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June 2015
Vol. 24 No. 6
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FEATURES… SRA: Austin
Stewart
MICHAEL JOHNSON’S FINAL ARTICLE!
2 • The Roping Pen • June 2015
The Magazine for America’s Roper • 3
Table of Contents Articles & Features June is here and the summer months are upon us with backyard barbeques, hanging with friends and family and summer trips. I truly enjoy summertime and that chance to soak in the warm sunshine that God provides. This month I m going to get a little off track, but I have to rant about something that has been bothering me.
I have to say that over the past several months I have had a bad taste in my mouth. This comes from the news I happen to catch in the mornings while trying to hustle the boys out the door to school. It seems each day there is another crisis, another riot, a shooting, American bloodshed on foreign soil, or some sort of all around bad news. Now there is always a bit of good news shared over the airways, but the majority of the news today is negative.
I talked to a couple people over the past month about different views on different subjects and I have to say that after talking to them, we need to get back to what this country is all about. Get the politics out of the way and let us begin to once again be happy to be an American living in the USA. We do invite your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. However, I believe as that invitation stands, those who reach the goodness of this country should stand side by side with us in pride for the Red, White and Blue! Looking in the rearview mirror, I can’t seem to see where this country lost track of the values and respect that has made America, the land of the free, a one of a kind country that so many yearn to live. I can however say over the past couple years the government has not helped matters. Mingling in affairs that we should not mingle in, over-supporting areas of the world when many need support here and not promoting the greatness of this country; almost making a mockery and shaming those of us who love this country for being proud are just a few of the shortcomings of our government. Now I am not a military vet, but I have the right to stand up and shake a hand of a vet who signed a dotted line somewhere in their past and served to allow me the freedom to do what I want and to be proud to be an American!
So I ask you that sometime this next month, you too shake a vets hand, raise a flag in your front yard, turn off the nightly or morning news and put on some good ole country songs and dance a while, call a friend or head to the neighbors or friends house to just sit and visit. And, as we welcome in this year’s Fourth of July next month remember your youth and how free and proud we were as kids to live in America, how we were offered the chance to chase the dreams we have hopefully achieved today and to live in a country that so may have fought and died to keep free! God Bless America!
UNTIL NEXT MONTH... Dirt: keep it under your feet
~Ryan Davis
4 • The Roping Pen • June 2015
4 Dirt: June is here... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan Davis 10 Nat’l Jr High Finals Rodeo: Ready to begin!. . . Ryan Davis T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F. . .
11 Top Tips! Keep Them Tuned Up . . . Featuring Cesar de la Cruz
SRA
12 S. Alabama Championships, April 11-12. . . . . Event Recap
AHSRA
16 Black Jack Classic, July 24-26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Event Recap
Southern Rodeo Association Alabama High School Rodeo Association FYRA
Foothills Youth Rodeo Association GHSRA & GJHRA
14 Bluegrass Championships, April 3-4 . . . . . . . . Event Recap 24 North Carolina Classic, April 18-19. . . . . . . . . Event Recap 24 Arkansas Championships, April 18-19. . . . . . . Event Recap 28 Sweat & Balin’ Twine: Fathers & Sons. . . . . . . . John Rhudy 29 Down the Line: Rain, Rain, Rain. . . . . . . . . . . . Stran Smith
Georgia High School Rodeo Association & Georgia Junior High Division
30 The Future of Rodeo . . . . . . . . . . . . June Photo of the Month
LTRA
32 Power Team Roping Q&A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rickey Green
Louisiana Team Ropers’ Association NTRL
32 Throwing My Loop: Goodbye, Old Paint . . Michael Johnson 33 Ropers of the Round Table: Under the Tailgate.Stuart Mitchell 34 In The Loop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lone Star Ropes
National Team Roping League
36 Protecting Your Investment. . . . . . . . . . . . . Jason Strickland
NAFRA
52 Saddle/Buckle Blowout, May 9-10 . . . . . . . . . . Event Recap
Northeast Arkansas Family Rodeo Association NCHSRA • NCJHRA
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
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56 The Other Half: Logistics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gracie Mae 57 Event & Advertiser Index 57 Classifieds
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The Magazine for America’s Roper • 5
Austin Stewart
S
outhern Rodeo Association members are full of surprises. It seems every member has their own story and combined there are millions of memories, accomplishments and accounts. The history of the association has made lots of these memories and the future holds many more as the association continues to play out in arenas all across the Southeast.
One great story arises from a young man who has made a career in the rodeo arena as both a competitor and entertainer. Ever since he was young, Austin Stewart has been a rodeo contestant. Stewart grew up roping and was soon a main contender in the calf roping and chute dogging events in youth and junior rodeos. His passion for rodeo continues to drive the North Carolina cowboy and you can now find him competing in the calf roping, steer wrestling and over the past several years in the saddle bronc riding events. However, this passion is often cut short each year his second career choice, still inside the rodeo arena takes him across the country throughout most of the summer months. When he was five years old, Stewart began what was someday to become a steady job as a rodeo entertainer. The young cowboy was always handy with a rope and as a 5th generation cowboy could do some of the coolest rope tricks with a rope. He would often find himself in the middle of the arena doing rope tricks in between events at local events. This became a paying gig for young Stewart and now with his face painted up he continues to entertain crowds with a rope, as well as other adaption’s he has picked up over the years including his signature stunt, the “Charlotte Flame.” Spinning 6 • The Roping Pen • June 2015
fire around his body is a spectacle that many have seen and enjoyed.
Stewart’s entertainment career has given him the opportunity to rise to the top of the category quickly. In fact he has been featured at events such as the CFR (Canadian Finals Rodeo), IFR (International Finals Rodeo), Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede and has even been part of America’s Got Talent TV program and has
been featured on RFD TV’s during a segment of the IFYR (International Finals Youth Rodeo) while he was both a competitor and entertainer the annual Shawnee, Oklahoma rodeo.
roping, steer wrestling and saddle bronc riding.
“You can ask anyone who knows me and they will say I am a little crazy and wild,” admitted Austin. “I think that is why I like the saddle bronc riding so much.”
The anticipation of winning big at the SRA is always on the forefront of Stewart’s thoughts. Stewart has given his all throughout the beginning of the SRA season and sits well among the standings in all three events, including his number one position in the saddle bronc riding. As he hits the road this summer to carry out his entertainment duties he knows he will have a hill to climb this fall with a month or so of rodeos left in the season before the SRA Finals in December. However, that does not bother him as he has set his goals and trusts that the Lord above will lead him to the destiny that he has in store for him.
Photos courtesy of SRA
COMBINATION OF SUCCESS:
“I want that #1 back number when I go to the Finals this year,” Austin said. “I know that without God I would not be able to get there. He makes everyday go better.”
As the summer heats up, you can bet Stewart will be enjoying the spotlight and the fun that surrounds the many events he has been asked to be the featured entertainer at. As he travels the country you can also be sure he will be peeking at the SRA standings and maybe even making a plane ride back to the Southeast throughout the summer to compete at a few events. The guarantee is that he will definitely be back in the saddle towards the end of the season to set the SRA arena’s on fire with his rodeo talents as he pushes toward his goal of champion!
Many across the country have witnessed Stewarts rodeo acts. From coast to coast and boarder to boarder, Stewart has been the spotlight entertainer at rodeos of all sizes. He has grown from 22 performances his first year to 80 or so this past year. However, the professional rodeo entertainment business that Stewart has enjoyed over the past three years has made him find some middle ground between competing and engaging the crowds as a rodeo clown. Stewart juggles a lot to make both careers work. “I rodeo over the winter months,” said Austin. “It gives me 4 to 5 months to concentrate on my events and then I go on the road throughout the summer as an entertainer.”
Stewart added that his true job as an entertainer throughout the summer offers him a chance to enjoy the sport of rodeo as a competitor and his talents in the arena has given him the chance to be a force to be reckoned with in his three events of choice. He competes mostly at the SRA rodeos and is one of the many who have competed through the Jr. SRA program, where he was a reserve champion on two different occasions, and now chases the bigger challenges of the professional association. He was the Rookie of the year in 2007 and has been successful in all three events he competes in, calf The Magazine for America’s Roper • 7
JUNE 5-6 • CALHOUN, GA • NCA/SRA
Friday 8:00pm, Saturday 8:00pm BB SB BR CR TR CBR CBA $200 ADM $50 EF $10 Stock Charge ($5 Timer Fee-CBR), $4 Finals Fee, $1 Judge Fee Call to enter: 865-300-4717 Mon, Jun 1, 6pm-9pm EST Payne Farms Rodeo • Stock Contractor: Outlaw Rodeo Co
JUNE 12-13 • CLEVELAND, NC • SRA/IPRA Friday 8:00pm, Saturday 8:00pm BB SB BR CR SW TR CBR CBA $500 ADM, $50 EF, $10 SCF Call to enter: 800-639-9002 Mon, Jun 8, 8am-5pm CST Location: 875 Redmon Rd • More Info: 704-798-0432 Stock Contractor: 5L Rodeo Co
JUNE 12-13 • CHESAPEAKE, VA • SRA
Friday 8:00pm, Saturday 8:00pm BB SB BR CR SW TR CBR CBA $500 ADM, $50 EF, $10 SCF Call to enter: 800-639-9002 Mon, Jun 8, 8am-5pm CST Location: 645 Woodlake Dr • More Info: www.khediveshrine.org Stock Contractor: Ernie Treadway Rodeo Co
