 80; 6. CoBurn Bradshaw, Beaver, Utah, 80.25; 7. Heith DeMoss, Heflin, 86.25 points on Calgary Stampede’s Trail Dust; 2. RC Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif., 85.25; La., 80; 8. Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M., 79.25; 9. Rusty Wright, Milford, Utah, 79; 10. Wyatt 3. Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn., 83.75; 4. Kaycee Feild, Spanish Fork, Utah, 83.5; 5.

Casper, Balko, Okla., 78.75; 11. Clay Elliott, Nanton, Alberta, 78.25; 12. Joey Sonnier, New Austin Foss, Terrebonne, Ore., 82.25; 6. Winn Ratliff, Leesville, La., 82.25; 7. Steven Dent, Liberia, La., 72. SHOOTOUT ROUND: 1. Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa, 90.75 points, Mullen, Neb., 81.75; 8. Jake Vold, Ponoka, Alberta, 81.25; 9. Tyler Nelson, Victor, Idaho, Frontier’s Maple Leaf, $100,000 plus $1,000,000 bonus; 2. Jake Wright, Milford, Utah, 81.25; 10. Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas, 80; 11. Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D., 76; 12. Evan Jayne, 87.75, $25,000.

Marseille, France, 56. SHOOTOUT ROUND: 1. Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn., 88.50

points on Frontier’s Showstomper, $100,000; 2. Kaycee Field, Spanish Fork, Utah, 88.25, TIE DOWN ROPING: Preliminary Round: 1. Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla., $25,000.

6.8 seconds; 2. Cory Solomon, Prairie View, Texas, 7.14; 3. Justin Maass, Giddings, Texas,

7.42; 4. Tyson Durfey, Savannah, Mo., 7.48; 5. Cooper Matthews, Cleburne, Texas, 7.53; 6.

TEAM ROPING: Preliminary Round: 1. Derrick Begay, Seba Dalkai, Ariz./Clay Fred Whitfield, Hockley, Texas, 7.76; 7. Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas, 7.88; 8. Braxton O’Brien Cooper, Gardnerville, Nev., 3.85 seconds; 2. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas/Patrick Laughlin, Westlake, La., 8.02; 9. 10. Monty Lewis, Hereford, Texas, 8.83; 10. Taylor Santos, Smith, Lipan, Texas, 4.01; 3. David Key, Stephenville, Texas/Dugan Kelly, Paso Robles, Creston, Calif., 9.07; 11. Matt Shiozawa, Chubbock, Idaho, 9.85; 12. Caleb Smidt, Bellville, Calif., 4.09; 4. Blaine Vick, Dublin, Texas/Dakota Kirchenschlager, Stephenville, Texas, 4.2; Texas, 11.11; 13. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, 11.51; 14. Randall Carlisle, Athens, La., 5. Nick Sartain, Yukon, Okla./Cory Petska, Marana, Ariz., 4.33; 6. Chad Masters, Cedar 12.49; 15. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 17.09; 16. Sterling Smith, Stephenville, Texas, 17.70.

Hill, Tenn./Travis Graves, Jay, Okla., 4.42; 7. Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla./Kory Koontz, SHOOTOUT ROUND: 1. Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla., 6.77 seconds, $100,000; 2.

Stephenville, Texas, 4.64; 8. Jake Barnes, Scottsdale, Ariz./Rich Skelton, Llano, Texas, 5.32; Tyson Durfey, Savannah, Mo., 6.86 seconds, $25,000.

9. Colby Lovell, Madisonville, Texas/Kollin VonAhn, Blanchard, Okla., 13.74. SHOOTOUT ROUND: 1. Derrick Begay, Seba Dalkai, Ariz./Clay O’Brien Cooper, Gardnerville, Nev., BARREL RACING: Preliminary Round: 1. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 14.552 4.56 seconds, $100,000; 2. David Key, Stephenville, Texas/Dugan Kelly, Paso Robles, Calif., seconds; 2. Jackie Ganter, Abilene, Texas, 14.571; 3. Sarah Rose McDonald, Brunswick, Ga., 4.94, $25,000.

