The roping pen august 2016 by Ryan Davis

$4.00

August 2016

Vol. 25 No. 8

2 • THE ROPING PEN • AUGUST 2016

THE MAGAZINE FOR AMERICA’S ROPER • 3

weeks ago I was flipping through Facebook and a post Afew caught my eye called “5 Things I Want My Son to Know.”

With four boys in my house, this was of course something I read. The “5 things" they posted were good, but after reading it, I thought to myself that those 5 things were not the 5 most important things I want my boys to know as they grow and turn into men. With that in mind, I have been thinking about the importance of raising boys and what are the most important aspects of life I want them to know before they leave my house and begin their own adult lives. So I came up with my own list...

HERE ARE 5 THINGS I WANT MY BOYS TO KNOW: RESPECT. This should be number one on every parent's list, but I have found that may not be the case. I want my boys to 1 respect everyone, have a strong handshake, and look everyone

in the eye. From the poorest to the richest, everyone should have your respect until they prove otherwise. BE PROUD OF YOURSELF & YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, BUT DO NOT BRAG. Be a respectful and humble winner 2 and learn from your losses. Life deals a lot of different highs and lows, so know how to accept and handle these times with dignity and respect.

ALWAYS BE HONEST. Even when you know the outcome is going to be painful, be honest and accept it. Honesty will 3 lead you through hard times and will help you gain respect from others. Honesty is, perhaps, one of the greatest testaments of a man.

LOVE HARD AND LOVE LONG. Find a wife that will do the same. Many tough times in life can be overcome when you 4 have someone you can lean on and they can lean on you. Be sure to keep that love alive and do not do anything that may destroy it. Love is the best feeling in the world and to share it with another is something that will keep you moving forward in life.

And one of the final things on this list that I want my boys to understand is HARD WORK. Nothing in life comes easy, and 5 you can’t start at the top. Put your head down, work hard, and good things will come about. When you finally have a chance to look up, you will be miles from where you started. Do not get content, though. Put your head back down and keep working.

There are many other morals I want my boys to know and understand, also. And I know they, like me, will probably have to learn these values by living through them. However, if I can give them a heads up and help them understand what it takes to be a good and honest man, hopefully they'll be able to be even farther along when they are my age, than where I am today.

Dirt: keep it under your feet...

~Ryan Davis

4 • THE ROPING PEN • AUGUST 2016

Celebrating 25 Years!

TABLE OF CONTENTS Articles & Features 4 Dirt: 5 Things I Want My Boys To Know. . . . . . . . . Ryan Davis 10 Eastern Regional Finals, Event Recap. . . . . . . . Ben Clements

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

13 Ropers of the Round Table: Parents. . . . . . . Stuart Mitchell

THE PATRIOT

14 Nat’l Jr. High Champions Crowned . . . . . . . . . Press Release

SRA

16 Protecting Your Investment. . . . . . . . . . . . . Jason Strickland

Southern Rodeo Association

18 Bigbee Event Returns! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Event Recap

AHSRA

22 Remembering Jerome English. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Obituary

Alabama High School Rodeo Association FYRA

Foothills Youth Rodeo Association GHSRA & GJHRA

GA High School Rodeo Association & GA Junior High Division NTRL

26 Pushing the Barrier: Headers & Fundamentals . . Speed Williams 29 N. Alabama Championships, Event Recap . . . Ben Clements 34 The Patriot Elite. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2016 Champs 35 The Patriot Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . News & Updates 36 The Patriot: Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Calendar 42 Florida Panhandle Champ's, Event Recap . . . Ben Clements

National Team Roping League

52 Indiana Classic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ben Clements

NCHSRA • NCJHRA

53 N. Arkansas Classic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ben Clements

North Carolina High School Rodeo Association North Carolina Junior High Rodeo Association SCHSRA • SCJHD • SCYRA

South Carolina High School Rodeo Association S. Carolina Jr High Div & Youth Rodeo Assoc ••••••••••••••• Let us help your Association GROW!

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••••••••••••••• 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

54 In The Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lone Star Ropes 58 Top Tips! Picking Your Mount. . . . . . . . . Tips from Bret Beach 60 Sweat & Balin’ Twine: Gift Horses . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Rhudy 61 Don’t Play Another’s Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crystal Lyons 64 The Other Half: True Test of Marriage . . . . . . . . . . Gracie Mae 65 Classifieds & Index

Associations 6 SRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Southern Rodeo Assocation 24 NCHSRA/NCJHRA. . . . North Carolina HS & JrH Association 28 AHSRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alabama HS Rodeo Association 32 FYRA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Foothills Youth Rodeo Association 44 GHSRA/GJHRA . . . . . . Georgia HS & JrH Rodeo Association 56 NTRL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . National Team Roping League 62 SCHSRA/SCJHD/SCYRA. . . . S Carolina Rodeo Associations

ON THE COVER: North Alabama Championships ~ #15 by C Bar C Photography ~ Valerie Ford

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Editor: Ryan Davis

505-407-2151 • rdavis@theropingpen.com

THE MAGAZINE FOR AMERICA’S ROPER • 5

NOW AND THEN...

he SRA (Southern Rodeo Association) is the oldest rodeo association east of the Mississippi River. Dating back to the mid 50’s when formed, the association, like the sport of rodeo has seen many changes over the years. One thing has stayed constant, that being the top competitors who display their skills in the rodeo arena and take advantage of the great association.

The 2016 season is quickly heading towards its end and many cowboys and cowgirls all across the Southeast are blowing down the highways and byways trying to be among those who will be at the SRA Finals near the end of the year. This event is scheduled for November 4-6 at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center in Ashville, North Carolina. Only the top competitors in each event are invited to the Finals where they will battle it out for the chance to mark their name in SRA history. The 2016 season will conclude at the end of September giving contestants only a few months to guarantee themselves a spot at the Finals. There are a few that are already eyeing championship status as they lead their event. This includes Harold Miller in the bareback riding, Austin Stewart in the saddle bronc riding and Eli Miller in the bull riding. Along with these rough stock competitors, Cory Kirk is at the top of the calf roping, and Joshua Hefner in the steer wrestling. Hefner is in a tough battle with Brian Barefoot who is just over 100 points behind. In the team roping it is Daryl Matthews on the headers side and Adam Plyler on the heeler side. Adam also has some tough competition as Clay Futrell is less than 100 points behind. On the cowgirl side of things Kristen Yde is topping the charts in the barrel racing and Hayley Knox is currently winning the breakaway roping.

6 • THE ROPING PEN • AUGUST 2016

These top competitors are hoping to join an elite fraction of rodeo cowboys and cowgirls who have marked their name in the SRA history books. With 62 years of rodeos there have been a lot of champions, many of whom have earned multiple championships. Cowboys such as Steve Randall, Paul Baker, Harold Miller, Scott Tucker and Charles Hoover

are all past SRA bareback riding champions. Past saddle bronc champions that have been multiple champions include Eddie Parlier and Josh McCaleb in recent years and Charles Atwell and Buddy Altman in years past. Bull riders who have moved through the SRA include JB Mauney and Lee Busque who followed older bull riders such as Chad Snider, JB McLamb and Scott Tucker who were early SRA Champions.

The timed event cowboys of the SRA also have a collection of tough competitors that continued to place their name at the top of the Year-End championship list. Justin Thigpen and Allen Livengood have dominated the calf roping in recent years, much like Anthony Armstrong and Charles Hoover did during their rein at the top of the event. Brad Stewart, Joe Cook, Troy Orr and Donnnie Tyner have swapped claiming the championship over the past 15 years. Before then it was Glenn Jordan, Grahl Phillips, Dan McCary, Jim Bob Stewart and Buddy Kidd who swapped titles throughout the years. In the team roping event history has given way to Robert Lloyd, Jason Tucker, Luke Brown and Stephen Brittnell, all of which have earned SRA year-end championship titles.

For the women of the SRA Laura Kerley and Codi Wallace have been dominant figures in the barrel racing in recent years. They join Pam Bumgarner and Karen Grentham who helped give the ARS champions in the past. The breakaway roping is a relatively new event being added to SRA rodeos in 1995. Winning the title in its first year was Traci Morris who has continued to be a dominant roper, joined in more recent years by Amanda Stewart who has topped the standings several different times. The SRA is well on its way to adding to the long list of champions as the 2016 season closes out. Only a couple more months are left for cowboys and cowgirls to be among those who will have a chance at the titles as they qualify for the 2016 SRA Finals. The event will once again showcase the best rodeo talent in the Southeast making the event one of the best of the year!

CLINT ASKS: Can you go through your focus plan for a heading run? RICKEY'S ANSWER: Turn my horse around, check the steers horns, glance at my partner, set my horse, focus on my steers front end, seeing my start, keep my eyes on his head, seeing his body in the corner, watch my heeler rope him, then time to face.

THE MAGAZINE FOR AMERICAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ROPER â&#x20AC;˘ 7

VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.SRARODEO.COM FOR COMPLETE LISTING OF POINT STANDINGS, IN *Cotton Eyed Joe Buckle **see www.srarodeo.com/m

SRA 2016 RODEO SCHEDULE

8 • THE ROPING PEN • AUGUST 2016

2016 POINT STANDINGS

S R A P O I N T S TA N D I N G S A S O F J U L Y 1 0 T H RANK & NAME................................ POINTS RANK & NAME................................POINTS

NDIVIDUAL RODEO RESULTS & MORE NEWS. Series = must compete in 5 rodeos in series to be eligible. membership for details on rodeos not selling SRA MEMBERSHIPS.

THE MAGAZINE FOR AMERICA’S ROPER • 9

Eastern Reg

he Eastern Regional Finals is a great event for ropers east of the Mississippi River. Team ropers from all over come to enjoy the team roping activities. The event takes place each year at the Tennessee TENNESSEE MILLER COLISEUM - M Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This Photos by Allen’s Rodeo Pho year the event began on July 8, 2016 and ended on July 10th. The first roping of the day was the Open Division. The roping featured 100% payback and featured some of the top teams in the region. Justin Yost from Rices Landing, Pennsylvania teamed #10 SHOOT-OUT CHAMPIONS #11 SHOOT-OUT up with heeler JESSE MAYHEW & NICK HART MICHEAL STOUT & Adam Plyler from Pageland, South Carolina to win first place in the roping. They were 41.95 seconds on five steers and took home $3000 plus trophy Richie ColdSaver Coolers. Second place was Garrett McDonald from Defuniak #13 SHOOT-OUT CHAMPIONS #15 SHOOT-OUT Springs, Florida BEVERLY ROBBINS & CASEY HILLEY CASEY HILLEY & M and Mark Strickland from Dunnellon, Florida. The team also won the incentive average. The #15 was next. First in the Qualifying rounds were Clint Keller and Michael Bratton and second went to Joey Carpenter and Ty Ethridge. In the #15 Shoot Out the win went to Casey Hilley from Winder, Georgia and Michael Bratton from Phenix City, Alabama. They were the high team back and after a run of 7.95 seconds in the short round they finished the roping with a time of 30.69 seconds on four steers. The win gave them $4738, trophy Richie ColdSaver Coolers. Second place was Tyler Boatwright and Ty Ethridge with a time of 32.77 seconds on four steers. Third place went to Garrett McDonald and Jason Garcia. Christopher Stubblefield and Brandon Stubblefield teamed up to win the #13 Qualifying Rounds with a time of 17.63 seconds on two steers. Second place was OPEN CHAMPIONS #10 GOLD PLU Micheal Stout and Billy Lam. In the #13 Shoot Out BevJUSTIN YOST & DAVID G erly Robbins from Muscle Shoals, Alabama and Casey ADAM PLYLER DENVER I Hilley finished in first place. They were 34.50 seconds on four steers and won $6898, trophy Ritchie ColdSave Coolers, and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was David Gaddis and Billy Lam. The third place finishers were Beverly Robbins and Jessy Remsburg. Robbins and Ed Allen won fourth place. The #12 Division was the last roping of the day. Rodney Nelson and Dennis Moore teamed up to win the #12 Qualifying Rounds. Blair Kelley and Jason Myrick were second. Blair Kelley continued with his winning ways in the #12 Shoot Out. He and partner Mike Jones won first place with a time of 34.00 seconds on four steers. The win gave them $9092, trophy Ritchie ColdSaver Coolers and $6000 in

10 • THE ROPING PEN • AUGUST 2016

gional Finals

USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Tyler Boatwright and Ed Allen. They won $6818 plus $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Third place went to Beverly MURFREESBORO, TN • JULY 8-10, 2016 Robbins and Guy Graden. The first roping of the second day of the Eastern otos • Story by Ben Clements Regional Finals was the #12 Gold Plus Division. The roping was a great roping and featured a hundred percent payout. The winners of the roping were Kyle Ware from Henagar, Alabama and Brent Kittle from Woodland, Alabama. The win paid them $9486, T CHAMPIONS #12 SHOOT-OUT CHAMPIONS Resistol straw hats, & RICHARD HALL BLAIR KELLEY & MIKE JONES Tony Lama Boots, Cinch jeans and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place went to Mitchell Hembree and Spunk Sasser. They earned $6324 plus $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Third place was Blair Kelley and Mike Jones. Curtis T CHAMPIONS #9 SHOOT-OUT CHAMPIONS Crumbley and DenMICHAEL BRATTON VALERIE STEPP & BRANDON STEPP ver Ivester won the incentive average. They took home $5134, Classic Equine horse sheets, Classic rope bags, Classic Equine hay bags and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Mitchell Hembree from Danville, Alabama and Mike Jones from Town Creek, Alabama were high team back in the #11 Preliminary. They won the average with a time of 34.27 seconds on four steers. The win paid them $4088, trophy Ritchie ColdSaver Coolers and $8000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Joey Carpenter and Dennis Moore. Third was the team of Tyler Boatwright and Tim Pharr. Crystal Stoker and Mike Jones won the incentive average. The #11 Shoot Out Champions were Micheal Stout from Lebanon, Tennessee and Richard Hall from Clarksville, Tennessee. The team was fifth call back to the short round and won the roping with a time of 36.41 US CHAMPIONS #12 GOLD PLUS CHAMPION seconds on four steers. The earned $8586, trophy MarGADDIS & KYLE WARE & tin saddles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second IVESTER BRENT KITTLE place was Coleman Simmons and Travis Brown both from Wirtz, Virginia with a time of 37.65 seconds on four steers. They took home $5725 plus $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Third place went to David Scheffel and Tom Bowling. The winners of the #10 Preliminary were Steve Cook and Scott Seiler with a time of 38.88 seconds on four steers. They won $5946, trophy Ritchie ColdSaver Coolers and $8000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place went to Marc Koehn and Jacob Brewer with a time of 40.22 seconds on four steers. The win earned $3964 plus $8000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Third place in the average was the team of Cliff