JUNE 19-20 • POLKVILLE, NC • IPRA/SRA Friday 8:00pm, Saturday 8:00pm BB SB BR CR SW TR CBR $750 ADM, $50 EF, $5 SCF CBA $500 ADM, $50 EF, $5 SCF Call to enter: 800-639-9002 Mon, Jun 15, 8am-5pm CST Cowboy Church 6pm, free meal ticket to contestants Polkville Baptist Church Rodeo • Stock Contractor: Rafter 3 Rodeo Co
JUNE 26-27 • SPARTANBURG, SC • SRA Friday 8:00pm, Saturday 8:00pm BB SB BR CR SW TR CBR CBA $500 ADM, $50 EF, $10 SCF Call to enter: 800-639-9002 Mon, Jun 22, 8am-5pm CST Location: 575 Fairgrounds Rd More Info: 864-809-2630 or 864-377-1479 Stock Contractor: Double Creek Pro Rodeo Co
JULY 10-11 • LILESVILLE, NC • IPRA/SRA Friday 8:00pm, Saturday 8:00pm BB SB BR CR SW TR CBR $500 ADM, $50 EF, $10 SCF Call to enter: 800-639-9002 Mon, Jul 6, 8am-5pm CST Location: Circle G Arena • Stock Contractor: Ken Treadway Rodeo Co
JULY 17 • NEWPORT, NC • SRA
Incentive Rodeo (double points) • Friday 8:00pm BB SB BR CR SW TR CBR CBA $500 ADM, $50 EF, $10 SCF Call to enter: 800-639-9002 Mon, Jul 13, 8am-5pm CST Location: 196 Carl Garner Rd • More Info: 252-223-4019 Stock Contractor: Double Creek Pro Rodeo Co Incentive Rodeo (double points) • Saturday 8:00pm BB SB BR CR SW TR CBR CBA $500 ADM, $50 EF, $10 SCF Call to enter: 800-639-9002 Mon, Jul 13, 8am-5pm CST Location: 196 Carl Garner Rd • More Info: 252-223-4019 Stock Contractor: Double Creek Pro Rodeo Co
JULY 24-25 • SWEETWATER, TN • SRA/NCA
Friday 8:00pm, Saturday 8:00pm BB SB BR CR SW TR CBR CBA $300 ADM, $40 EF, $5 SCF Call to enter: 800-639-9002 Mon, Jul 20, 8am-5pm CST No slack after the Sat, Jul 25 perf Location: I-75 Exit 60, go east 7 miles Jerkdown rule applies • Luke Kaufman concert on Saturday Cotton Eyed Joe Buckle Series - Buckle given to SRA or NCA member with highest points in each event that competes in at least 4 rodeos in series. Stock Contractor: Rafter S Bucking Bulls 8 • The Roping Pen • June 2015
Friday 8:00pm, Saturday 8:00pm BB SB BR CR SW TR CBR $700 ADM, $60 EF, $10 SCF CBA $300 ADM, $50 EF, $10 SCF Call to enter: 800-639-9002 Mon, Jul 27, 8am-5pm CST Location: I-77 Exit 27, Blythewood Community Center Park Stock Contractor: Ken Treadway Rodeo Co
AUGUST 7-8 • BLACKSBURG, SC • IPRA/SRA Friday 8:00pm, Saturday 8:00pm BB SB BR CR SW CBR $950 ADM, $60 EF CBA $700 ADM, $60 EF Call to enter: 800-639-9002 TBA • Location: 633 S Charleston St 47th Annual Ed Brown Rodeo • Stock Contractor: Ken Treadway Rodeo Co
AUGUST 14-15 • CLEVELAND, TN • SRA/NCA Friday 8:00pm, Saturday 8:00pm • Location: 221 Old Kinser Rd BB SB BR CR SW TR CBR CBA $200 ADM, $40 EF, $5 SCF Call to enter: 800-639-9002 Mon, Aug 10, 8am-5pm CST Jerkdown rule applies Cotton Eyed Joe Buckle Series - Buckle given to SRA or NCA member with highest points in each event that competes in at least 4 rodeos in series. Taylors Ruritan Club Rodeo • Stock Contractor: Outlaw Rodeo Co
AUGUST 21-22 • EDGEFIELD, SC • IPRA/SRA Friday 8:00pm, Saturday 8:00pm BB SB BR CR SW TR CBR $800 ADM, $60 EF, $10 SCF CBA $400 ADM, $50 EF, $10 SCF Call to enter: 800-639-9002 TBA • Annual Sandy Oaks Rodeo Round-Up Stock Contractor: Ken Treadway Rodeo Co
SEPTEMBER 11-12 • ROYSTON, GA • SRA Incentive Rodeo (double points) • Friday 8:00pm, Saturday 8:00pm BB SB BR CR SW TR CBR CBA $500 ADM, $50 EF, $10 SCF Call to enter: 800-639-9002 Tue, Sept 8, 8am-5pm CST Location: 1516 Diamond Lane • More Info: 706-498-2769 Franklin County Rodeo Stock Contractor: Double Creek Pro Rodeo Co
SEPT 11-12 • WESTMINSTER, SC • IPRA/SRA Friday 8:00pm, Saturday 8:00pm BB SB BR CR SW TR CBR $500 ADM, $50 EF, $10 SCF CBA $250 ADM, $50 EF, $10 SCF Call to enter: 800-639-9002 TBA Stock Contractor: Ken Treadway Rodeo Co
SEPT 18-19 • GREENWOOD, SC • SRA Friday 8:00pm, Saturday 8:00pm • More Info: 864-377-1479 BB SB BR CR SW TR CBR CBA $500 ADM, $50 EF, $10 SCF Call to enter: 800-639-9002 Mon, Sept 14, 8am-5pm CST Location: Lander University Equestrian Center, 2611 Hwy 72E Stock Contractor: Double Creek Pro Rodeo Co
SEPT 25-26 • BENSON, NC • SRA
Friday 7:30pm, Saturday 7:30pm BB SB $500 ADM, $50 EF, $10 SCF (each perf, you may enter both) BR $1000, ADM $80 EF, $10 SCF CR SW TR CBR CBA $800 ADM, $70 EF, $10 SCF Call to enter: 800-639-9002 Mon, Sept 21, 8am-5pm CST Location: Chamber Park/Nowell Smith Arena, 355 J Lee Rd More Info: 919-894-3825 or 864-809-2630 Stock Contractor: Double Creek Pro Rodeo Co
NOV 6-7-8 • ASHEVILLE, NC (FLETCHER)
SOUTHERN FINALS RODEO
RANK
NAME
POINTS
ALL AROUND COWBOY 1 CODY MOUSSEAU...... 4984.18 2 JUSTIN THIGPEN........ 4201.65 3 SHANE PROCTOR.......2395.53 4 AUSTIN STEWART........2116.00 5 JOHN LEINAWEAVER...1567.26 ALL AROUND COWGIRL 1 TAYLOR DIGH............ 1630.74 2 TAYLOR EARNHARDT...1527.66 3 HEATHER SHERRILL....1502.18 4 ADDIE FAIRCHILD........994.95 5 MIKAYLA ALMOND.......865.08 BAREBACK 1 JOSH CRAGAR........... 2357.80 2 MATT SMITH................932.00 3 WADE DOTSON............926.36 4 HAROLD MILLER..........602.60 5 BRANDON RIPPY.......... 117.76 SADDLE BRONC 1 AUSTIN STEWART........1541.00 2 EDDIE PARLIER.......... 1445.40 3 TRAVIS DEAL............ 1104.00 4 SHANE PROCTOR....... 1089.00 5 LUKE MORGAN............586.80 6 PETER HALLMAN..........586.80 7 BEN MAYTON.............293.40 8 PRESTON FOWLKES III.220.80 9 BRANDON RIPPY......... 207.00 BULL RIDING 1 COLT GALVAN.............2877.76 2 WESLEY JOHNSON.....2260.90 3 JEREMIAH KEY........... 2104.80 4 CHAD VANAMBURG.... 1839.35 5 CODY MARTIN............1518.00 6 JP COOK................... 1483.04 7 RICK BYNUM............. 1465.75 8 SHANE PROCTOR....... 1306.53 9 WESLEY BUCKNER....... 961.04 10 JOHN LEINAWEAVER....955.26 11 GARRETT ASHLEY.........862.96 12 COLT DEBERRY............708.21 CALF ROPING 1 JUSTIN THIGPEN........ 1848.06 2 WILL CHARPING....... 1764.90 3 CODY MOUSSEAU..... 1235.07 4 THOMAS LINTON........1123.07 5 ROBBIE MURDOCK....... 947.34 6 BRANDON PUTNAM.....892.60 7 BRADLEY BULLARD......892.44 8 EARL BRADLEY............858.66 9 CORY KIRK.................. 749.08 10 JACOB THOMASSON.... 748.60 11 COLE WATKINS...........624.08 12 MATT FUTRELL.............533.52 STEER WRESTLING 1 BRIAN BAREFOOT...... 2237.60 2 CODY MOUSSEAU...... 2150.01 3 JUSTIN THIGPEN....... 1420.74 4 CHET KIDD................ 1049.00
RANK
NAME
POINTS
5 CORD SPRADLEY.......... 974.25 6 BRAD STEWART........... 880.74 7 JOHN LEINAWEAVER.... 612.00 8 JASON BAGWELL.........568.20 9 JOE COOK...................555.70 10 JUSTIN HANKINS.........283.50 11 TYE WALTERS..............225.00 12 JACOB DAGENHART..... 189.00 TEAM ROPING - HEADING 1 JASON TUCKER..........4269.42 2 JD YOUNG................. 2228.16 3 CODY MOUSSEAU.......1599.10 4 CASEY HILLEY............ 1570.44 5 LANGDON PLEASANT.1098.77 6 ZAK HICKS..................969.84 7 JEB BROWN................. 967.80 8 JUSTIN THIGPEN..........932.85 9 JW BAUCOM.................911.49 10 DANIEL MCLAMB......... 872.16 11 ALEX BROOKS..............559.36 12 GREG MCCRARY...........486.00 TEAM ROPING - HEELING 1 CALEB ANDERSON.....2908.85 2 ADAM TOOLE.............2246.64 3 CLAY FUTRELL........... 2194.73 4 CORY HONEYCUTT..... 1895.86 5 ROSS BLAKENEY........ 1408.80 6 STEPHEN BRITNELL.... 1030.40 7 TY LEWIS....................969.84 8 DANIEL MCLAMB......... 887.40 9 BRETT SEARS...............666.77 10 ADAM PLYLER..............559.36 11 HEATH LEROY..............540.96 12 ZACK WALTERS............486.00 BARREL RACING 1 CARRIE PUTNAM.........3471.74 2 REBECCA OWENS....... 3120.30 3 MEGAN LYERLY......... 2482.24 4 TIFFANY DEAL............ 1859.20 5 NANCY GARRISON..... 1458.00 6 JILL RIEBE................ 1408.95 7 JESSICA GILBERT....... 1365.28 8 VANDY WALDEN......... 1350.72 9 MICHELLE LUMMUS....1192.32 10 CHANDRA BRENOEL....1177.30 11 TAYLOR DIGH.............1168.79 12 WENDY REED..............980.01 BREAKAWAY ROPING 1 ROBIN PRUITT.......... 1988.40 2 BAILEY LIVENGOOD... 1738.45 3 HANNAH KIRK........... 1624.51 4 AMANDA STEWART.....1441.59 5 JAMIE ELLSWORTH.....1357.83 6 SAVANNAH PRATER.....1337.04 7 KELSEY DAVIS..............926.95 8 HEATHER SHERRILL.... 814.64 9 LUCINDA FLETCHER.....779.20 10 TAYLOR EARNHARDT....703.05 11 LAUREN WILLCOX........643.23 12 MIKAYLA ALMOND.......640.08 AS OF 4.30.15
RESULTS: ATHENS, GEORGIA
APRIL 9-11, 2015 • IPRA/SRA SOUTHERN RODEO CO NAME SCORE/TIME PTS BAREBACK Matt Smith..................79.................702.00 Josh Cragar.................77.................421.20 Mark Kredder..............75.................140.40 Blake Arp....................75.................140.40 SADDLE BRONC Luke Morgan...............79.................586.80 Peter Hallman.............79.................586.80 Ben Mayton................78.................293.40 BULL RIDING Shane Proctor.............86.5............ 1010.07 Michael Crenshaw.......84.................835.92 Austin Williams...........83.5.............. 661.77 Garrett Tribbe..............83................. 487.62 AJ Blaze......................81.................313.47 Tyler Kijac...................79................. 174.15 CALF ROPING Robbie Murdock..........9.3................845.64 Will Charping..............10.1...............699.84 Cory Kirk....................10.7..............554.04 Hadley Deshazo..........11.................408.24 Bradley Bullard...........11.2...............262.44 Brandon Putnam.........11.4...............145.80 STEER WRESTLING Brad Stewart...............4.0................692.01 Cord Spradley.............4.3................524.25 Cody Mousseau...........4.5................398.43 Justin Thigpen.............4.6................272.61 Joe Cook.....................5.5................209.70
NAME
SCORE/TIME PTS
HEADER TR Gable Hildebebrand....4.4..............1080.54 Casey Hilley................4.9................894.24 Zach Kilgus.................5.1................ 707.94 Hadley Desharo..........5.2................521.64 Mervin Beachy............5.7................335.34 Jason Tucker...............5.9................186.30 HEELER TR Blair Small..................4.4..............1080.54 Adam Toole.................4.9................894.24 DJ Smith.....................5.1................ 707.94 Jeri Rhine...................5.2................521.64 Justin Yost...................5.7................335.34 Caleb Anderson...........5.9................186.30 BARREL RACING Michelle Lummus........14.358........ 1192.32 Tyrney Steinoff............14.562........1036.80 Megan Lyerly..............14.617...........881.28 Tiffany Deal................14.624...........725.76 Gabrielle Oder............14.684..........570.24 Rebecca Owens............14.720.......... 414.72 Carrie Putnam.............14.735..........259.20 Peyton Morrow............14.775..........103.68 BREAKAWAY Savannah Prater.........2.4..............1028.34 Robin Pruitt.................2.5................762.39 Jamie Ellsworth...........2.5................762.39
RESULTS: GREENWOOD, SC
APRIL 10-11, 2015 • SRA DOUBLE CREEK PRO RODEO CO NAME SCORE/TIME.. PTS BULL RIDING - FRIDAY Wesley Johnson.....80....... 862.96 Garrett Ashley.......80....... 862.96 Rick Bynum...........76........493.12 Wes Moore............75....... 246.56
