The roping pen may 2015

$4.00

May 2015

Vol. 24 No. 5

IN THIS ISSUE...

• Welcome to the NAFRA • • SRA Feature: Rick Bynum • • Equine Therapy • • Ariat Boot Review • • And More! •

2 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 3

Table of Contents Summer is here, Summer is here, for the most part, and that brings the big summer team ropings and rodeo runs. The High School and Jr. High rodeos are gearing up for their Finals, and both professionals and amateurs alike are looking forward to the big outdoor rodeos. Most team ropers have their horses tuned up and ready to hit the events they can fit into their schedule. Before long, we will be looking towards Fall where rodeo associations will be hosting their season-ending events, the USTRC will be hosting the National Finals of Team Roping, and thousands will be heading to Vegas for their chance to watch the NFR and win part of the big payouts at the World Series of Team Roping. It is neverending! This industry, unlike other sports, never takes a break. There is no real “season” - cowboys and cowgirls have the opportunity to ride, rope, and race at events that offer unbelievable payouts all year long.

Last month I touched on the growing community of team ropers who, I believe, are changing the face of the sport. I received several calls on that subject, so thought I would dig in a little more. These guys and gals criss-cross the country hitting every event they can. I believe these team ropers are the elite. They are the ones truly driving the sport into the future. Always on the lookout for the best events, they do not hesitate to travel and no matter your location or classification, you may fall into this category of an “elite” team roper.

More and more producers are gearing their events towards the elite, and there is no question why! Ropers have figured out that, in most cases, these events with larger payouts cost more to enter and they are willing to place their entry at high-stakes ropings to have a chance at a larger payday.

(There are plenty of other standards a producer must meet to attract ropers, also, but that is an article all of its own.)

There is little doubt the WSTR started this trend and like days gone by, there are more and more producers hanging their hats on these events because they work. Heck, look at the majority of the larger team roping events... you can find some sort of resemblance of the WSTR in each of them. I spoke with the man behind the WSTR, and he understands this trend. He saw it coming. This is not the first time Denny Gentry has stood in the middle of the arena, and he knows first-hand how the industry works. I judge he knows how to stay ahead of the curve and will keep the WSTR moving ahead, full throttle, setting the bar.

The USTRC is the other big fish in the roping pond, and they have continued to hold that high standard. Their TRIAD system keeps the industry strong. I know I will catch some slack for that comment, however, looking at the entire scene, the TRIAD system is the most complete classification system and the USTRC has stood the test of time because of it. In addition, their National Finals is one of the best events each year and ropers chase dreams all year to earn a chance to become a USTRC National Champion. The USTRC works tirelessly for team ropers and promotes producers who offer the highest quality events.

Looking at these two associations, there are, of course, some similarities and plenty of differences behind the two logos. However, there is a common thread for both: two people roping a steer! From my seat, I see the sport of team roping moving ahead FAST. Far beyond where it is today, team roping is lashing forward into the future mostly because of the competitors of today.

There is more on this subject to dissect, so stay tuned!

UNTIL NEXT MONTH...

Dirt: keep it under your feet

~Ryan Davis

4 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

Articles & Features 4 Dirt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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. . .

SRA

Southern Rodeo Association AHSRA

Alabama High School Rodeo Association FYRA

10 Mountaineer Stampede, WVHSRA. . . . . . . . . . . Event Recap 12 Equine Therapy Provides New Excitement... M . ichelle Zimmer 18 Tennessee Championships, Event Recap . . . . . . . Ben Clements 20 Team Roping - A Lot Like Basketball. . . . . . . . . . . Allen Bach 22 Sweat & Balin’ Twine: Tomorrow’s Horses . . . . . . John Rhudy 23 Pushing The Barrier: Riding Across the Line. Speed Williams 24 Throwing My Loop: The Lost Sheep . . . . . Michael Johnson

Foothills Youth Rodeo Association

26 Top Tips: Preparing for Your Next Event. . Total Team Roping

GHSRA & GJHRA

31 ERA: What to Expect!. . . . . . . . . . . . Article & Press Release

Georgia High School Rodeo Association & Georgia Junior High Division

34 Featured Photo: Witt Pierce, GHSRA. . . . . Photo of theMonth

LTRA

42 JX2 “Pays for Days,” Event Recap. . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan Davis

Louisiana Team Ropers’ Association NTRL

40 Roper of the Round Table. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stuart Mitchell 44 Down the Line: Learn, Laugh, Love. . . . . . . . . . . . Stran Smith 45 Gunner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crystal Lyons

National Team Roping League

49 Louisiana Championships, Event Recap . . . . . . . Ben Clements

NAFRA

50 The Other Half: Peter Pan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gracie Mae

Northeast Arkansas Family Rodeo Association

52 Ariat: The Next Generation of Boots . . . . . . . . Product Review

NCHSRA • NCJHRA

60 Protecting Your Investment!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jason Strickland

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

64 Event & Advertiser Index 65 Classifieds

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

Associations

Let us help your Association GROW!

28 N Carolina High School Rodeo Assoc ~ NCHSRA

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On the Cover This Month: Ty Hickerson C Bar C Photography – Valerie Ford The Roping Pen is published monthly. Subscription rates are $20 per year for standard mail. First class and out of country subscriptions are $36 per year. New advertising should be received by the 10th of the preceding month to appear in next issue. Please call for advertising rates. Material may not be reproduced without permission from publisher. The opinions and views expressed in all editorial materials are those of the writer or person interviewed and are not necessarily those of The Roping Pen. Send all correspondence, change of address, etc. to: The Roping Pen • P O Box 328 • Tijeras, NM 87059

6+ Southern Rodeo Association ~ SRA 30 Louisiana Team Ropers’ Associtation - LTRA 32 S Carolina HS, Jr Div, & Youth Rodeo Assoc ~ SCHSRA 36 Northeast Arkansas Family Rodeo Assoc ~ NAFRA 38 Foothills Youth Rodeo Association ~ FYRA 46 National Team Roping League ~ NTRL 56 Georgia High School & Jr Rodeo Assoc ~ GHSRA 58 Alabama High School Rodeo Assoc ~ AHSRA

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

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The Magazine for America’s Roper • 5

RICK BYNUM

ONE OF SRA BULL RIDING’S BEST

T

he SRA season is in full bloom! Rodeos every weekend, and for Rick Bynum that means a chance to continue to chase his passion and capture that thrill and adrenaline rush on the back of a bucking, twisting, snot-blowing bovine! Rick is one of the SRA’s top bull riders and enjoys the chance to head to every rodeo or bull riding in the Southeast and lay his money down for the chance to prove he is one of the best!

The 25-year-old cowboy is no rookie to the game of riding bucking bulls and for the past decade has worked his way up the ladder in the sport and has become a man to reckon with when the gate blows open. Starting out in the circle of High School rodeos, Rick was a tough competitor at this level for several years before moving into the larger arena where he could win bigger money. Like many in the sport of bull riding, he had family that competed in the sport, enjoyed watching the sport and jumped at the opportunity to try it out when it was presented.

Rick was invited to climb on his first bull by a neighbor, Nick Faulk, in his hometown of Charlotte, NC. From that first day on the back of a few good little practice bulls, Rick was hooked and it was not long afterwards he was entered up at a local bull riding. A fourth place win at his first bull riding dug the bull riding desire in even deeper into Ricks soul. Least to say he has matured in the sport and continues to fill his passion of riding rank bulls every chance he gets.

His bull riding career has carried Rick across the Mississippi River and to Mt. Pleasant, Texas where he earned a scholarship and rode bulls for the Northeast Texas Community College. Along with his college rodeos, Rick also competed in the UPRA (United Professional Rodeo Association) and CRPA (Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association), two rodeo associations in Texas. After his stint in the Lone Star state he traveled back to his hometown in North Carolina where he resides today, competing at SRA and IPRA rodeos, as well as SEBRA bull ridings.

Rick has settled down a bit over the past couple years. He has a steady job Monday through Friday and looks forward to the weekend where he gets the chance to focus on his rodeo career.

Rick has taken his passion for the sport of bull riding to a level that many never consider. He enjoys the sport and wants to help promote it inside the SAR. He has become the SRA Bull Riding Director and uses his knowledge as a contestant and his enthusiasm for the sport to help the association advance the sport within the association.

“I go day by day with it,” said Rick. I would like to do good, win the SRA, make the IFR, maybe win it and most importantly stay consistent. I feel I am too cocky at times and just fall off, but I just keep going down the road and try to wear them out.”

“I opened my mouth and was joking around a few years ago at the SRA Finals saying I would have all of the great bulls and offer more re-rides to my friends,” said Rick.

“The next year they voted me in.”

“I have made a lot of good friends in the SRA,” added Rick. “They call it the ‘working man’s association.’ We can work all week and always have a place to go to rodeo on the weekends. It is always a good time and I enjoy it.”

6 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

Photos courtesy of SRA

Rick is looking forward to the future. He is lacking only a few classes from a degree that he may pick up at North Carolina State where he has attended for a few years prior to heading to Texas. He is also looking forward to spending more time with his girlfriend of two years, Britney Chester. But most importantly he wants to continue to ride bulls, support the SRA and see where his desires and dreams take him.

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 7

SRA UPCOMING RODEOS • SRA UPCOMING RODEOS • SRA UPCOMING RODEOS

NOTES TO KNOW…

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

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

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

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

MAY 8-9 • GATES, NC • SRA

JUNE 19-20 • POLKVILLE, NC • IPRA/SRA

Friday 7:30 pm, Saturday 7:30 pm • Location: 158 Paige Riddick Rd BB SB BR $600 ADM, $50 EF, $5 SCF (each perf, you may enter both) CR SW TR CBR CBA $1000 ADM, $80 EF, $5 SCF Call to enter: 800-639-9002 Mon, May 4, 8am-5pm CST Stock Contractor: Double Creek Pro Rodeo Co • More Info: 252-209-1473

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

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 More Info: 919-894-3825 or 864-809-2630 Stock Contractor: Double Creek Pro Rodeo Co

JUNE 26-27 • SPARTANBURG, SC • SRA

NOVEMBER 6-7-8 • ASHEVILLE, NC (FLETCHER) • • • SOUTHERN FINALS RODEO • • •

MAY 8-9 • HOBOKEN, GA • IPRA/SRA Friday 7:30 pm, Saturday 7:30 pm BB SB BR CR SW TR CBR CBA $500 ADM, $50 EF, $10 SCF Call to enter: 800-639-9002 Mon, May 4, 8am-5pm CST Location: Brantley Co Saddle Club, 3726 Evergreen Way 1st Annual John Wayne Rodeo • Stock Contractor: T-T Rodeo Co

Friday 8:00 pm, Saturday 8:00 pm BB SB BR CR SW TR CBR $400 ADM, $50 EF, $10 SCF Call to enter: 800-639-9002 Mon, May 11, 8am-5pm CST Location: River Oaks Arena, Nation Rd off Hwy 25 Stock Contractor: Ken Treadway Rodeo Co

MAY 15-16 • MARYVILLE, TN • NCA/SRA Friday 8:00 pm, Saturday 8:00 pm 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, May 11, 6pm-9pm EST Eagleton Middle School Benefit • Stock Contractor: Outlaw Rodeo Co

MAY 22-23 • CLEVELAND, TN • SRA/NCA Friday 8:00 pm, Saturday 8:00 pm BB SB BR CR SW TR CBR CBA $300 ADM, $40 EF, $5 SCF • Jerkdown rule applies Call to enter: 800-639-9002 Mon, May 18, 8am-5pm CST Location: Tri-State Exibition Center (covered arena), I-75 Exit 20, go west 1/4 mile 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: Outlaw Rodeo Co

MAY 22-23 • HAYESVILLE, NC • SRA Friday 8:00 pm, Saturday 8:00 pm BB SB BR CR SW TR CBR CBA $500 ADM, $50 EF, $10 SCF Call to enter: 800-639-9002 Mon, May 18, 8am-5pm CST Location: Cutworm’s Corral, 4637 Downings Creek Rd • More Info: 706-897-0956 Stock Contractor: Bar W Rodeo Co

MAY 22-23 • CLAXTON, GA • IPRA/SRA Friday 7:30 pm, Saturday 7:30 pm • Evans County Cares Rodeo BB SB BR CR SW TR CBR CBA $500 ADM, $50 EF, $10 SCF Call to enter: 800-639-9002 Mon, May 18, 8am-5pm CST Location: Claxton Regional Youth Detention Center, 3609 Bill Hodges Rd Stock Contractor: T-T Rodeo Co

MAY 29-30 • WILSON, NC • SRA Friday 8:00 pm, Saturday 8:00 pm • Location: 2331 Hwy 301 South BB SB BR CR SW TR CBR CBA $500 ADM, $50 EF, $10 SCF Call to enter: 800-639-9002 Mon, May 25, 8am-5pm CST More Info: 252-209-1473 • Stock Contractor: Double Creek Pro Rodeo Co

JUNE 12-13 • CLEVELAND, NC • SRA/IPRA Friday 8:00 pm, Saturday 8:00 pm • Location: 875 Redmon Rd 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 More Info: 704-798-0432 • Stock Contractor: 5L Rodeo Co

8 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

JULY 17 • NEWPORT, NC • SRA

Incentive Rodeo (double points) • Friday 8:00 pm 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 18 • NEWPORT, NC • SRA

Incentive Rodeo (double points) • Saturday 8:00 pm 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 • Location: I-75 Exit 60, go east 7 miles 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 • 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.