THE MAGAZINE FOR AMERICA’S ROPER • 11

Brewer and Richard Hall. Brewer and Hall also won the incentive average. North Carolina header Jesse Mayhew teamed up with Nick Hart from Florida to win the average of the #10 Shoot Out. The pairing was 33.57 seconds on four steers and earned the top paycheck of $10,114. They also won trophy Martin saddles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Richard Leavitt and Atlee Miller. They were 40.16 seconds on four steers and won $6742 plus $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Third place was Mason Johnson and Guy Graden from Tennessee and Florida respectively. David Gaddis from Canton, Georgia and Denver Ivester from Clarkesville, Georgia were the second call back to the short round of the #10 Gold Plus Division. They were 8.28 seconds on their last steer and finished the roping in first place with a time of 34.37 seconds on four. The win gave them $10,880, Resistol straw hats, Tony Lama Boots, Cinch jeans and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Deb Raulerson from San Mateo, Florida and Dennis Moore from Opp, Alabama. They earned $7254 plus $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. The also won the incentive average and took home an additional $6012, Classic Equine horse sheets, Classic rope bags, Classic Equine hay bags and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Third in the main average was Eliott Hooper and Shane Holder with a time of 38.92 seconds on four steers. In the #9 Preliminary the win went to the team of Cody Graham from Henager, Alabama and Denver Ivester with a time of 35.87 seconds on four steers. They won $5082, trophy Ritchie ColdSaver Coolers, and $8000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Mason Johnson from Piney Flats, Tennessee and Becky Cannizzaro from Folsom, Louisiana as they were 38.85 seconds on four steers. Third place was the team of Cody Graham and Chip Bliss. The incentive winners were Michael Gardisser and Jason Wamba. They won $3302, trophy Gist buckles, plus $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second in the incentive was Graham and Bliss and third was Dylan Elkins and Todd Morris. Both teams also received trophy Gist buckles plus healthy paychecks. Valerie and Brandon Stepp were the champions of the #9 Shoot Out with a time of 35.10 seconds on four steers. The pair came from the second call back position and earned $10,460, trophy Martin saddles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was the team of Clint Bain from Culleoka, Tennessee and Ethan Tays from Crossville, Tennessee. The took home $6974 along with $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Third place was Scott Reid and Tays with a time 40.14 seconds on four steers. As the dust settled on the roping the Cruel Girl Champion of the roping was Beverly Robbins. She was also the high point Gold Plus roper of the weekend. It certainly was a rewarding weekend for the Tuscumbia, Alabama header. RESULTS • #15 SHOOT-OUT, AVG: 1. Casey Hilley (Winder, GA) / Michael Bratton (Phenix City, AL), 30.69, $4,738; 2. Tyler Boatwright (Marble, NC) / Ty Ethridge (Rome, GA), 32.77, $2,842; 3. Garrett McDonald (Defuniak Springs, FL) / Jason Stewart Garcia (Maplesville, AL), 32.79, $1,896 • #13 SHOOT-OUT, AVG: 1. Beverly Robbins (Muscle Shoals, AL) / Casey Hilley (Winder, GA), 34.5, $6,898; 2. David Gaddis (Canton, GA) / Billy Lam (Canton, GA), 35.79, $5,172; 3. Beverly Robbins (Muscle Shoals, AL) / Jessy Remsburg (Leighton, AL), 39.9, $3,448; 4. Beverly Robbins (Muscle Shoals, AL) / Ed Allen (Dadeville, AL), 39.98, $1,724 • #12 SHOOTOUT, AVG: 1. Blair Kelley (Florence, AL) / Mike Jones (Town Creek, AL), 34, $9,092; 2. Tyler Boatwright (Marble, NC) / Ed Allen (Dadeville, AL), 35.77, $6,818; 3. Beverly Robbins (Muscle Shoals, AL) / Guy Graden (Jacksonville, FL), 37.57, $4,546; 4. Jesse Mayhew (Catawba, NC) / Erin Bullin (Longwood, FL), 37.8, $2,272 •#11 SHOOT-OUT, AVG: 1. Micheal Stout (Lebanon, TN) / Richard Hall (Clarksville, TN), 36.41, $8,586; 2. Coleman Simmons (Wirtz, VA) / Travis Brown (Wirtz, VA), 37.65, $5,724; 3. David Scheffel (Georgetown, KY) / Tom Bowling (Hamilton, OH), 38.55, $4,532; 4. Bryer Hamilton (Tellico Plns, TN) / Kevin Williams (Crossville, AL), 40.25, $3,340; 5. Cole Scheffel (Georgetown, KY) / Corey Barnett (Scottsburg, IN), 41.15, $1,670 • #10 SHOOT-OUT, AVG:1. Jesse Mayhew (Catawba, NC) / Nick Hart (Keystone Heights, FL), 33.57, $10,114; 2. Richard Leavitt (Blue Grass, IA) / Atlee Miller (Maquoketa, IA), 40.16, $6,742; 3. Mason Johnson (Piney Flats, TN) / Guy Graden (Jacksonville, FL), 44.22, $5,338; 4. Cody Forrest (Jonesboro, AR) / Luke Hinson (Jonesboro, AR), 46.8, $3,934; 5. Joe Capps (Gallion, AL) / Russell Gibbs (Demopolis, AL), 46.95, $1,966 • #9 SHOOT-OUT, AVG: 1. Valerie Stepp (Cleveland, TN) / Brandon Stepp (Cleveland, TN), 35.1, $10,460; 2. Clint Bain (Culleoka, TN) / Ethan Tays (Crossville, TN), 37.88, $6,974; 3. Scott Reid (Springville, TN) / Ethan Tays (Crossville, TN), 40.14, $5,520; 4. Trey Herman (Taylorsville, NC) / Clayton Wright (Taylorsville, NC), 40.2, $4,068; 5. Lonnie Morris (Clinton, LA) / Todd Morris (Clinton, LA), 40.48, $2,034 • OPEN, AVG: 1. Justin Yost (Rices Landing, PA) / Adam Plyler (Pageland, SC), 41.95, $3,000; 2. Garrett McDonald (Defuniak Springs, FL) / Mark Strickland (Dunnellon, FL), 53.25, $2,000 • #15 QUALIFYING ROUND, AVG: 1. Clint Keller (Aragon, GA) / Michael Bratton (Phenix City, AL), 20.05, $490; 2. Joey Carpenter (Rutledge, AL) / Ty Ethridge (Rome, GA), 25.32, $330 • #13 QUALIFYING ROUND, AVG: 1. Christopher J Stubblefield (Sparta, TN) / Brandon Stubblefield (Rock Island, TN), 17.63, $810; 2. Micheal Stout (Lebanon, TN) / Billy Lam (Canton, GA), 17.95, $540 • #12 QUALIFYING RD, AVG: 1. Rodney Nelson (Milton, FL) / Dennis Moore (Opp, AL), 15.59, $1,088; 2. Blair Kelley (Florence, AL) / Jason Myrick (Florence, AL), 17.27, $652; 3. David Gaddis (Canton, GA) / Casey Hilley (Winder, GA), 19.44, $436 • #11 PRELIM, AVG: 1. Mitchell Hembree (Danville, AL) / Mike Jones (Town Creek, AL), 34.27, $4,088; 2. Joey Carpenter (Rutledge, AL) / Dennis Moore (Opp, AL), 35.54, $3,066; 3. Tyler Boatwright (Marble, NC) / Tim Pharr (Resaca, GA), 37.09, $2,044; 4. Eliott Hooper (Whittier, NC) / Denver Ivester (Clarkesville, GA), 42.25, $1,022 • #10 PRELIM, AVG: 1. Steve Cook (Lascassas, TN) / Scott Seiler (Ocala, FL), 38.88, $5,946; 2. Marc Koehn (Macon, MS) / Jacob Brewer (Olive Bramch, MS), 40.22, $3,964; 3. Cliff T Brewer (Cumberland City, TN) / Richard Hall (Clarksville, TN), 42.5, $3,138; 4. Randy Chandler (Mount Juliet, TN) / Jimmy 12 • THE ROPING PEN • AUGUST 2016

LaDale White (Hazlehurst, MS), 43.69, $2,312; 5. Sheldon Sands (Perry, FL) / T J Croft (Perry, FL), 44.72, $1,156; 6. Lucas Koehn (Macon, MS) / Travis Brown (Wirtz, VA), 48.02, $900; 7. Randy Wooden (Fyffe, AL) / Kevin Williams (Crossville, AL), 49.94, $900; 8. Josh Ammons (Dillsboro, NC) / Ed Allen (Dadeville, AL), 52.67, $600; 9. Dale Simmons (Wirtz, VA) / Travis Brown (Wirtz, VA), 52.9, $600; 10. Slade Collins (Livingston, TN) / Rorey Halliburton (Sparta, TN), 29.65, $600 • #9 PRELIM, AVG: 1. Cody Graham (Henagar, AL) / Denver Ivester (Clarkesville, GA), 35.87, $5,082; 2. Mason Johnson (Piney Flats, TN) / Becky Cannizzaro (Folsom, LA), 38.85, $3,388; 3. Cody Graham (Henagar, AL) / Chip Bliss (Whiteville, TN), 40.24, $2,618; 4. Mason Johnson (Piney Flats, TN) / Marty Strickland (Richburg, SC), 42.23, $1,848; 5. Brandi Hines (Folsom, LA) / Becky Cannizzaro (Folsom, LA), 42.42, $1,386; 6. Dylan Elkins (Clinton, LA) / Todd Morris (Clinton, LA), 42.89, $1,078; 7. Ethan Wheeler (Pisgah, AL) / Greg Mitchell (Adairsville, GA), 45.05, $900; 8. Zach Wills (Winchester, KY) / Phil Bush (Winchester, KY), 46.23, $900; 9. Kip Smith (Haddock, GA) / Justin Parlett (Imlay City, MI), 48.57, $600; 10. Scott Reid (Springville, TN) / Ethan Tays (Crossville, TN), 49.03, $600; 11. John Shockley (Madison, GA) / Bill Little Jr (Fall Branch, TN), 54.84, $600; 12. Craig Compton (Mount Ulla, NC) / Gina Compton (Mount Ulla, NC), 56.59, $600; 13. Wayne Pope (Faunsdale, AL) / Russell Gibbs (Demopolis, AL), 64.09, $600; 14. Craig Smith (Gallatin, TN) / Jared Crain (Gallatin, TN), 68.86, $600; 15. Jimmy Dale White (Hazlehurst, MS) / Joshua Delee (Clinton, LA), 24.3, $600 • #12 GOLD PLUS, AVG: 1. Kyle Ware (Henagar, AL) / Brent Kittle (Woodland, AL), 34.55, $9,486; 2. Mitchell Hembree (Danville, AL) / Spunk Sasser (San Antonio, FL), 35.21, $6,324; 3. Blair Kelley (Florence, AL) / Mike Jones (Town Creek, AL), 35.59, $5,006; 4. Jeffrey Hartfield (Charlestown, IN) / Travis Brown (Wirtz, VA), 36.07, $3,690; 5. Matt Griswell (Ramer, TN) / Casey Paris (Lewisburg, TN), 36.12, $1,844; 6. Beverly Robbins (Muscle Shoals, AL) / Guy Graden (Jacksonville, FL), 36.89, $900; 7. Curtis Crumbley (Watkinsville, GA) / Denver Ivester (Clarkesville, GA), 37.64, $900; 8. David Gaddis (Canton, GA) / Scott Davis (Dacula, GA), 37.67, $600; 9. Brandon Kennedy (Thompsons Station, TN) / Michael Bratton (Phenix City, AL), 38.1, $600; 10. Mitchell Hembree (Danville, AL) / Erin Bullin (Longwood, FL), 38.71, $600 • #10 GOLD PLUS, AVG: 1. David Gaddis (Canton, GA) / Denver Ivester (Clarkesville, GA), 34.37, $10,880; 2. Deb Raulerson (San Mateo, FL) / Dennis Moore (Opp, AL), 37.57, $7,254; 3. Eliott Hooper (Whittier, NC) / Shane Holder (Strawberry, AR), 38.92, $5,604; 4. Jamie Pardue (Spring Hill, TN) / Justin Pardue (Spring Hill, TN), 44.45, $3,956; 5. Chad Childers (Fairmount, GA) / Dwight Lynch (College Grove, TN), 45, $2,968; 6. John Shockley (Madison, GA) / Gene Green (Cherry Valley, IL), 47.85, $2,308; 7. Michael Gardisser (Lyons, GA) / Nick Warford (Benton, AR), 48.23, $900; 8. Mike Woolven (Nettleton, MS) / Dennis Moore (Opp, AL), 48.86, $900; 9. Daniel Dorris (Harviell, MO) / Steven McCormick (Jonesboro, AR), 49.72, $600; 10. Beau Tabor (Summer Shade, KY) / William Evans (Union, KY), 66.85, $600; 11. Cesar Ornelas (Poolville, TX) / Jason Jenkins (Hopkinsville, KY), 25.62, $600; 12. Mike Qualls (Hico, TX) / Andrew Napp (Hico, TX), 28.25, $600; 13. Craig Smith (Gallatin, TN) / Jared Crain (Gallatin, TN), 31.76, $600; 14. Dean Campbell (Decatur, TX) / Mike Qualls (Hico, TX), 33.22, $600; 15. Scott Reid (Springville, TN) / Tommy Hand (College Grove, TN), 35.74, $600 • TOTAL PAYOUT: $316,566

BY STUART MITCHELL

Parents

When you were small they picked you up when you crawled in the wrong direction. They loved you and calmed you when you needed affection. They worked to provide everything you would need, to grow and learn so that you could succeed. Those hands that kept you clothed and fed were the first ones that opened the Bible to be read. The hand of discipline was swift and fast, never unjust and meant to last. As time passed and lessons were taught, things were learned from them that couldn’t be bought. But age will come and change us all, mother nature will come to call. Rules will change as time goes by, not as much on them you will rely. Decisions will be made without their voice, lessons learned, good or bad they’re your choice. As life goes on they ask your opinion more and more, for decisions they would make on their own before. Physical conditions will alter their lives through the years, some are minor and some our worst fears. Throughout it all they will stay strong, no matter the fear of what could go wrong. Our parents are tougher than we admit, I know that in mine there is no quit. So tell them you love them every day, so that in the end there’s no debt left to pay.