14.594; 4. Callie DuPerier, Boerne, Texas, 14.664; 5. Dustin Angelle, St. Gabriel, La., 14.768;

6. Taylor Jacob, Carmine, Texas, 14.791; 7. Fallon Taylor, Whitesboro, Texas, 14.799; 8. Mary STEER WRESTLING: Preliminary Round: 1. Cody Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta, Smothers, Sinton, Texas, 14.846; 9. Cassidy Kruse, Gillette, Wyo., 14.868; 10. Sherry Cervi, 4.10 seconds; 2. Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont., 4.12; 3. Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev., 4.35; Marana, Ariz., 14.876; 11. Ashley Schafer, Yoder, Wyo., 14.892; 12. Kelli Barichello, Kenne4. Casey Martin, Sulphur, La., 4.39; 5. Clayton Hass, Terrell, Texas. 4.41; 6. K.C. Jones, wick, Wash., 14.897; 13. Michele McLeod, Whitesboro, Texas, 14.910; 14. Jessica Dunbar, Del Decatur, Texas, 4.50; 7. Todd Suhn, Hermosa, SD., 4.83; 8. Bray Armes, Pilot Point, Texas, Rio, Texas, 14.919; 15. Rylee Jo Dick, Oakley, Utah, 14.919; 16. McKenzie Morgan, Maryville, 5.8; 9. Justin Shaffer, Hallsville, Texas, 6.08; 10. Lee Graves, Calgary, Alberta, 6.43; 11. Olin Tenn., 15.259; 17. Derek Diedrich, Goose Lake, Iowa, 15.768; 18. Nancy Hunter, Neola, Hannum, Malad, Idaho, 8.19; 12. Baylor Roche, Trementon, Utah, 9.12; 13. Trevor Knowles, Utah, 19.60; 19. Sabrina Ketcham, Yeso, N.M., 20.22; 20. Lindsay Sears, Nanton, Alberta, Mount Vernon, Ore., 14.91; 14. Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif., 15.2; SHOOTOUT 20.172. SHOOTOUT ROUND: 1. Sarah Rose McDonald, Brunswick, Ga., 14.470 seconds, ROUND: 1. Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont., 4.80 seconds, $100,000; 2. Cody Cassidy, Donalda, $100,000; 2. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 14.648, $25,000.

Alberta, 7.75, $25,000.

BULL RIDING: Preliminary Round: 1. Stetson Lawrence, Williston, N.D., 85 SADDLE BRONC RIDING: Preliminary Round: 1. Wade Sundell, Boxholm, points; 2. Fabiano Vieira, Perola, Brazil, 83.75; 3. Joao Ricardo Vieira, Soa Paulo, Brazil, Iowa, 85.5 points on Calgary Stampede’s Stampede Warrior; 2. Jake Wright, Milford, Utah, 81.25. SHOOTOUT ROUND: 1. Joao Ricardo Vieira, Soa Paulo, Brazil, 81.75 points, 85.5; 3. Cort Scheer, Elsmere, Neb., 85.25; 4. Jacobs Crawley, Boerne, Texas, 83.25; 5. Cody $100,000; 2. Stetson Lawrence, Williston, N.D., no score, $25,000.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • FEATURE STORY & PHOTOS ON PAGE 11 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 44 • The Roping Pen • April 2016

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 45

TRAVIS GRAVES Travis Graves is preparing for the kick off of the 2016 Elite Rodeo Athletes Championship Tour with partner Chad Masters.

We caught up with Graves in mid March to talk a little about his practice routine and how he plans to add to his $1.2 million in professional earnings as a heeler.

In your normal practice, do you rope a machine or live cattle more and why?

Travis: I always start out my practice session by roping the Drifter by Heel-O-Matic. I like to take this time to really warm up my horses before roping live cattle. I also use this time to work on fundamentals like getting my bottom strand on the ground.

Are there any specific drills on the machine you can share that really help?

I always leave the box, just like a live run. Sometimes I score, sometimes we go to the left and sometimes we go to the right.

It is so nice to be able to set up any run scenario that you need to work on.

What should be the main focus of the average guy in the practice pen? Should you simulate problem areas and work on them?

Travis: I think consistency should be the main focus. Also, try to maintain good position and work on taking high percentage throws.

Is it more important to focus on your horse or your roping when practicing?