Luke Kaufman concert on Saturday • Stock Contractor: Rafter S Bucking Bulls

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 • Taylors Ruritan Club Rodeo 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: Outlaw Rodeo Co

SEPTEMBER 11-12 • ROYSTON, GA • SRA

Incentive Rodeo (double points) • Friday 8:00 pm, Saturday 8:00 pm 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

SEPTEMBER 18-19 • GREENWOOD, SC • SRA Friday 8:00 pm, Saturday 8:00 pm 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 More Info: 864-377-1479 Stock Contractor: Double Creek Pro Rodeo Co

2015 POINT STANDINGS RANK

NAME

POINTS

ALL AROUND COWBOY 1 CODY MOUSSEAU.......... 4585.75 2 JUSTIN THIGPEN............ 3929.04 3 AUSTIN STEWART............2116.00 4 JOHN LEINAWEAVER.......1567.26 5 SHANE PROCTOR........... 1385.46 ALL AROUND COWGIRL 1 TAYLOR DIGH................ 1630.74 2 HEATHER SHERRILL....... 1502.18 3 ADDIE FAIRCHILD............ 994.95 4 TAYLOR EARNHARDT........ 931.50 5 MIKAYLA ALMOND........... 865.08 BAREBACK 1 JOSH CRAGAR............... 1936.60 2 HAROLD MILLER.............. 602.60 3 WADE DOTSON................ 330.20 4 MATT SMITH.................... 230.00 5 BRANDON RIPPY.............. 117.76 SADDLE BRONC 1 AUSTIN STEWART............1541.00 2 EDDIE PARLIER.............. 1445.40 3 SHANE PROCTOR........... 1089.00 4 TRAVIS DEAL...................257.60 5 PRESTON FOWLKES III..... 220.80 6 BRANDON RIPPY..............207.00 BULL RIDING 1 JEREMIAH KEY.............. 2104.80 2 CODY MARTIN...............1518.00 3 JP COOK...................... 1483.04 4 JOHN LEINAWEAVER........ 955.26 5 WESLEY JOHNSON........... 860.66 6 COLT DEBERRY............... 708.21 7 CHAD VANAMBURG.......... 666.90 8 TY WORLEY.................... 558.90 9 RICK BYNUM................... 331.20 10 ELI MILLER...................... 305.26 11 WESLEY BUCKNER........... 305.26 12 SHANE PROCTOR............. 296.46 CALF ROPING 1 JUSTIN THIGPEN............ 1848.06 2 CODY MOUSSEAU......... 1235.07 3 THOMAS LINTON............1123.07 4 WILL CHARPING........... 1065.06 5 EARL BRADLEY................ 858.66 6 JACOB THOMASSON........ 748.60 7 BRANDON PUTNAM......... 746.80 8 BRADLEY BULLARD.......... 630.00 9 MATT FUTRELL................. 533.52 10 JACOB DAGENHART.........513.00 11 AUSTIN STEWART............. 400.20 12 CLINT MADISON.............. 324.30 STEER WRESTLING 1 BRIAN BAREFOOT...........2237.60 2 CODY MOUSSEAU...........1751.58 3 JUSTIN THIGPEN............1148.13 4 CHET KIDD.................... 1049.00 5 JOHN LEINAWEAVER.........612.00

RANK

NAME

POINTS

6 JASON BAGWELL............ 568.20 7 CORD SPRADLEY............. 450.00 8 JOE COOK...................... 346.00 9 JUSTIN HANKINS............ 283.50 10 TYE WALTERS................. 225.00 11 JACOB DAGENHART......... 189.00 12 BRAD STEWART............... 188.73 TEAM ROPING - HD 1 JASON TUCKER.............. 4083.12 2 JD YOUNG..................... 2228.16 3 CODY MOUSSEAU.......... 1599.10 4 LANGDON PLEASANT..... 1098.77 5 ZAK HICKS...................... 969.84 6 JUSTIN THIGPEN............. 932.85 7 JW BAUCOM.....................911.49 8 DANIEL MCLAMB............. 872.16 9 JEB BROWN.................... 581.40 10 ALEX BROOKS................. 559.36 11 GREG MCCRARY.............. 486.00 12 BRAD STEWART............... 405.00 TEAM ROPING - HL 1 CALEB ANDERSON......... 2722.55 2 CLAY FUTRELL................2194.73 3 CORY HONEYCUTT........ 1895.86 4 ROSS BLAKENEY............ 1022.40 5 TY LEWIS........................ 969.84 6 DANIEL MCLAMB..............887.40 7 BRETT SEARS................... 666.77 8 ADAM PLYLER.................. 559.36 9 HEATH LEROY.................. 540.96 10 ZACK WALTERS................ 486.00 11 WILLIAM HENKEL............. 432.00 12 CORD SPRADLEY............. 384.75 BARREL RACING 1 CARRIE PUTNAM........... 2936.54 2 REBECCA OWENS............2415.78 3 MEGAN LYERLY............. 1600.96 4 NANCY GARRISON......... 1458.00 5 VANDY WALDEN............ 1350.72 6 JILL RIEBE.................... 1264.05 7 TAYLOR DIGH.................1168.79 8 WENDY REED.................. 980.01 9 HEATHER SHERRILL..........687.54 10 HANNAH WARLICK........... 653.20 11 CHANDRA BRENOEL......... 625.30 12 TAYLOR EARNHARDT........ 438.21 BREAKAWAY ROPING 1 BAILEY LIVENGOOD....... 1738.45 2 AMANDA STEWART.........1441.59 3 ROBIN PRUITT.............. 1226.01 4 KELSEY DAVIS................. 926.95 5 HEATHER SHERRILL.........814.64 6 LUCINDA FLETCHER......... 779.20 7 LAUREN WILLCOX............ 643.23 8 MIKAYLA ALMOND........... 640.08 9 HANNAH KIRK................. 608.17 10 JAMIE ELLSWORTH.......... 595.44 11 ADDIE FAIRCHILD............ 594.00 12 TAYLOR EARNHARDT........ 493.29

• SRA FIRST-SANCTIONED RODEOS:

• Office Fee: $2 per contestant • Finals Fee: $5 per entry: • S tock Contractor Fee: Amount as listed on rodeo info is per entry (per team in team roping) • IPRA/SRA RODEOS: Finals Fee: $2 per contestant CES: $8 per contestant CST CENTRAL STD TIME ABBREVIATIONS USED: ADM ADDED MONEY EF ENTRY FEE BB BAREBACK RIDING EST EASTERN STD TIME BR BULL RIDING SB SADDLE BRONC RIDING CBA COWGIRLS BKWAY ROPING SC STOCK CHARGE CBR COWGIRLS BARREL RACING SCF STOCK

CONTRACTOR FEE CES CENTRAL ENTRY SYSTEM SW STEER WRESTLING CR CALF ROPING TR TEAM ROPING

AS OF 4.1.15

MAY 15-16 • WARE SHOALS, SC • IPRA/SRA

Friday 8:00pm, Saturday 8:00pm • Location: 575 Fairgrounds Rd 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 More Info: 864-809-2630 or 864-377-1479 Stock Contractor: Double Creek Pro Rodeo Co

SEPTEMBER 25-26 • BENSON, NC • SRA

RESULTS: ASHEVILLE, NC (SPECIALTY EVENT) MARCH 20-21, 2015 • SRA DOUBLE CREEK PRO RODEO CO NAME

SCORE POINTS

BAREBACK - FRIDAY Josh Cragar.................78.................345.00 Tim Murphy................77................. 207.00 Harold Miller...............75.................138.00

BULL RIDING - FRIDAY Jay Miller....................83.................719.53 Wesley Johnson...........80.................545.10 Charlie Coble..............79.................305.26 Eli Miller.....................79.................305.26 Wesley Buckner...........79.................305.26

BAREBACK - SATURDAY Josh Cragar.................81.................391.00 Harold Miller...............75.................234.60 Tim Murphy................74...................78.20 Wade Dotson...............74...................78.20

BULL RIDING - SATURDAY JP Cook.......................82.................894.24 Chad Vanamburg........81.................558.90 Ty Worley....................81.................558.90 Wesley Johnson...........78.................223.56

SADDLE BRONC - FRIDAY Austin Stewart.............77.................345.00 Brandon Rippy............70................. 207.00 Kenneth Gulick............65...................69.00 Michael Hellums..........65...................69.00

BARREL RACING Carrie Putnam.............13.571...........736.00 Hannah Warlick..........13.943..........552.00 Wendy Reed................13.946.......... 414.00 Danielle McCraw.........13.957..........276.00 Jill Riebe.....................13.966.......... 207.00 Chandra Brenoel.........13.985.......... 115.00

SADDLE BRONC - SATURDAY No Qualified Rides

RODEO RESULTS: FLORENCE, SC

MARCH 27-28, 2015 • SRA DOUBLE CREEK PRO RODEO CO NAME

SCORE POINTS

BAREBACK Jim Elchak..................75.................230.00 Harold Miller...............75.................230.00 Matt Smith..................75.................230.00 SADDLE BRONC Austin Stewart.............75.................598.00 BULL RIDING JP Cook.......................83.................588.80 Jeremiah Key..............81.................441.60 Rick Bynum.................80.................331.20 Drew Flynn.................79.................220.80 Steele Schwonke.........78.................165.60 Wesley Johnson...........77...................92.00 CALF ROPING Thomas Linton............9.5................478.40 Earl Bradley................10.6..............358.80 Jake Thomasson..........11.1...............239.20 Charlie Burch..............11.9............... 119.60 STEER WRESTLING Brian Barefoot............4.1................920.00 HEADER TR Jason Tucker...............5.7................588.80 JD Young....................5.8................331.20

Daniel McLamb...........5.8................331.20 Daniel McLamb...........5.8................331.20 Tyler Kile....................6.3................165.60 Justin Hankins............8.9..................92.00 HEELER TR Caleb Anderson...........5.7................588.80 Clay Futrell.................5.8................331.20 Heath Leroy................5.8................331.20 Tyler Kidd...................5.8................331.20 Ross Blakeney.............6.3................165.60 Andrew Willams..........8.9..................92.00 BARREL RACING Carrie Putnam.............12.403.......... 647.68 Rebecca Owens............12.530..........485.76 Kristin Schwonke.........12.561...........364.32 Megan Lyerly..............12.569..........242.88 Vandy Walden.............12.637..........182.16 Hannah Warlick..........12.653.......... 101.20 BREAKAWAY Robin Pruitt.................2.4................485.76 Kelsey Davis................2.5................318.78 Mikayla Almond..........2.5................318.78 Jamie Ellsworth...........2.6................159.39 Lauren Wilcox.............2.6................159.39 Mary Alice Tuttle.........2.8..................37.95 Crystal McDowell.........2.8..................37.95

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 9

MOUNTAINEER

STAMPEDE T

TOP CONTESTANTS OVER 2 DAYS: Peewee Barrels Peewee Goats sociation (WVHSRA) in conjunction with YOUTH & PEEWEE Katie Fullen...........WV.......52.439........1 Kya Osborne..........WV.......28.216.........1 he West Virginia High School Rodeo As-

the Southern District Horse Camp hosted the

Participant.......... State..... Time.......Place

Youth Poles 2nd Annual Mountaineer Stampede in Win- Kellie Adkins..........WV.......24.922........1 Coleton Tate...........WV.......32.712.........2 field, WV from March 27th-29th. The Moun- Emilee Legg...........WV.......36.044........3

taineer Stampede had participants from WV,

1ST GO: HS & JH

Participant....... State...Time..Place Participant....... State...Time..Place

VA, MD, OH, KY, PA, NY Rodeo Associations.