THE MAGAZINE FOR AMERICA’S ROPER • 13

• • • • • • • • • • LEBANON, TENNESSEE • • • • • • • • • •

National Jr. High Champions Crowned

JUNE 19– 25, 2016

JAMES E. WARD AG CENTER

he’s only 13, but seventh-grader Wacey Day of Fleming, Colo., made two seven-second runs to edge out 165 other girls in goat tying at the National Junior High Finals Rodeo on Saturday in Lebanon, Tenn.

Day, who competes for the Nebraska team, tied her final goat in a blistering 7.5 seconds to win the three-round aggregate by a full second over Oregon’s Kennedy Buckner.

“Slow is smooth, smooth is fast, and fast is money,” said Day, who tied her first goat in 8.3 seconds and her second in 7.4. “I came out here and made the three best runs of my life.” This year’s NJHFR drew 1,049 contestants from 42 different states, three Canadian provinces and Australia to rope and ride for scholarship dollars, jackpot money and prizes. Colten Leech of Billings, Mo., won the national championship in chute dogging after turfing three steers in 8.72 seconds.

“I want to thank the good Lord for this opportunity and my family for getting me down the road,” said Leech. In a competitive barrel-racing short round, the top two were Shae Halls – the daughter of former NFR arena-record holder Brandie Halls – and the eventual champ. Jayci Byler of Bellville, Texas, won the short round by two-tenths of a second to claim the national championship. Her horse, 14-year-old Prince of Perks owned by the Shoppa Ranch, is by Dash For Perks and out of a granddaughter of Dash For Cash and Gay Bar King. Byler’s family owns Byler Performance Equine – a swimming pool for horses – in Bellville. “I did it,” Byler said. “And it was all because of Mom. She helped me most and encourages me every day.”

Other national champions were Girls’ Breakaway roper Sawyer Gilbert of Buffalo, S.D.; Boys’ Breakaway roper Brandon Ben of Peridot, Ariz.; Bareback Steer Rider Keenan Hayes of Hayden, Colo.; Saddle Bronc Steer Rider Gus Gaillard of Morse, Texas; Boys’ Goat Tyer Briar Teague of Rattan, Okla.; Ribbon Ropers Zoie Bedke and Cooper Duffin JR HIGH NATL'S FINAL RESULTS: ALL-AROUND: COWBOY: 1. Cooper Cooke, Victor, Id, 1420 pts; 2. Cooper Duffin, Pocatello, Id, 1240; 3. Trevor Hale, Perryton, Tx, 1160; 4. Cord McDonald, Durant, Ok, 1130. COWGIRL: 1. Paige Jones, Wayne, Ok, 1355 pts; 2. Jayci Byler, Bellville, Tx, 1060; 3. Makenzy Byrne, Arcadia, Ok, 1040; 4. Chaley Hext, Canadian, Tx, 1000. GIRLS’ BREAKAWAY: FINALS: 1. Baili Herring, Artesia, NM, 2.57 sec; 2. Paige Jones, Wayne, Ok, 2.8; 3. Robbin Rice, Sealy, Tx, 2.96; 4. Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, SD, 2.99. AVG ON 3: 1. Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, SD, 10.09 sec; 2. Paige Jones, Wayne, Ok, 10.62; 3. Lilla Bell, Hollister, Calif., 10.85; 4. Baili Herring, Artesia, NM, 10.92; 5. Robbin Rice, Sealy, Tx, 10.93; 6. Sammy Taylor, Neola, Ut, 10.98. BOYS’ BREAKAWAY: FINALS: 1. Brandon Ben, Peridot, Az, 2.52 sec; 2. Cade Bell, Paradise Valley, Nv, 2.81; 3. Titan Quigg, Rankin, Tx, 2.85; 4. Riley Rieken, Arp, Tx, 3.05. AVG

of Idaho; Tie-Down Roper Trevor Hale of Perryton, Texas; Pole Bender Maci Jo Zimmerman of New Ross, Ind.; Team Ropers Tanner Brown, Florence, Miss., and, Matt Watt, Geiger, Ala.; and Bull Rider Chris Villanueva of Mesquite, Texas.

The team from Idaho won the 2016 volleyball tournament, while the Girls’ AQHA Horse of the Year title went to Chaley Hext for Sinioto Rio, and the Boys’ counterpart went to Chance Thiessen for Cutter Play Me Stylish. The boys’ all-around rookie champion was Justice Hopper of Tooele, Utah; and the girls’ counterpart was Jayci Byler of Bellville, Texas. The overall team championship was won by Oklahoma with 11,650 points, edging second-place Texas and third-place Louisiana.

In Lebanon, NJHFR stock contractor Herbert Theriot of Mississippi assembled enough calves, steers and cows for nearly 1,800 runs. He sorted through more than 450 head to bring 340 calves, for instance. “It takes a lot of people to do an event like this, especially this size,” said Theriot, who credited Curtis Massey Cattle Company with bringing a great set of Holstein cattle for the bareback and saddle bronc steer riding. Theriot, himself a former PRCA world champion in tie-down roping, has two sons. Marcus was the around champ five years ago at the NJHFR and won the national collegiate all-around title last week in Casper, Wyo., while Mason, 12, made the short round in ribbon roping at the NJHFR on Saturday. The Junior High Division was created within the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA) in 2004 for sixth- through eighthgraders as a feeder system into the high-school ranks, and now fields more than 2,500 junior-high students in 13 different events. The Finals is in Tennessee for the first time this year; it was held in Gallup, N.M., through 2013 and spent the previous two years in Des Moines, Iowa. It will return to Lebanon in June 2017. Meanwhile, Gillette, Wyomin was the host for the National High School Finals Rodeo on July 17-23.

ON 3: 1. Brandon Ben, Peridot, Az, 8.66 sec; 2. Cade Bell, Paradise Valley, Nv, 8.92; 3. Titan Quigg, Rankin, Tx, 9.00; 4. Jacques Trahan, Hackberry, La., 9.51. BAREBACK STEER RIDING: FINALS: 1/2. Keenan Hayes, Hayden, Colorado, & Brad Moreno, Kayenta, Arizona, 68 pts each; 3. Jaxson Mirabal, Magdalena, NM, 63; 4. Jayco Roper, Oktaha, Ok, 63. AVG ON 3: 1. Keenan Hayes, Hayden, Co, 202 pts; 2. Cooper Cooke, Victor, Id, 194; 3. Braden Smith, Spearsville, Louisiana, 193; 4. Jayco Roper, Oktaha, Ok, 192; 5. Brad Moreno, Kayenta, Arizona, 187; 6. Mason Spain, Forney, Texas, 180. GIRLS’ GOAT TYING: FINALS: 1. Wacey Day, Fleming, Co, 7.56 sec; 2. Kennedy Buckner, Redmond, Ore., 7.8; 3. Makenzy Byrne, Arcadia, Ok, 8.12; 4. Hannah Giger, Wilburton, Ok, 8.17. AVG ON 3: 1. Wacey Day, Fleming, Co, 23.39 sec; 2. Kennedy Buckner, Redmond, Ore., 24.35; 3. Makenzy Byrne, Arcadia, Ok, 24.41; 4. Hannah Giger, Wilburton, Ok, 24.85; 5. Desta Misegades, Henning, Minn., 25.56; 6. Chenoa Vande Stouwe, Inwood, Ia, 25.72.

14 • THE ROPING PEN • AUGUST 2016

BOYS’ GOAT TYING: FINALS: 1. Rance Doyal, Durant, Ok, 8.69 sec; 2. Daunte Ceresola, Fernley, Nv, 9.19; 3. Cooper Duffin, Pocatello, Id, 9.46; 4. Harland Groves, Faith, SD, 9.83. AVG ON 3: 1. Briar Teague, Rattan, Ok, 29.55 sec; 2. Cooper Duffin, Pocatello, Id, 30.57; 3. Rance Doyal, Durant, Ok, 31.24; 4. Teegan Leno, Sheridan, Wy, 31.4; 5. Harland Groves, Faith, SD, 31.66; 6. Colt Soderholm, Sheyenne, ND, 31.86. BARREL RACING: FINALS: 1. Jayci Byler, Bellville, Tx, 15.623 sec; 2. Reagan Goudeau, Hungerford, Tx, 15.813; 3. Rio Flaharty, El Dorado, Ks, 15.871; 3. Emma Smith, Pleasanton, Tx, 15.871; 5. Brie Wells, LeMars, Ia, 15.933. AVG ON 3: 1. Jayci Byler, Bellville, Tx, 47.369 sec; 2. Rio Flaharty, ElDorado, Ks, 47.449; 3. Emma Smith, Pleasanton, Tx, 48.018; 4. Reagan Goudeau, Hungerford, Tx, 48.276; 5. Greeley Eastep, Bainbridge, In, 48.471; 6. Taylor Nichols, Morristown, Az, 48.618. SADDLE BRONC STEER RIDING: FINALS: 1. Cooper Cooke, Victor, Id, 69 pts; 2. Gus Gaillard, Morse, Tx, 67; 3. Ethan Lombardo, Marshville, NC, 65; 4. Coy Hebert, Welsh, La., 58. AVG ON 3: 1. Gus Gaillard, Morse, Tx, 196 pts; 2. Coo-

per Cooke, Victor, Id, 190; 3. Ethan Lombardo, Marshville, NC, 175; 4. Jaxson Mirabal, Magdalena, NM, 167; 5. Coy Hebert, Welsh, La., 149; 6. Cauy Pennington, KIa, Co, 146. CHUTE DOGGING: FINALS: 1. Tom Crouse, Gallatin, Mo, 2.25 sec; 2. Trevor Boatwright, Marble, NC, 2.52; 3. Tanner Berghuis, Atwater, Minn., 2.84; 4. Cord McDonald, Durant, Ok, 2.93. AVG ON 3: 1. Colten Leech, Billings, Mo, 8.72 sec; 2. Cord McDonald, Durant, Ok, 9.18; 3. Tom Crouse, Gallatin, Mo, 9.61; 4. Trace Fuller, Bozeman, Mt, 9.62; 5. Taylor Blackburn, Balko, Ok, 9.79; 6. Gage Gregersen, Malta, Id, 10.69. RIBBON ROPING: FINALS: 1. Trevor Hale, Perryton, Tx, & Chaley Hext, Canadian, Tx, 7.06 sec; 2. Zoie Bedke, Oakley, Id, & Cooper Duffin, Pocatello, Id, 7.78; 3. Zaine Mikita, Byers, Co, & Amanda Terrell, LaSalle, Co, 8.46; 4. Chance Thiessen, Elk City, Ok, & Paige Jones, Wayne, Ok, 8.52. AVG ON 3: 1. Zoie Bedke, Oakley, Id, & Cooper Duffin, Pocatello, Id, 24.65 sec; 2. Lane Shemak, Cobb, Wi, & Bridee Ann Burks, Lancaster, Wi, 29.42; 3. Kincade Henry, Mt Pleasant, Tx, & Makenzie Mayes, Scroggins, Tx, 30.44; 4. Trevor Hale, Perryton, Tx, &

Chaley Hext, Canadian, Tx, 30.5; 5. Zaine Mikita, Byers, Co, & Amanda Terrell, LaSalle, Co, 30.84; 6. Jace Bleil, Bronson, Ia, & Bailey Bleil, Bronson, Ia, 30.98. TIE-DOWN ROPING: Finals: 1. Trevor Hale, Perryton, Tx, 11.25; 2. Dean Holyan, Coyote Canyon, NM, 12.45; 3. Cord McDonald, Durant, Ok, 13.02; 4. Avery Whitten, Franklin, In, 17.66. AVG ON 3: 1. Trevor Hale, Perryton, Tx, 35.6 sec; 2. Cord McDonald, Durant, Ok, 43.06; 3. Dean Holyan, Coyote Canyon, NM, 45.9; 4. Chance Little, Orange, Tx, 47.9; 5. Bryce Derrer, Portales, New Mexico, 54.82; 6. Avery Whitten, Franklin, In, 57.49. POLE BENDING: FINALS: 1. Maci Jo Zimmerman, New Ross, In, 19.927 sec; 2. Cheyenne Garmon, Davidson, NC, 20.14; 3. Jaden Thomas, DeRidder, La., 20.206; 4. Paige Jones, Wayne, Ok, 20.207. AVG ON 3: 1. Maci Jo Zimmerman, New Ross, In, 60.674 sec; 2. Paige Jones, Wayne, Ok, 60.74; 3. Chaley Hext, Canadian, Tx, 60.982; 4. Cheyenne Garmon, Davidson, NC, 61.011; 5. Sheyenne Lincoln, Willcox, Az, 61.383; 6. Jaden Thomas, DeRidder, La., 61.572.

Photos by Laura Ann, from the NC Jr High / HS Assoc FB Page

TEAM ROPING: FINALS: 1. Tanner Brown, Florence, Ms, & Matt Watt, Geiger, Al, 9.04 sec; 2. Teagan Bentley, Casper, Wy, Teegan Leno, Sheridan, Wy, 11.04; 3. Rhett Murray, Belvue, Ks, Jesse Boos, White Cloud, Ks, 11.67; 4. TJ Bowler, Enterprise, Ut, Blake Bowler, Enterprise, Ut, 13.36;. AVG ON 3: 1. Tanner Brown, Florence, Ms & Matt Watt, Geiger, Al, 26.55 sec; 2. Rhett Murray, Belvue, Ks, & Jesse Boos, White Cloud, Ks, 29.92; 3. Joey Denney, Carrollton, Ga., & Riley Kittle, Woodland, Al, 37.05; 4. Titan Quigg, Rankin, Tx, & Blayze Ingle, Clyde, Tx, 37.78; 5. Teagan Bentley, Casper, Wy, & Teegan Leno, Sheridan, Wy, 37.81; 6. Kylie Adams, Junction City, Ks, & Carlee Arnold, Hutchinson, Ks, 38.09. JUNIOR BULL RIDING: FINALS: 1. Tadd Dictson, Mescalero, NM, 81; 2. Chris Villanueva, Mesquite, Tx, 73; 3. Wes Ireland, Homedale, Id, 64; 3. Ty Pope, Garnett, Ks, 64. AVG ON 3: 1. Chris Villanueva, Mesquite, Tx, 192 pts; 2. Braidy Randolph, Lebanon, Pa, 186; 3. Ty Pope, Garnett, Ks, 181; 4. Tadd Dictson, Mescalero, NM, 153; 5. Wes Ireland, Homedale, Idaho, 132; 6. Justice Hopper, Tooele, Utah, 130.