Travis: I think a little bit of both is always necessary. You need to work on your horse first and make sure he is scoring

good, running to the steer and getting in the correct position to give you a high percentage shot. You also need to work on your timing and getting your bottom strand on the ground. While roping the Heel-O-Matic, you can work on these, as well as making sure you are holding your slack and dallying correctly.

How many horses do you compete on and how much time do they get in the practice pen?

Travis: I compete on two right now. Manny, my main horse, and Hooey is a younger horse that has really been doing well lately. I rope the Heel-O-Matic and about five steers a day on them.

Living in the Stephenville area, you have a ton of qualified guys around...who do you practice with and how often? Do you rope every day?

Travis: I rope with my partner, Chad Masters, every day. We live about 15 minutes from each other. Some days we will practice in the morning and go to a jackpot in the afternoon.

What drives you the most in competition, winning or trying to improve?

Travis: Winning definitely drives me to try and improve daily. When you win, you feel a sense of recognition for all the hard work you have put into your roping.

You are at the top of your game... are you still learning?

Travis: Absolutely, I never stop learning.

And, your favorite rope from Lone Star Ropes?

Travis: The Shark Extreme, medium hard, from Lone Star Ropes is my rope of choice.

If you’ve got a question or comment for “In The Loop”, submit it to lonestarintheloop@gmail.com.

46 • The Roping Pen • April 2016

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 47

48 • The Roping Pen • April 2016

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 49

READY... SET... GO! • TIPS FROM BRET BEACH

T

his year the world will tune in to watch the 2016 Summer Olympics & many of the events will be in track & field. Running, jumping, & hurdling are just a few of the competitions that offer great entertainment. One thing that’s key to these athletes: the start of the race. Watch how they prepare... getting their feet set in their blocks, fingertips on the line, and anticipating the signal. This is a very important part of the race! If you are not prepared and in the perfect ready position, you may not get the start you need to succeed.

Like a sprinter preparing for the start of the race, same goes for a team roper. Backing into the box & getting ready for the crack of the gate should be the #1 priority... every time. Many ropers may not understand the importance of getting everything ready to go before you call for the steer. On the flip side, many begin their swing too early & may hinder their approach & delivery in a run.

According to Bret Beach, “I don’t see a need for headers take a swing in the box like they are going to come over the chute to rope when they are going to rope them in 8 anyway. I think too many watch the pros in Vegas & other places where the score is very short & they do this. They want to mimic the pros when it should be nod & swing every time – not swing & nod.”

So, when should a roper begin his swing? “I understand headers want to get their swing going, but many times they are not in sync with his horse the first jump out of the box,” said Bret. “It is a 3 step process. You nod, you ride & then you swing. By that time your horse has broke, your left hand should be down & you can use the momentum of the horse moving forward to power your swing. It is a lot easier to swing when you are balanced & much easier for your horse to run when you are balanced as well.”

50 • The Roping Pen • April 2016

That may be it for headers who have the first ability to capture a steer in a run, but what about heelers? It seems heelers have more time to get ready & prepare for a run. “All heelers are different when it comes to getting their swing going,” added Bret.

“Some begin right out of the box while others ride down the arena & don’t pick up their rope until they get closer to their turn to rope. However, I tell heelers - don’t wait too long - especially who have not been roping very long. Many times the heeler will not be ready as they move into the corner if they don’t get their swing up fast enough.”

In addition to getting your rope up, we asked Bret about swing rhythm & delivery. Bret answered. “A lot of people have a pattern, both headers & heeler. They swing 1,2,3, throw or 1,2 throw.

It does not take long for a horse to figure this out & if you get a steer that runs & you need another swing or for a heeler you for some reason need to take one more jump, the horse my quit you or begin stepping out. To fix this you must identify it first. If you are a pattern ‘swing three times & then rope’ type of roper, then change. Start on the ground roping a dummy in different patterns. Swing twice, try once, or even force yourself to swing six, seven, maybe eight times before throwing your loop. You can then move to your horse & really work on changing it up there also so your horse does not become patterned to your swing habits throughout a run.”

TotalTeamRoping.com invites you to take this tip to the roping pen to help improve your game. Anytime you can pick up a thing or two & apply it to your roping, it is good and that is what TotalTeamRoping.com is all about. Read and watch videos and training techniques online, send in your questions of a video of yourself and get something in return that will help you and your roping.