BULL RIDING - SATURDAY Drewess Flynn.......84........977.41 Bradney Tart.........82........641.43 Rick Bynum...........82........641.43 Chad Vanamburg..81....... 366.53 Jacob Denning......80........274.90 Seth Ring..............73........ 76.36 Chandler Boyd......73........ 76.36
NAME SCORE/TIME... PTS BARREL RACING Jessica Gilbert.......14.479..515.20 Taylor Earnhardt...14.514.386.40 Rebecca Owens......14.683.289.80 Danielle McCraw...14.692.193.20 Jill Riebe...............14.716.144.90 Hannah Warlick....14.758. 80.50
RESULTS: WARD, SOUTH CAROLINA APRIL 17-18, 2015 • SRA DOUBLE CREEK PRO RODEO CO
NAME SCORE/TIME PTS BULL RIDING - FRIDAY Colt Galvan............ 80.........1074.56 Chad Vanamburg... 77......... 805.92 Wesley Johnson...... 71..........537.28 Wes Moore............. 69......... 268.64
NAME SCORE/TIME... PTS BULL RIDING - SATURDAY Peyton Stewart....... 84......... 983.66 Wesley Buckner...... 76......... 655.78 Darrius Boyd.......... 76......... 655.78 Drew Flynn............ 74..........387.50 Larry Holmes......... 70......... 298.08
NAME SCORE/TIME PTS BARREL RACING Chandra Brenoel.... 13.493.. 552.00 Tina Karres............ 13.547...414.00 Carrie Putnam........ 13.603...276.00 Tammy Rice........... 14.088...138.00
RESULTS: CHATSWORTH, GA APRIL 17-18, 2015 • SRA/NCA OUTLAW RODEO CO
NAME
SCORE/TIME PTS
BAREBACK Wade Dotson...............74.................596.16 Nick Madon.................63................. 397.44 SADDLE BRONC Travis Deal..................76.................846.4 BULL RIDING Colt Galvan.................76...............1803.2 CALF ROPING Ben Carroll..................13.9..............780.16 Clint Thomas...............16.8..............585.12 Cole Watkins...............18.6..............390.08 Cory Kirk....................20.1..............195.04 HEADER TR Dustin Buchanan.........5.1..............1030.4 Casey Hilley................5.4................676.2 Jason Trisdale.............5.4................676.2 Jeb Brown...................6.2................386.4 David Gaddis..............7.5................289.8 David Gaddis..............9.8................ 161
NAME
SCORE/TIME PTS
HEELER TR Stephen Britnell..........5.1..............1030.4 Adam Toole.................5.4................676.2 Adam Toole.................5.4................676.2 Ross Blakeney.............6.2................386.4 Mike Freeman.............7.5................289.8 Billy Lamb..................9.8................ 161 BARREL RACING Tiffany Deal................13.968........ 1133.4 Jessica Gilbert.............14.228..........850.08 Jessica Brown..............14.230..........566.72 Lexi Jacobs.................14.314...........283.36 BREAKAWAY Hannah Kirk...............3.1................839.04 Kyla Matthews.............3.3................629.28 Valen Cook..................10.2.............. 419.52 Taylor Earnhardt.........13.1...............209.76 STEER WRESTLING: Cancelled
INCENTIVE RODEO • RESULTS ARE LISTED AS DOUBLE PTS
JULY 18 • NEWPORT, NC • SRA
JULY 31-AUG 1 • BLYTHEWOOD, SC • IPRA/SRA
2015 POINT STANDINGS
INCENTIVE RODEO • RESULTS ARE LISTED AS DOUBLE PTS
SRA UPCOMING RODEOS • SRA UPCOMING RODEOS
The Magazine for America’s Roper • 9
Ready to begin! D
o you want to see the future superstars of rodeo and the next generation of cowboys and cowgirls who will fill rodeo arenas and coliseums across this great country? Then get ready for the National Junior High School Finals Rodeo that will be held this month! The NJHSRA will host the season-ending finals event once again at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa on June 21-27. This 7-day event is the highlight of hundreds of competitors from across the country who are committed to being the best in their respected rodeo event. From the timed event to the rough stock competitors, the NJHSRA finals are
the first milestone that these competitors take towards their future successful rodeo careers! This will be the second year competitors will flood Iowa for the Finals and many are ready to take the challenge and race, ride and rope their way to victory. As the off-spring of the National High School Association, the Jr. High division has become just as prominent in the world of rodeo over the past decade. Many of today’s most recognizable rodeo cowboys and cowgirls took center stage inside this same event setting the stage for what today’s competitors can obtain through hard work and determination. Hundreds of young contestants will fill the arena floor bidding their chance of winning a National Title. Some are returning competitors, while others are making their first trek to the event, but all have the determination to win. With horses tunedup, skills honed from a season of rodeoing throughout their home-state and their bags
packed seven days separate those who will fight their way to the top of the standings and earn a National Title. With contestants representing almost every state across the country, the competition will be fierce. Talk about a true finals event where the best of the best are matched up, the NJHSRA Finals captures the foundation of true competition as the contestants compete not only for their own bragging rights, but for their team as well. Each state sends their top representatives who have already earned high marks throughout the regular season in their home state to compete and see who captures the honor of top rodeo team. For the past several years the competition at the NJHSRA Finals has been increasingly more wide spread. As the states of Texas and Oklahoma have seemed to dominate in years past, more and more competitors from different states have begun to capture the sought after titles in more recent years. This increase is due to the fact that the National
Junior High School Finals offers these competitors a place to be recognized for their efforts inside the arena. The increase in rodeo competition is gaining popularity in more and more states all across the country and the level of competition is rising. Many of today’s youth are no longer competing just to win their local area championships, but to kick-start their rodeo careers. These larger rodoes are developing tougher, more seasoned contestants that will surely reshape the future of the sport of rodeo in the years to come. As this year’s National Junior High School Rodeo plays out, you can bet there will be competitors from many different states banging on the door of the top prize – National Champion. The season that began last fall as these youth began their school year will come to a crashing crescendo as the gates open in Iowa and the hundreds of top cowboys and cowgirls come riding through the gates. We wish all of the contestants the best of luck and safest travels as they compete this year and look forward to seeing who will take home the National Junior High School Finals Championships!
The Southeast is going to be well represented at this year’s National Junior High Rodeo Finals. We wish all the best of luck! We reached out to some of the many who will be traveling to Iowa to compete this year to see what they have to say about their chance at becoming a National Junior High Champion… MIKAYLA ALMOND: So. Carolina Jr. High School Rodeo Assoc. Returning contestant who will be competing in the Breakaway Roping, Goat Tying, Ribbon Roping, Barrel Racing and Pole Bending events. “I really like the event, it’s indoor there is a lot to do and it runs smooth. It is a great experience and I am blessed to be a part of it.”
BAILEY KUNTZ: South Carolina Jr. High School Rodeo Association First time contestant who is looking forward to competing in the light rifle, Pole Bending, Breakaway Roping, Barrel Racing, Team Roping and Ribbon Roping events. “I’m 14 years old and I am really looking forward to the Finals. I have heard it is a lot of fun and I am looking forward to making new friends, competing and doing well.”
JACOB DANIELL: Georgia Jr. High School Rodeo Association Returning contestants who will be competing in the Team Roping, Calf Roping, Ribbon Roping, Goat Tying and Chute Dogging Events. “I love the Finals because you get to hang out, meet a lot of new people and I get to do what I love.”
CAITLYN HEATH: Georgia Jr. High School Rodeo Association First year competitor who will be competing in the Team Roping, Goat Tying, Barrel Racing, Pole Bending and Ribbon Roping events. “I hope to do well in the events. This is my first year and I’m excited to go. My friends say it is a lot of fun!”
Keep Them Tuned Up: Advice from Cesar de la Cruz
s summer heats up, so do the team roping events. Cowboys and cowgirls across the country will be wearing out the highways every weekend to find their next payday that will lead to the big National Finals events. With so many events, ropers can find themselves not being able to spend as much time in the practice pen. When we asked our friend, Cesar De La Cruz at TotalTeamRoping.com what he does when events are back-to-back and practice time is cut down, he offered some great advice on the subject.
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“I am not saying to not practice for yourself,” added Cesar. “But really take the time out at the end of your practice for your horse. They are creatures of repetition and habit and keeping your horse smooth and free throughout the entire run will help at the roping.”
This may be easy for some, but others who have career, family, or school, limited time can make it hard to stay ready to compete.
“A roper should take the time to rope the day before an event and really work on getting their horse ready for it,” Cesar concluded.
When asked what he and other professional ropers work on the most, Cesar added, “Every pro I know works on maintaining their good horse all the time. They often have other horses that they use to practice hard on, but often break a sweat on their good horse “With the types of events for ropers today, you have to rope sharp, and put them up. I often score quite a few on my good horse and then make some nice smooth runs to keep them freed-up.” but the most important thing is still your horse,” Cesar said. “Just like a basketball or baseball team who has to continue to practice So, if you are like the many who have high expectations of winon different plays to get better and maintain their skills, you have to ning big this year and have mapped out what events you are headmaintain your horse much the same for competition.” ing to, keep in mind that your horse needs to be prepared, as well. “I suggest that ropers practice the day before an event if they can. Rope for yourself, or use a dummy to practice your skills, but at the end of your set of steers be sure to rope for your horse,” Cesar added. “On the last 5 or 6 steers, you should score a few. A header should rope some and take them down the arena a few jumps, set them good and really try to offer a nice handle. Heelers should make sure their horse is freed-up by pushing their horse around the corner and take a few hops before throwing your rope.”