THE MAGAZINE FOR AMERICA’S ROPER • 15

PROTECTING YOUR

Investment

BY JASON STRICKLAND

ello everyone! I am writing from the road this month on the high school rodeo tour 2016. Its been a whirlwind as usual this summer. Moving from one venue to the next with the final stop being Gillette, WY. This month I want to share something that has come up at about every stop so far. Many ask me about insuring horses on the road and as I have addressed in previous articles sure! Call me or the office and we can make it happen. Technology makes it work much easier now days than ever before. Everyone has a cell phone so the biggest challenge is getting an app printed. Once you do that snap a very clear photo and we are on our way to having your horse insured. What I wanted to share this month is meeting people while on the road. It’s a never ending journey and I truly love it. Many of you know and I have made this statement before I really do love the people I meet especially the kids. They are what makes me smile the most with this job. I talk to them as adults always with a ma’am or sir and they never fell to return it. The kids (from the equine industry) are really great kids. They are what we will see in the future 20 to 30 yrs. from now running things. This is at a time in our society when we need reassurance even more. These kids are well mannered, very responsible, and independent for the most part doing most of the responsibilities (of having a horse) on their own. I have seen on this trip alone kids up at day light working horses, practicing during the extreme heat of the day, competing at night, and a few dealing with horse issues with vet clinics. All of this without an adult standing over them. This week while in line at a Walmart for some snack items I witnessed a local man from Shawnee Ok ask a young lady, an obvious competitor by her attire, was she in the rodeo. The kid stated that she was and told what events. He said he was working at the venue as a volunteer and loved helping the kids each year. They spoke for a moment with the man telling her good luck all week in her performances. They girl stated “this is why I love the sport I do more so than any other I could have chosen”. They both said their goodbyes as I turned away. Another this week was up riding horses at daylight while everyone in her trailer slept. She gets up each morning while on the road does her chores, rides, and does most of her practicing before anyone knows. A tie down roper I spoke with this week has a similar work ethic. To be honest I was amazed that a young guy took this kind of care without being told. Tack area very clean, horses washed, feet inspected, and roped the dummy several times each day. I also had several ask me how to insure a horse and how it worked even behind the roping boxes while waiting in line to go. This is being responsible folks is my point. To be honest many of them are doing more than we as parents even know or give them credit for. Even mine. These young people are kind, courteous, caring, giving, and are in general just great kids. This is why I love each and every one of you that I meet. I always have and I always will. We as adults need to take a step back at times to see what we actually have and give them a little praise for it. Most of all hug them and tell them so. Thanks again to all of you. If I can help with equine insurance please don’t hesitate to call me anytime.

16 • THE ROPING PEN • AUGUST 2016

THE MAGAZINE FOR AMERICA’S ROPER • 17

Bigbee Event Returns! PERRY BIGBEE MEMORIAL ROPING • MAY 27-29, 2016

Photos © C Bar C Photography

he annual Perry Bigbee Memorial Roping was once again the money and great prizes, without spending all of their paycheck.” focus for ropers during the last weekend of May. The event As the roping continued several ropers maneuvered their way to has become a staple among ropers. Over 1,500 teams at this year’s victory. Average winners emerged to claim the big payouts as high event opened the door for money winners of many a great event where the of the weekends ropings payouts were great and laid claim to championgood times were plentiful. ship trophy saddles. These The event continued its high money winners tradition of quality for a included, Douglas Rich in great value that has made the #15 Handicap, Colby it the event it is today. Gilchrist in the#12 HandiTe roping has well procap, Clayton Zwerschke in duced. Every division had the #12 Century Handicap its share of great teams and Cade Cowen in the who roped hard and #10 Handicap. Winning claimed their share of the the average of each roping big payouts. With great was, Tanner Saunders and CADE CLAYTON COWEN weather and a great set Dalton Totty in the Open ZWERSCHKE #10 High Money #12 Century High Money of cattle provided by Chip 1-Header, Clint Keller and Trophy Saddle Winner Trophy Saddle Winner Phillips, Phillips Cattle Tom Bourne who claimed Company, ropers enjoyed the win in the Open, Douga full weekend of fun. This las Rich and Lane Mitchell is a unique event in many who won the #15 Handiways. Not only is it only cap, Colby Gilchrist and hosted once a year by a Morgan Jones who earned group of professionals it the #12 Handicap averis not a production event age, Clayton Zwerschke and formatted for ropers and Ed Allen winners of to enjoy it. One thing to the #12 Century Handicap notice is that since its and Daniel Sullivan and second year, it has not Ed Allen who won the #10 increased the entry fees. Handicap. The production comThe Perry Bigbee MeCOLBY pany wants to allow every morial roping was once DOUGLAS GILCHRIST RICH roper to be able to enjoy again well attended and #12 High Money #15 High Money Trophy Saddle Winner Trophy Saddle Winner the event, even though it greatly appreciated by a makes for long nights for lot of ropers. You can bet ropers and the producthe event will be back tion. next year and the many “That is how Grandpa ropers who have enjoyed would have wanted it,” the event over the years said Cole Bigbee who will be back for another helps produce the event. shot at the big money and “While so many ropings great prizes. Make plans are going up on their fees now to be there! to cut down on teams, we SEE PAGE 20 TANNER SAUNDERS & want everyone to be able FOR MORE PHOTOS DALTON TOTTY Open 1-Header Champions to compete for a lot of & RESULTS...

18 • THE ROPING PEN • AUGUST 2016

OPEN 1-HDR, AVG: 1. Tanner Saunders / Dalton Totty, 4.74, $952; 2. Dillon Black / Dalton Totty, 4.97, $570; 3. Daniel Robertson / Sam Smith, 5.0, $380

DOUGLAS RICH & LANE MITCHELL • #15 Average Winners

INCENTIVE: 1. Tanner Saunders / Dalton Totty, 4.74, $490; 2. Dillon Black / Dalton Totty, 4.97, $326

OPEN, AVERAGE: 1. Clint Keller / Tom Bourne, 26.87, $2,848, 2. John Alley / Clark Adcock, 27.1, $2,136; 3. Casey Hilley / Michael Bratton, 30.34, $1,424; 4. Will Clark / Ty Ethridge, 35.41, $712

#15 HANDICAP, AVERAGE: 1. Douglas Rich / Lane Mitchell, 25.99, $3,398; 2. Nelson Wyatt / Tom Bourne, 26.90, $2,152; 3. Douglas Rich / Kelsey Parchman, 27.08, $1,472; 4. Blair Kelley / Douglas Rich, 29.16, $1,246; 5. Cody Warner / Morgan Jones, 30.14, $1,020; 6. John Alley / Wil Sanders, 30.49, $906; 7. Chad Applegate / Nick Griffith, 30.54, $580; 8. Jason Jenkins / Nick Griffith, 30.75, $454 HIGH MONEY WINNER – COLBY GILCHRIST & MORGAN JONES • #12 Average Winners Douglas Rich #12 HANDICAP, AVERAGE: 1. Colby Gilchrist / Morgan Jones, 28.31, $5,794; 2. Kyle Ware / Lee Stringer, 29.68, $3,622; 3. Sammy Smithson / John Alley, 30.87, $2,896; 4. Kyle Ware / Wil Sanders, 31.37, $2,172; 5. Dan Twisdale / Shane Barmby, 32.02, $1,932; 6. Riley Kittle / Matt Wilson, 32.76, $1,690; 7. Tyler McDonald / Darrell Tatum, 33.53, $1,450; 8. Levi Martin / Dillon Black, 33.96, $1,206; 9. Bleu Turner / Zak Richardson, 35.43, $966; 10. Jim Bowie Adcock / Ty Stroup, 37.00, $966; 11. Matt Scogin / Mike Jones, 38.15, $724; 12. Steve Horne / Jason Myrick, 40.29, $724 • HIGH MONEY WINNER – Colby Gilchrist

#10 HANDICAP: 1. Daniel Sullivan / Ed Allen, 31.54, $5,366; 2. Justin Cowan / Cade Cowan, 31.59, $3,354; 3. Dan Twisdale / Cade Cowan, 32.27, $2,682; 4. Chris Kolb / Chuck Jenkins, 32.50, $2,012; 5. Joe Capps / Rowdy Mayes, 33.09, $1,788; 6. Wyatt Allen / Chuck Jenkins, 33.88, $1,566; 7. Tommy Dutton / Cade Cowen, 34.40, $1,340; 8. Jamie Pardue / Justin Pardue, 34.70, $1,120; 9. Aaron Brisbane / Cade Cowen, 35.81, $894; 10. Wyatt Allen / Ed Allen, 36.43, $894; 11. Daniel Sullivan / Blue Turner, 37.93, $670; 12. Laurie Baggett / Bryan Wood, 38.8, $670 INCENTIVE: 1. Colton Rogers / Cade Cowen, 21.24, $1,578; 2. Daniel Sullivan / Bleu Turner, 24.35, $1,182; 3. Ashley Bentley / Rowdy Mayes, 24.67, $790; 4. Brandon Crenshaw / Jim Bowie Adcock, 25.14, $394 HIGH MONEY WINNER – Cade Cowen

CLAYTON ZWERSCHKE & ED ALLEN • #12 Century Avg Champions

20 • THE ROPING PEN • AUGUST 2016

Photos ©C Bar C Photography

CLINT KELLER & TOM BOURNE • Open Average Champions

#12 CENTURY HANDICAP, AVERAGE: 1. Clayton Zwerschke / Ed Allen, 29.98, $1,756; 2. Mike Woolven / Danny Presley, 31.03, $1,318; 3. Scott Coleman / Shane Barmby, 32.26, $878; 4. Matt Scogin / Mike Jones, 32.28, $440 HIGH MONEY WINNER – Clayton Zwerschke

THE MAGAZINE FOR AMERICA’S ROPER • 21

Remembering Jerome English

erome English age 85 passed away on Saturday July 16, 2016 in Belen, NM. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Pete and his son Gary. He is survived by wife Dorothy English, daughter Jana Muncy and husband Tim, son John and wife Connie, grandchildren Chris Walterscheid and wife Britney, Amber Gillreath, Sterlin English, Stran English, Garrett Muncy and wife Morgan and Bobby Muncy. Great grandchild Lucy Layne Walterscheid. He grew up working on cattle ranches but did not really like to “cowboy” so he went to work on the chuck wagon, where he learned most of his cooking skills. He loved Dorothy and was married for 65 years. Here is something you might not know about Jerome—when he was a senior in high school he was offered a tennis scholarship to Western New Mexico University in Silver City, which he always played in his boots. He was very blessed in that he was able to enjoy and take part in all of his grandkids lives. From rodeo to baseball he enjoyed it all. He loved to rope, cook, play poker and spend time with fam-

22 • THE ROPING PEN • AUGUST 2016

ily and friends. He liked playing gin with Dorothy and winning at pitch with the grandkids as his partners. Favorite song was “Farewell Party” by Gene Watson. He loved to heel steers on his favorite horse “Johnny” who he won the 1995 USTRC National Finals on with Roy Far. Was well known around the roping world for wearing pink shirts and red boots with his pants tucked in his boot tops. Jerome would help anyone with anything. He had a big heart and would give you his last dollar if you needed it. Everyone we meet has a “Jerome” story to carry in their hearts forever, he was one of a kind. He was a true cowboy, a true jokester, a true friend to so many and will be remembered with the best of them and loved for eternity. I can hear the announcer in heaven now ”high call back is Bill Mars and Jerome English.” He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. And the Cowboy Rides Away. We will be having a private service with the immediate family only. Please feel free to post Jerome stories or memories on Jana Muncy or Amber Gillreath’s facebook page.

THE MAGAZINE FOR AMERICA’S ROPER • 23

24 • THE ROPING PEN • AUGUST 2016

THE MAGAZINE FOR AMERICA’S ROPER • 25

HEADERS & FUNDAMENTALS O

ne of my recent videos contains tips and drills for headers. In this video I talk about some of my students in private lessons. This video shows some of the most common things that prevent headers from being successful. It’s usually the small fundamentals. We all have one or two situations that we dread to face when roping. Whether it’s that slow, big-horned steer that you score in the practice pen; or if you can catch every steer but you’re not quite fast enough to get a check; or if you catch just fine, but your partners can’t catch behind you. At some point in your career, you need to figure out the fundamental reason and fix it. Usually it’s actually quite simple, once you know what it is – and how to fix it. It’s normally a lot of fun when I have private lessons with teams and we set up various scenarios where they run ten or twelve steers. If everyone were “miked up” it would be hilarious to listen to. I am a header and even though it’s hard to pick on the header, it is our job to handle the steer and give the heeler a chance at a high percentage shot. We film all our runs and afterwards play the video back in slow

26 • THE ROPING PEN • AUGUST 2016

motion. Then it’s much easier to break it down and see what’s fundamentally wrong. It will expose what the head horse does, anything the header does wrong with the reins or his legs. It’s a lot like golf where one small thing affects the entire outcome of the shot. In golf or roping, the end result could be caused by one of many little things and it has to be broken down to find the problem. I have a special note for all you kids… If you want to be successful in life, whether it’s business or roping you need to be as good at math as possible. As a roper there are many things that involve math: barriers, angles of your swing, the speed of your rope, and how long it takes to get somewhere. Math is involved in everything we do. To fix your roping, you have to know what the core problem is. When you’re driving home, turn off the radio and think about the steers you missed and why you are consistently missing the same type of steer. What’s new with me: The indoor arena in Center is operational. We still have to complete the viewing room and stalls. This facility is far beyond anything I ever dreamed of having access to. Both kids have quit playing ball and all they want to do is rope every day. Our next challenge will be junior rodeo and all the events Hali wants to compete in: goats, calves, poles, and barrels. So now we need to figure out what we’re working on each day and in what order. Since I don’t know much about barrel racing, I hired Ashley Schafer to come and evaluate Hali and her horses. She worked with Hali and made recommendations on which horses would work best for each event. We are enjoying our new home. It will be exciting when construction is complete and we’re back to having regular clinics. You can see our progress via videos at speedroping.com.

DALLY UP

FOR THESE

SPECIAL SUMMER PRICES!