Tie Down - HS Brayden Corzatt.......OH...... 12.610.....1 The result was a fantastic two days of rodeo Robbie Vanholten..... VA...... 12.900.....2 Baylee underhill.......KY......14.420.....3 with lots of winners! Congratulations to all of Tyler Zerovious.........OH......20.890.....4 Trevor Howton..........KY......22.360.....5 the champions and thanks to all of those who Quinn Cole...............KY......24.890.....6 Allen Morse..............KY...... 25.410.....7

came to support this great event!

BUCKLE WINNERS: All Around High School Girl SARAH ANGELONE, VA

All Around High School Boy ROBBIE VANHOLTEN, VA All Around Jr. High School Girl FALLON GOEMMER VA All Around Jr. High School Boy TREVOR NAYLOR, MD Barrels BAILEY FRIEND Doniphan, MO Poles LEXIE AUSTIN Floyds Knobs, IN Goats TAYLOR REED Crofton, KY Breakaway SARAH JO ANGELONE Cross Junction, VA Bulls KODY KISER Hardy , VA Bareback DAVID BRITTINGHAM Sunbury, PA Tie down ROBBIE VAN HOLTEN Chesapeake, VA Steer Wrestling ROBBIE VAN HOLTEN Chesapeake, VA

Youth Goats Makayla Osborne...WV....... 10.137.........1 Kellie Adkins..........WV.......12.526.........2 Gracie Osborne......WV.......12.991.........3 Coleton Tate...........WV....... 21.213.........4

Bk Away Boys - JH Clint Southworth......OH.......5.680......1 Logan Bunn............. VA.......8.570......2 Trevor Naylor...........MD.....25.500.....3 Bk Away Girls - JH Lauren Parent..........WV.......8.300......1 Fallon Goemmer...... VA......10.440.....2 Liz Adkins................WV...... 15.800.....3 Bk Away - HS Tori Edens................WV....... 5.610......1 Sydney Caen............KY...... 12.500.....2 Sarah Angelone....... VA...... 15.090.....3 Brooke Davis............ VA......23.860.....4 Bailey Knepper........OH...... 31.080.....5 Ribbon Roping - JH Trevor Naylor/Morgan Meekins MD......11.310......1 Logan Bunn/Huntley Dillon VA...... 14.370.....2 Emma Jarvis/Alex Greene OH...... 17.960.....3 Hunter White/Makayla Back VA......29.360.....4 Chute Dogging - JH Jacob Harris............. VA......38.030.....1 Clay Fackler.............OH......40.670.....2 Steer Wrestling - HS Hayden Townsend....OH...... 27.780.....1 Allen Morse..............KY......34.700.....2 Robbie Vanholten..... VA......38.640.....3 Team Roping - JH Ty Mullet/Clint Southworth OH...... 61.330.....1 Team Roping - HS Quinn Cole/Wyatt Cole KY....... 7.250......1 Waylon Taulbee/Wes Kincaid KY.......9.690......2 Nikki Opatrny/Justin Opatrny OH...... 15.010.....3 Katelyn Vanholten/Robbie Vanholten VA......23.270.....4 Hayden Heinrich/Tyler Zebrovious OH...... 29.170.....5 Ericka Billingsley/Chance Hedrick OH......36.300.....6 Chris England/Lexie Austin KY...... 52.150.....7

Bull Riding - HS Team Roping NIKKI & JUSTIN OPATRNY David Brittingham.... PA......79.000.....1 Grayson Cole............ PA......72.000.....2 Cochranton, OH 10 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

Bull Riding - JH Participant............. State..... Score...Place Jacob Harris............. VA......65.000.....1 Bareback Riding Participant............. State..... Score...Place David Brittingham.... PA......62.000.....1 Poles - JH Annie Perkins...........WV......22.965.....1 Liz Adkins................WV......23.329.....2 Madison Smith.........MD.....23.990.....3 Huntley Dillon.......... VA......24.090.....4 Emma Jarvis............OH...... 24.315.....5 Makayla Back.......... VA......25.026.....6 Madison Deck..........WV......25.802.....7

Youth Barrels Makayla Osborne...WV.......16.777.........1 Kellie Adkins..........WV.......17.452.........2 Emilee Legg...........WV....... 19.121.........3 Coleton Tate...........WV.......20.430........4

2ND GO: HS & JH

Participant....... State...Time..Place Participant....... State...Time..Place Tie Down - HS Allen Morse..............KY...... 11.320.....1 Robbie Vanholten..... VA...... 12.620.....2 Tyler Zerovious.........OH...... 13.200.....3 Brayden Corzatt.......OH...... 14.310.....4 Hayden Heinrich......OH......14.900.....5 Bk Away Boys - JH Trevor Naylor- ........MD......2.750......1 Logan Bunn............. VA.......4.690......2 Jacob Crigger........... VA......42.730.....3 Bk Away Girls - JH Makayla Back.......... VA....... 7.450......1

Poles - HS Lexie Austin.............KY...... 21.297.....1 Sierra Mullet............OH......22.070.....2 Chandler Henfling....KY......22.395.....3 Bailey Knepper........OH......23.082.....4 Sarah Angelone....... VA ..... 23.148.....5 Anna Helms............. VA......23.238.....6 Bailey Friend............KY......23.259.....7

Bk Away - HS Sarah Angelone....... VA.......2.240......1 Lauren Heck.............OH.......3.220......2 Josie Hume..............OH.......4.240......3 Shelby Atkins...........MD......5.460......4 Nikki Opatrny..........OH...... 12.210.....5 Anna Helms............. VA...... 13.400.....6 Kayce Stewart..........KY...... 14.510.....7

Goats - JH Girls Fallon Goemmer...... VA...... 13.125.....1 Huntley Dillon.......... VA...... 16.775.....2 Lydia Billingsley.......OH...... 16.790.....3 Hannah Elshoff........OH...... 19.755.....4 Samantha Hall......... VA......22.320.....5 Morgan Meekins......MD..... 23.160.....6 Caitlin Kreider..........KY......29.050.....7

Ribbon Roping - JH Trevor Naylor/Morgan Meekins MD...... 10.15......1 Lydia Billingsly/Ty Mullet OH....... 19.87......2 Emma Jarvis/Alex Greene OH........24.4.......3

Goats - JH Boys Trevor Naylor-..........MD.....18.290.....1 Clint Southworth......OH...... 19.935.....2 Clay Fackler.............OH......22.065.....3 Hunter White............ VA......22.350.....4 Logan Bunn............. VA...... 27.250.....5

Chute Dogging - JH Clay Fackler.............OH...... 11.270.....1

Goats - HS Taylor Reed..............KY......10.735.....1 Sarah Angelone....... VA...... 12.060.....2 Bailey KNepper........OH...... 13.700.....3 lauren Heck.............OH...... 14.765.....4 Courtney Mulford.....OH...... 15.705.....5 Tara Spatz................OH...... 15.810.....6 Leslie Sallee.............KY...... 16.010.....7 Barrels - JH Fallon Goemmer...... VA...... 15.749.....1 Liz Adkins................WV...... 15.940.....2 Lydia Billingsley.......OH...... 16.298.....3 Morgan Legg............WV...... 16.559.....4 Madison Smith.........MD..... 16.670.....5 Huntley Dillon.......... VA...... 16.718.....6 Hannah Elshoff........OH...... 17.270.....7 Barrels - HS Sarah Angelone....... VA...... 15.325.....1 Sophie McGowan...... PA...... 15.729.....2 Bailey Friend............KY...... 15.753.....3 Emily Parent............WV...... 15.946.....4 Maggie Farmer........KY...... 15.968.....5 Chandler Henfling....KY...... 16.012.....6 Bailey Knepper........OH...... 16.024.....7

Steer Wrestling - HS Robbie Vanholten..... VA......23.800.....1 Team Roping - JH Trevor Naylor/Chandler Henfling MD...... 7.490......1 Team Roping - HS Kayce Stewart/Baylee Underhill KY.......5.840......1 Allen Morse/Hunter Reed.........

KY.......8.350......2 Makayla Dean/Luke Dean.......

OH...... 12.680.....3 Tyler Carver/Trevor Howton.....

KY...... 15.700.....4 Anna Helms/Sarah Angelone...

VA...... 21.670.....5 Hayden Heinrich/Tyler Zebrovious OH......32.220.....6 Nikki Opatrny/Justin Opatrny..

OH......34.580.....7 Bull Riding - HS Kody Kiser............... VA......80.000.....1 Hunter Ward............ VA...... 77.000.....2 Zach Parker.............OH......75.000.....3 Skyler Holly.............OH......64.000.....4

Bareback Riding David Brittingham.... PA......49.000.....1 Poles - JH Huntley Dillon.......... VA......23.643.....1 Emma Jarvis............OH......23.752.....2 Annie Perkins...........WV......24.035.....3 Madison Smith.........MD......24.110......4 Morgan Legg............WV......24.294.....5 Lydia Billingsly.........OH......24.855.....6 MacKenzie Jurosko...OH......25.435.....7 Poles - HS Lexie Austin.............KY.......21.113......1 Sabrina Errington.....OH...... 21.559.....2 Sophie McGowan...... PA...... 21.566.....3 Nikki Opatrny..........OH...... 21.991.....4 Sydney Caen............KY......22.060.....5 Graceson Fowler.......KY...... 22.170.....6 Chandler Henfling....KY...... 22.172.....7 Goats - JH Girls Fallon Goemmer...... VA...... 12.355.....1 Caitlin Kreider..........KY...... 13.240.....2 Lydia Billingsley.......OH...... 15.786.....3 Liz Adkins................WV...... 16.985.....4 Samantha Hall......... VA...... 17.028.....5 Madison Deck..........WV...... 19.360.....6 Makayla Back.......... VA...... 19.387.....7 Goats - JH Boys Kade Goemmer........ VA...... 13.870.....1 Alex Greene.............OH...... 21.700.....2 Austin Six................. VA......24.545.....3 Clint Southworth......OH......26.660.....4 Goats - HS Tara Spatz................OH...... 11.955.....1 Nikki Opatrny..........OH...... 12.015.....2 Taylor Reed..............KY...... 12.700.....3 Ally Perkins..............WV...... 13.000.....4 Leslie Sallee.............KY...... 13.500.....5 Sarah Angelone....... VA......14.228.....6 Josie Hume..............OH......14.600.....7 Barrels - JH Lydia Billingsley.......OH...... 15.765.....1 Fallon Goemmer...... VA...... 16.107......2 Liz Adkins................WV...... 16.143.....3 Morgan Legg............WV...... 16.251.....4 Huntley Dillon.......... VA...... 16.560.....5 Samantha Hall......... VA...... 16.624.....6 Madison Smith.........MD..... 17.240.....7 Barrels - HS Bailey Friend............KY...... 15.409.....1 Sophie McGowan...... PA...... 15.490.....2 Chandler Henfling....KY...... 15.771.....3 Sierra Mullet............OH...... 15.789.....4 Tara Spatz................OH...... 15.845.....5 Sarah Angelone....... VA...... 15.860.....6 Tayor Talley.............OH...... 15.872.....7 11

Equine Therapy Provides New Excitement for This Roper!

by Michelle Zimmer

C

asey Paris, a lifelong horse person and Champion Roper, came to work for The Jaeckle Centre about four years ago. At that time, he knew a lot about how to make his horse perform to win. But when he learned about the benefits of equine therapy, his eyes lit up because he immediately saw how therapy could give roping horses a new competitive edge. I had the opportunity to interview Casey about the equine therapies and find out why he was so excited about how they were helping him compete.