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 51

H

ere we are up and running wide open into to 2016! Can you believe we are through one quarter of this year already?! This month I want to go over some things that have hindered some claims these past few months. So here goes!

Over the past couple of months I have had a couple of claims that were lagging or were having issues that kept the file open. I wanted to drop some information to you guys so that you will not have these issues come up in the event you have a claim.

In the event you have a claim first and foremost call the vet.

Second call is immediately to the 24hr emergency number given to you by your agency. I also suggest you call your agency. They too need to report (to your file) the event for any later occurrences.

This does not mean you can be canceled or would come up as nonrenewable. The following issues need to be reported to your agency regardless of a claim; i.e. cuts, abscesses, colds, temperature changes, etc. Sounds like minor stuff that happens to some horses on a weekly basis however these issues can quickly turn into MAJOR incidents. If it’s been reported it will be easy to start a claim because you were up front and the account was noted. Should you not call about these issues and you file claim one of the first questions will be…”when was the incident or injury first noted?” In the insurance world there is no excuse for late reporting of an incident or injury no matter how small. They can and sometimes will deny claims due to late reporting of these type incidents. It states how you should file in your policy. You have heard

I

PENNY

met Penny in the fall of the year Wifey and I started dating.

Penny’s son played middle school football with the son of one of Wifey’s friends. We hit it off immediately. She had a wonderful personality and was a good sport for my teasing.

I knew from the beginning there was something special about Penny. She always asked me to find her a cowboy. I was reluctant to play matchmaker, for I knew she needed someone who could deal with her insecurities and treat her as she deserved to be treated.

Although we didn’t see each other often, I felt a closeness to her.

Fast forward several years. Scrolling through a social media site, I see a post from Penny asking for prayers in her battle with depression. As someone who had recently been diagnosed with seasonal depression and anxiety, I was concerned for her well-being. I had always been a person of extremes, both highs and lows. I began noticing the highs didn’t go near as high, and the lows were harder to get over. I realized a change and sought help.

After dealing with my issues, I wanted to be there for the people fighting their own battles and help in any way I could. I reached out to Penny. I would call or text, just checking on her. She told me she couldn’t stand being home alone during the day. She had lost her job due to depression, and couldn’t find something to occupy her time. I encouraged her to seek help, and managed to get her to talk with a friend of mine in the mental health business.

52 • The Roping Pen • April 2016

me say numerous times “Read your policy”!

Let’s say you have an incident, you call and report it to the agency as directed, it now has turned worse and you need to file a claim.

You call the vet and the emergency number. Treatment has begun on the horse. The adjuster will ask where the horse is and get the vet’s contact information. They will contact the vet. They should also send you some questions about the claim. Normal routine type questions that are related to your case. I cannot express how much it delays things due to clients not answering information in a timely manner. The entire claim process is slowed down sometimes stalled due to awaiting information from clients. However, if the paperwork is returned within the given time period (which is more than adequate) and you do not hear anything from either party involved I suggest calling the adjuster to see where the case stands. Sometimes your vet can be the hold up. I have seen cases slide right though and be complete within two weeks. Then I have seen some go on for months due to the above reasons. After a certain time period it can be detrimental to the claim for lagging paperwork from you or your vet. This does not mean call every day to see where it’s at. That also is not the way to get things expedited.

Again these reasons are not something you see every day it’s just a couple that stuck out over the last couple of months. I wanted to share them with you so that you are educated on the procedure and hopefully it will be more pleasant in the event you have a claim.

Call me anytime for a quote! I am here to help you guys protect your investment!

See you at the next roping... ~ Jason My friend was able to convince Penny to check herself into a facility. After a couple of weeks, Penny was back home, and back to being lonely. I continued to check in with her. I encouraged her to volunteer and even invited her to come stay with us for a bit.

She kept telling me she would. I started to take a day from work and drive to her town and just sit with her, yet I stayed busy and didn’t get to it.

One day, I texted and called her several times with no response, starting early in the morning. Later that night, I had a post pop up on my news feed that was on Penny’s page. My heart skipped a beat as I called a mutual friend to get clarification on what I had read.

Penny had committed suicide earlier in the day.