10 • The Roping Pen • June 2015
Ropers, if you still have not logged into TotalTeamRoping.com for the great advice, videos, and commentary, you are truly missing out. TTR has added so many great features from their and other top professionals - the ones you see at the biggest events of the year. TTR continues to also invite other pros to come rope, instruct, and help explain things that you can take straight to your practice pen. It’s 24/7 team roping instruction at your fingertips. There’s also an App for on-the-spot training. Check it out today! The Magazine for America’s Roper • 11
T #10
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he South Alabama Championships held at the Covington Center Arena in &alusia, Alabama is a popular event for team ropers throughout the south. It welcomed team ropers to compete for some great prizes & payouts. The event began with the Open Div. Dustin Egusquiza of Marianna, Florida teamed up with Zak Richardson from Westville, Florida to win 1st place in the avg. They were also the incentive avg champions. Joel Colgrove from Boligee, Alabama teamed up with Derrick Dave of Baldwin, Florida to win 1st place in the avg of the #15 Div. They were 29.71 sec. on 4 steers & earned $2566, trophy Gist knives & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place was Nick Gonzales lll & Charles Pogue with a time of 31.06 sec. on 4 steers. The 3rd place finishers were Colgrove & Pogue. The #13 Div came right down to the last team. TJ Allen teamed up with Dustin Egusquiza for the win. They finished with a time of 34.84 sec. on 4 steers & earned $3422, trophy Gist knives & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place was Brittany Whiddon & Cody Murphy & 3rd place was Damian Valdera & Ryan Pope. The team of Michaela Williamson & Lance Arviso partnered up to win 1st place in the avg of the #12 Div. They were 33.31 sec. on 4 steers & won $3900, trophy Gist knives & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place went to Butch Morgan & Dillon Black. 3rd place was Wyatt Allen & Cody Murphy. The incentive winners were Nick Gonzales lll & Dakota Richardson. Nathan Smith of Poplarville, Mississippi teamed up with Michael Hurst from Rosel&, Louisiana to win 1st place in the avg of the #12 Gold Plus. The pair roped 4 steers in 27.91 sec. to win $2080, trophy Gist buckles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place in the avg was Greg Williams from Perkinston, Mississippi & Kevin Bentley of Rose Hill, Mississippi. The 3rd place team was Brother Campbell & Jay Holmes. Warren Casey & Paul Moore won
12 • The Roping Pen • June 2015
Produced by Ed Allen
the incentive avg. The win of the #11 Div went to the team of Mark Curry & Desmond Ladner with a time of 32.20 sec. on 4 steers. They won $4890, trophy Gist buckles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place went to the team of Tish Luke & Brock Middleton & 3rd place went to the team of Brother Campbell & Middleton. The incentive champions were Colby Winborn & Eddy Borden. The last day of the South Alabama Championships started off with the #10 Div. Taber Ellis & Glenn Kelly took home the win. They were 34.58 sec. on 4 steers & earned $4880, trophy Gist buckles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place was TJ Allen & Kelly. The 3rd place team was Jake Darden & Joey Pilgram. Ellis & Nathan Smith won the incentive avg. The team of Chuck Conkle of Hampton, Georgia & Trey Miller from Mcdonough, Georgia won 1st place in the avg of the #10 Gold Plus Div. They were 37.32 sec. on 4 steers & earned $1920, trophy Gist buckles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place was Brother Campbell & Becky Cannizzaro with a time of 43.34 sec. on 4 steers. The 3rd place finishers were Ronnie Simmons & Rodney Worrell. The incentive winners were Scarlet Starkey & Pete Starkey. The Alabama team of Jessica Spiller & Lance Meadows finished 1st place in the avg of the #9 Div. They were 34.31 sec. on 4 steers & won $4740, trophy Gist buckles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place went to Jake Borden & Donnie Hix & 3rd place was Sanford King & Alec Edmonson. The incentive avg win also went to the team of Borden & Hix. The final roping of the weekend was the #8 Pick/Draw & it provided the perfect conclusion to a great weekend of USTRC team roping. David Earl Johnson & Coty Coles finished 1st place in the avg. They won $2460, trophy Gist buckles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place was Steve Wilson & Luke Barnett & 3rd place was Caroline Kelly & Chris Helton.
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High $
High $
Open
PHOTOS ©C-BAR-C PHOTOGRAPHY ~ VALERIE FORD
Story by Ben Clements
The Magazine for America’s Roper • 13
Story by Ben Clements
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Jacob Spears from Perryville, KY teamed up with John Alley from Adams, TN to win 1st place in the avg of the #10 Division. The pair took home $3840, trophy, trophy Gist buckles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place in the roping went to Cole Compton & Alley. The 3rd place team was Ethan Tays of Crossville, TN & Brice Long from Springfield, TN. Spears & Alley won the incen#10 tive avg.
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he Bluegrass Championships produced by JX2 Productions & John Johnson kicked into gear on April 3-4, 2015 & went off without a hitch. Team ropers enjoyed the competition at the Casey County Ag Expo Center in Liberty, Kentucky. The #13 Slide Division started off a great weekend of roping. Austin Nettleship & Garett Madry won 1st place. They finished the roping with a 4 steer total of 35.71 sec. That time earned them $1990, trophy Gist knives & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place went to Lynn Fisher of Knoxville, TN & Nat Stewart from New Albaney, IN & 3rd place was John Alley & Garrett Smith.
Str& Barricklow of Lebanon, IN & Nick Deleon from Toledo, OH were the big winners of the #12 Division. They were 37.92 sec on 4 steers & earned $2400, trophy Gist knives & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place was Derrick Crawford & John Alley & 3rd place went to Dakota Sunday & Nat Stewart. The incentive champs on Sunday were Brodhead & Garrett Smith.
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Jim Bob Frazier & Ryan Shaw teamed up to win 1st place in the avg of the #12 Gold Plus Division. They finished the roping with a time of 46.57 sec on 4 steers. That earned them $1350, trophy Gist buckles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place was Brent Peterson & Jason LaRue. The incentive winners were Frazier & Shaw.
The #11 Division was won by Dakota Sunday & Garrett Smith. They were 40.56 sec on 4 steers & earned $3020, trophy Gist buckles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place in the avg went to Ethan Tays of Crossville, TN & Clay Tilley from Tuscumbia, AL. 3rd place was Matt Peyton & Garett Madry. The team of Tays & Tilley also won the incentive average.
14 • The Roping Pen • June 2015
Lynn Fisher from Knoxville, TN teamed up with Ryan Shaw of Pekin, IN to win the avg of the #10 Gold Plus Division. The pair roped 4 steers in 37.82 sec & received $2260, trophy Gist buckles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place was the team of Jason Jarrell & Jarrett McLaughlin. The incentive winners were Brent Peterson from Lawrenceburg, KY & William Evans of Union, KY.
Mason Johnson from Piney Flatts, TN teamed up with Ethan Tays to win the avg of the #9 Division. They were 44.98 sec on 4 steers & won $5040, trophy Gist buckles #12 & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place in the avg went to Jason Jarrell & Jarrett McLaughlin. The 3rd place finish went to Wyatt Cole & Tays. The incentive avg was won by Jacob Spears & Jeremy Jones.
The final roping of the weekend was the #8 Pick/Draw. The team of Cole Scheffel & Chuck Finley won 1st place in the roping & took home $3260, trophy Gist buckles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place was Casey Shaw & Waylon Taulbee & 3rd place went to Rick Hunnicutt & Matt Wickey. The curtain dropped on the Bluegrass Championships & producer John Johnson & JX2 Productions were pleased with the entire event as well as the turnout. PHOTOS ©C-BAR-C PHOTOGRAPHY ~ VALERIE FORD
The Magazine for America’s Roper • 15
CLASSIC J
X2 rolled into Tunica, Mississippi at the end of April for a weekend full of team roping action. The three-day event packed in a variety of ropings for ropers to take advantage of thus making for a great weekend of roping. The Mississippi Black Jack Classic included World Series qualifiers, warm up and big money ropings, as well as the main attraction, the #8 Truck and Prize roping. The weekend rolled out and a pile of cash and prizes were awarded to those who rose to the occasion and met the challenge of the great JX2 style of team roping! Over the weekend, 835 teams crossed the barrier in hopes of winning big. Many did and earned part of the $107,000 in cash payout along with the truckload of prizes that included the Dodge Diesel truck, Cactus Saddles, Maynard custom buckles, Bailey hats and Equibrand equipment. Friday, April 24th kicked the event into high gear with the #15 Handicap warm-up roping, followed by the #15 Handicap Big Money roping. Making the first trip to the pay window was the team of Bryan Wood and Glenn Davis who took the Average championship of the WarmUp roping. In the Big Money event, Rusty Shaw and Dane Brister rolled out the fast times to claim the average and collect $3,650 in cash. Friday also began the World Series ropings which included the #13 WSTR Qualifier. It went well for the team of Justin B. Johnston and Dane Brister who topped the leader board and earned $4,440 in cash. The winning ways continued as the team of Mary Ann Brown and Cody Warner won the #12 Slide Black Jack Roping. They split $3,080 in cash. Wrapping up Friday was the #12 WSTR Qualifier roping, with the team of Keith Bentley and Billy Lam who stood in the winners circle when all was said and done earning them $6,600 in cash. Saturday continued the winning ways and began with a #11 Handicap Warm-up event. Claiming the victory was the team of Jeffrey Hartfield and Billy Lam who struck a first place payout a second time. They claimed $3,580 for the win. JX2 then hosted a #11 WSTR Qualifier where another repeat winner filled her pockets with more cash. Mary Ann Brown teamed up with Lance Arviso to win the event and added $5,950 to their pocketbooks.
16 • The Roping Pen • June 2015
JULY 24-26, 2015
IN TUNICA, MISSISSIPPI
The #10 WSTR Qualifier played out Saturday afternoon, with one of the largest paydays of the weekend, Stevie P. King and Ray Black topped the Average and earned $6,720 in cash. The afternoon continued with the JX2 Black Jack #10 Slide where the team of Clay Tilley and Dakota Sunday roped their way to victory and a $1,140 payday. Saturday wrapped up with Cade Wilkerson and Blair Kelley winning the #9 WSTR Qualifier roping. They stood proud at the end of the day filling their pockets with $6,480 in cash. Ropers rolled in on Sunday to take advantage of the main feature of the weekend, the #8 Truck and Prize Roping which included the new 4-door Dodge Dually Diesel that went home to the high point roper, 6 Cactus trophy saddles, 14 Maynard custom buckles and other prizes including Bailey Hats and Equibrand Products. Although the turnout for the big prize roping was lighter than anticipated, the ropers in attendance took advantage of a great roping and the best opportunity at the money and prizes. Topping the Average and winning $3,000 and Maynard Trophy buckles prizes was the team of Joe Hall and Jeremy Ball. However, the truck went home with Braxton Culpepper who roped well throughout the day, placing second, fifth and seventh in the Average. Congratulations to Braxton and to all of the winners at the JX2 Mississippi Black Jack Classic. You can bet the JX2 gang will be back to the Magnolia State soon with another truck load of prizes and suitcase full of cash for the ropers of the Southeast!