Casey believes horses are PULLING animals that we have taught to PUSH. Every time a roping horse breaks the barrier to grab a steer; he is either pulling with his shoulders and withers or pushing with his hocks to propel himself forward. To prevent lameness and increase his horses’ elasticity, he utilizes the EquiPulse. The EquiPulse wave therapy is a safe and effective non-invasive therapy. It uses electrical energy to direct a series of magnetic pulses through the tissue to stimulate cellular repair. The EquiPulse helps by increasing blood flow, improving circulation, relaxes muscle spasms and enhances muscle tone.

Casey believes it gives his horse an advantage and utilizes the EquiPulse before and after every big roping competition. Before to keep his horse’s muscles loose and lean and afterward to repair the muscles by reducing the recovery time, keeping Casey doing what he loves as often as possible.

reduces inflammation and decreases the limbs temperature. As the leg gradually re-warms over a two-hour period, it increases blood flow to the horse’s legs. He feels it’s a huge benefit because the ECB cold leg spa acts as a hypertonic poultice, reducing heat and tightening the ligament s and tendons up before and after the roping. According to Casey, his horse is his business partner and you just have to put money back in, especially if you want a paycheck coming out.

Casey Paris is from Chapel Hill, TN. Casey has made his passion for horses his career at The Jaeckle Centre and he has become a firm believer in the use of therapy and rehabilitation for equine athletes. Casey started roping at an early age and travels all over the southeast roping. He competed in the High School Rodeo Association, has been a member of the USTRC for the last 20 years and competes regularly at the JX2 Roping competitions.

You can say it’s a family thing, you often find Casey, his wife Ashley and son Teagan at the regional roping shows. His brother Zac heads and Casey heels, but offer him a spot throwing a rope and he is there with a smile on his face. In 2014, Casey and Zac were the high point header and heeler for the Circle H Team Roping Productions Summer Series.

Casey Paris knew a lot about how to make his horse perform to win.

But when he learned about the benefits of equine therapy, his eyes lit up because he immediately saw how therapy could give roping horses a new competitive edge...

Casey’s excitement about the EquiPulse didn’t even compare to his great enthusiasm for the ECB Cold Leg Spa. The ECB Cold Leg Spa is a self-contained cold salt h ydrotherapy unit used to prevent and treat the horse’s lower leg.

The spa is aerated and chilled to a constant 37 degrees Fahrenheit and the treatment takes 10 minutes. The hyper-cooled salt water 12 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

By: Michelle Zimmer

If you see Casey Paris and his family at any of the upcoming roping events, he said it would be his pleasure to discuss the benefits of the therapies offered at The Jaeckle Centre and Equine Performax.

The Jaeckle Centre is located in Thompson’s Station, TN. They have an amazing staff of equine therapists and would love to help you and your equine partner be the best you can be.

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14 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

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16 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 17

J

x2 Productions rolled into Franklin, Tennessee to produce the Tennessee Championships. The event took place March 20-22, 2015, and located just outside of Nashville was a perfect place to rope.

#10 Gold Plus

#10

#13

The #15 Division kicked off the weekend and was won by Brent Aldoff from Morriston, Florida and Morgan Jones of Leighton, Alabama. They were 33.46 seconds on four steers and won $1780, trophy Gist knives and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Austin Nettleship and Ty Ferrell. Third place was Keith Bentley from Rose Hill, Mississippi and Shane Edmondson of Dawson, Alabama.

Mitchell Hembree from Danville, Alabama teamed up with Morgan Jones to win first place in the average of the #13 Division. They finished the roping with a time of 34.35 second on four steers. The win gave them $3880, trophy Gist knives and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Beverly Robbins and Pineapple Figgeroa. Third place went to Mike Woolven and Dustin Griffith.

In the #12 Division Keith Hanna of Henryville, Indiana teamed up with Lane McPheeters from Salem, Indiana to win the average. The pairing roped four steers in 36.04 seconds and received $4470, trophy Gist knives and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings for their efforts.

Second place in the average was the team of Chip Phillips from Florence, Alabama and Stuart Bigbee from Tuscumbia, Alabama. Third place was Phillips and Billy Lam. The Indiana team of Keith Hanna and Corey Barnett won the incentive average.

#12

The second day of the Tennessee Championships began with the #12 Gold Plus Division. Keith Hanna from Henryville, Indiana and Nat Stewart from New Albaney, Indiana teamed up to win first place in the average. They were 35.04 seconds on four steers. The win earned them $3500, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Chip Phillips and Billy Lam from Canton, Georgia. Keith Bentley and Lam won third place while the incentive winners were Harve Reynolds from Ellsinore, Missouri and Blair Kelley from Florence, Alabama.

#11

#12 Gold Plus

#15

Levi Wilson teamed up with Garett Madry to finish first place in the #11 Division. They were 32.14 seconds on four steers and won $6830, trophy Cowboy Gold saddles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the average was the team of Brandon Kennedy and Derrick Crawford with a time of 35.43 seconds on four steers. Third place was Bryer Hamilton and Garrett Smith. Erick Myers and Chad Roseberry won the incentive average.

The champions of the #10 Division were Coy Rahlmann from Ellsinore, Missouri and Heath Sanders from Leachville, Arkansas. They were 31.67 seconds on four steers to earn themselves a paycheck for $7210, plus trophy Cowboy Gold saddles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Micah Gaines and Travis Hull with a time of 33.22 seconds on four. Third place was Blair Kelley and Clay Tilley. The incentive average was won by Gaines and Hull.

#9 18 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

#8

Missouri took the top honors in the #10 Gold Plus Division.

Justin Katen teamed up with Jerry Bliss to win first place with a time of 36.90 seconds on four steers. They earned $4550, trophy

Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Quick Brigance and Blair Kelley and third place went to Jason Jarrell and Jim Bowie Adcock both from Tennessee. The incentive average was won by Katen and Gary Sheller. They were 30.46 seconds on three steers and took home $1950, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings.

Cody Forrest and Luke Massengill teamed up to win first place in the average of the #9 Division. They were 47.08 seconds on four steers and won $8160, trophy Cowboy Gold saddles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Ethan Wheeler from Pisgah, Alabama and Garner Holcomb from Houlka, Mississippi. Third place went to Wheeler and Alec Edmonson. The incentive average was won by Jessica Little and Jeremy Jones with a time of 25.67 on three steers.

Jason Mountain from Murfreesboro, Tennessee and Riley Kittle from Woodland, Alabama won the average of the #8 Pick/Draw.

They were 29.90 seconds on three steers and won $4450, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the average was Mountain and Sarah Jo Angelone from North Carolina. Third place was Justin Dehaven and Jason Wright.

The Tennessee Championships came to a close and team ropers from all over the East headed their respective directions. The event was a success and is one you will certainly want to attend in 2016.

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505.407.2151 The Magazine for America’s Roper • 19

Team Roping – A Lot Like Basketball L

ooking at the many roping schools I have hosted lately, I find myself approaching my students a lot like a basketball coach would a potential player. I like to sit back and see what fundamentals the ropers have, just like in basketball where you can watch their ball handling skills, defense, and if they are a scorer.

You can do the same with roping.

I watch rope handling skills, horsemanship, hands and feet, and especially the roper’s left hand. From this starting point, like any sport for that matter, an individual can determine what areas they can improve and what areas they are strong in during a run.

Team roping takes a lot of motor skills, much like a backhoe operator, and many times, the hands are doing two different things, as are the feet. Team ropers need to be very coordinated in order to improve and understand what each hand and foot need to do throughout a run can make a difference in progressing to the next level. Once identified, there are many drills, much like basketball, that a roper can do to get better in these areas.

I like to think that many who come to my schools, who are openminded, get an intervention or sometimes a complete makeover. I let them know where they are strong, and what areas they need to work on. Team Roping is really all about fundamentals, and if the fundamentals are not solid, the roper is not complete. This goes for everyone. Every roper can continue to get better and you can be

20 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

sure every professional out there knows that the key to success is to work on the fundamentals. They methodically do it every chance they get, and there is always room for improvement.

I encourage everyone to find someone they trust to watch them rope and help them break down their abilities and find something to work on. This is often where the Smarty comes in and is so handy. Like a scrimmage basketball game, you can break the game down and work on fundamental drills that will help you improve.

Like I said, there everyone can up their game. It is through commitment and determination that ropers progress. Often times, it takes a lot of work to make these progressions, but I know if done correctly, it will offer ropers much more enjoyment in the sport.

“Through every adversity lies the secret of success.” For more instruction, visit bachroping.com & watch my free videos.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

As many of you may know, my friend Julie Makin was recently involved in a car accident. She has been helping me write these articles for the past 5+ years, and I have great admiration for her. It is people like her that are making great contributions to this sport. She loves the team roping community, she is knowledgeable in the western industry, and you can see that in her writing. I encourage you to pray for Julie as she gets back on her feet and back into what she does best.

There has been a Go Fund Me account set up to help Julie with medical bills and expenses during this difficult time. To find out more about Julie and check on her status and recovery, please go to http://www.gofundme.com/q4pgg54.

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 21

I

TOMORROW’S HORSES

t’s been a long day.

We left the barn well before daylight, Unloaded the horses at the pens And headed for the high country.

I guess we could have started later But I wanted her to see the sunrise on the valley From up on the knob.

That’s a sight a man shouldn’t keep to himself.

Don’t know who was looking forward to this day more, her or me Her mamma knew I was as excited as she was Seems we haven’t had a lot of one on one time What with her schooling and all of the calves coming in And work; that young’un gave it all she had today.

Momma told me to keep her by my side But how’s a girl to learn what she’s capable of If you don’t give her some room to try her wings.

That mare was just a two year old when she was born Now look what a pair they make I let her check all of the brush east of the gap on her own She gave old Creek her time and brought out every head of stock The dogs put in a full day too There’s no way we could have done it without them.

They sure were glad to see the truck That girl would have hauled them out in the saddle if she could Now that the knob boundary is cleared I’ll have to hit the mountain next That’s a lot of country It’ll be another early morning I see

I promised myself I wouldn’t push her into this kind of life But I was damn happy to have her with me all day She’s growing into a fine young hand I wonder if my dad was ever this proud of me I sent her on to the house After she cared for her mount of course Don’t want to spoil her But I’ll finish the rest of the chores

I’d love to have her there in the morning But, she’s going to need the rest After a day like this she might not want to go back Hell, she’s not out of junior high yet

Mother left the light on I know she fixed her plate as well You know she turned back around and said “Daddy I’ll go ahead and bring in tomorrow’s horses for us.”

22 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

Riding Across the Line

O

ne of the biggest struggles for headers is learning to rope faster. Now days, at most jackpots, the barrier is short and the header just needs to let the steer move before leaving the box. This often positions the header at his steer quicker than he’s ready to rope. How well you ride across the line will dictate how fast you will be able to rope.