Lil' Kathy Kit $1,295 • Special $1,165 •

Sparky Jr. $3,695 • Special $3,325 •

Sparky III $8,395 • Special $7,555 •

Sparky's Spin to Win $1,095 • Special $995 •

Calf Tie Down w/Sled $1,275 • Special $1,147 • Breakaway w/Sled $995 • Special $895 • Plus S&H Calf Body $550

Lil' Marv Basic $199 • Special $179 • Lil' Marv Deluxe $349 • Special $314 •

Sparky Lead Steer $3,495 • Special $3,145 •

• 1.800.211.8575 • www.smartsteer.com •

THE MAGAZINE FOR AMERICA’S ROPER • 27

Fun times at the NHSFR! Photos courtesy of AHSRA via Facebook

28 • THE ROPING PEN • AUGUST 2016

North Alabama Championships

RAINSVILLE, ALABAMA • JUNE 18-19, 2016 NORTHEAST ALABAMA AGRI- BUSINESS CENTER Produced by Ed Allen •Story by Ben Clements

Scott Stoker

HIGH MONEY SUNDAY TROPHY SADDLE CHAMPION

Regan Dalton & David Hamilton

he North Alabama Championships produced by Ed Allen was held on June 18-19, 2016 and went off without a hitch. Team ropers enjoyed a great set of cattle and while the temperature soared outside, the confines of the Northeast Alabama Agri-Business Center made it comfortable for all in attendance. The #15 kicked off a great weekend of team roping and the champions were the team of Branch Pitts and Dustin Griffith. They were 29.00 seconds on four steers and won $1520, trophy Gist

Dennis Moore

HIGH MONEY SATURDAY TROPHY SADDLE CHAMPION

T J Allen & Dennis Moore

Joey Carpenter & Dennis Moore

Blair Kelley & Ed Allen

Kyle Ware & Nick Griffith

Branch Pitts & Dustin Griffith

Blair Kelley & Mike Jones

Shane Swire & Denver Robinson

Scott Stoker & Kyle Ware

#10 GOLD PLUS CHAMPIONS

#12 CHAMPIONS

#12 GOLD PLUS CHAMPIONS

Photos ©C Bar C Photography

#10 CHAMPIONS

#11 CHAMPIONS

#13 CHAMPIONS

#8 CHAMPIONS

#15 CHAMPIONS

#9 CHAMPIONS

THE MAGAZINE FOR AMERICA’S ROPER • 29

Knives and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Jake Wells of Rainsville, Alabama and Shane Edmondson from Dawson, Alabama. Third place was Ross Mitchell and Zack Mabry. Kyle Ware from Henagar, Alabama and Nick Griffith of Danville, Alabama won first place in the average of the #13 Division and earned them $2788, trophy Gist knives and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place went to Blair Kelley and Billy Lam and third place was Branch Pitts and Dustin Griffith. The team of Blair Kelley of Florence, Alabama and Ed Allen from Dadeville, Alabama finished in first place in the average of the #12 Division. They were 32.42 seconds on four steers and earned $3470, trophy Gist knives and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Jesse Barton and Dawson Boswell and third place went to Hunter Moody and Garrett Smith. The incentive champions of the roping were Rocky Mayes and Stuart Mitchell. Then next roping was the #12 Gold Plus Division. Blair Kelley and Mike Jones teamed up to win first place in the average. They finished the roping with a time of 34.05 seconds on four steers. That earned them $3272 and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Shane Hendrix and Jones and third place was Jason Jenkins and Dennis Moore. The incentive winners were Seth Thomas and Glenn Kelly. Joey Carpenter of Rutledge, Alabama and Dennis Moore of Opp, Alabama won first place in the average of the #11 Division. They were 33.70 seconds on four steers and earned $3822, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the average went to the team of Alex Graham and Ed Allen and third place was Ashley Bentley and Billy Berry. Harold Mayes and Blane

EVENT RESULTS: #15 HANDICAP, AVERAGE: 1. Branch Pitts (Cullman, AL) / Dustin Griffith (Danville, AL), 29, $1,520; 2. Jake Wells (Rainsville, AL) / Shane Edmondson (Dawson, AL), 41.36, $1,014 #13 HANDICAP, AVERAGE: 1. Kyle Ware (Henagar, AL) / Nick Griffith (Danville, AL), 33.02, $2,788; 2. Blair Kelley (Florence, AL) / Billy Lam (Canton, GA), 34.89, $1,672; 3. Branch Pitts (Cullman, AL) / Dustin Griffith (Danville, AL), 41.82, $1,116 #12 AVERAGE: 1. Blair Kelley (Florence, AL) / Ed Allen (Dadeville, AL), 32.42, $3,470; 2. Jesse Barton (Rome, GA) / Dawson Boswell (Adairsville, GA), 33.04, $2,602; 3. Hunter Moody (Killen, AL) / Garrett Smith (Lebanon, TN), 33.59, $1,734; 4. Bryer Hamilton (Tellico Plns, TN) / Ed Allen (Dadeville, AL), 34.72, $868 #11 AVERAGE: 1. Joey Carpenter (Rutledge, AL) / Dennis Moore (Opp, AL), 33.7, $3,822; 2. Alex Graham (Butler, AL) / Ed Allen (Dadeville, AL), 35.11, $2,550; 3. Ashley Bentley (Rose Hill, MS) / Billy Berry (Rainsville, AL), 35.36, $2,018; 4. Alex Graham

Willingham went home with the win of the incentive average. The team of TJ Allen and Dennis Moore won first place in the average of the #10 Division. The pair took home $3650, trophy Gist buckles, $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the roping went to Keith Elkins and Pete Starkey. The third place team was Sonny Mooney and Blane Willingham. Elkins and Starkey took home the incentive win as well. Regan Dalton and David Hamilton teamed up to win first place in the average of the #10 Gold Plus Division. They finished the roping with a time of 33.78 seconds on four steers. That earned them $3128 and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Jonathan Gillespie and Dennis Moore and third place was Randy Chandler and Tommy Hand. The incentive winners were Dalton and Hamilton. The average of the #9 Division was won by Scott Stoker of Canton, Georgia and Kyle Ware. They were 35.19 seconds on four steers and won $5018, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the average went to the team of Regan Dalton and Bryer Hamilton. The team won $3346 for their efforts. The third place finish went to the team of Rocky Mayes and Tommy Hand. The incentive was won by Crystal Stoker and Kevin Phillips. The final roping of the weekend was the #8 Pick/Draw. The team of Shane Swire and Denver Robinson won first place in the roping and took home $3816, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Marc Koehn and Jacob Brewer and third place went to Chris Potts and Clint Swire. The curtain dropped on the North Alabama Championships and producer Ed Allen was pleased with the production and the event.

(Butler, AL) / Billy Berry (Rainsville, AL), 35.59, $1,486; 5. Jesse Barton (Rome, GA) / Witt Pierce (Rocksprings, GA), 35.96, $742 #10 AVERAGE: 1. T J Allen (Dadeville, AL) / Dennis Moore (Opp, AL), 31.61, $3,650; 2. Keith Elkins (Clinton, LA) / Pete Starkey (Independence, LA), 33.23, $2,736; 3. Sonny Mooney (Columbiana, AL) / Blane Willingham (Vinemont, AL), 35.25, $1,824; 4. Kyle Ware (Henagar, AL) / Bryer Hamilton (Tellico Plns, TN), 35.76, $912 #9 AVERAGE: 1. Scott Stoker (Canton, GA) / Kyle Ware (Henagar, AL), 35.19, $5,018; 2. Regan Dalton (Tellico Plains, TN) / Bryer Hamilton (Tellico Plns, TN), 35.67, $3,346; 3. Rocky Mayes (Moulton, AL) / Tommy Hand (College Grove, TN), 37.84, $2,648; 4. Rocky Mayes (Moulton, AL) / Greg Mitchell (Adairsville, GA), 43.55, $1,950; 5. Regan Dalton (Tellico Plains, TN) / Brandon Stepp (Cleveland, TN), 44.15, $978; 6. Hunter Moody (Killen, AL) / Grant Wills (Lexington, AL), 45.47, $400; 7. Junior Mattox (Fort Payne, AL) / Devan Gilbert (Henagar, AL), 45.55, $400 #8 PICKDRAW AVERAGE: 1. Shane Swire (Mc Ewen, TN) / Denver Robinson (Frank-

30 • THE ROPING PEN • AUGUST 2016

lin, TN), 29.11, $3,816; 2. Marc Koehn (Macon, MS) / Jacob Brewer (Olive Bramch, MS), 29.29, $2,544; 3. Chris Potts (Roanoke, AL) / Clint Swire (Mc Ewen, TN), 29.91, $2,010; 4. Clay Chapman (Covington, GA) / Josh Lumpkin (Monticello, GA), 30.13, $1,484; 5. Easton Samples (Rainsville, AL) / Greg Mitchell (Adairsville, GA), 31.73, $742 #12 GOLD PLUS AVERAGE: 1. Blair Kelley (Florence, AL) / Mike Jones (Town Creek, AL), 34.05, $3,272; 2. Shane Hendrix (Grayson, LA) / Mike Jones (Town Creek, AL), 35.28, $1,964; 3. Jason Jenkins (Hopkinsville, KY) / Dennis Moore (Opp, AL), 38.41, $1,310 #10 GOLD PLUS AVERAGE: 1. Regan Dalton (Tellico Plains, TN) / David Hamilton (Tellico Plns, TN), 33.78, $3,128; 2. Jonathan Gillespie (Leicester, NC) / Dennis Moore (Opp, AL), 36.97, $2,346; 3. Randy Chandler (Mount Juliet, TN) / Tommy Hand (College Grove, TN), 37.92, $1,564; 4. David Hamilton (Tellico Plns, TN) / Brandon Stepp (Cleveland, TN), 38.67, $782

TOTAL PAYOUT:

$91,535

THE MAGAZINE FOR AMERICA’S ROPER • 31

All Entries must be call-Ins on the Mon prior to the rodeo 7-10, pm • Jr/Sr @ 864-906-0698 • PeeWee/Wrangler @ 864-680-8170 • Late Call-ins – See RULEBOOK!

Aug 20: J/S 10am & P/W 7pm •• Aug 21: P/W 10am & J/S 3pm • Stockman Farms • 4507 Callison Hwy • Troy, SC 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 FINALS: OCT 28-30 • doublejbarrelhorses.com • Double J Arena • 501 Lockaby Rd • Pendleton, SC

MADDIE PER HOMETOWN: INMAN, SC AGE 13 • JR DIVISION

HORSES' NAMES: LUCY, TRS CHASING THE MOON, DUALLY SMOOTH, & LEBRON PARENTS: JOSHUA & SHANNON PER EVENTS: POLE BENDING, BARREL RACING, & GOAT TYING

Special Accomplishments with FYRA: 6th in the pole bending avg in 2015, 2014 FYRA rodeo princess, & 2015 FYRA princess

Favorite event & why: Pole bending because of the determination & horsemanship you can learn from it. I love the excitement of a nice pole run, and what I learn from the event.

Most memorable time in FYRA: My horse, Moon, coliced at FYRA finals. My parents gave moon every chance they could. On October 25, 2015, he was called home. FYRA prayed for me and comforted me through a very tough time. Most successful moment in FYRA: When I was crowned 2014 FYRA Princess. It has lead me onto new responsibilities. To know that I was a role model to so many not only impacted my attitude, but made me more thankful. What are your future plans after FYRA? I plan to keep rodeoing. I would also like to work toward becoming Miss Rodeo America. I also plan to attend Harvard Law

School and become a lawyer.

32 • THE ROPING PEN • AUGUST 2016

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FYRA & DONNA FARMER

THE MAGAZINE FOR AMERICA’S ROPER • 33

The Patriot Elite honors

2016 PATRIOT #10 CHAMPIONS

CASEY SPERRY & C DONNIE M MEECE CASH PAYOUT $70,000 #10 TOTAL PAYOUT - $214,400

he #10 roping at the 2016 Patriot event topped out at a total cash payout of $214,400. Out of that the winners took home $70,000 as well as awards and the title of 2016 Patriot Champion. Fort Worth was a welcoming sight to the team of Casey Sperry and Donnie McNeece who came from Missouri to shake out their loops and give chase and the chance to win big. The day proved great as the duo roped four head in 34.17 seconds to take home the big paycheck. Casey and Donnie are good friends and rope and practice together quite often. The Patriot win was the biggest accomplishment they have had together in the roping arena and they are looking forward to 2017 where they will have a chance to do it again in Fort Worth, and The Patriot Finale!

CASEY SPERRY • GILMAN CITY, MO

“I really like that style of roping, bigger money – bigger payouts,” said Casey Sperry, header champion of the 2016 #10 Patriot Finale. "I went the first year and came back and told Donnie we had to go the next year. It was the best roping we went to all year and the first big roping we won together. We definitely have plans to go back next year."

DONNIE MCNEECE • BETHANY, MO

Photos courtesy of The Patriot

“It was a great roping - obviously for me,”chuckled Donnie McNeece, #10 heeling champion at the 2016 Patriot Finale. “Casey came back from it the year before and said we had to go. I told him I had to think about it but he sent in our money. I’m glad he did. Really though it was a great roping. You don’t have to beat that many teams and to win that kind of money is great. I highly recommend anyone who can go to go. We are of course going back. Heck, I think Casey has already sent in our entries again.”

34 • THE ROPING PEN • AUGUST 2016

THE PATRIOT REPORT: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

NEWS & UPDATES • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

ugust brings the downhill slide towards the end of the season. Soon, team ropers will begin to time their days away from work to attend some of the biggest events of the year including, the USTRC Finals, WSTR Finale, the NTRL Finals and of course the newest addition to what ropers are looking forward to, The Patriot. Team roping is America’s Cowboy Sport and these events are breeding a new era to the sport. The sport has continued to grow and evolve and the Patriot is the newest addition to this new era of team roping, one that is unique and attractive to a lot of different competitors. It is a big money payouts at an event surrounded by several cowboy sports at the highest level. The Patriot made its debut on the heels of RFD-TV’s The American and over the course of the last two years has become one of the largest events in the country and an inviting event for the state of Texas. Of course there are those rumors that The American is not going to be hosted in 2017 and if that is the case, what does that hold for The Patriot? Well, to answer both of those questions, The American has become one of the largest rodeos in Texas and the largest one-day rodeo in the country. The event is in the staging process of its fifth year and will be the talk of the rodeo community in February, 2017. The Patriot will be hosted alongside the rodeo at that time as well. However, even if the rodeo did not exist, The Patriot will be hosted once again in Texas and ropers, races, shooters and

fans be able to flock the Will Rogers Stadium to get some of the Patriot Action! The American is a unique event. One-day, one-million dollars, the best in the world combined with the newest up-and-comers in the sport makes it truly a one of a kind event. The Patriot, with the combination of team roping, barrel racing, mounted shooting and the Jr. calf roping is an exclusive event that will continue to evolve and grow. There are several changes and additions in the works for future events. “We want to leave the sport in a better position than where it is now,” said Kevin Hall. “We know people enjoy the event and we are working on growing it and making it even bigger and better in the years to come.” As the year steps into its second half, more and more contestants are gearing up for what is perhaps their year to win big. The Patriot is on the horizon for many ropers who are looking forward to being part of what is expected to be a 7-million dollar payout. Hall said after looking at entries right now as compared to this time last year that many of the divisions will fill and many of the ropings will top out at their highest payouts. The event continues to grow and ropers and contestants in the barrel racing, mounted shooting and Jr. calf roping have been behind the cause of this success as it has become a staple in the industry and one that looks to be the fastest growing event in the industry.