PHOTOS ©C-BAR-C PHOTOGRAPHY ~ VALERIE FORD
Playing Big at the BLACK JACK
The Magazine for America’s Roper • 17
color
18 • The Roping Pen • June 2015
The Magazine for America’s Roper • 19
• Team Roping • July 3-5 •
I
can’t believe the season is almost over! Our finals are this month and I wish the best of luck to everyone!! This year has been a blast and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be your Queen for the 2014-2015 year. I’m even more grateful that I get to live out my dream and rodeo almost every weekend. I have met some of the greatest people and animals through this sport and I am still thoroughly convinced that it is the best there is. Rodeo opens so many doors for high school and junior high kids, and even though the books are closing for this year, there will be another. If you are interested in rodeo and are from grades 6-12 look no further than the NHSRA. This wonderful organization gives out not only saddles, buckles, and scholarships, but memories, a rodeo family, and a feeling like no other. I’m so blessed to live the life that I do and I thank God every day! A huge “good luck” as contestants from Alabama travel to Rock Springs for the NHSFR! I know team Alabama can come back even stronger this year. I ask that everyone pray over us as we hit the road off to yet another rodeo. I can’t wait to see what new and exciting adventures rodeo has in store for me! ~ Love always, Miss Lizzy Sexton
F L O R I D A H O R S E PA R K • 1 1 0 0 8 H W Y 4 7 5 • O C A L A , F L O R I D A
• Fri • July 3 •
Books Open @ 9 am, Rope @ 11am
AHSRA PRICEVILLE RODEO P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F J D P H O T O G R A P H Y • J O H N D YA R
• sat • July 4 •
• sun • July 5 •
Books Open from 8-9:30 am, Rope @10 am Books Open from 8-9:30 am, Rope @10 am #10 Pick & Draw #8 Pick & Draw #13 Slide $50/man, Capped @ 6E Capped at 4E Enter 7 Xs Draw 4 for $200 Draw 5 for $200 #12 $50/man, Enter 7 Xs Picks are $50/man, Picks are $40/man, #11 $50/man, Enter 7 Xs 10 run maximum 10 run maximum
JEFF SMITH SADDLES TO HIGH MONEY WINNER EACH DAY HIGH MONEY BUCKLES FOR #3, #4, #5, #6 & OVER HEADER AND HEELER OF THE WEEKEND Contact John Hudson for details: 352.875.3198 • Facebook.com/HudsonRope • Stalls available on site
K AT E L Y N G I L E S
BELLE CARPENTER
BRIAR SMITH
MARAH SMITH
GARRETT ROLLO
COLE HARMON
SYDNEY McQUEEN
SARA HUBBARD
BRIAN FERGUSON
JARED ROLLINS
color
LAURYN HOAGLAND
L U K A S T AY L O R
20 • The Roping Pen • June 2015
The Magazine for America’s Roper • 21
North Carolina
Junior High & High School Rodeo Association
Well, the NCHSRA has finished the year strong. Hope everyone has a fantastic summer on the rodeo trail, remember stay safe in your travels. Stay tuned for our finals results in the next issue. A huge thank you to all the board members and volunteers throughout the year that make this association run smooth. ~ Adam Bolatto
Raeford Rodeo T
he recent North Carolina High School Rodeo Association held their annual Raeford Rodeo on April 17-18. All had a great time and close to 1800 spectators took in the event over the weekend. It was truly a great community supported event from beginning to end. The rodeo hosted some fun grand entries with the All Veteran Parachute Team bringing in the flag each night! For the competitors, the event was a success as well. It was a great rodeo with great competition. The Paraclete XP Skyventure sponsored all the Friday Night
22 • The Roping Pen • June 2015
Go-Round Winners with an Indoor Skydiving Experience the next morning! Thanks to all involved in this great event! Thank you and see you at the next event! ~ Michele Toberer
The Magazine for America’s Roper • 23
J
ohn Johnson & the Jx2 Productions crew headed to Taylorsville, NC for the North Carolina Classic. The event was held at the H&H Arena on April 18-19, 2015.
Alex Brooks from Pageland, SC teamed up with Colby Herman from Taylorsville, NC to win 1st place in the #13 Slide. The win earned them $1490, trophy Gist knives & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place was William McCraw from East Bend, NC & Daniel Raynor from 4 Oaks, NC. 3rd went to the team of Alex Brooks & Josh Little.
In the #12 Div, the win went to Daniel McLamb from Benson, NC & Daniel Raynor. They were 31.28 sec on 4 steers to take home $2400, trophy Gist knives & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place was Lane Sikes & Rick Scruggs. Charles Shoot & Matt Wilson finished 3rd while the team of Jaxson Tucker & Jaret Nobles won the incentive avg.
Lynn Fisher from Knoxville, TN & Matt Wilson from Madison, GA were the champs of the #12 Gold Plus Div. The team was 35.79 sec on 4 & took home $1530, trophy Gist
D
enny & Lynn Flynn have produced the Arkansas Championships for many years & the event is always a favorite for ropers in the area. The team roping action takes place at Harper Stadium inside Kay Rogers PAR in Fort Smith, AR. This year the roping began April 18th & finished the 19th. The 1st roping of the weekend was the #13 Slide. Brenten Lee Hall of Jay, OK & Jake Cooper Clay of Sapulpa, OK were the champions of the roping. They were 39.57 sec on 4 steers & took home $2814, trophy Gist Spurs, & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings.. 2nd place was Greg Williams & Lee Hayes both from AR. 3rd place went to the OK team of Eric Bolding & Heath Osborne. Brenten Lee Hall continued his winning ways & struck again in the #12 Div with heeler Blake Larmon also from Jay, OK. The pair was 37.64 sec on 4 steers & won $3154, trophy Gist spurs & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd was the team of Lori Thone from Damascus, AR & Douglas Henry from Greenbrier, AR with a time of 43.67 sec on 4 steers. 3rd place was the team of Leon Stipes & Blake Larmon. Tyler Choate & Bubba Reynolds won the incentive avg.
In the #12 Gold Plus Div the winning team was Darrell Weathers from Coal Hill, AR & David Vaught from Cassville, Mo. The team
buckles, & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place went to Dustin Coltrane & Clint Humphries, both from NC, with a time of 47.45 sec on 4. Mitch Rogers & Travis Brown finished in 3rd & won the incentive avg. The winners of the #11 Div were Lane Sikes from Collins, GA & William McCraw with a time of 34.76. The win gave them $2250, trophy Gist buckles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place was Dale Jarman & Clint Humphries & 3rd place was Monica Pritchard & Daniel Raynor. Sikes & McCraw also won the incentive avg.
Jaxson Tucker from Mount Ulla, NC & Clint Humphries from Lincolnton, NC were the winners of the #10 Div. The win was worth $2900, trophy Gist buckles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place in the roping was Danny Wright & Travis Brown with a time of 44.85 sec on 4 steers. 3rd place was Derrick Bell & Lynn Fisher. Bell & Fisher also won the incentive avg. Lynn Fisher kicked off the 2nd day of the North Carolina Classic with a bang, as
was 33.00 sec on 4 steers to win $3700, trophy Gist buckles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place was Todd Southerland from Greenbrier, AR & Dusty Sherwood from Quitman, AR. 3rd was Leon Stipes & Shawn Hambelton, while Don Smith & Cash Carter took 1st place in the incentive avg.
Ben Foreman from Oaks, OK & Anthony Trimble from Rose, OK were the winners of the #11 Div. They roped 4 in 36.67 sec & secured $5666, trophy Gist Spurs & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place was Eddie Henry & Zac Coates both from Atoka, OK. Brenten Lee Hall continued his great weekend by finishing 3rd in the avg with Blayne Horne. Clark Victory & Cash Carter won the incentive avg. The final roping of the 1st day of the Arkansas Championships was the #10 Div. Mark Gordon from Alpena, AR & Neil Rudd from Green Forest, AR were the winners. The duo won $7434, trophy Cowboy Gold Saddles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place was Jon Martin from Billings, MO & Dennis Carr from Galena, MO. Dayton Williams & Cale McCall both from Berryville, AR finished in 3rd place. Huk Blackbird & Jordan Johnson were the incentive winners. The 2nd day of the Arkansas Championships started with the #10 Gold Plus. David
24 • The Roping Pen • June 2015
well. Both he & Bill Little, Jr. were from Fall Branch, TN, and they won the #10 Gold Plus avg. The win gave them $1860, trophy Gist buckles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place was Dale Simmons & Travis Brown, who were also the incentive winners. 3rd place in the main averge went to Charles Shook & Lynn Fisher. Dale Jarman of New Hill, NC & Buddy Holland from Elm City, NC were the winners of the #9 Div. They were 46.41 sec on 4, & won $4540, trophy Gist buckles, & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place went to Coleman Simmons & Gina Compton, and 3rd went to Charles Shook & Lynn Fisher. The close of the NC Classic came with the #8 Pick/Draw. Curtis Crumbley from Watkinsville, GA & Todd Christian from Madison, GA won the avg with a time of 26.24 sec. on 3 steers. They won $3180, trophy Gist buckles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place went to the team of Jim Cox from Crumpler, NC & Sean Bass from Statesville, NC. 3rd place went to Janna Carlton & Cody Taylor with a time of 38.24 sec on 3 steers.
Dickson from Fayetteville, AR & Andy Napier from West Fork, AR were the winners of the roping. They were 32.88 sec on 4 steers & won $4770, trophy Gist buckles, & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place was Stevie King from Alma, AR & Perry Patterson from Greenbrier, AR. Caleb Kirby from Heavener, OK & Todd Culley from Muse, OK finished 3rd. Bucky Pugh & Cash Carter wer the winners of the incentive avg. In the #9 Div, the winners were Charles Carden & Vic Doyle, both from Talihina, OK. They were 36.27 sec on 4 steers & took home $8970, trophy Cowboy Gold saddles, & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd place was David Dickson & Huk Blackbird. 3rd was Jason O’Brien & Cooper Freeman. Bucky Pugh & Cody West won the incentive. In the #8 Pick/Draw, the win went to Bill Jones from Vilonia, AR & Kyla McCain, also from Vilonia. They roped 3 steers in 31.24 sec & won $5042, trophy Gist buckles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. 2nd was Shawn Mooney & Kyla McCain. 3rd went to Colby Allen Williamson & Doug Wann.
When the Arkansas Championships came to a close, producers Denny & Lynn Flynn were excited for the winners. If you missed the annual event, put it on your schedule for next April, and be sure to be there!
The Magazine for America’s Roper • 25
26 • The Roping Pen • June 2015
27
FATHERS & SONS
M
y father was my first hero. Most of my first memories revolve around him and farm life. One in particular stands out. I was four years old and saw Daddy walking down the hill from the hay field across the road, coming in for dinner (lunch to some of you folks). I begged my mother to let me cross the bridge over the creek and go meet him. I still remember the pride and sense of accomplishment I felt that day.
I would like to say we had a wonderful relationship, the kind every father and son should. That was not the case. My father and uncle took over the family dairy in their twenties after their own father passed away. They sacrificed, worked extremely hard, and bought out their mother and three sisters. I used to think I got my love of agriculture from Daddy, and I did in a way, but as I grew, I realized he felt burdened at times, like he had had no other choice in life. The weight of that burden and the stress of making a living led him to alcoholism. Daddy never had hobbies or interests, other than reading, outside of farm work. A bad back, an unhappy spouse (my mother), debt, milk prices, all led to more drinking, which in turn led to divorce, a heart attack, eventually almost dying. But give him credit, when he quit, he quit cold turkey, never to touch a drop again. Daddy was active in AA, helping others try to get out and stay sober. He never talked about it. He would keep a bottle of liquor under his truck seat for years, for friends that still partook, and, to prove to himself that he was able to resist the temptation. He would go out at night, sit and drink coffee in a club while others drank around him; never to be swayed. When he passed away, he had been sober almost thirty years.
I didn’t get to spend much time with him after the divorce, not until I graduated high school, when I packed all my belongings and moved back to the farm. We tried to make
up for lost time, but we were so much alike in temperament that we butted heads, a lot. Daddy, feeling burdened with the farm, was constantly trying to get me to find another career path. I did eventually go college, getting a degree in Geography. I got a job on a neighboring beef operation after graduation; Daddy just shook his head and walked away.
So, just what did I learn from my father, and how did it influence my relationship with my children? Working hard is the only way to work. Opportunities that have been given to me came about through the work ethic instilled in me. But, I also learned to not work my life away. I never had the chance to play organized sports growing up. I loved baseball, still do. I am fortunate to have a great employer that gives me the freedom to be involved with my two oldest children’s little league baseball and softball. Daddy wouldn’t make time to give me that opportunity. If fence repairs are put off for my kids, then they just are. I’m not going to have much in financial gain, but my children are going to have an actively involved father. Addiction seems to be a Rhudy trait. While I do have an adult beverage on occasion, I look at what addiction did to my father, as well as my uncle later, and I know that is not a road I want to travel. Yet, I learned about will power from the aftermath of Dad’s alcoholism, and his internal strength.