...There are many opinions about the proper way to ride across the line. But if you are trying to hold on with your legs, and sitting in the saddle as the horse runs, he will beat your rear end with the saddle, and throw you in the air causing you to pull on the bridle reins. This happens to people far more than they realize...

There are many opinions about the proper way to ride across the line. But if you are trying to hold on with your legs, and sitting in the saddle as the horse runs, he will beat your rear end with the saddle, and throw you in the air causing you to pull on the bridle reins. This happens to people far more than they realize. The result is that by hanging onto or balancing on the reins, your horse slows down and you’re teaching him to run through the bridle. You just cannot get to the steer as fast when you’re using the bridle reins for balance, even unintentionally.

chance going fast.

What’s new with me: Recently I had an “awakening” at the American rodeo. Even though I don’t plan on being a full time rodeo cowboy, there are some good ropings and rodeos I will compete at.

To be truly competitive I realized I needed a seasoned, older horse.

I have some really cool young horses that will be very good one day.

But they’re not finished and competing on a young horse is difficult.

Finished head horses are hard to find and I’ve been reluctant to buy one because I didn’t want to be tempted to get back on the rodeo trail. But I’m staying booked with my schools and I enjoy teaching very much.

It’s baseball season and both my kids are playing this year. The weather has turned nice in Texas and people are starting to book schools for a week at a time. This really enables us to work through problems, allowing them to progress more quickly.

I just loaded my runs from Austin, the Hork Dog, and the World Series at Salado. These videos are free for anyone to watch at speedroping.com. Subscribers will be able to watch the video described above with instructions of how to ride your horse across line in order to rope faster.

I see this quite often in my schools and most people don’t realize they’re doing this until we watch the video and it’s pointed out to them. It’s just like driving a car with your foot on the brakes all the time. Essentially you’re teaching your horse to have a hard mouth and to be unresponsive. This all comes from not riding your horse correctly in the first two jumps.

It’s been a year since my wife lost her good heel horse and started back heading seriously. One of her biggest struggles is riding across the line even though she rides extremely well. She grew up playing polo where they squeeze from their hips to their knees constantly. Consequently, it’s very difficult for her to swing her rope with any speed on it, which also makes it hard for her to get ready to rope fast.

This is one of the most difficult things for a header to master. You should be able to drop your left hand forward, put weight in your stirrup and ride across the line swinging your rope and be ready to rope when you reach your steer. Much easier said than done. I break this down on the Hot Heels going at a walk in order to do things fundamentally correct.

I’m currently working on a video of some of the clients I’ve been coaching that shows how much they’ve improved and how much faster they can rope. You have to break it down and do it correctly on the Hot Heels at a walk, trot, and lope before you ever have a

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 23

The Lost Sheep

by Dr.Michael Johnson

A

lways fascinated me – that story about the lost sheep. Remember now, I’m not a religious nut. I’m not even very high up…after all, Sherry and I are just Methodists.

But the other day, the story came home. I loved that story when I was young – and it confused me. I remember at age ten or eleven asking my mother about it. “I don’t understand this,” I said. “Would daddy and all the men leave the herd to find the one?”

“It’s a story about God’s love for us,” she said. “He loves us as much as all the rest - and yes, your daddy and uncles would look for the one until they found it. We’re all like that.

That’s in all of us.”

Sherry was gone to see the grandkids in Colorado. Rowdy and I were batchin’ and cooking, and after feeding the roping steers, we relaxed on the porch before dinner. Twenty minutes later, the steers were lying peacefully, horses munching grass…and a biological miracle occurred. One of the steers came up off the ground with a baby calf by her side. (My friend, Kenneth Colson, says, “Michael never knows if he has a bull, steer, or a heifer…he just ropes them.”) Well, all that was just wonderful. Everybody was so interested in the new baby – particularly the horses. We shooed them away, and watched the momma take her baby to a safe place.

That was the last time I saw him for six days. I began to torment myself.

No one suffers from the “Lost Sheep Syndrome” more than me. I began to beat myself up unmercifully. “You idiot! Any fool would have known to put that momma and baby in the arena for a few days. What if she doesn’t take him – doesn’t let him nurse? You could have saved him because surely he is dead.” Couldn’t sleep.

Couldn’t eat. Sick. On day three, Rowdy and I began to look for him. The Rowdy Cow Dog and I scoured every inch of our fifty acres with a fine-toothed comb. No baby. The mother ate with the herd every day. Never saw the baby. Day four. Day five. On day six, I’m too sick and heartbroken to do anything.

“Rowdy? Let’s go. We are going to find that calf.” Four hours later, no baby, no body, and no buzzards. Made no sense whatsoever.

I drove the four-wheeler close to the herd. I did something I had

seen my daddy and uncles do. I made a bleating sound like a baby calf calling for his mother. She looked at me and suddenly, she shot to the east on a dead run. Rowdy and I were right behind her. She went into the far pasture and stood by the fence. My heart sank. I knew the baby had somehow managed to get under that fence. Now he was on the other side; poor thing probably starved to death because I hadn’t found him sooner. Rowdy and I got over and through the fence to look for his body in the tall grass. I was heartbroken. And not five feet from me, that baby stood up alive and well.

Have you ever drank a twelve ounce bottle of pure adrenalin?

Joy shot through me so hard I almost fell. Another jolt, then another – too intense to bear. Pure joy. And in that moment, I transformed into an old-time, tent revival preacher screaming, “Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Jesus!”

Of course, the congregation couldn’t understand a word ‘cause I was crying so hard. (Uh…crying like a…well, like a big, strong macho guy, of course. I mean, you know, not cryin’ like a wuss or something.) Then it hit me…how in the world do you plan to get this baby through that fence to his momma? No clue. What we needed around here was a real good cowboy. Since I’ve never been accused of being one of those, we were in trouble. Boy, was that not a problem.

That momma went “Moo” really loud calling to her baby, and he went through that fence like a goat. Didn’t even touch a strand of barbwire. His mother smelled him and licked him, and Rowdy and I watched, as she let him have his dinner. That old cow had hidden that baby like a magician doing close-up magic with a coin. I turned to see the wood ducks land on the pond, and I thought, “My goodness, how could any one person be this lucky?” Sherry came driving up at that moment. We hugged. When she noticed the tears on my face, she said, “What on earth is wrong?”

I said, “There is no more joy in heaven than when the lost sheep is found,” and I pointed to the pasture. When she saw him by his mother, she lost it. We watched him ‘til it was too dark to see, and woke up the next morning still giggling like two teenagers.

Naturally, we named him “Lazarus.”

Enjoy Michael’s Column? Visit his bookstore at

michaeljohnsonbooks.com for the best selection of his award-winning books!

24 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 25

Preparing For Your Next Event: Insights from Bret Beach

W

ith warmer weather comes the time team ropers get to take advantage of many more events. As these events unfold it is easy to think you are prepared just because you are attending more events, but as many know it never fails you are heading to an event and that demon that you try to hide in the back of your thoughts creeps in and makes you worry about not being prepared. Every team roper has had this thought and it often comes to the for-front as you skip in-between different types of events.

“If a heeler can help just a little bit it makes everything easier for the header,” added Bret. “From roping the steer through the handle and the completion of the run.”

“To be prepared mentally ropers need to practice right,” Bret said. “What I mean by that is practice for the event you’re going to attend. If you are going to a World Series event that is a four-header, practice in four steer sets and at the end of the day look back and see how you did on each set.”

Practicing with a state of mind of what type of event you are going to attend is very important. Bret and the crew at TotalTeamRoping.com know the importance of being prepared mentally and want to see every roper succeed over the summer. If you have not logged on and signed up for the best online team roping instruction, then do it today. You can find a world of wisdom at your fingertips, along with videos from not only the TotalTeamRoping.com crew but more from some of today’s top professionals in the sport. Be sure to also tune in to Total Team Roping on RFD TV for a taste of their topnotch instructions.

With that thought in mind this month, we headed back to Bret Beach to see what he has to say about getting mentally prepared and staying that way throughout the summer roping season.

There is little doubt that ropings are different, but many ropers may not understand how to prepare for that. Practice catching, your handle, facing and how to ride the corner may be the for-front for ropers. However, Bret added to that saying it is better to practice for the event you are going to attend. This will help give you that mental game so you can avoid those thoughts that creep in as you head out the door to the next roping.

With that said, what can a heeler do?

“There is a small difference between a heel barrier at a World Series type set-up and a US roping,” Bret said. “In either case though you can’t leave before the steer does, but it is very important to leave when the steer moves or you are going to be late. Since the heeler usually can’t see the head of the steer due to the chute men that are blocking your view, I often suggest watching the steer’s hind end and leave when it moves.”

“Knowing what type of roping you are going to and practicing for that type of set up is important for your mental game,” Bret added.

“Not only that though, by practicing the type of scores, steers and arena set up for these different ropings will help your horse be prepared as well.”

“Take a World Series roping where the score is different than a US roping. For the #13 and below at a World Series event it is nod and then release,” Bret said. At a US event you may need to see a shoulder around the gate or a hip to the pin in order to get out correctly. This means you are going to have to have your horse leave on your hand. Practicing these different set-ups will not only help you prepare, but will really help your horse.”

This can be very instrumental to ropers this summer as they switch between roping at different events and knowing the set-up before hand. Knowing that your horse is just as prepared for the next event as you are can keep that mischievous sprite that lies deep in your soul from appearing when you back your horse out of the trailer at your next event.

Oh the flip side, since heelers need to be prepared as well, the heeler barrier at events are different and in order to get out and help your header set up the run can be crucial for taking mille-seconds off your run. Most every event has a heel barrier and they help the producer keep their cattle fresh longer. However, many heelers wait for their header to leave and often get out late. Keeping a steer off the right wall or fence and hold them can help a header tremendously throughout the run. This in turn sets up a good handle and a better shot for the heeler.

26 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

The The Magazine Magazine for for America’s America’s Roper Roper • • 27 27

North Carolina

Junior High & High School Rodeo Association

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he NCHSRA is on the road to the state finals with just a few rodeos left in the books. The finals are scheduled for May 22, 23, 24 2015 at the Lone Hickory Arena in Yadkinville NC. So be sure if your in the area to come support the NCHSRA. We will be having a awards banquet at the end of the final round with a get together afterward. I would like to thank all the board members and volunteers for their hard work and dedication to the association and the contestants.

Good luck to those contestants who are working hard in their off time to be champions, it will pay off in the long run. As always if you need me feel free to call ~ Adam Bolatto

State Finals: May 22-24 • Lone Hickory Arena, Yadkinville, NC ALL MEMBERS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND BOTH MULTI-STATE RODEOS, BUT POINTS CAN BE KEPT FROM EITHER THE 2-DAY GEORGIA MULTI-STATE RODEO - OR THE - 2-DAY WEST VIRGINIA MULTI-STATE RODEO AFTER STATE FINALS, THE TOP 4 IN EACH EVENT QUALIFY TO GO ON THE NATIONAL TEAM TO:

Nat’l Jr High Finals: Des Moines, Ia • June 21-27 • Nat’l High School Finals: Rock Springs, Wy • July 12-18 Earnhardt.................24 JH POINT Kayla Cheyenne Garmon..............22 Jones......................22 STANDINGS Amber Jolie Brown........................21

AS OF RODEO 9

TIE DOWN.................PTS Blake Walker......................40

BB STEERS.................PTS Levi Johnson......................10 James Cole.........................10 Billy Warlick.........................9

CHUTE DOG...............PTS Blake Walker......................29 Mason Johnson...................27 Jake Toberer......................20 Eli Prince............................10

TM ROPING: HDRS....PTS Mason Johnson...................49 Jake Williams.....................20 Cole Futrell.........................19 Clay Livengood.....................9

TM ROPING: HLRS.....PTS Blake Walker......................49 Luke Lemaster....................19 Frog Bass...........................10 Jet Toberer...........................9

BREAKAWAY..............PTS Laney Robinson..................40 Mattie Colvard....................29 Reagan Humphries.............18 Gracie Apple.........................9 Sage Dunlap.........................9

BOYS BREAKAWAY....PTS Luke Lemaster....................44 Jet Toberer.........................33 Mason Johnson...................31 Clay Livengood...................28 Frog Bass...........................28 Cole Futrell.........................18 Eli Colvard..........................15 Eli Prince..............................9 Billy Warlick.........................9

RIBBON ROPING.......PTS Clay Livengood...................50 Blake Walker......................40 Frog Bass...........................36 Cole Futrell.........................31 Jet Toberer.........................30 Luke Lemaster....................16 Eli Colvard............................8 Runners.................................