I was dumbfounded, although not completely surprised. This had been my greatest fear. My emotions ran the gambit, from guilt for not helping enough, to deep sadness for her only son, a high school senior. I realized Penny had made this decision long before she carried it out, yet that was of little consolation. I beat myself up for not doing more to help.

At her wake there was one of the longest viewing lines I’ve ever seen. I just kept thinking; “Penny, if you could have only realized how special you were to so many.” Yet, even in a crowded room, she was alone.

Folks, we are all fighting our own demons. Some handle it better on their own than others, yet we’re all in this together. Reach out to your friends who show signs of needing a helping hand or shoulder on which to lean. If you are the one in need, do not hesitate to turn to those that care for you, or even a casual acquaintance. Get the help you deserve, and give a hand to those in need. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized the true wealth in our lives are the people for whom we care. Rest in peace, Penny; you were loved by so many, even though you were lost in your own mind. I love and miss you.

Something Told Me...

BY CRYSTAL LYONS

E

ver experience an incident, (usually negative) where after the fact, you think, “something told me…”!? I bet just about ALL of us have a story along those lines! Well, here’s my latest…..

I had been driving for 3 days to get to my next destination and unloading my stud, full of energy, I saddled up Strider. I had a brand new headstall to put on him and the throat latch was too loose. I kept “hearing” I oughta punch more holes in it but each time I did, I always responded by thinking…”yep, I’m gonna do that….just not right now”. After working him out pretty good and he was still on the muscle, I decided to take him down the road to the big complex where I was scheduled to perform the next couple of days. To do so I had to take him down a busy highway and over a two lane bridge. That accomplished, I was enjoying the ride over the acres of clover surrounding the event center and in the process, stopped him to take a picture of the Marquee.

All of a sudden, he turned to walk off and I pulled up the reins only to find nothing there…..he had shook off his bridle…bit and all…and started running 9-0 back towards the barn where all the mares where. I threw my phone in the grass and started yelling “whoa”….to a totally deaf horse. By the time we hit the paved parking lot around the main building, he’s going full speed. His feet started going every direction and how we kept from going totally down on one side, only God knows. By this time I have thought out every scenario and none of them are good!! If we don’t go down while on the parking lot, then he’ll only be able to pick up more

speed once he hits the field between where we were and the busy 2 lane highway. If we don’t get hit by a car, making the turn that it’ll take to line out on the bridge would send us sprawling across blacktop anyway.

I’m not gonna lie…..I was SO SCARED! I was totally helpless in myself to do ANYTHING! I started calling out to Jesus to “STOP THIS HORSE”!! Well, Strider started picking up speed again after our near fall before he hit another place on the pavement where his feet where coming out from under him. He slowed down some but not near slow enough to bail off…and even if I did, that would only save me. The chances of him not getting killed or crippled when hitting the highway were slim! Right at the moment he slowed, I knew in my “knower” that I had to make a move and God would do the rest. I threw myself out of the saddle, hanging on his neck like a monkey on a root wad. He slowed and then stopped and I quickly put his bridle back on…..resisting the INTENSE DESIRE TO KILL HIM!!!

When I got back to the barn I punched more holes in the headstall! All the times I kept hearing that “I oughta”….. was God trying to protect me from a wreck! We HAVE the equipment to hear….we simply don’t PRACTICE paying attention! God IS SPEAKING!! We’re just not always tuned in…..or worse….we choose to disregard what we hear. I spent the rest of the day thanking God for saving me AND my horse from a disaster that could’ve been easily avoided…..if I’d simply acted on what….”Something told me”!

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 53

54 • The Roping Pen • April 2016

MUDDY RIVER CLASSIC

FEBRUARY 12-14, 2016 Agricenter Show Place Arena -- Memphis, Tennessee

Produced by John Johnson & JX2 Productions • Story by Ben Clements

M

emphis, Tennessee is a hotbed for team ropers & team roping activity. John Johnson & the JX2 staff welcomed a collage of team ropers to enjoy some great hospitality & some outstanding team roping competition at this year’s Muddy River Classic.

The Open Division kicked off the weekend & Austin Nettleship & Douglas Rich finished first place in the avg with a time of 51.87 sec on 5 steer to earn $1140. Second went to Cody Warner & Cole Bigbee, who also won the incentive avg.