My children have their own lives to live. If any or all of them choose to go into agriculture, even though I know how hard it is to make a living in the field, I will support them completely. On the other hand, if they choose to become an artist, a scientist, and a free-spirited wild child, as they seem to be headed, I’m here to support those choices. We, as parents, can guide our children, but we cannot make their career choices for them. I don’t hesitate to tell my children I love them. My father passed away without ever saying he loved me. Oh, I know he did, in his way, but as a young child, I needed his love and caring. My kids hear it every day. Take time away from work. My dad rarely took anything resembling a vacation. I believe if he could have gotten away from time to time, he would not have felt bur-
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dened with the farm. Success to me is based more on personal and family happiness than financial gain. I also learned much from Daddy’s positive attributes. Care for your livestock before yourself. My kids have their chores when they’re here. They understand that the horses and cattle get fed before we do. Make hay when the sun shines, literally and figuratively. Bill Rhudy taught me how to get hay up in good shape and to bust my tail when the weather was favorable. And, probably the most important knowledge I gained from my father, is the love for, and importance of reading. I’ve read to my kids since day one, and they in turn love to read.
As Father’s Day approaches, I miss my father immensely. I regret lost opportunities to spend time together, and to let him know how much he meant to me. His birthday and Father’s Day were always close together. Now, the kids and I visit his resting place and talk about how much he loved them and how his hard work afforded us the chance to live, love, and grow in this beautiful valley. Happy Father’s Day.
I
n Isaiah 30, God says, “He will send the rain”, and rain He has sent! Before you misunderstand me and thinks that there is one ounce of me that is complaining, I’m not. I am ecstatic. But I am in a position that I have never been in before. I have never seen it rain this much, this long, this consistent. Along with the large amounts rain brings challenges we don’t normally deal with.
I have 2 concerns that arise whenever there is rain like this. The first, and is always the first for me (other than my family, because family comes first), are my horses. I don’t like to keep my horses penned up. When I was a kid, we never separated our horses. We ran them together and we always had them in the pasture. We fed them together out of one big trough, too, but I’m not that brave anymore. I now keep them separate, and it may be because I have a bit more money invested in them than when I was a kid. But, a couple things to think about: with rain comes mud, and with mud comes thrush, mosquitos, and dirty pens. It’s a good practice to keep your horses’ feet clean, but especially when they are having to stand and walk through mud. The same goes with pens. Always keep a clean pen, especially when it’s muddy, and make sure the water can drain. Another issue we don’t have to deal with very often is rain rot. Horses and cattle both. If you start to see scabby areas and hair loss, this is a sign of rain rot. If this happens, you can treat it with an iodine wash and if its severe, then antibiotics.
The second concern is my cattle and the ranch. When you get this
www.STSRanch.com much rain, you get a lot of runoff. And with runoff comes one thing. Washed out water water gaps. In the middle of a draught everyone dreams of fixing water gaps. And when the rain comes and you’re knee deep in mud, with the cedar flies attacking, thats when the romance begins! Its not like it is in the movies. The other thing is when it rains, it pours… SNAKES!! And I HATE snakes. The snakes always seem to be out moving around after a rain.
One thing I take advantage of when it rains is a chance to practice in the mud. Im a firm believer in that you need to be prepared at whatever situation you might have at a rodeo. Most people say when it rains its too wet to practice. I know that it probably has happened before, but I have never been to a rodeo that has been canceled because it was too muddy. Ive always felt like I have had two advantages. One I have practiced in the mud, and two “try has more to do with it then when the conditions are good”. This is something you have to be smart about. I would never saddle my good horse and run ten calves in the mud and take a chance in crippling my horse or my calves. Maybe all you do is run one calf, or flank and tie. Always use common sense and your best judgement. And who knows, you may find out that you have a good mud horse! Until next time. God Bless and see you Down the Line...
The Magazine for America’s Roper • 29
JUNE 2015
THE FUTURE OF RODEO PHOTO OF THE MONTH © CBarC Photography 30
31
Goodbye, Old Paint
BY STUART MITCHELL
Under the Tailgate
by Dr.Michael Johnson
Goodbye Old Paint. I’m leaving Cheyenne. I’m going to Montana… where they throw the hoolihan.
4:45 am
“Poppa?” I opened my eyes to see my granddaughter, Wynn, age six, staring at me. Her brother, Bryce, age four, is staring right along with her. “Poppa?” she says again.
“Wynn? It’s five o’clock in the morning. What is it?”
“Poppa? We want you to get your guitar so we can sing a song for you,” she said.
“Wynn, it’s five in the morning. The only time I ever played the guitar that early was when I came in from the back side the night before, and hadn’t been to bed yet.” “What does that mean?” she asked.
“Never mind,” I said. “Why do you want to sing a song at this time of day?”
“‘Cause this is the last day of our visit. We have to go home to Colorado today. We wanted to sing you a song ‘cause we wanted to say goodbye and ‘cause we love you. We want to sing ‘Goodbye Old Paint’ for you,” she said.
And so we did. I sat propped up against the headboard, and the two little ones stood at the foot of the bed. They spread their arms wide as they sang goodbye to Old Paint, and both looked for all the world like they were performing before a packed coliseum. And that little incident caused me to think about some other “goodbyes” I’ve had to say. Time for another.
Seems as we grow older, chapters in our book of life close…before we are ready for them to end. I had a friend who worked for me for years. We traveled many miles together all over America, and we never ran out of things to say. I wish he was still with me. I miss old Buddy, the sorrel, who tried his heart out every time. I wish I could rope just one more on him. And so it is with this particular column. I would prefer that it continue on forever, but I’ve decided it is time for this chapter to close.
No matter how much money I make in my work, I have this remarkable ability to let every single penny slip through my fingers. I just can’t seem to keep it. Doesn’t matter - cash, check, or credit card - I have real trouble keeping any of it. Yet, every card, letter, or email I have ever received from those of you who have read this column over the years, I have been able to keep every one of those. I treasure them, and I am grateful for them. I’ve been writing this particular column for twenty years, now totaling 200+ articles, and I have lost count of how many times some heroic man, woman, or horse has inspired me to share their triumph with all of you. What great fun it’s been, and what a privilege. Lately however, I keep thinking it’s time to let someone else have that privilege and enjoyment. Heartfelt gratitude from me to you. I wish you all well, and I have a request… Be encouraged in your good works!
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Team ropers deal with frustrations in several different forms. Some cuss their horse, their ropes and the trashy steers, of course.
CANDICE ASKS: How do you get a start at the World Series team roping’s barrier system? I’m always late. RICKEY’S ANSWER: Personally, I watch their head drop before they move. If you see the whole body move, by the time you get going, he’s gone.
Some throw their ropes in the dirt. Others look for something to hurt. We all know people with special ways of releasing their anger. Some release so much, so often they put themselves and others in danger. We’ve seen ropers mope around the house for days on end. Cheering up only when they get their “Roping Pen.” They deal with losing or not winning with some of the most artistic actions. They swear off roping, women, drinking, some even turn to weird religious factions. The newest ways of coping with imperfections as of late. Is when they can’t be found, someone go look for them “under the tailgate.”
We walked and talked to claim his prize. And found his winnings were of considerable size. He felt better after counting his money. But now something seemed so funny. I thought to myself that part of his was mine. Cause you see, that fourth steer had me behind. I explained that it was as good as in the books. Cause all day long I hadn’t been taking second looks. If he had turned him. I surely would have burned him. The trailer would be his. And the extra money would be bliss. I would feel better not to be broke. And, he wouldn’t be thinking he chocked.
Under the tailgate is where you’ll find one of my dearest friends.
He explains he feels very bad. That hopes I’m not too sad.
When he thinks his roping skills have reached their bitter end. We’ll call him “Slammer” sor reasons yet untold.
We get in the truck and start for home. When I hear that familiar moan.
He’s a 3 who thinks he should be a 2, just because he’s a little old. He ropes most of his steer in 8, 9 or 10. Jake he’s never been.
He’s about to tears and I can’t figure out why. When that new trailer comes whipping by. I tell him to hush and act mature. He tells me to shut up, that I’m full of manure.
He’ll be in the average most every time, sometimes he wins, as times not a dime. It’s these times when he becomes hard to find, the first time it happened it really put him in a bind.
He moans and wails and gripes and complains. Punishes himself trying to explain. Why he fells like he has been hit by a train.
The trailer was his to win And on his 4th steer he thought he would spin.
After miles of this crazy act’n. I had all I could stand and wanted satisfaction.
He would ride to fame. With a heeler we shall not name.
I slammed on the brakes cause I couldn’t wait. I told Slammer – Get back under the tailgate.
Runs don’t always go as they should. Most don’t even go like we wish they would. The loop found not its mark. Slammer would not pull the trailer he had already won in his heart. Instead of this great prize he thought due. It would go to someone else whom he barely knew. As the last teams ran their steers. We began to realize with fear that Slammer was not anywhere near. The search began at the concession stand. But when asked, “Seen Slammer,” No one raised a hand. I searched the stalls, the arena and back to the truck. Still no Slammer, I had no luck. We win third in the average on another run. But hadn’t collected his tidy little sum. I began to worry as I loaded out gear. And then I heard a sound that came over me like fear. A groan that was low and muffled. Like someone who had severe troubles. I looked at in the tack room and in the nose But found no source of the mumbled woes. I bent over to check underneath. All I could see were two big feet. Under the Tailgate I found my friend. Thinking his life had come to an end. I dragged him out explained he had placed and had money. But in his condition this was not funny. I explained that if he didn’t come out from the underside. I would go collect his money at the office inside. After explaining his reasons for feeling low. He came crawling out, ever so slow. The Magazine for America’s Roper • 33
M
aking that trip to the winners’ circle in team roping is hard enough. When you consider the fact that two ropers and two horses are going after the same steer with the common goal of turning in a winning run, there is a long list of factors that must align to make it happen. The right horse, the right equipment and the right practice routine are just a few of the things that must align with the stars in order to cash in. Whether you’re just starting out or roping has been your past time for years, any competitor will tell you that there is always more to learn. That’s why the folks at Lone Star Ropes are proud to introduce In the Loop. In the coming months, we’ll feature Q & A, background stories and just straight up advice from some of the best in the business, including Patrick Smith, Kaleb Driggers and Bobby Harris. So enjoy and pay attention; that next big check might depend on it. We’ll kick this off with a question from Lynn in Fort Worth, Texas, who asks Patrick Smith: What characteristics do you look for when shopping for and/or purchasing a heel horse, for example, size, age, experience, etc.?
Patrick’s response: What I look for in a heel horse can vary from time to time, depending on what my plan for that horse is. I like to keep at least one good practice horse around, so I can just work on the mechanics of my roping without worrying much about training. Obviously, this horse would need to be in good condition and able to handle a lot of repetition. I also like to find a horse that is a good prospect. One that has a good foundation so I can continue to work on it in the roping arena, and hopefully become 34 • The Roping Pen • June 2015
a horse I can rodeo on someday. Finally, the third type of horse I look for is the solid, experienced horse that I know I can trust when I put my money up. This would be the finished horse that has been hauled and will work the same in all situations.
To me, the ideal age varies from about six years to fifteen years, depending on the horse and his level of maturity. It’s not often that I ride a horse younger than six years. Again, this goes back to them having a good foundation that I can continue to work on. As far as size, that can be a personal preference but I would say that 14 hands would be the minimum height and 15 hands would be the maximum height for a heel horse.
About Patrick Smith…
Patrick Smith didn’t begin team roping until he was eighteen years old when he made some friends who were involved with roping. Just five years later, at 23, he joined the PRCA, winning Rookie of the Year honors and qualifying for his first NFR. Two years later, he won his first of two world championships. In addition to his two world titles, Smith has earned championships at almost every major rodeo, qualified for the NFR 11 times, won two NFR average titles and amassed over $1.6 million in PRCA earnings alone...this doesn’t include wins at the BFI, George Strait Team Roping Classic, or USTRC. He currently holds the number six spot in the world standings. Patrick prefers to rope with The Shark from Lone Star in a hard medium. Smith, 35, and his wife Christi make their home in Lipan, Texas with their children Kylee, Kenzie and Elijah. If you’ve got a question or comment for “In The Loop”, submit it to lonestarintheloop@gmail.com.