Laney Robinson..................50 Gracie Fairchild...................46 Gracie Apple.......................36

Clay Livengood...................57 Mason Johnson...................55 Frog Bass...........................44 Eli Colvard..........................38 Reagan Humphries.............16 Luke Lemaster....................36 Sage Dunlap.......................11 Cole Futrell.........................30 Mattie Colvard......................8 Eli Prince............................15

BARRELS...................PTS GIRLS ALL AROUND...PTS Cheyenne Garmon..............60 Laney Robinson................243 Laney Robinson..................56 Mattie Colvard..................174 Gracie Fairchild...................48 Cheyenne Garmon............171 Kayla Earnhardt.................41 Reagan Humphries...........159 Reagan Humphries.............38 Gracie Fairchild.................129 Mattie Colvard....................35 Kayla Earnhardt...............125 Macie Hutchens..................30 Sage Dunlap.......................89 Megan Yankee....................28 Megan Yankee....................87 Sage Dunlap.......................26 Macie Hutchens..................75 Molly Pruitt........................23 Jolie Brown........................67 Amber Jones......................13 Gracie Apple.......................59 Erin Stevens.......................12 Molly Pruitt........................51 Madison Weiss......................7 Amber Jones......................46 Emily Prince.........................5 Emily Prince.......................32 Jolie Brown..........................4 Madison Weiss....................24 Sarah Sholar........................2

BOYS ALL AROUND....PTS POLES.......................PTS Jet Toberer.......................207.5 Cheyenne Garmon..............57 Mason Johnson.................162 Reagan Humphries.............49 Blake Walker....................149 Mattie Colvard....................46 Clay Livengood.................144 Megan Yankee....................44 Cole Futrell.......................124 Sage Dunlap.......................37 Luke Lemaster..................121 Gracie Fairchild...................35 Frog Bass.........................119 Laney Robinson..................32 Eli Colvard..........................65 Kayla Earnhardt.................32 Levi Johnson......................62 Molly Pruitt........................28 Billy Warlick.......................41 Macie Hutchens..................23 Eli Prince............................34 Amber Jones......................11 James Cole.........................17.5 Emily Prince.........................7

ROOKIE RACE............PTS BULLS.......................PTS Jet Toberer.......................207.5 Jet Toberer.........................52.5 Reagan Humphries...........159 Levi Johnson......................51.5 Clay Livengood.................144 Ryan Rought......................34.5 Kayla Earnhardt...............125 Tyler Weiss.........................24.5 Luke Lemaster..................121 Billy Warlick.......................22.5 Sage Dunlap.......................89 Cole Futrell.........................17 Megan Yankee....................87 James Cole...........................7.5 Macie Hutchens..................75 Eli Colvard..........................65 GOATS......................PTS Levi Johnson......................62 Laney Robinson..................65 Molly Pruitt........................51 Mattie Colvard....................46 Amber Jones......................46 Reagan Humphries.............43 Billy Warlick.......................41 Jolie Brown........................42 Ryan Rought......................34.5 Cheyenne Garmon..............33 Eli Prince............................34 Kayla Earnhardt.................28 Emily Prince.......................32 Macie Hutchens..................22 Tyler Weiss.........................24.5 Emily Prince.......................20 Madison Weiss....................24 Madison Weiss....................17 James Cole.........................17.5 Sage Dunlap.........................6 Erin Stevens.......................13

Sarah Sholar........................2 BOYS GOATS.............PTS Jayden Tate..........................0 Jet Toberer.........................63

28 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

Alexander.............20 Callie Garrison......................1 HS POINT Brittany Alexandra Thomas..............15 Ginny Alexander...................1 Warlick..................14.5 STANDINGS Hannah Ginny Alexander.................14 BULLS.......................PTS

Lauren Lawson...................12 Eli Miller.............................39.5 Casey Lemons.....................12 Seth Ring...........................19.5 Ashlan Campbell.................12 TIE DOWN.................PTS Piper Baker........................11 GIRLS ALL AROUND..PTS Will McCraw........................47 Bronwyn Apple.....................9 Bailey Livengood..............215 Tanner Lloyd......................45 Christina Eagle......................8 Sarah Scott.......................153 Ty Worley...........................44 Jade Carpenter.....................7.5 Olivia Townsend................104 Zack Toberer......................31 Julie Layell...........................6 Christina Eagle....................90 Clay Futrell.........................17 Megan Carriker....................6 Addie Fairchild....................88 Cole Compton.......................8 Callie Garrison......................5 Rhiannon Snow...................84.5 Caitlyn Poole........................4 Bailey Tate.........................81.5 STEER WRESTLING.....PTS Anna Scott............................2 Abby Martin.......................78 Zack Toberer......................10 Cheridan Gowan...................1 Kaci Isley...........................75 Bareback........................... Pts Savannah Cobb....................1 Chloe Cox...........................74 Kendall Chappell.................10 Annon Blue..........................1 Hannah Warlick..................56.5 Saddle Bronc..................... Pts Megan Carriker..................56 Will McCraw........................10 GOATS......................PTS Anna Scott..........................55

Sarah Scott.........................53 Alexandra Thomas..............54 TM ROPING: HDRS....PTS Bailey Livengood................52 Ashlan Campbell.................44 Tanner Lloyd......................60 Anna Scott..........................45 Katy Sherrill.......................40 Landon Slack......................27 Abby Martin.......................41 Ginny Alexander.................29 Ty Worley...........................26 Christina Eagle....................35 Casey Lemons.....................26 Cole Compton.....................18 Alexandra Thomas..............25 Cheridan Gowan.................24 Sarah Scott...........................9 Olivia Townsend..................22 Piper Baker........................19 Noah Teeter..........................9 Chloe Cox...........................20 Bronwyn Apple...................19 Tyler Norris..........................7 Megan Carriker..................16 Julie Layell.........................17

Ginny Alexander.................14 Callie Garrison....................13 TM ROPING: HLRS.....PTS Cheridan Gowan.................13 Annon Blue........................12 Clay Futrell.........................60 Ashlan Campbell.................12 Jade Carpenter...................11.5 Dylan Ray..........................27 Julie Layell.........................11 Savannah Cobb..................10 Will McCraw........................26 Casey Lemons.......................9 Courtney Harris....................8 Zack Toberer......................18 Bailey Tate...........................7 Olivia Townsend....................9 Sarah Hubbard.....................6 BOYS ALL AROUND....PTS Christina Eagle......................9 Courtney Harris....................5 Tanner Lloyd....................105 Kaci Isley.............................7 Annon Blue..........................2 Will McCraw........................83

Savannah Cobb....................1 Clay Futrell.........................77 BREAKAWAY..............PTS Ty Worley...........................70 Bailey Livengood................58 POLES.......................PTS Zack Toberer......................59 Addie Fairchild....................41 Bailey Livengood................54 Cole Compton.....................26 Olivia Townsend..................36 Sarah Scott.........................39 Sarah Scott.........................32 Rhiannon Snow...................37 ROOKIE RACE............PTS Christina Eagle....................25 Bailey Tate.........................37 Olivia Townsend................104 Chloe Cox...........................25 Olivia Townsend..................37 Addie Fairchild....................88 Abby Martin.......................18 Megan Carriker..................33 Rhiannon Snow...................84.5 Kaci Isley...........................16 Hannah Warlick..................27 Chloe Cox...........................74 Hannah Warlick..................15 Chloe Cox...........................20 Hannah Warlick..................56.5 Bronwyn Apple...................11 Ashlan Campbell.................20 Anna Scott..........................55 Callie Garrison......................6 Christina Eagle....................19 Cheridan Gowan.................24 Piper Baker..........................6 Caitlyn Poole......................15 Piper Baker........................19 Rhiannon Snow.....................4 Alexandra Thomas..............14 Julie Layell.........................17 Katy Sherrill.........................9 Payton Bush.......................16 BARRELS...................PTS Cheridan Gowan...................9 Callie Garrison....................13 Bailey Livengood................51 Annon blue...........................8 Annon Blue........................12 Addie Fairchild....................47 Savannah Cobb....................7 Jade Carpenter...................11.5 Kaci Isley...........................46 Payton Bush.........................6 Hannah Mumford.................0 Rhiannon Snow...................42.5 Kaci Isley.............................6 Candice Reed........................0 Bailey Tate.........................39.5 Casey Lemons.......................5 Katlyn Hodge.......................0 Katy Sherrill.......................31 Jade Carpenter.....................4 Karlie Tighe..........................0 Sarah Scott.........................20 Courtney Harris....................3 Katlyn Mahon.......................0

AS OF RODEO 9

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 29

Louisianassociation Team Roping

• • • • A lateamropingassociation.com • • • •

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• • • • 337 263 0036 )

Be sure to follow us on Facebook! •

•

• • •

Meet. . . Cole Ford Born: 7/12/2001 • Current Residence: Sulphur, Louisiana.

Events: Team Roping (Heeler), Steer Saddle Bronc, Steer Bareback, Breakaway, Chute Dogging, Ribbon Roping Highlights & Achievements: Pointe Coupee Jr. High Rodeo Champion Louisiana Jr. High School Rodeo State Qualifier • CYRA Reserve Champion National Jr. High School Rodeo Finals Qualifier Personal Info: 5-1, 112… At an early age Cole showed interest in rodeo by riding the calves on his grandpa’s farm. He started competing in rodeo at age 5 mutton busting and later moved on to calf riding and ground roping at the CYRA. He currently competes in the LJHRA in 7 events and the LTRA. Cole’s many hobbies include spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing and helping introduce rodeo and horsemanship to his younger brother Chasen. Throughout the years there has been many positive role models in his life that have shared their knowledge and time by assisting him in achieving his goals. A few close influences include his grandpa Brent Clement- LRA champion steer wrestler, Steve Duhon- 3 time world champion steer wrestler and pro rodeo hall of fame inductee, Ricky Jordan- LTRA co-founder and president, along with his dad Cody Clement a former saddle bronc rider. Cole strives for continuous improvement through dedication, hard work, and practice. He is an 8th grade student at WW Lewis Middle School and his dream is to one day compete in the PRCA and make it to the NFR like many of his local idols.

Meet. . . Hadley Dunnehoo Team Roper (Heeler) from Reeves, Louisiana 7th grader at Reeves High School Member of: (LTRA) Louisiana Team Roping Association • Team Roping USA (LJHFR) Louisiana JR high Rodeo •(USTRC) United States Team Roping Champions Highlights/Achievements: 2013 Cenla Jr. High Rodeo Team Roping Champion Top Hand Award at Trevor Brazile & Patrick Smith team roping school 2015 NE Louisiana Jr. High Rodeo Team Roping Champion Roping in the youth at the LTRA Personal: I am the son of Ryland & Michelle Dunnehoo. We have a few broodmares and our own stud horse Hickory (play gun and doc hickory breed). We also train horses too. My Dad is a farrier and I like helping him shoe horses.

My two roping horses are both bay. Snoopy is my gelding that my dad (Ryland) trained.

Roxanne is my mare that my uncle (Seth Jordan) trained.

My rodeo idol is Patrick Smith.