Tucker Kail & Douglas Rich teamed up to win first place in the #15 Division. They were 26.28 sec on 4 steers & earned $3230, trophy Gist knives & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the roping was Clay Mitchell of Bolivar, Tn & Ty Ferrell from Sikeston, Mo. Third place in the avg was Cody Mills & Jake Pollard.

The winners of the #13 Division was the team of Judd Sanborn of Noxapater, Miss & Cody Warner from Louisville, Miss. They were 27.46 sec on 4 steers & won $5050, trophy Gist knives & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Quentin Sawyer from Whitewater, Missouri & Douglas Rich from Herrick, Ill. They received $3790 & $2000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Third place was the team of Rich & Clayton Nettleship from Paris, Ky. The final roping of the day was the #12 Division. Jared Sullivan & Skylar Reynolds partnered up together to win first place in the avg. They were 31.54 sec on 4 steers to win $4540, trophy Gist knives & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was the team of Trevor Henderson & Cole Curry with a time of 32.47 sec on 4 steers earning them $3030 & $2000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Third place in the avg was Tyler Boatwright & Ryan Pratt. Sullivan & Reynolds won the incentive avg.

The 2nd day of the Classic began with the #12 Gold Plus Division. The team of BJ Guffey from Viola, Ark & Tyler Triplett of Moody, Mo were the champions of the roping. They were 31.51 sec on 4 steers & took home $4500 & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the main avg was Kaleb Boos & Chance Roper. Third place went to Dillon Thweatt of Murray, Ky & Trey Smith from Brookland, Ark. Guffey & Triplett won the incentive.

The winners of the #11 Division were Jake Pollard & Cole Stewart

#10GP

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OPEN

Photos by C Bar C Photography – Valerie Ford

with a time of 32.21 sec on 4 steers. They earned $6230, trophy Gist buckles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the roping went to Cody Burrows & Eric Maloney with a time of 34.56 sec on 4 steers. They received $4150 & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings for their efforts. Third place was the team of Coy Rahlmann & Luke Hinson. Brandon Jarreau & Bart Stallings won the incentive avg.

After the dust settled on the #10, Jerald Bierman from Morton, Mississippi & Brandon Jarreau of Franklinton, Louisiana emerged as the winners. They finished the roping with a time of 33.68 sec on 4 steers & won $7660, trophy Gist buckles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Lauren Myers & Shawn Loehr with a time of 36.12 sec on 4 steers. They took home $5100 & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Third place in the roping was Tyler Holder & Shane Holder. Rob Waltman & Brandon Jarreau won the incentive average.

The final day of the Classic began with the #10 Gold Plus Division.

Mark Corzine of Dongola, Illinois & Brent Menz from Delta, Missouri won the avg by roping 4 steers in 42.68 sec. They earned $5110 & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings.

Second place was Jim Burke from Charleston, Missouri & Kyla McCain from Vilonia, Arkansas.

Third place went to Lauren Myers & Shawn Loehr. Matt Tolbert & Shane Holder took home the incentive avg win.

Morgan Mills & Cole Stewart teamed up to win first in the #9 with 32.22 sec on 4 steers. They took home $7600, trophy Gist buckles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place went to Dan Twisdale & John David Sanders with 36.17 on 4 steers. They received $5060 & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings for their efforts.

Third place was Mark Wedel & Bruce Barnett. The incentive avg was won by Clinton Shultz & Jarrett Lassiter.

The last roping of the weekend was the #8 Pick/Draw & the winners were Drew Fetters & Anthony Fetters. They were 24.84 on 3 steers & won $5410, trophy Gist buckles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Rick Kinnard of Benton, Ms & Chico Williams from Hollandale, Mississippi. Third place went to Morgan Mills & Morgan Brown.

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The Magazine for America’s Roper • 55

THE

Other Half

Raul the Rooster

N

© 2016 The Other Half , Melinda Clements melinda@clements.net

o matter how many times I’ve promised Boss they are all promises I cannot keep. Time after time I’ve promised no more furry or feathery friends. I just cannot help it. My menagerie of animals just seems to grow to spite me.