The Magazine for America’s Roper • 35
F
irst of all I want to say thank you to everyone for taking time to read my articles. These are the first I have ever written. I do appreciate the responses and as always I look forward to questions about insurance covering your equine friend(s).
This month’s article is not directly answering emails or questions but more about some things I see, hear, and feel myself. It’s still related to horse insurance so I wanted to share it. After talking with folks each day about horses, events, coverages, and everything in between (just because I love to talk). I have found a few things about our equine friends I wanted to talk about. You see each day on social media sites or other web sites with news and information I hear about concerning animals that are mistreated, abused, not cared for, etc. While yes this does happen in some instances that is not what I am writing about in this case. I am referring to the ones that are well cared for and thrown into the spotlight for the very things mentioned above. Seems we all hear about PETA, SHARK, and many others denouncing rodeo and other horse related events. These are just a few. Google if for yourself. In a matter of minutes I found over 157 in one list! Organizations against rodeo animal abuse. This is just rodeo but still it is and does trickle down to other disciplines in the equine world. Enough of that I didn’t write this to spotlight them.
I felt obligated to share from my experiences within the equine insurance world that makes the cases spotlighted by the above type groups’ nonsense. I deal with clients that take care of their horses and other animals WAY better that they do themselves. I deal with clients that insure their horses and other animals before they will get insurance to cover themselves. I see it each year working events across the country. I get calls late at night telling me a horse is sick “what do I need to do?” They do this because they care for their animals way more than they are given credit for in most cases. I have been in the insurance industry as an agent for five years now. I am getting better at looking at my phone and knowing it’s a client with a problem. When I answer I can feel how sick they are about having to call, sick they are about having issues. Some are even in tears. Can I share something else? I too have made those calls as well, and yes felt the exact same way.
36 • The Roping Pen • June 2015
I just had a client loose a horse (one reason I am writing this). You can tell the guy was absolutely sick to his stomach that the horse was sick when he called. It happened to be a colic case and he was already enroot to the surgical center. When a person spends nearly an entire evening and night caring for his animal it is out of true compassion. Something the group’s mentioned above (in my opinion) know nothing about. This person gets very little sleep if any at all and is up and checking asap the next morning. If it’s good they (we) are all happy our equine friend is going to be healthy again. This case it wasn’t so happy at the end. It happens. It sucked the life right out of this guy and I could feel it. I know because I too have been there. There is only thing that will make this particular case easier to bare is the fact he had covered his horse with some basic coverages. No it will not replace him but it will make it easier to move forward.
The groups mentioned above have no possible clue to what a normal person does for their animals or spends trying to keep them happy and healthy. I can speak on that for sure. I have bought every supplement ever made I swear! We as owners want a happy animal and a happy animal is healthy. Supplements, farrier visits, vet checks, grooming, treats, and general attention. Things we do for our animals that they have no idea about. I can and have turned my good horse out at night to graze. While he walks out of the barn call his name and he will likely stop and look at me. I have done it numerous times. He stops and I rub on him, talk to him, and he seems to appreciate it more and more. This is coming from a horse that you couldn’t catch in a 10’x10’ stall when I bought him. We bonded long ago. This is something people against the ethical treatment of animals couldn’t possible understand. If they did the picture is much more clear than the tiny one they seem to paint for us all. Sorry to ramble on about the groups above I felt that a notable mention to how we take care of our animals was duly noted and overdue. Covering them with at least a basic insurance policy is just one way I as an agent can help you. Thanks again for reading and as always see you at the next roping!
The Magazine for America’s Roper • 37
Louisianassociation Team Roping • • • • A
• • • •
lateamropingassociation.com • (337)263•0036 • • • • Be sure to follow us on Facebook! • • • •
Meet. . . britt butler
B
ritt Buller is an 8th grade student at Kinder Middle School. He has had a rope in his hand since the day he was old enough to pick one up, and hasn’t let it go since! Last year, he made it all the way to the National Junior High School Rodeo Association Finals in Des Moines, Iowa. For years, he excelled as a header, and over the last year, he has really put his focus towards heeling. It has definitely paid off! He and his Junior High School team roping partner, Zeb Corkern, are currently 3rd in the State with hopes of making it back to Nationals after competing in the LJHSRA State May 29th – 31st at Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles. Britt is a familiar face at jackpot ropings just about every weekend. Over the past few years, he has built up quite a collection of trophy buckles, saddles, and even a trailer! Though he has been successful at such a young age, he remains humble and hard working. He understands that it takes hard work and dedication to remain successful. He owes a lot to his Dad and Papa for making sure he gets everywhere on time and helping him out in the practice pen. Unlike most boys his age, you will not catch him inside playing video games all day! Chances are he’s outside with a rope in his hand next to his Fast Lane. If it’s a rainy day, you can bet he’s watching one of his team roping DVD’s and roping the Cowboy Toy in the house.
Though he has been roping for a while now, this is only the beginning for Britt. He hopes to earn a college scholarship so that he may still rodeo while furthering his education. He also has ambitions of becoming a professional Team Roper one day. For him, this is not just a sport… it’s a way of life and it’s a passion.
Meet. . . zeb corkern
T
he cowboy culture runs deep in Zeb’s family. His is a fourth generation cowboy following in his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather’s footsteps of competitive rodeo cowboys. For generations his family has lived in the country, owned horses, and owned/worked cattle. Zeb has been on horses since he was “days” old. Zebs parents are Jud and Kris Corkern. Zeb has two older sisters Lexie and Taylee. He has successfully participated in youth rodeos, winning the Elm Park Rodeo Association All-Around Champion buckle for 2011 and 2012. Zeb currently completes on a regular basis in several team roping associations. He has been named Louisiana Team Roping Association’s (LTRA) Youth High Money Heeler for two consecutive years (2012, 2013). Zeb also currently enjoys his third year of competing in the Louisiana High School Rodeo Assoc. Jr. High rodeos. He qualified for the 2013, 2014 and 2015 LA State Jr. High Finals winning the Short Go Round Reserve Champion Header buckle for team roping. 38 • The Roping Pen • June 2015
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& Junior and Youth Divisions
In the Shadows...
E
very time a cowboy ropes a cow, a cowgirl rounds the barrels, and the stands roar with spectators, there is a wonderful group of adults who work diligently behind the scenes. These adults are the volunteers who serve on our board of directors for our association. Although various committees or communities put on the rodeos for our contestants, not one rodeo could be successful without the guidance and assistance from the board members. Our board of directors works tirelessly to acquire rodeos throughout the season. They assist these groups by providing the “know how” for putting on a rodeo. They make sure the rodeo arena is set up, taken down, and transported from rodeo to rodeo. They handle call-in, rodeo draws, time keeping, and announcing the events once the rodeo starts. They work the rodeo from start to finish serving as arena director, judges, gatekeepers, gate pullers, name callers, goat holders, calf pushers, barrel placers, pole straighteners, rule interpreters, and hat gatherers. When a contestant is hurt, they get to them first and access the situation. They help the cowboy or cowgirl up, dust him/her off, and assure the anxious parent all is well. Their work is never done and they do it all for the love of the contestants and for the love of rodeo. So, we want to say a special thanks to our SCHSRA Board of directors. They are the unsung heroes, who cast a special shadow of protection over all of our contestants from the first rodeo of the season until the National Finals in July. We who rodeo, salute you!
40 • The Roping Pen • June 2015
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UPCOMING RODEOS: June 19-20 Paragould, Arkansas June 26-27 • 7 pm Rector, Arkansas
T
he Northeast Arkansas Family Rodeo Association has officially kicked off their 2015 season and are hoping the remainder of the season will be a little dryer than the first. The association that stages its events in Northeast Arkansas have experienced a little setback due to b ad weather over the first couple of scheduled weekends. However, that is not holding them back and they are full-fledged ready for the summer months ahead and the chance to see great friends and families join together and enjoy some great events.
The first event of this year was cancelled due to heavy rains in April. Looking ahead to May, the organizers watched the weather reports hoping for the best. Half of the best worked out as they were able to host one of the two September 18-19 • 7 pm day events in May over the weekend of the 16-17th 2015 First Rodeo And Rector, Arkansas and kick the season off. Although the skies opened Official Standings: up once again and drenched the arena on the FINALS: October 30-31 second day, the Northeast Arkansas Family Rodeo Muttin Busttin Association was able to officially put some names Jack Robbins in the standings and is looking forward to a summer full of great times ahead.
August 28-29 • 7 pm 3 Trees Wynne, Arkansas
With the damper on the first two events, they are scheduling a second weekend of rodeo action in June to make things up and allow everyone a chance to come out and compete. The makeup date will be June 19 and 20th in Paragould, Arkansas, followed by the regular monthly event on June 26 and 27th in Rector, Arkansas. Families are already gearing up for these two dates and a chance to ride, rope and race across the NAFRA arena.
Calf Riding Mason Stark
Steer Riding Ty Andrerson Goat Un-Decorating Colter Hunt Open Goats Amerra Pully Lead Line Barrels Karliegh Dollar Young Barrels Abby Williams
Do want to win one of these? Then join the fun with NAFRA this year! Call 870-243-3724 or find us on Facebook for more info...
Jr. Barrels Chandler Henfling Open Barrels Heather Hopkins Young Gun Poles Abby Williams Jr. Poles Chandler Henfling Jr. Breakaway Emily Morris Amt Team Roping Hdr Emily Morris Open Team Roping Hdr Jeff Jones Open Team Roping Hlr Jared Tubbs
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Foothills Youth Rodeo Association rodeofyra.com • Follow us on Facebook!
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e’re sure happy that some mothers and grandchildren. It is such a ulations to Pat Raiford (aka “The Natural”) let their babies grow up to be cowjoy to see so many children and and Jordan Hanna (aka boys! Team roping is a great family sport. young people involved in the “JDawg”) for Hattiesburg always proves it true. We had sport of team roping. Psalm coming out on top another great turn out for our saddle/buckle 127:3 says “Lo, children are an in the #8 roping blowout on Mother’s Day weekend. This heritage of the LORD, as well as for Alex was our first time to have our and the fruit of Smith and Jerritt #6 and #7 ropings the womb is his Vamar coming out in this area. They reward.” In on top in the #10 proved to be a sucwhatever you roping. We finished cess. We gave away encourage out what we felt was 20 buckles in the your chilan awesome week#6 and 20 in the #7. dren to do, end with a Mother’s First place in the #6 whether Day dummy roping. #10 Saddle went to Sam Sims and it is team It was great to see the Alex Smith a Winners nd Jerritt Va Jacob Stringer. Top roping or moms get in on the mar bragging rights in the other activities, action too. Until next #7 went to Keny Porter always remember what a time… keep roping. We hope inners and Tristian Gillespie. to see you at the next one! #8 Saddle Wordan Hanna precious gift they are. J These ropings are aland We also had #8 and Pat Raiford Be sure to visit the Fire It Up website for ways special because of #10 ropings giving away information on future ropings, and check out the team combinations. 10 saddles in each of these ropings. The their sponsors and all they offer! They allow mothers, fathers, and ropings ran well, the weather was beautiful, grandparents to rope with their children www.FireItUpProductions.com and the ropers brought their skills. Congrat-
Peer Discipline by Crystal Lyons
A
fter getting my stallion as a 4 year old and him never allowed to run with other horses when he was young, I felt helpless to train him social manners. I eventually tied him under a tree where the other horses could come around him…..and PRAYED over his safety. Sure enough, here came the geldings to check out the new guy! He being “legendary in his own mind” set off an arrogant squall. It was like the geldings said “well, heck with you buddy” and they threw in a few kicks when they left. You know, it wasn’t simply the kicks that did so much as I actually think it was just as much their leaving him to be alone with his stinky attitude! He whinnied and nickered at them begging them to return but they simply blew him off. After a while they sauntered back up to visit him again….and again, he had to act like a turd. More kicks were administered as they left. I did this for a few hours a couple of days and I was amazed at the results. He has actually become LESS legendary in his opinion of himself!