I give all the glory to God.

30 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

ERA: WHAT TO EXPECT! T

here has been a lot of talk about the new ERA (Elite Rodeo Association) and how this association will affect the sport of rodeo. The new association blasted onto the scene a couple months ago and immediately turned a lot of heads. According to the reports coming out of the Texas based association, the ERA is owned and operated by many of today’s top rodeo athletes and is set up to promote the sport utilizing the elite cowboys and cowgirls in the industry.

We had the opportunity to talk to the legendary team roper, Martin Lucero concerning the ERA. As one of the owners of the ERA, Martin said the association was organized by a small group of guys who wanted to improve the regular rodeo season and offer a better product to the fans. Although it has been mentioned that the new association is set up to go head to head with the PRCA, the information from the ERA office, and what Martin stated while talking to us, was that the ERA’s focus is to promote the sport. Sure there are issues that the professionals in the sport of rodeo have with the PRCA, and even some frustration, but according to Martin, the ERA was not organized to go head to head with the PRCA, but rather promote the sport on a more national level that fans can really support and enjoy.

“All of the ERA rodeos will be independent rodeos,” said Martin.

“We want to improves the sport overall and I think it will be good for the whole sport in general. The TV package that will be announced soon will offer fans a way to watch the sport much like other major sports. They will be able to track the schedule and know when and where to find it on a consistent basis on a major network.”

The ERA will kick off in 2016 and between now and then they will be disclosing many of the answers that many of us have of the ERA. However, Martin, as well as the ERA themselves have mentioned that even though the organization is owned by the top professionals in the sport today and that the first year will spotlight these contestants into the ERA arena, there will be a way for new talent to become involved and qualified to compete in these rodeos.

There will be 15 events set for 2016, followed by a National Finals in November. These rodeos will be broadcasted on a major network and it will be a lot like Monday night football, Martins added.

Each week fans will be able to tune in to watch an event. Martin also mentioned that they are working on a format that will open the door for new contestants to compete in the ERA and that they should be introducing that soon.

“There is not a format set in stone to allow new guys in yet,” added Martin. “But there will be a way to do it, similar to golf. We want only the best competing, hence the word Elite.”

There are still some un-answered questions about the ERA and Martin insured us that the organization will be offering answers soon. From the looks of the interest that has been floating throughout social media and publicized throughout media outlets, the ERA is no doubt making a big stir in the rodeo industry. Will the ERA do as promised and promote the sport and offer fans a steady supply of quality events? Well it has been done before and the PBR has made headways for such an organization to succeed. It will be great to see the sport move into a national spotlight and hang its hat among other major sports and see what kind of fan-base will follow the good old sport of Rodeo!

Martin Lucero Team Roping (Heeling) PRCA Career Earnings: $1,712,748 WNFR Qualifications: 16 (1991-92, 1994-95, 1997-2002, 2008-13) Current Residence: Stephenville, Texas Wrangler NFR average titles: 1 (2010) PRCA Resistol Team Roping (Heeling) Rookie of the Year:1991

TOP RODEO ATHLETES ANNOUNCE THE FORMATION OF THE ELITE RODEO ASSOCIATION

T

he Elite Rodeo Association (ERA), an innovative new rodeo corporation created and owned by the top rodeo athletes in the world, is proud to announce its formation.

“We believe that rodeo needed an elite tour comprised of only the world’s best rodeo competitors and livestock,” said Tony Garritano, CEO and President of the ERA. “Due to its business model, the ERA is the only rodeo organization that can truly guarantee appearances of the top talent in professional rodeo. Being owned by the contestants, they are guaranteeing themselves.”

Just as other professional sports industries have elite levels of competition for their top athletes, the ERA will do the same for the top professional rodeo athletes by creating a tour that will showcase the best talent in rodeo. The ERA plans to work in cooperation with existing rodeo venues and sports arenas across North America to create an exciting and sought after tour.

In addition, ERA is focused on the future generations of top rodeo athletes with a mission of ensuring the integrity of the sport of rodeo and providing additional opportunities for professional rodeo cowboys, cowgirls and industry partners for years to come.

The ERA is owned by the top 55 rodeo athletes, 42 of which are World Champion Rodeo Cowboys & Cowgirls. While the current ownership includes existing top competitors, the progressive model allows for aspiring elite rodeo athletes to participate and earn ownership in the ERA. “By introducing a unique concept like the ERA, it is our hope to increase the awareness of the sport of rodeo on a national stage” says 21-time World Champion Cowboy and ERA Board Member, Trevor Brazile. “Enhancing the sport of professional rodeo and building something greater for the future generations of rodeo cowboys and cowgirls is the goal of the ERA. We look forward to working with the entire rodeo industry.”

Governed by a seven-member board that will consist of three rough stock representatives, three timed event representatives and one administrative official, the athlete-owned organization will showcase the best cowboys and cowgirls, whose eligibility to compete will be determined by the ERA qualification system.

In 2016, the ERA will produce a 15-event regular-season tour, all broadcast on national network television, culminating with a 5-day World Championship event.

“We are excited about building and releasing our 2016 season and plan to increase the number of tour stops in the years to come. The ERA has its own set of regulations, allowing us to provide very unique opportunities for the entire rodeo industry,” states Garritano.

Exciting announcements about the 2016 tour will be coming soon.

More information will be released through erarodeo.com and our Facebook page, ERA Rodeo.

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 31

Midway Elementary Rodeo

A

few years ago, Midway Elementary School wanted to do a fundraiser. They decided to do a Jr High rodeo. It was such a HUGE success that they have continued to host this event. This year we had the Youth Division and the Jr High Division.

We rodeoed all day and had a GREAT time. Valen Cook did a great job organizing this event and kept us all in line.

The weather was beautiful all day and the kids had a blast.

The teachers of Midway Elementary as well as the Principal participated in a “boot race” where they had to remove their shoes and race from one end of the arena to the other and find their shoes. (Not positive but I believe the Principal won. Lol) The kids got a BIG laugh getting to watch the teachers run barefoot through the dirt.

Mr. Jim Smith brought a HUGE bull for the kids to get lead around on. Now when else can you go to school and ride a bull than when the rodeo is on your school grounds. How cool is that?!

I can’t wait to see what they have in store for us next year!

32 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 33

May 2015 PHOTO OF THE MONTH

Witt Pierce Georgia High School Rodeo Association

by John Dyar • © JD Photography

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35

T

he Roping Pen is excited to welcome the Northeast Arkansas Family Rodeo Association to the pages of our magazine. The association is a family oriented association that hosts several events throughout the year to help youth rodeo contestants learn the values the May 24-25 • 7 pm sport of rodeo and competition.

HTCC Paragould, Ark “We are a family rodeo teaching family values and good sportsmanship,” boasts the association’s tagline!

June 26-27 • 7 pm Bruce and Valerie Carr are the two main figures behind the association and with more Rector, Arkansas than 50 years of rodeo history under their hat brims, they understand the immense values August 28-29 • 7 pm that the sport can give to youth. They have produced many events throughout their lifetime 3 Trees Wynne, Arkansas including barrel racing and team roping events and their knowledge of the sport gives the September 18-19 • 7 pm couple an upper hand at the production side of Rector, Arkansas the arena Plans for this season include 28 rodeos in FINALS: October 30-31 14 weekends, plus a finals event. One of the rodeos this year will be a benefit rodeo to help the children at St. Judes win the buckle against cancer! This in only one of the many ways the association helps children understand the values of life, using the good old fashioned, wild and wooly sport of rodeo.

All of the association’s events are located in Northern Arkansas. The association gets a lot of help from parents and other volunteers who agree to help the members learn family principles and good sportsmanship. This association, like many others out there, is the beginning steps of many long rodeo careers and The Roping Pen is energized to be a part of the Northeast Arkansas Family Rodeo Association. We are looking forward to helping the association and the sport of rodeo grow!

UPCOMING RODEOS:

36 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 37

Follow us on Facebook! • www.rodeofyra.com FYRA Point Standings AS OF 3.26.15

Contestant.......... $/Points

3-4....Chloe Cox...................45.90 3-4....Jordan Mullinax.........45.90 5-6....Cheridan Gowan.........30.60 5-6....Chanler Burgess.........30.60

SR BARREL RACING BAREBACK 1.......Kendall Chappell........95.20 1.......Monica Harmon........177.65 2.......Jordan Hill.................40.80 2.......Jessica Burgess.........113.05 3-4....Leah Hunter...............80.75 3-4....Cheridan Gowan.........80.75 SADDLEBRONC 1.......Spencer Tucker...........68.00 5.......Jordan Mullinax.........64.60 6-7....Abbi McCraw..............38.76 6-7....Skylar Langley...........38.76 CALF ROPING 1.......Hunter Styles...........149.60 8-9....Hannah Loudermilk....25.84 2.......Chase Dyal.................54.40 8-9....Thomas Hagood.........25.84 3.......Hunter Roof...............40.80 4.......Eddie Rounds.............27.20 SR POLES 1.......Cheridan Gowan.......139.40 2.......Kyra Lombardo........130.05 TEAM ROPING-HEAD 1.......Chase Dyal...............178.50 3.......Monica Harmon..........89.25 2.......Hunter Styles.............35.70 4.......Chloe Cox...................52.70 3.......Jacob McGinn.............23.80 5.......Kelsey Shillinglaw.......44.20 6.......Hannah Loudermilk....20.40 TEAM ROPING-HEEL 1.......Colby Winstead.........136.00 SR CHUTE DOGGIN’ 2.......Eddie Rounds...........119.00 1.......Eddie Rounds...........153.00 3-4....Dylan Cook................34.00 2-3....Bennett Dove.............45.90 3-4....Hunter Roof...............34.00 2-3....Chase Dyal.................45.90 5.......Chase Dyal.................17.00 4-5....Dylan Miller...............30.60 4-5....Hunter Styles.............30.60 STEER WRESTLING: No TImes SR BULL RIDING 1.......Colby Winstead.........102.00 BOYS GOAT TYING 1.......Caleb Traenkner.........81.60 2.......Jesse Barnhardt..........85.00 2.......Ethan Lombardo.........51.00 3.......Jacob McGinn.............40.80 SR BOYS’ ALL AROUND 4.......Eddie Rounds.............30.60 1.......Eddie Rounds...........329.80 2.......Chase Dyal...............295.80 3.......Colby Winstead.........238.00 SR BK AWAY 1.......Leah Hunter.............102.00 4.......Hunter Styles...........215.90 2-3....Kyra Lombardo..........34.00 5.......Hunter Roof...............74.80 2-3....Chloe Cox...................34.00 SR GIRLS’ ALL AROUND 1.......Monica Harmon........266.90 SR GOAT TYING 1-2....Kyra Lombardo..........76.50 2.......Leah Hunter.............259.25 1-2....Leah Hunter...............76.50 3.......Cheridan Gowan.......250.75

38 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

4.......Kyra Lombardo........240.55 6.......Rebecca McClinton....113.90 5.......Chloe Cox.................132.60 7.......Georgia Caroline Kay.....73.10 6.......Jordan Mullinax.......110.50 7.......Hannah Loudermilk....46.24 JR BOYS’ ALL AROUND 1.......Jacob McGinn...........200.60 2.......Ethan Lombardo.......153.00 JR BK AWAY 1.......Ethan Lombardo.......102.00 2.......Hannah Grace Harmon...... 61.20 WR BK AWAY ROPING 3.......McKenzie Brown.........40.80 1-2....Natalie Montgomery...51.00 1-2....Cynch Whitesell..........51.00 JR GOAT TYING 3.......Colby Yarborough.......34.00 1-2....Macy Cook.................68.00 1-2....Olivia Dove................68.00 WR GOAT TYING 3-4-5.McKenzie Brown.........51.00 1.......Colby Yarborough.....102.00 3-4-5.Georgia Caroline Kay...51.00 2.......Kierstyn Cochran........95.20 3-4-5.Elly Whitesell..............51.00 3.......Cynch Whitesell..........74.80 6.......Emma Hunter.............34.00 4.......Annie Grace Roach.....37.40 7.......Emily Servies..............17.00 5.......Madysen Baker..........30.60 JR BARREL RACING 1.......Cheyenne Douglas....208.25 2.......Isabella Hart..............76.50 3.......Elly Whitesell..............72.25 4.......McKenzie Brown.........61.20 5.......Olivia Dove................57.80 6.......Rebecca McClinton......47.60 7.......Madison Per...............36.72 8.......Hannah Grace Harmon.....34.68