Therefore, it was no surprise when a bright steel gray and tan rooster showed up at our house. He was beautiful and his plumage was gorgeous. He was big and healthy and Boss swore he had been dropped from heaven. Another one of God’s foster placement plans! Boss just shook his head and headed to the barn. Conversation was pointless.

Now, you might ask what a rooster has to do with team roping? I named him Raul and I think he must have been an Easter chick at one time because he was very gentle, followed me like a dog and ate scratch grain out of my hand. He would even sit on the back of my lawn chair and crow at any given time of the day. If you couldn’t find him all you had to do was holler “Raul” and he would crow to reveal his presence.

It was no surprise to anyone that he would follow me to the barn and to the arena and he would sit on the trough or the hitching rail as we saddled horses. He would get in the trailer and once or twice boogered the horses when we loaded them. It was at that time that Boss put his foot down and said emphatically, “I’m not hauling a **&^^* rooster to the ropings. Go get Raul out of the trailer!”

One particular evening we had friends over to eat and it was only a matter of time before everyone ended up in the arena to rope.

Naturally, Raul tagged along but his newest trick was a real sore spot with Boss. The rooster would sit on the chute above the steer and when the gate banged open he would crow.

“He’s announcing the next roper,” June Bug explained. “He likes to watch us rope. I think he is pretending he is the gate man.” Raul on the roping chute when it was just our crew roping was one thing but Raul on the roping chute gate when we had guest ropers wasn’t a bit okay with Boss or Buzzy.

“It’s embarrassing, Mom,” Buzzy complained. “No ropers have chickens in the roping box or on the chute gate.”

“It’s worse than embarrassing,” Boss echoed. “He desperately needs a new home.”

Anyway, to make a long story short Raul hopped/flew up on the steer chute and took his position. You should have heard Boss’s buddies. They gave him a ribbing and he wasn’t finding much humor in it. When the first team made their run and Raul crowed it brought down the house. The guys were laughing and wondered if he crowed each time the gate banged open. Of course, he did.

Now, I don’t know about the IQ of roosters or the mental makeup of their brain but Raul had the gate banging and the sprint of the steer all figured out. It was all fun and games and pretty soon everyone just kind of accepted Raul sitting there and announcing the start of each run.

The whole thing turned sour when the guys decided to have a little mock roping. You know how it goes; it is the short round at the National Finals of Team Roping or the NFR and you have to have a short five run to win all the money. The guys were serious about their roping and their competitive attitudes had emerged in full form despite it all being fun and games.

Boss rode into the heading box for their last run to win the world.

Donald got in position and they were focused on the best run of their lives. Raul was ready, I was ready and all cameras were rolling (not really although I wished later I had been filming)! Remember,

56 • The Roping Pen • April 2016

Thoughts of a Team Roping Spouse...

by Gracie Mae

it’s all simulation.

Boss nodded and was swinging his rope before his horse cleared the box. It was going to be the ultimate of runs for millions of dollars. What no one anticipated was Boss’s rope catching Raul just as he began to crow. It flipped the rooster off the chute and in an all out effort to save himself Raul put wings in motion to fly.

Now, I don’t know if you know about roosters but they can’t fly for long distances. They are not like eagles or buzzards or crows or even hawks or owls. They can only fly for a short distance, like to hop up on a fence or on a roost or maybe the low limb of a tree branch if it is close to the ground. The distance Raul flew was just right to hit Donald’s horse right in the face just as he broke from the heeling box.

Now, pull this all down to slow motion and picture if you will how this transpired: Raul hits the heeling horse in the face and bounces off the horse’s head to land in Donald’s lap just behind the saddle horn. Donald has his rope in full swing and suddenly is distracted by a rooster in his lap. The horse is boogered, jumps at the rooster’s flight, throws Donald off balance where he loses his rope. He reaches to grab the saddle horn as his horse breaks into and begins to pitch. Donald comes up short of the saddle horn and ends up with a handful of Raul, neck, feathers and beak. All this time, Boss is looking back toward the wreck wondering how it is all going to end. Buzzy hollers, “Hang on Donald!” and Raul is scrambling trying to shake the death hold around his neck. His flapping wings don’t help matters much either and his squawking is an eerie sort of scream.