THE MAGAZINE FOR AMERICA’S ROPER • 35

UPCOMING PATRIOT QUALIFYING EVENTS... DATES............... */**. CITY, STATE............... PRODUCER...............................................................................EVENT AUG 4-7, 2016..............*..... WACO, TX............................ USTRC...................................................LONE STAR REGIONAL FINALS/PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR AUG 5-7, 2016............. **.... DODGE CITY, KS .................. RTO PROD.............................................................. DODGE CITY DAYS/PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR AUG 6-7, 2016..............*..... TAYLORSVILLE, NC................ JX2 PROD....................................................... MID ATLANTIC CLASSIC /PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR AUG 6-7, 2016..............*..... VERNAL, UT.......................... BILL CORNIA................................................... DALLY FOR DINOSAURS/PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR AUG 12-14, 2016..........*..... LAKE ST. LOUIS, MO.............. HERB SNOW ROPING PROD................ CENTRAL STATES SHOWDOWN /PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR AUG 13-14, 2016..........*..... FLAGSTAFF, AZ..................... USTRC.....................................................PINE COUNTRY SHOOT OUT /PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR AUG 19-21, 2016..........*..... ENID, OK.............................. JEFF SMITH PROD ....................................... CHISHOLM TRAIL CLASSIC /PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR AUG 20-21, 2016......... **.... MCCOOK, NE ...................... Y HANGING J PROD............................................................................. PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR AUG 27-28, 2016..........*..... FT. SMITH, AR....................... DENNY FLYNN...................................................... WEST ARK CLASSIC /PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR AUG 26-27, 2016..........*..... SALINA, UT........................... BILL CORNIA........................................................ SALINA SHOOT OUT/PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR SEP 3-5, 2016................*..... TUNICA, MS......................... USTRC..................................................SOUTHEAST REGIONAL FINALS/PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR SEP 3-5, 2016................*..... LOVELAND, CO.................... USTRC...............................................HIGH PLAINS REGIONAL FINALS /PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR SEPT 3-4, 2016............. **.... SAN ANTONIO, TX............... TULEY PROD ........................................................................................ PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR SEP 9-11, 2016..............*..... MULVANE, KS....................... JEFF SMITH PROD .............................. KANSAS FALL CHAMPIONSHIPS /PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR SEP 16-18, 2016............*..... PUEBLO, CO......................... JEFF SMITH PROD ............................. SOUTHERN COLORADO CLASSIC /PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR SEP 16-18, 2016............*..... CARTHAGE, MO................... RTO PROD................................................... 4-STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS/PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR OCT 1-2, 2016.............. **.... HAMILTON, TX .................... TULEY PROD......................................................................................... PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR OCT 8-9, 2016...............*..... CANAL WINCHESTER, OH..... STEVE RICKLY................................................ BUCKEYE FALL ROUNDUP/PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR OCT 8-9, 2016.............. **.... FORT SMITH, AR .................. RTO PROD ........................................................................................... PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR OCT 21-29, 2016...........*..... GUTHRIE, OK........................ JEFF SMITH PROD................... GUTHRIE SHOOT OUT CHAMPIONSHIPS /PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR NOV 5-6, 2016 ........... **.... ADA, OK ............................. TULEY PROD......................................................................................... PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR NOV 11-13, 2016..........*..... FT WORTH, TX...................... USTRC.......................................................... COWTOWN SHOOT OUT/PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR DEC 2-4, 2016...............*..... TULSA, OK............................ RTO PROD.......................................................OIL CAPITAL STAMPEDE /PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR DEC 9-11, 2016.............*..... TUNICA, MS......................... RTO PROD....................................................................... MS CLASSIC /PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR DEC 16-18, 2016.......... **.... WEST MONROE, LA.............. TULEY PROD......................................................................................... PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR DEC 30 - JAN 1, 2017....*..... PERRY, GA............................ JX2 PROD............................................................ SOUTH GA CLASSIC /PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR JAN 6-8, 2017...............*..... WACO, TX............................ USTRC........................................... HEART OF TEXAS CHAMPIONSHIPS/PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR JAN 13-15, 2017.......... **.... OK CITY, OK ........................ RTO PROD...................................................................................... IFR/PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR JAN 20-22, 2017...........*..... KINDER, LA........................... STEVE JUDD.................................................. BAYOU CHAMPIONSHIPS/PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR JAN 27-29, 2017...........*..... TULSA, OK............................ RTO PROD.......................................... WILL ROGERS CHAMPIONSHIPS/PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR FEB 3-5, 2017................*..... DENVER, CO......................... JEFF SMITH PROD .....................COLORADO WINTER CHAMPIONSHIPS/PATRIOT QUALIFIER TOUR FEB 21-26, 2017.IN FORT WORTH, TX ...... THE PATRIOT..........................................................THE PATRIOT FINALE * = USTRC GOLD PLUS / PATRIOT QUALIFIER

+ 36 • THE ROPING PEN • AUGUST 2016

** = PATRIOT QUALIFYING EVENT

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Championships

FLORIDA PANHANDLE JACKSON COUNTY AG CENTER • MARIANNA, FL • JUNE 3-5, 2016 Produced by JX2 Productions, John Johnson • Story by Ben Clements

he Florida Panhandle Championships produced by JX2 Productions and John Johnson kicked into gear on June 3-5, 2016 and went off without a hitch. The team of Scott Elliot from Live Oak, Florida and Mark Strickland from Dunnellon, Florida won the average of the Open Division with a time of 46.45 seconds on five steers. Second place went to Zack Cowart and Rodney Melton. The #15 Division was next and the winning team was Daren Sims from Fountain, Florida and Nelson Wyatt of Clanton, Alabama. They were 31.45 seconds on four steers and earned $1642, plus $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings and trophy Gist knives. Second place was Sims and Zak Dobbins of Bay Minette, Alabama and third place went to Wilbur Durrance from Lake Placid, Florida and Dobbins. The #13 Division was won by Scott Elliot and Bradley Massey. They finished the roping with a four steer total of 32.29 seconds. That time earned them $2050, trophy Gist knives and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place went to Justin Sands of Perry, Florida and Rodney Melton from Wilburton, Oklahoma and third place was Coty Long and Ryan Pope. Scott Elliott and Steven Pitts teamed up to win first place in the average of the #12 Gold Plus Division. They finished the roping with a time of 35.05 seconds on four steers. That earned them $2910 and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Mike Woolven and TJ Croft. The incentive winners were Dolamite Boyett and Croft. Justin Sands finished first with Craig Stevens in the #12 Division. They were 32.10 seconds on four steers and earned $2850, trophy Gist knives and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Coty Long and Steven Pitts and third place went to Wyatt Allen and Rodney Melton. The incentive champions of the roping were the team of Rodney Nelson from Milton, Florida and Steven Lyman of Cherryville, North Carolina. The #11 Division was won by Bob Herrington and Glen Terrell. They were 32.41 seconds on four steers and earned $3430, trophy

Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the average went to Levi Ladner and Steven Pitts and third place was Dylan Elkins and Bradley Massey. Rance Necaise and Karter Kagel won the incentive average. Deb Raulerson from San Mateo, Florida teamed up with Kody Hendricks from Green Cove Springs, Florida to win first place in the average of the #10 Division. The pair took home $4010, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the roping went to Rodney Nelson and Riley Kittle. The third place team was Rance Necaise of Perkinston, Mississippi and Wyatt Simmons from Chunchula, Alabama. Shanon Travis and Steven Lyman won the incentive average. Deb Raulerson continued her winning streak and teamed up with Dennis Moore of Opp, Alabama to win the average of the #10 Gold Plus Division. The pair roped four steers in 42.88 seconds and received $3230 and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was the Georgia team of Jimmy Wood and Kevin Lasseter. The incentive winners of the roping were Michael Crawley and Jimmy Peele. Ronnie Simmons from Chunchula, Alabama and Jarid Ladner from Pass Christian, Mississippi won the average of the #9 Division. They were 35.37 seconds on four steers and won $4560, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the average went to Keith Elkins and Pete Starkey. The third place finish and the incentive average went to Guy McNabb and Tal Priest from Mississippi. The final roping of the weekend was the #8 Pick/Draw. The team of Mike Bratton and Colton Allen won first place in the roping and took home $3590, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Coleman McNaughton and Allen and third place went to James Grover and Rachel Peele. The curtain dropped on the Florida Panhandle Championships and producer John Johnson and JX2 Productions were pleased with the event and the turn out.

FLORIDA PANHANDLE RESULTS: TOTAL PAYOUT $84,429 OPEN, AVERAGE: 1. Scott Elliott (Live Oak, FL) / Mark Strickland (Dunnellon, FL), 46.45, $667 • #15 HANDICAP, AVERAGE:1. Daren Sims (Fountain, FL) / Nelson Wyatt (Clanton, AL), 31.45, $1,642; 2. Daren Sims (Fountain, FL) / Zak Dobbins (Bay Minette, AL), 36.88, $1,095 • #13 HANDICAP, AVERAGE: 1. Scott Elliott (Live Oak, FL) / Bradley Massey (Perry, FL), 32.29, $2,050; 2. Justin Sands (Perry, FL) / Rodney Melton (Wilburton, OK), 33.6, $1,232; 3. Coty Long (Bonifay, FL) / Ryan Pope (Bonifay, FL), 34.27, $820 • #12, AVERAGE: 1. Justin Sands (Perry, FL) / Craig Stevens (Thomasville, GA), 32.1, $2,850; 2. Coty Long (Bonifay, FL) / Steven Pitts (Chipley, FL), 34.23, $2,138; 3. Wyatt Allen (Dadeville, AL) / Rodney Melton (Wilburton, OK), 37.77, $1,424; 4. T J Allen (Dadeville, AL) / Brent Kittle (Woodland, AL), 40.4, $712 • #11, AVERAGE: 1. Bob Herrington (San Mateo, FL) / Glen Terrell (Notasulga, AL), 32.41, $3,430; 2. Levi Ladner (Kiln, MS) / Steven Pitts (Chipley, FL), 34.84, $2,576; 3. Dylan Elkins (Clinton, LA) / Bradley Massey (Perry, FL), 36.08, $1,720; 4. Dean Derenzo (Ocala, FL) / Bradley Massey (Perry, FL), 37.12, $860 • #10, Average: 1. Deb Raulerson (San Mateo, FL) / Kody Hendricks (Green Cove Springs, FL), 37.75, $4,010; 2. Rodney Nelson (Milton, FL) / Riley Kittle (Woodland, AL), 39.11, $3,010; 3. Rance Necaise (Perkinston, MS) / Wyatt Simmons (Chunchula, AL), 40.9, $2,006; 4. Dylan Elkins (Clinton, LA) / T J Croft (Perry, FL), 42.54, $1,000 • #9 AVERAGE: 1. Ronnie Simmons (Chunchula, AL) / Jarid Ladner (Pass Christian, MS), 35.37, $4,560; 2. Keith Elkins (Clinton, LA) / Pete Starkey (Independence, LA), 36.67, $3,040; 3. Guy McNabb (Centreville, MS) / Tal Priest (Centreville, MS), 45.22, $2,408; 4. Chris Carnes (Mershon, GA) / Burley Davis (Blackshear, GA), 45.26, $1,770; 5. Hal Wiley (Fitzgerald, GA) / Riley Kittle (Woodland, AL), 51.63, $890 • #8 PICKDRAW, AVERAGE: 1. Mike Bratton (Phenix City, AL) / Colton Allen (Dadeville, AL), 35.22, $3,590; 2. Coleman McNaughton (Headland, AL) / Colton Allen (Dadeville, AL), 36.7, $2,396; 3. James Grover (Dunnellon, FL) / Rachel Peele (Macclenny, FL), 37.35, $1,898; 4. Rusty Weiss (Purvis, MS) / Candice Cagle (Purvis, MS), 37.49, $1,400; 5. Irena Lee (Perkinston, MS) / Kent Shaw (Perkinston, MS), 38.45, $700 • #12 GOLD PLUS, AVERAGE: 1. Scott Elliott (Live Oak, FL) / Steven Pitts (Chipley, FL), 35.05, $2,910; 2. Mike Woolven (Nettleton, MS) / T J Croft (Perry, FL), 40.61, $1,750; 3. Steve Horne (Opelika, AL) / Ed Allen (Dadeville, AL), 44.75, $1,164 • #10 GOLD PLUS, AVERAGE: 1. Deb Raulerson (San Mateo, FL) / Dennis Moore (Opp, AL), 42.88, $3,230; 2. Jimmy Wood (Rochelle, GA) / Kevin Lasseter (Sycamore, GA), 43.47, $2,420; 3. Bob Herrington (San Mateo, FL) / Nick Hart (Keystone Heights, FL), 43.91, $1,610; 4. Kenny Malone (Wilmer, AL) / Jarid Ladner (Pass Christian, MS), 44.79, $800 42 • THE ROPING PEN • AUGUST 2016

STATE FINALS WINNERS! Congratulations to all our champs...

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Photos courtesy of JD Photography©

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Indiana Classic YANKEETOWN ARENA • HENRYVILLE, INDIANA • JUNE 4-5, 2016 Produced by Dan Stewart • Story by Ben Clements

ankeetown Arena and Henryville, Indiana is the host of the Indiana Classic. Dan Stewart produced the annual event and team ropers from all over the region enjoyed the team roping event. The #13 Slide Division kicked off the weekend of roping. The winners were the team of Ronnie Hyde from Bloomington, Indiana and Adam Schlechty of Ansonia, Ohio. They caught four steers in 41.10 seconds. The feat gave them $988, trophy Gist knives and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was the team of Shaun Thomas from Elizabethtown, Kentucky and Nat Stewart of Corydon, Indiana. The third place finishers were Ronnie Hyde and Clayton Nettleship.