There’s nothing like one’s peers to administer discipline to teach good manners to an unruly one! That is of course….if the group one is running with have manners themselves. My sons were blessed to go to a small Christian school that keeps all the kids, 1st grade through 12th together during recess and other activities and even when they are separated for their class work, they still share 3 rooms. I have watched what this does for kids and it’s
52 • The Roping Pen • June 2015
PHOTOS COURTESY OF FIRE IT UP PRODUCTIONS
W
AWESOME! The little guys quickly have great confidence because they “hang” with the “older, cooler” kids. And by the time one reaches the older grades they automatically watch over, play with and protect the little ones.
One year, for whatever reason, a young boy who was badly spoiled by his mother took to picking on a little girl a couple of grades below him. The teachers tried to catch him but he was sneaky. This is where the older boys stepped in and gave him a direct warning that unless he leave her alone, THEY were going to take him behind the school house and whip him themselves. Well….because his mother never allowed anyone to “harm” her darling….he actually didn’t think they’d lay a finger on him. He was wrong. One day on the playground he began picking on her and one of the boys simply whipped his butt right then and there in front of God and everybody. He ran to the teacher bawling…. his momma came huffing and puffing….and the teacher had the wisdom of God instead of the political correctness that so governs our schools now. She stood with the young man who disciplined the bully. Did you know it stopped that day!! It ended that day because a student took personal responsibility for the wellbeing of a little girl! That boy never picked on anyone to my knowledge again….and he has grown up to be a fine young man.
Nothing can instill in a young stud manners, quicker than an old herd mare! Sometimes it’s best to let the discipline of peers do its thing. Of course…that depends on the quality of the “herd” that the kid is running with! In this case…..the young man who whipped the other boy was my son. He had confided in me and had my full backing. But he was willing to take a whipping from the teacher if necessary to stop this kid from bullying the little girl. These things are what train our sons to be heroes……and gives young studs manners!
The Magazine for America’s Roper • 53
GHSRA & GJHRA I
can’t believe my final year with GHSRA is at its end. At this point I can’t even imagine my life without it. This association has been so much more than a weekend activity for me and so many others; it has literally made me into the person I am now. GHSRA has always been a part of my life since my older sisters were in it. I watched all the wonderful things it did for them, and now I am in disbelief to see myself where they were-- graduating, and becoming an alumni of the organization responsible for the best times of my life. I don’t have sufficient words for what GHSRA and its members have done for me, and I cannot describe what a fantastic honor it has been to serve as your Queen. I never imagined I would ever have achieved all that I have, and I owe it all to ya’ll. Being your queen has been the best thing I have ever done and I hope I have done you justice. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the years of lifelong memories and friends. I love ya’ll more than I can say. And don’t worry, I’ll be back visiting. GHSRA will always hold a place in my heart. ~ Olivia Tacy- 2014-15 GHSRA Queen
Fun Facts! Did you know... Ashley Hawkins 10th grade
Mother & father ride motorcycles. She loves to fish!
Family owns an environmental waste company. Loves animals as much as people.
McKayla Alliston Katelynn Harbeke 10th grade
12th grade
Family has a poultry farm.
Brother is in the Navy and is stationed in Honalulu, HI
Likes to hunt and ride ATV’s.
Helps take care of her grandfather’s cows.
Both parents are from northern California. Has played soccer since she was 6 but horses are her passion
Will Watkins
Hunter Shahan
Madison Hendrix
Tabitha Bohannon
Tyler Boatwright
54 •• The TheRoping RopingPen Pen ••June June2015 2015 54
Annie Grace McElhannon
Caleebell Duncan
Clint Burge
Marlee Malcon Will Watkins
Photos courtesy of ©JD Photography
55
THE
Other Half
Logistics F
rom my perspective it is a new term. I cannot ever recall hearing the term, but now it seems to pop up everywhere. Mr. Webster defines it as a detailed coordination of a complex operation involving many people, facilities or supplies. The term is logistics.
Stop and think about it. Despite ours being a cowboy sport, team roping is a classic example of logistics. Even our practice falls under the term.
Complex operation, people, facilities and supplies; my gosh, is our sport a classic example? I tried to talk to Boss about team roping and the word logistics. Naturally, he was preoccupied and he could care less about the technicalities of it all. All he cares about is the roping part and he doesn’t really care how it all unfolds unless it doesn’t unfold and then he gets concerned. I guess I’m grasping for straws here, but isn’t it odd that we spend all week in the practice pen, load the trailer with horses, kids and supplies and head down the road to any select facility to spend our money, our time and take a stab at putting a little money in the bank?
What does logistics have to do with that you might ask? Figure it out. We budget fuel, entry fees, tack, feed, practice cattle and on and on goes the list. Most team ropers work for a living as do their spouses to afford the habit. We hurry home from work to spend the rest of the day practicing the sport we all love.
© The Other Half , Melinda Clements melinda@clements.net
No matter how you look at it team roping is a complex operation. Even if you break it down into pieces it is still a complex sport whether you are loading or unloading the trailer, watering and legging up horses, visiting the tack store to choose a rope or five, filming the runs, keeping the times, choosing a strategy or breaking in new steers. It all involves people, the facility and countless other factors that make it all come together.
The other day Boss hollered at me and said, “Are you about ready to head to the practice pen? I’ll pen the steers.” A couple of neighbors had already gathered to rope and the kids were wired. It was their favorite time of the day. I sat down on the step and the little wheels began to turn in my head. I wonder what CEO’s in big corporations make for their contributions of logistics in their company? I wonder what those people in the military get paid for their input and insight into logistics of any given military operation. As I watched Boss ride off toward the pasture to get the steers I wondered what he would think if I threw a monkey wrench in his practice and said, “You know, most logistic experts get paid quite well for coordinating and implementing the details of their operation.” I’m sure he would pass out and think I had totally lost my mind.
56 • The Roping Pen • June 2015
Thoughts of a Team Roping Spouse... by Gracie Mae
It is a reality, though. Think about this one…where would ropers be without their girlfriends, wives, mothers and those other significant others who coordinate the events from the practice pen to the actual event? Who makes sure everyone is fed and hydrated? Who turns out the steers? Who listens to the rants and raves of why things did or didn’t happen? Who saddles and unsaddles, loads and unloads, feeds and puts on horn wraps and films and well, I think you are getting the picture. Add to that picture the secretaries, the timers, the flaggers, the chute help and all those other extras who make sure the event comes together. I think we are definitely underpaid. However, guess what? We are not getting a raise, much less a salary. Logistics isn’t a roper or even a cowboy term. Most ropers give it no thought at all.
Boss hollered, “Gracie, come on. What are you sitting on the step for? We are ready to rope!” Logistics! I don’t even know why I looked up that word. It is a word I didn’t need to know or understand. Mmmm, logistics are a pain. I’d rather not have known!
Keep Ropin’... Love, Gracie
Classifieds are FREE for Subscribers! Email ads to: theropingpen@charter.net Deadline: the 10th of each month HORSES 12/14 14 year old, roan, gelding head horse. Good beginner horse. Good in the box. Has been hauled to KRA roping’s. Asking $3000. Call Tom @ 270402-7191 TRUCKS/TRAILERS 5/14 - 2006 4 HORSE SUNDOWNER 8012 TRAILER, one owner 12’ LQ, like new AC/Heat Pullout sofa, queen bed, micro, cooktop, frig w/Freezer, TV, radio/cd, speakers in and out, big shower with glass door. Built in Generator, (push button) Side storage mangers in stalls, drop down windows, rear tack and electric jack. Hate to sell but too big for college student. Would trade for smaller LQ trailer. $42K, 980-522-1949 or 980-522-1865 CATTLE 4/14 - FOR SALE: 40 HD LONGHORN CATTLE, calving now. 6 had calves taken off & bred back to Angus or Charlois. $1000 /head, calves go w/cows. 501581-7772 call/text. 6/15 - 20 FRESH LONGHORN/CORRIENTE steers & heifers, weaned, bunkbroke, vaccinated, dewormed, 325-425 lbs. $875 & up. Contact Kelly Cattle Company: 706-319-5930 WANTED 12/14 Looking for a used roping chute. I can pick up in Texas. Please text me a picture and information. 361-227-2914 – Armando
MISCELLANEOUS 6/15 Used Hot Heels roping dummy w/ Springer Sled. Please email for additional info: kbrown@tsys.com 2/15 Heel-O-Matic For Sale! Brand New - Straight from the factory. Heel-OMatic with all of the upgrades. The Ultimate Ground-Driven Trainer includes the Spring-Loaded Tongue and Deluxe Leg Package. It is the top of the line roping practice machine. See one at heelomtic.com. Selling for $3100 ($500 off full retail). Call 505-259-7975 12/14 For Sale – Alabama Premier Horse Property – 78 Acres, fenced & cross fenced with 2 ac pond, creeks & magnificent 4,200 Sq. Ft Home. 3 Barns, RV hookups and lots more. It is a must see! – Asking $1,100,000. Call The Joel Gill Team, Joel or Susan Gill – 334-277-8204! 8/14 - TIME MACHINE OR HEEL-O-MATIC FOR SALE, I have both, don’t need but one, time machine still crated, heel a matic has battery operated legs, in great shape. Make me an offer! 334 341 1127 10/14 Robo Steer for Sale. Very well maintained and kept under cover. Collapsable horns and articulating and collapsable heels. Delivery available. $4500 Call or email for pics and more information. irishjump@gmail.com or 404-433-7444.
The Roping Pen’s Classifieds REALLY WORK and are FREE for Subscribers! Submit ad requests by the 10th of the month to rdavis@theropingpen.com
Advertisers & Events Index EVENTS: Alabama Championships . . . . . 13 Cheyenne: The Daddy . . . . . . . . . 53 Fire It Up Truck Roping . . . . . . . 17 Firecracker Blowout . . . . . . . . . . 21 IFYR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Lone Star Regional . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Mid Atlantic Classic . . . . . . . . . . . 25 NTRL Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47-50 Priefert WSTR Event . . . . . . . . . . 23 SE Showdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 USTRC Regional Finals . . . . . . . . 26 ADVERTISERS: Adam Toole Horses . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Alabama Roping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Albracht Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Allen’s Rodeo Photos . . . . . . . . . . 4
Bar H Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 BTuff Jeans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 C Bar C Photography . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Classic Rope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
NRS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Outlaw Saddles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Power Team Roping . . . . . . . . . . Priefert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dare to be a Cowboy . . . . . . . . . . 28 Elite Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 FastBack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Heel-O-Matic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Hot Heels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Red Bluff Buckles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Silver Lining Herbs . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Sparky Calf Roper . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 STS Ranchwear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Team Equine Saddle Pad . . . . . . 16
JD Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Jim Davis Photo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Lazy J Rodeo Saftey . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Lil Blue Heeler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Lone Star Ropes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Total Equine Feed . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 TotalTeamRoping.com . . . . . . . . 10 Tres Rios Silver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Twisted J . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Twisted Spur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Lubrisyn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maynard Buckles . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Johnson Books . . . . . . . Mortenson Saddle Silver . . . . . .
Twisted X Boots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Willard Rope Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
60 37 32 45
43 29 32 51
Call us today to reserve a spot for your event or advertisement! 505-407-2151
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