Talk about a wreck! Fortunately, the horse begins to slow a bit and Donald is able to pull him up before he gets bucked off. This is after dropping his rope and pulling a handful of feathers from Raul’s crown.

You could hear Boss cussing before he ever got back to the box.

He called Raul every name except the one defined as rooster. In the meantime, Raul has decided he doesn’t want to play anymore and is hobbling over toward the gate going to the house. He shuffles and shakes his feathers and makes a weak effort to preen himself. I’m just hoping he is okay.

Boss announced in no uncertain terms we would no longer have a rooster in the arena. Donald was catching his second wind and just pretty proud that he didn’t get bucked off. Needless, to say in this particular scenario our simulation didn’t work out for the guys to win the world. They had failed to place at all in the short go round.

That is certainly no fun at all. What a price to pay!

I promised Boss I would kennel Raul from now on but that wasn’t good enough. I think Boss actually prayed that night that a coyote might get him. Regardless, I don’t have to kennel Raul. He won’t go near the arena after his experience. He will sit on the trailer or on a hay bale and crow when we rope but he doesn’t venture to the steer chute anymore.

I still promise Boss I won’t get any more critters. I still can’t keep that promise. We have Millie, our nanny goat, four cats and seven dogs. And yes, they all follow me to the barn, to the arena and load in the trailer when they are not supposed to.

Yes, it is a zoo and that doesn’t count the steers and the horses.

Yes, it’s true they all have names and are all part of our family.

I’ve always thought team roping was a zoo. I just had no idea how much until Raul the Rooster came to help us rope.

Keep Ropin’ ... Love Gracie

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Contact facility owner, Dr. Taylor 336-918-1083 or Trainer, Dustin Sheppard 336-202-5873 for more information.

KELLEEN'S QUESTION: My head horse keeps breaking at the pin too much.

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RICKEY'S TIP: Two things, make sure you stand your horse straighter in the box and don’t lean on your right leg leaving the box, you can also set a plastic barrel by the chute to make him stay left while practicing.

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ROPING DUMMIES 6/15 Used Hot Heels roping dummy w/ Springer Sled. Please email for additional info: kbrown@tsys.com 2/15 Heel-O-Matic For Sale! Brand New - Straight from the factory.

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Top of the line roping practice machine. See one at heelomtic.com.

Selling for $3100 ($500 off retail). Call 505-259-7975 7/15 - Used Hot Heels for sale or trade for newer version. For info, call 417-214-2063 and ask for Billy.

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Call Frank at 719-661-3077

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Advertisers & Events Index EVENTS: Crossfire Blowout Event...................... 23 Fire It Up............................................ 32 Florida Panahndle Championships....... 48 Mississippi Black Jack Classic............... 42 North Carolina Classic......................... 49 NTRL News & Events........................... 20 OHIO Classic....................................... 51 Perry Bigbee Memorial Roping............ 18 Team Roping USA............................... 39 ADVERTISERS: Adam Toole Horses............................. 53 Albracht Insurance.............................. 53 Allen’s Rodeo Photos............................. 4 Bar H Photography............................... 4 BTuff Jeans.......................................... 6 C Bar C Photography............................. 4 Classic Rope........................................ 38 Corriente Saddle Co............................ 25 FastBack.............................................. 3 Flatland Ropes.................................... 12 FSR Cattle Company............................ 13 Heel-O-Matic...................................... 10 Hot Heels........................................... 12

JD Photography.................................... 4 Jim Davis Photo.................................... 4 Lone Star Ropes.................................. 46 Lubrisyn............................................. 60 Maynard Buckles................................ 20 Mortenson Saddle Buckle.................... 33 NRS................................................... 37 Power Team Roping............................ 57 Priefert.............................................. 58 Rope Smart.................................... 2, 29 Running P Ropes................................ 19 SpeedRoping.com............................... 24 STS Ranchwear................................... 21 Team Equine Saddle Pad..................... 13 Total Equine Feed............................... 59 TotalTeamRoping.com......................... 50 Tres Rios Silver................................... 13 Twisted Spur....................................... 13 Usher Brand Silver & Saddlery............ 27 Willard Rope Co.................................... 7 CALL US TODAY TO FEATURE YOUR EVENT OR PRODUCT! • 505-407-2151 • • rdavis@theropingpen.com •

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