The next roping of the day was the #12 Division. Ronnie Hyde and Corey Barnett teamed up to catch four steers in a time of 32.60 seconds for the win of the average. The win was worth $716, trophy Gist knives and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place went to Keith Hanna of Henryville, Indiana and Nat Stewart. The incentive champions were Shaun Thomas and Taylor Binkley. The team of Keith Hanna and Corey Barnett won the average of the #12 Gold Plus Division. They took home $1100 and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Shaun Thomas and Jeremy Jones from Fountain Run, Kentucky were second place and the third place team was Keith Hanna and Jones. The team of Hanna and Barnett won the incentive average. The #11 Division was up next and the winning team was James Cotterill of Pomeroy, Ohio and Larry Habrun from Millersburg, Ohio. They earned $1352, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Zach Wills and Jeremy Jones and third place went to James Cotterill and Adam Schlechty. Cotterill and Habrun also won the incentive average.

The #10 Division was the final roping of the day and the champions were Shaun Thomas and Shawn Loehr. They won $1448, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was James Cotterill and Larry Habrun and third place went to Dakota Sunday and Williams Evans. The incentive winners of the #10 Division were Cotterill and Habrun.

The final day of the Indiana Classic began with the #10 Gold Plus Division. The team of James Cotterill and Larry Habrun won the average. They took home $1436 and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. The team of Holly Stewart and Larry Habrun were second place. Cotterill and Habrun won the incentive average. Trent Heuerman of Mason, Illinois and Roger Wilson from Greenfield, Indiana won the average in the #9 Division. They completed the roping with a time of 52.17 on four steers and earned $2254, plus trophy Gist buckles, and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Sec-

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ond place was Brandon McCory and Craig Hostetler and third place went to Marvin Billings and David Musselman. The team of Gary Patrick and Chris Heldt claimed the win of the incentive average. The conclusion of the weekend came with the #8 Pick/Draw. Randy Hostetler of Commiskey, Indiana and Ron Barrett from Henryville, Indiana were 36.48 seconds on three steers and won the average. The win gave the team $3174, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place went to Ronald Sparks and Brad Killinger and they received $2380, plus $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings and trophy Gist buckles. Third place was Mike Zimmerman and Bill Adcock.

N.Arkansas Classic

CARROLL COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS • BERRYVILLE, ARK • JUNE 17-19, 2016 Produced by Rope the Ozarks • Story by Ben Clements

ope the Ozarks produced the North Arkansas Classic in Berryville, Arkansas. The event was June 17-19, 2016 and was held at the Carroll County Fairgrounds.

The event began with the Open Division. Cody Bailey from Mulberry, Arkansas and Jake Pianalto of Rose, Oklahoma teamed up to win first place in the average and they also won the incentive.

Cody Bailey continued his winning streak and teamed up with Jordan Sullivan from Mount Vernon, Arkansas. The duo won the average of the #15 Division with a time of 34.89 seconds on four steers. They received $1750, trophy Ritchie ColdSaver Coolers, and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the average was Shea Bailey and Justin Bailey and third place went to Clay Saffell and Jake Pianalto. Luke Tyree from West Plains, Missouri and Josh Hamby of Viola, Arkansas teamed up to win the #13 Division. They were 37.49 seconds on four steers and earned $2820, trophy Ritchie ColdSaver Coolers and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the roping was Jared Sullivan and Spencer Wilcox. Third place in the roping was Clay Saffell and Tyler Hutchins. The team of Ronnie Colclasure and Corey Colclasure teamed up to win first place in the average of the #12 Division. They were 29.34 seconds on four steers and won $3620, trophy Ritchie ColdSaver Coolers and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the average was Ronnie Colclasure and James Miler from Dardanelle, Arkansas with a time of 32.87 seconds on four steers. Third place was Luke Tyree and Tyler Triplett. Shea Bailey and Bradley Newberry won the incentive average.

The second day of team roping action began with the #12 Gold Plus Division. Ronnie Colclasure and James Miller were the champions of the roping. They were 37.98 seconds on four steers and they took home $4000 and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the main average of the roping along with the incentive average win went to Scott Clark and Jason O’Brien. Third place was Luke Tyree and Tyler Triplett.

ley Newberry of Huntsville, Arkansas teamed up to win first place in the average. They won $5500, trophy Ritchie ColdSaver Coolers and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the roping was Mike Cullum and Luke Hinson and third place was Cole Moore and Cooper Freeman. The incentive winners were Greg Neighbors and Morgan Spinks.

The final day of the North Arkansas Classic began with the #10 Gold Plus Division. Joe Martin from Billings, Missouri and Glenn Girard of Branson, Missouri won first place with a time of 39.71 seconds on four steers. For their efforts they received $5080 and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Ronnie Colclasure and Girard were second while Tony Lee and Carl Cotton Lee roped their way into third place. The incentive winners were Sidney Pittman of Pearcy, Arkansas and Brent Hudson from Russellville, Arkansas.

Dustin Slone and Jacob Barnett were the winners of the #9 Division. They were 33.27 seconds on four steers and won $6340, trophy Ritchie ColdSaver Coolers and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Mandy King and Danielle Roper from Salem, Arkansas finished in second place in the average. Mark Tichenor and Tom Bridges won third. The team of Sloan and Barnett also won the incentive average.

The final roping of the weekend was the #8 Pick/Draw. The Marshall, Arkansas team of Scott Housley and Jesse Watts finished first place in the average. They won $4940, trophy Gist buckles, and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Matt Ogle and Jacob Barnett and third place was Ogle and Caleb Slone.

In the #11 Division the team of Jayde Slade and James Miller finished the roping with a time of 33.20 on four steers. That time gave them first place in the average and they won $4970, trophy Ritchie ColdSaver coolers and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Slade from Rosebud, Arkansas and Spencer Wilcox of Greenbrier, Arkansas finished in second place in the roping. The Carthage, Missouri team of Matthew Freeman and Cooper Freeman won third place. Slade and Miller also won the incentive average. The final roping of the second day of the North Arkansas Classic was the #10 Division. Mandy King from Ponca, Arkansas and Brad-

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Proctor In line with ‘‘The Bomb’’

oleman Proctor and his partner Billie Jack Saebens are right in the middle of the summer rodeo run and are looking forward to the next few months where they will continue to fill their pockets with championship winnings! Proctor and Saebens, both Oklahoma natives, have been friends for a long time and even though this is the first year they have traveled together they have a long history of winning together. “Everything has been going good,” said Proctor. “Billie and I have been doing well together this year. We are good buddies and have roped together a lot in the past. With half of the season behind them, Proctor is eager to see what is in store for the rest of the year and what he and Saebens can accomplish. “When I turn em, he catches em. I just need to turn more of them,” Proctor said with a laugh. “Actually, Billie is fun to travel with. This is the first time we have roped together full time and it has been great. We have roped a lot together in the past and have always had lots of luck together.” Success surely is no stranger for this duo. They have claimed their share of championships in the past and are likely to be among those who will have a chance to win a PRCA National Finals Championship this year in Vegas. Proctor is coming off a few big events, the Prairie Circuit Finals and Dodge National Finals where he claimed his share of big money at both events. “The Dodge Circuit Finals in Florida were great,” he said. “This was my second year to compete there and it is an awe-

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some rodeo. The committee works hard and the payout is great. I also think the rodeo will grow next year as money won at the rodeo will count towards the NFR next year. I won just over $15,000 there this year.” With the season in mid-swing and the introduction of a new weapon to use in the arena, Proctor is excited about Lone Star’s new rope, The Bomb! As one of the many who are swinging the new 100% nylon rope that has only been out for about a month now, Proctor is perhaps the ropes number one fan! “The ‘Bomb’ is awesome, he exclaimed.” I love that rope! It has been so true and takes heat well. Every rope I have received has been the same. Take it out, stretch it once and it is ready to use. I use it every day.” Proctor had a lot to say about the new rope from Lone Star. “The only thing is the nylon is a bright white and if you don’t hit your mark, everyone knows it,” he said with a laugh. “No really, the bright ropes allow you to see the rope well. I feel it has the same dimension as the Falcon with just a little more weight. It is fast, yet it stays seated on the horns. It is a great feeling rope.” Proctor and ‘The Bomb,’ along with partner Billie Jack are well on their way to a fantastic second half of the year. They are doing what many only dream of - enjoying the sport, the open road, great friendship and the competition of professional rodeo. The best of Luck to Proctor as he continues to push towards his 3rd year at the NFR and a chance to lay claim to the ultimate title of PRCA National Team Roping Champion!

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PICKING YOUR MOUNT

eam roping is continually growing and many people are taking up the sport for the first time. These individuals make up a good portion of this new roper community and many are searching for horses to use in the sport. Thus the explosion of the team roping horse market.TotalTeamRoping.com instructor Bret Beach has had a lifetime of riding different horses and helping individuals find horses that will help them succeed in the sport. After a lifetime of roping, making every mistake conceivable when buying a horse Bret has some advice to share with ropers out there. “I do not buy and sell horses, but I do enjoy helping people find a good horse that they can enjoy and grow with in the sport,” Bret said. “When inexperienced ropers begin to look for a horse to use I think they should have full knowledge of what to look for in a horse, but maybe even more important what not to look for. Everyone is in a different spot in their roping and a horse can help make all the difference in progressing. That is what makes buying a horse so hard at times.” Many new ropers do not know what exactly they need when they go out to buy a horse to use in the sport of team roping. They have no guidance and often times may be misled by those selling them a horse. “People really need to have someone who they can trust, who knows what to look for help them when buying a horse,” Bret Added. “This is one area you don’t want any surprises. It’s best if you can ask the buyer if they can try the horse for a few days before making the final purchase. This is a great way to know what

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TIPS FROM BRET BEACH your are purchasing and if the horse fits your abilities and can help you succeed. Really you are putting your life or maybe your kid’s life in someone else’s hand when you go out to buy a horse, so it is critical to know what you are buying.” Bret said he often sees several things people do wrong when they buy a new rope horse. He said, “Ropers can really only buy what they can afford, but that is ok, there is a horse out there for everyone. What drives me crazy though is when they spend more money and more time buying the truck and trailer they will be taking to the roping then they do on their horse.” Your mount often dictates what you can win. Taking a look at the top 50 in the world, the one then thing that often separates the top 10 places are their horses. “I often hear people say, when I get better, I’ll buy a better horse,” Bret said. “That is completely backwards. People should get a better horse to help make them better. Don’t get something you can’t ride, but get something that you don’t have to ride and push all the time. A good horse should grow with your abilities.” Bret hopes everyone finds that perfect horse that will help them head to the pay window. He stressed again that a roper should take along a friend or fellow roper to help make that important decision when buying a horse. Be sure to stop by and check out the new items added to TotalTeamRoping.com. Bret, along with Clay O’Brien and Charles Pogue are all excited about the new additions to the website and looking forward to continuing to help ropers progress.

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GIFT HORSES “T

hese things are crazy! What’d you get me into?!” Seems Honest Tom was a bit put out. “What part of wild did you not understand? I told you they were wild.” “But they’re crazy!” Tom exclaimed. “Yep, that goes along with the wild part”, I smiled and said. Several years before, one of the farms, at this time rented by my employer, had been a show horse farm. Back then, the owners got involved in road ponies, Hackneys to be exact. Over time, the interest in showing waned and the horses were sold and the land rented for grazing cattle. All of the horses that is, except for a handful of the Hackney ponies. In the close to twenty years following, the numbers ebbed and flowed, but there were never fewer than twenty odd at any one time. As the years passed, the ponies became more feral, and, if possible for Hackneys, wilder. They were notorious for running through the steers when we were gathering, scattering cattle everywhere, then racing across the pasture to circle and come back again. On a couple of occasions, I was called upon to put down a young upstart stallion that would challenge the herd stud and wind up with a broken leg. While necessary, I’ve never liked the task. The studs would bite chunks out of the fly rubs on the mineral feeders and pull them down. My day work help and buddy, Greg, discovered, the studs also enjoyed trying to mount his gelding when we went to doctor foot rot and pinkeye. Many times my boss tried to get the owner to get rid of the Hackneys, brombies as we now called them, all to no avail. It seemed the owner enjoyed the entertainment factor of having them disrupt our cattle. Eventually, though, he gave in and decided to sell a load. I was offered by my employer to haul them to Kinsport, Tennessee, to the horse sale. After towing a Judas horse with feed, and chasing with trucks, we finally corraled them in a set of old pens we used for shipping. I went to get my trailer as the owner sorted the ones he wanted to sell. When I got back and finally got them to go on the trailer, twelve Hackneys went on all at once and could have been gated in the front cut of my sixteen foot Gooseneck. I managed to get a flat tire and a tank of fuel for my trouble. The owner after the sale, got a bill from the market. It seemed after the Coggins tests and commissions, the ponies lost him forty dollars. Needless to say, that experience kept any more from being sold for a few years. Eventually, my boss made an offer and bought the

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whole herd just to get them gone. After another round up, we had around twenty-four loaded and hauled to our headquarters, where the pens were a bit more secure. This brings us back to the beginning of the story. I had called Honest Tom and told him about the adventure of penning the brombies. Ever the entepreneur, he had a light bulb go off in his head and asked if he could call me back. An hour or so later, I get a call asking what would the boss take for them. I said nothing, just come and get them, but what would he want with them? He said he had spoken with a friend and they had a plan. As Tom got out and looked them over, the herd stud and his mare band in one corner and the four bachelor studs in the diagonal corner, he started scratching his head. When we went to push them over to the load out, the lead stud started fighting the bachelors and the mares tried climbing the fences. That’s when the conversation took place. As we finally got them pushed over to the trailer, the lead stud ran his mares on all the while dragging one of the bachelors on the trailer with him by the neck. We slammed the trailer gates, I smiled and said; “Good luck!” A couple of days later I got a call. The plan Honest Tom had with his buddy was to halter break the little beasts and then resell them, all pure profit on the free load. After proper evaluation, they decided for Tom to leave them on the trailer and go straight to Kingsport to do away with the chance of severe personal injury. The call I received was to tell me they only lost a hundred dollars on the load of free horses.

Don't Play Another's Game

ny competitor knows that at least 50% of the game, if not more, is mental. It doesn’t matter how good a person CAN do....if their mind is not in the game.....victory can easily be lost. I’ve heard stories about some competitors who were pros at getting people off their game simply by messing with their mind. Knowing a person’s “buttons” and pushing them. I was told of a roper who was a master at making everyone so mad at him that they would get their mind OFF of doing the basics and instead start concentrating on beating him! And in doing so, they wouldn’t play their own game, while he would stick to his… and win! I seem to never tire of hearing the story about Martha Josey winning the world title and R.E. telling her before the 10th round at the NFR, that all she had to do was to NOT hit a barrel and the world title was hers. He told her to play it safe, don’t push, because her time didn’t matter.....just DON’T HIT A BARREL! When Martha’s time came to run, she barreled down the alley way, balls to the wall. R.E. was FUMING! Martha won that round and won the world title that year and when asked WHY she threw caution to the wind when she had it won if she’d simply safetied up.....she said she had practiced ONE WAY all year long and she KNEW that if she tried running a different way other than all out.....she’d screw it up. She was right! What if she had gone into the arena thinking one thought....”just don’t hit a barrel....don’t hit a barrel”.....what do you think would’ve happened? I figure she would’ve hit a barrel and in doing so, lost the world title that year. The devil is a MASTER at getting into our heads and thus getting us off our “game”. He did it in the garden and to this day he continues to try to knock us off balance and keep us from being a threat to his plans. But if we will stick to a winning game plan, we can defeat him! God has a wonderful plan for your life! Even if you’ve screwed it up badly.....God has never once wrung His hands in worry over how to redeem your situation. If a person WANTS to know and obey God’s plan and will for their life, they need only to seek to KNOW HIM and learn His ways and recognize His voice. It’s not that hard. It’s simply a relationship. Let Him have access into your thoughts, your day, your motives, your dreams.....and before you know it.....you will be walking through life with a confidence in His wisdom, His protection, His provision and direction.

BY CRYSTAL LYONS

And let me tell you for sure.....His “game plan” WORKS!! So, how does the devil get into our heads and off our game? By injecting worry and us taking the bait. By motivating us through greed or selfishness. By FEAR. Any of these things, (and more) can take us out of our playing field and onto his....and you can’t beat the devil on his own field. Shifting us out of trust into worry....out of forgiveness into resentment.....out of integrity and into compromise, etc. Stick to the game plan that has been tested down through the ages! God’s Word and His ways WORK!! Don’t let something or someone pull you out of position and cause you to forfeit a win that God has planned for you! LIVE PURE, SPEAK TRUE, RIGHT WRONG, FOLLOW THE KING!

God has a wonderful plan for your life! Even if you’ve screwed it up badly, God has never once wrung His hands in worry over how to redeem your situation…

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Congratulations to all the State Finals Champions!

All-Around Cowgirl: Mikayla Joh Almond Rookie of the Yr: Mikayla Joh Almond Reserve All-Around Cowgirl: Kelsey Martin Saddle Bronc: Colby Winstead

2 Kenneth Glick 3 Hunter Styles 4 Chase Dyal

Bulls:

Colby Winstead

2 Kyle Currie 3 Tristin McClain 4 Blake Farley 5 Garrett McClain 6 Logan Gaskins

Barrels:

Mikayla Joh Almond 2 Kelsey Martin 3 Kenzie Cook 4 Ashton Willis 5 Monica Harmon 6 Amanda Stephenson 7 Katy Sherrill 8 Aubrey Delk 9 Maggie Wirchball 10 Marybeth Rollings

Breakaway:

Mikayla Joh Almond

2 Caroline Burgen 3 Olivia Dove 4 Chloe Cox 5 Bailey Kuntz 6 Kelsey Martin 7 Kyra Lombardo 8 Abi Clinkscales 9 Monica Harmon 10 Jini Justice 10 Mackaylah McCurry

Calf Roping: Tyler Willis

2 Adam Griffin 3 Hunter Styles 4 Dillon Harrison 5 Corey Waddell 6 Lane Bradley 7 Eddie Rounds 8 Joby Garrison 9 Bennett Dove 10 Chase Dyal

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All-Around Cowboy: Hunter Styles Rookie of the Yr: Eddie Rounds Reserve All-Around Cowboy: Colby Winstead Trap:

Caroline Burgen

Goat Tying: Kelsey Martin

2 Mikayla Joh Almond 3 Olivia Dove 4 Caroline Burgen 5 Amber Tatham 6 Amanda Stephenson 7 Chloe Cox 8 Kyra Lombardo 9 Ashton Willis 10 Bailey Kuntz

Pole Bending:

Mikayla Joh Almond 2 Jini Justice 3 Kelsey Martin 4 Monica Harmon 5 Riley Sutherland 6 Maggie Wirchball 7 Olivia Dove 8 Amanda Stephenson 9 Ashton Willis 10 Amber Tatham

Light Rifle: Will Jennings

Team Roping: Dillon Harrison & Hunter Styles

2 Justin Shoffner & Blake Watt 3 Makaylah McCurry &Mikayla Joh Almond 4 Eddie Rounds & Tyler Willis 5 Chase Dyal & Colby Winstead 6 Joby Garrison & Will Rector 7 Noah Berry & Lane Bradley 8 Cole Williams & Mark Price 9 Cayden McCraw & Owen Gulledge 10 Adam Griffin & Kelsey Martin

Steer Wrestling: Eddie Rounds

2 Hunter Styles 3 Bennett Dove 4 Colby Winstead 5 Adam Griffin 6 Tyler Willis 7 Chase Dyal 8 Dillon Harrison

Cutting:

Tyler Willis

McCay Alexander Cayden McCraw

Cutting:

Kelsey Martin

Mackenzie Johnson Kelly Rae Alexander

Reined Cow Horse Maggie Nobles

Kelsey Martin Cayden McCraw

THE MAGAZINE FOR AMERICA’S ROPER • 63

The Other Half I

Thoughts of a Team Roping Spouse • by Gracie Mae

hate to admit it but being married to a team roper is one of the true tests of fortitude. You have to understand it will push you to the point of breaking and I’ve come to the conclusion if you can stay hooked you are in for the ride of your life. We all know I think ropers just may be one brick short of a load and roping is an obsession with them anyway you look at it. I would go so far as to say they are whiners, complainers and, generally speaking, spoiled rotten but they are good as gold and will do anything and everything for their families, kids and roping buddies. However, working together in this business called team roping has to test you to the limit of toleration. Those couples that can sort it out, argue, fuss and fight and still crawl in the same bed at night are to be commended. Without a doubt it will tests the strength of your marriage, the commitment you have to each other and the bond that says we are in this together. Till death do us part takes on a whole new meaning when sometimes you are wanting to kill him just because he gets on your nerves. Picture if you will the husband and wife that ropes together stays together. That is a mouthful. Working together in the practice pen, trying to sort out how he wants the chute gate to open, saddling horses, wrapping steers, loading and unloading trailers, building and repairing fences, pulling roping dummy’s with a four wheeler when you never ever knew what that involved, cleaning out water troughs, haying and feeding horses, taking care of kids and on and on and on goes the list—well, point blank it will test your patience, your fortitude and the saneness of your mind as you look through it all and wonder, “And I’m doing this why!” For those of us who do NOT rope it is a challenging concept. I figure it just may be like being married to a pro ball player and wondering just where do I fit in since I don’t play football. Those couples that can work together, argue, discuss, fuss and come out ahead are to be congratulated. As I said this saying is probably truer than we know. Those who rope together stay together. The true test of any marriage knows for sure if you really like that person who is labeled “your better half.” Yes, it is true I love him but sometimes I don’t like him very much. Rare are those occasions when we skip roping and do something I want to do. Rare are those occasions he will miss a roping to celebrate our anniversary or birthday. Rare are those occasions when I want to do something different and he just assumes I’m as caught up in roping as he is and why wouldn’t I want to do that since it is so much fun? Well duh! So we are in this together. If he is running late I saddle horses, if he has a rope burn on his hands I’m the one who doctor’s and nurses him. If he is on a downer and not roping well I’m the cheerleader and the motivator. If he can’t get off work I get to the feed store and run the errands. If something breaks I’m the one that heads to the house to replace it or makes a run to town to get a new one and on and on goes that list as well. So just how does it work? No wonder it is a true test of marriage. Sometimes I feel like Prissy in the movie Gone with the Wind. “Yes, Miss Scarlet. Ok, Miss Scarlet!” And yet, all jesting aside he is true blue. We spend endless hours together. We fight and fuss and scream and holler and it all comes down to still being able to laugh

64 • THE ROPING PEN • AUGUST 2016

True Test of Marriage

with each other, make fun of each other, hug each other, forgive each other and take the next step. I married him knowing he was a roper. I married him knowing he would be a good husband, a good dad and if he had anything to do with it we would always have what we needed. Shhhhh! Don’t tell him I said that and if I want him to know I’ll tell him. The good thing is I can talk to him about anything; roping included, and my feedback counts. Like it or not he chooses to listen to my input and he appreciates the fact I will drive all night, walk horses, feed and tend to kids and run to the trailer for a rope or a bottle of water because I love him and I know he appreciates it even if he never tells me so. What is the true test of marriage? I guess spending almost twenty four/seven together and still liking each other. Going through the challenge and discipline of making team roping work and still being able to talk to one another, help setting the table in the middle of the night or loading the dishwasher because we stayed in practice pen to late, overcoming tired kids, a tired mom and dad and still going back for more of the same thing because like it or not it keeps us all busy and it is something we love to do. I guess it is like knowing your husband is a race car driver before you married him then asking him to stop or change once you muttered the “I do.” Team Ropers are, indeed, a breed apart. I know, they have one brick short of a load but they are loyal, committed not only to roping but also to family and they have one speed go fast. But that “go fast” involves us all in this together for each other for whatever reasons. I never cease to be amazed at what he comes up with to surprise us or show his appreciation and about the time I want to knock him in the head he makes me laugh and I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t change a thing even if I could. I don’t know what wedded bliss means. I guess if it means opening gates in the roping arena, loading and unloading trailers, late night drives, tired kids and hot horses then I’m pretty much covered. I’m not a nagger and I don’t bribe. He pulls his share and I pull mine. If it needs done I do it without instructions or being prompted to do so. He does the same. We are on the same page, most of the time and those times we aren’t we can at least sit down and fight about it. We can discuss it and come to some middle ground. It is one of those hug and make up scenarios where the fight was worth the making amends. If we can crawl in to bed at night and still snuggle maybe we will be okay. It doesn’t matter that the bedroom floor is covered in boots and spurs and ropes and all that other nonsense. What matters is we love each other and, no doubt, sometimes it is hard but we didn’t get involved because it was easy. We got involved because we saw something worthwhile. The true test of marriage, well, perhaps, it is knowing he’s a roper and I’m glad he is and he is glad he is and it is worth raising our kids in that kind of lifestyle. True test of marriage, “Yep, I’m in for the long haul and God willing we will both hang on until the last steer is loaded and the last roper called.” No one said it would be easy but it will be fun!

SUMMER CAMP FOR KIDS! LITTLE HAT RANCH - Summer Cowboy Camp for Kids! Includes horseback riding, roping, barrel racing, swimming, crafts and much more! Contact Little Hat Ranch at 336-643-0101 Or email us at taylorequine@hotmail.com. Like us on Facebook and Instagram!

HORSES 10 YR OLD BAY GELDING, 15 hands, head/heel prospect, started on sled, no bad habits and very cowy and willing, quiet. (Two Eyed Jack) Asking $3,500,00. Call Doc Taylor 336-918-1083 13 YR OLD SORREL GELDING, 15-2 hands, head horse, hauled and proven (Doc Bar) Asking $6,500.00. Call Doc Taylor 336-918-1083 13 YR OLD SORREL GELDING, 15 hands, head(awesome)/heel. (Freckles/Doc Bar) serious inquiries only Asking $18,000.00. Call Doc Taylor 336-918-1083. 10 YR OLD PAINT GELDING (heel pony) great for kids, no papers. Asking $5,000.00. Call Doc Taylor 336-918-1083.

CATTLE BREEDING ROPING OR BUCKING CATTLE? Our lab offers pregnancy testing, BVD, and Johne’s testing. Call 307-742-9072 or visit our website to find out more at www.eagletalonent.com

ROPING DUMMIES HEEL-O-MATIC FOR SALE! BRAND NEW - Straight from the factory. HeelO-Matic with all the upgrades. The Ultimate Ground-Driven Trainer includes the Spring-Loaded Tongue and Deluxe Leg Package. Top of the line roping practice machine. See one at heelomtic.com. Selling for $3100 ($500 off retail). Call 505-259-7975 LIL BLUE HEELER – Get the best, most fun training & roping dummy on the market today. Rope it one time and you will be hooked! Rope it inside, outside, take it on the road, the Lil Blue Heeler is a great roping aid at a great price! The Lil BLue Heeler is completely portable with realistic hopping motion. Great for beginners to pros! Get yours today – call Grizzly Saddlery (406) 761-5948

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Advertisers & Events Index EVENTS: Beast Of The East, NTRL Reg Event.........50 Crossfire................................................47 Fire It Up...............................................41 Heat Is On, Tunica, Ms............................17 Hillbilly Redneck Truck & Trailer.............48 HP Ranch Horse Invitational (Pitzer).......45 NTRL News & Events..............................56 Patriot: Fort Smith, Ark..........................40 Patriot: Four States USTRC......................38 Patriot: Grand Island, NE........................39 Patriot: San Antonio, Tx.........................37 Two Tusk Challenge - Bee Branch, Ark....59 Ultimate Youth Rodeo............................25 USTRC: Oklahoma City...........................43 USTRC: SE Regional Finals......................19 WSTR Qualifier / NJ Productions............33 ADVERTISERS: Adam Toole Horses................................65 Alabama Roping....................................23 Albracht Insurance.................................16 Allen’s Rodeo Photos................................4 Bar H Photography..................................4 BTuff Jeans.............................................6 C Bar C Photography................................4 Classic Rope...........................................46 Dare to be a Cowboy.............................53 FastBack.................................................3

Flatland Ropes.......................................23 FSR Cattle Company...............................23 Haslerig................................................61 Heel-O-Matic.........................................63 Hot Heels..............................................21 Jackets for all........................................23 JD Photography.......................................4 Jim Davis Photo.......................................4 Lone Star Ropes.....................................55 Lubrisyn................................................68 Maynard Buckles...................................13 Mortenson Saddle Buckle.......................21 Pitzer Ranch Fall Sale............................45 Power Team Roping.................................7 Priefert.................................................66 Rope Smart.......................................2, 31 Sparky..................................................27 SpeedRoping.com..................................26 STS Ranchwear......................................16 Team Equine Saddle Pad........................23 Tom Bourne...........................................23 Total Equine Feed..................................67 TotalTeamRoping.com............................58 Tres Rios Silver......................................27 Twisted Spur............................................7 Maverick Saddle Co...............................22 Willard Rope Co.....................................21 Call us today to feature your event or product! • 505-407-2151 • • rdavis@theropingpen.com •

THE MAGAZINE FOR AMERICA’S ROPER • 65

THE MAGAZINE FOR AMERICA’S ROPER • 67