WR BARREL RACING 1.......Bryce Stockman.......138.55 2.......Cynch Whitesell..........89.25 3.......Bailey Langley...........69.70 4.......Addi Grace Hunter......57.80 5.......Gabe Tackett..............56.10 6.......Gracie Metta..............30.60

WR POLE BENDING 1.......Bailey Langley.........136.00 JR POLE BENDING 2.......Madysen Baker..........45.90 1-2....Cheyenne Dougals....132.60 3.......Gabe Tackett..............35.70 1-2....Hannah Grace Harmon...132.60 4.......Bryce Stockman.........30.60 3.......Olivia Dove................88.40 5.......Colby Yarborough.......23.80 4.......Rebecca McClinton......66.30 5.......Georgia Caroline Kay....22.10 WR BULLS: No Rides

JR BULL RIDING: No Rides WR GIRLS ALL AROUND JR CHUTE DOGGIN’ 1.......Bailey Langley.........205.70 1.......McGinn, Jacob..........136.00 2.......Madysen Baker..........76.50 JR GIRLS’ ALL AROUND 1.......Cheyenne Douglas....340.85 2.......Hannah Grace Harmon...228.48 3.......Olivia Dove..............214.20 4.......McKenzie Brown.......153.00 5.......Elly Whitesell............123.25

WR BOYS ALL AROUND 1.......Cynch Whitesell........215.05 2.......Bryce Stockman.......169.15 3.......Colby Yarborough.....159.80 4.......Gabe Tackett..............91.80

PW GOAT DOGGIN’ 1.......Taylor Culton..............69.70 2.......Aiden Tackett..............59.50 3.......Lilly Per.....................51.00 4.......Bristol Norris..............23.80 PW GOAT TYING 1-2....Lexi Clark..................40.80 1-2....Aiden Tackett..............40.80 3-4....Bristol Norris..............27.20 3-4....Trinity Cooke..............27.20 PW BARREL RACING 1.......Bristol Norris............102.00 2.......Aiden Tackett..............34.00 3.......Lexi Clark..................30.60 4.......Trinity Cooke..............20.40 PW POLE BENDING 1.......Bristol Norris............102.00 2.......Savannah Caston........34.00 PW GIRLS ALL AROUND 1.......Bristol Norris............255.00 2.......Lexi Clark..................71.40 3.......Trinity Cooke..............47.60 PW BOYS ALL AROUND 1.......Aiden Tackett............134.30 STOCK BUSTIN’ Aiden Tackett.........................2 Augustus Green.....................2 Brannon Louk........................1 Brayden Moiser.....................2 Bristol Norris.........................2 Colton Hill.............................1 Cooper Gowan.......................2 Ethan McGahee.....................2 Jackson Davis........................2 Josie Hill...............................1 Levi Pennington.....................2 Lilly Per................................2 Luke Guy..............................2 Ryder Thomas.......................1 Teally Rein Gray....................2

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 39

Roper of the Round Table

by Stuart Mitchell

“I’ll be there at 6:30.” We’ve heard that before.

We don’t look for him ‘til he slams the truck door.

The steers will be wrapped just as he arrives.

This is not a great surprise.

His horse ran away, the chickens wouldn’t eat, and the dog just wouldn’t move from under his feet.

These are only a few excuses he had used.

Some he usually will repeat.

He’s home tonight, over the road on Tuesday, close to home on Thursday, and Friday he ropes calves at the sand trap.

With all the traveling he does he never uses a road map.

His truck would run on autopilot from here to Texas, if the law allowed it.

His motto: “have pen, will rope,” “have truck, will travel,” “Have horse...”

Well, that’s optional. He will ride yours, if you don’t care, of course.

He owns two heel ropes, one for which he still owes The other one he bought used from a buddy he knows.

His head rope was a gate hinge But it’s got to last ‘til tomorrow’s payday.

He owns two horses, one is trained and the other started He better learn fast, lest he be “dearly departed.”

He ropes wherever he can find a pen of steers Of being turned away, he has no fears.

He’s a likable fellow. With certain charms But working all day will never bring him harm.

He doesn’t mean to be this way, he can’t help himself, you see, ‘Cause when he was young, we taught him how to be.

“Rope while you can,” we said.

“You can always work enough before your dead.”

“Jobs are plentiful, good time are few.”

Our advice would be different if we would’ve only knew.

That he would try to live his whole life on out simple words.

To use them this long, never to us occurred.

Now we spend countless words of wisdom trying to explain why he should change.

He says he likes his life and can’t understand what part we want him to rearrange.

We hope he outgrows his youth and sows his wild oats very quick.

Because if he doesn’t, we’ll wind up crazy from advice that makes him tick.

40 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 41

T

Trailer Winner: Enrique Hernandez

he end of March held a new event for ropers in Florida. With the PRCA hosting the Ram National Circuit Finals in Kissimmee, JX2 headed to Sarasota to host an event of their own. The Sarasota – Pays for Days was no doubt a first year success and as the Circuit finals continues to build, you can bet this event will do the same. The first annual team roping event packed a punch as JX2 reared back and brought along a pile of cash and prizes to be awarded.

Ropers were well entertained with the thought of winning big with plenty of ropings to choose from including World Series roping, warm up roping and of course the finale of the weekend the big truck, trailer and prize roping!

and the first team to strike World Series payouts on Saturday was the team of Brother Campbell and Jessy Remsburg. They topped the average and won $6,960 in cash. The #10 World Series followed and Jessy Remsburg found himself once again at the pay window collecting another first place check. This time with header Mary Ann Brown and the duo split $6,400 cash payout.

The #9 World Series roping wrapped up the World Series ropings for the weekend. Ropers Rhonda Holmes and Mike Sanders took home the championship and the $5,280 paycheck. Wrapping up Saturday’s roping and setting the scene for the big prizes to be awarded on Sunday was the first half of the #10 Truck Roping.

Congratulations to all of the

Truck Winner: Damian Valdera

winners at the

Sarasota – Pays

Three days of team roping, March 27-29 played out with a lot of team roping action. Friday kicked off with a #15 Warm Up roping followed by a #15 Big Money, #13 World Series, #12 World Series and a #12 Cool Down roping. Winning the #15 Warm Up and getting things rolling in the payout department was the team of Beck Hyslop and Zak Richardson. Zak struck in the #15 Big money roping as well heeling behind Joel Colgrove. They won the event and packed home $2,640 in cash.

As the World Series Roping took to the arena, the team of Shane Garrison and Clint Humphries won the #13 WSTR event while the team of Brother Campbell and Jay Holmes claimed the championship of the #12 WSTR. Winding things down for Friday was the #12 Cool Down where the team of Beverly Robbins and Clint Humphries won the average with a time of 37.79 seconds to win $2,030!

Sunday finalized the Truck Roping where the second half and the short-go played out. Ropers backed into the box trying to be among the top 75 teams who would qualify for the Short-Go and have a chance at the big prizes that included a new , 4-door dually diesel to high the high point roper, a 2-horse Aluminum trailer to the reserve high point roper, one of 6 Cactus trophy saddles, Maynard trophy buckles that were awarded to 1st through 5th in the Average and Bailey Hats, Equibrand products and Rocky Boots that filled the average prize payout from 6th to 20th in the Average. Topping the Average of the roping was the team of Dakota Hartfield and Rocky Gaudious who roped three head in 21.32 seconds and won $4,000 in cash. It was a big day though for Damian Valdera who claimed 2nd, 6th and 9th in the Average. Damian was no doubt the high point roper and was handed the keys to the new truck to take back to Miami, Florida and show off to all of his roping friends. Reserve high point roper was Enrique Hernandez from Deltona, Florida.

for Days

roping and to JX2 for the success of

#10 WSTR Avg Winners: Mary Ann Brown and Jessy Remsburg

#11 Warm Up Avg Winners: Beck Hyslop and Jessy Remsburg

Truck Roping Average Winners: Dakota Hartfield & Rocky Gaudious

#12 Cool Down Avg Winners: Beverly Robbins and Clint Humphries

#15 Roping Avg Winners: Joel Colgrove and Zak Richardson

#12 WSTR Avg Winners: Brother Campbell and Jay Holmes

#15 Warm Up Avg Winners: Beck Hyslop and Zak Richardson

another great event in the Southeast!

Day two, Saturday, kicked off with ropers filling the Triple J Ranch arena ready to claim some of the big payouts of the weekend. The morning started off with a #11 Warm up roping where the team of Beck Hyslop teamed up with Jessy Remsburg to score a victory.

They finished first in the average to win $2,610 in cash. Ropers gathered up for World Series events following the warm up roping

Results:

WSTR - #13: 1. Shane Garrison / Clint Humphries, 45.46, $7,000 WSTR - #12: 1. Brother Campbell / Jay Holmes, 47.39, $6,000; 2. Tish Luke / David Zakary Richardson, 47.42, $4,000 WSTR - #11: 1. Brother Campbell / Jessy Remsburg, 41.33, $6,960; 2. Mary Ann Brown / Kenny Brown, 47.69, $4,640

#11 WSTR Avg Winners: Brother Campbell and Jessy Remsburg

#9 WSTR Avg Winners: Rhonda Holmes and Mike Sanderng

42 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

#13 WSTR Avg Winners: Shane Garrison and Clint Humphries

WSTR - #10: 1. Mary Ann Brown / Jessy Remsburg, 40.93, $6,400; 2. Dennis Estrin / Robbie Schroeder, 45.89,

$3,840; 3. Lizzie Iwersen / Clint Humphries, 49.4, $2,560 WSTR - #9: 1. Rhonda Holmes / Mike Sanders, 49.76, $5,280; 2. Pepe Milian / Noel Alvarez, 33.84, $3,520 #15 Warm Up, Average: 1.

Beck Hyslop / Zak Richardson, 31.25, $820; 2. Brent Aldoff / Zak Richardson, 33.33, $540

#15 Big Money, Average: 1.

Joel Colgrove / Zak Richardson, 33.19, $2,640; 2. Mike Sanders / Jay Holmes, 33.86, $1,760 #12 Cool Down, Average:

Congratulations to all of the winners at the Sarasota – Pays for Days roping and to JX2 for the success of another great event in the Southeast!

1. Beverly Robbins / Clint Humphries, 37.79, $2,030; 2.

Joel Colgrove / Aaron Chamley, 39.96, $1,210; 3. Beverly Robbins / Aaron Chamley, 42.62, $810

#11 Warm Up, Average: 1.

Beck Hyslop / Jessy Remsburg, 28.67, $2,610; 2. Mary Ann Brown / Ryan Pope, 29.95, $1,960; 3. Rolando Lantigua / Damian Valdera, 31.94, $1,300; 4. Frank Lorenzo / Jay Holmes, 33.34, $650 #10 Truck, Average: 1. Dakota Hartfield / Rocky Gaudi-

ous, 21.32, $4,000; 2. Enrique Hernandez / Damian Valdera, 28.06, $2,500; 3. Cody L Johnson / Clint Humphries, 28.15, $1,500; 4. Willy Abreu / Mike Harper, 28.3, $1,000; 5. Rolando Lantigua / Jorge Betancourt, 29.47, $500; 6. Frank Lorenzo / Damian Valdera, 29.89, $400; 7.

Enrique Hernandez / Noel Vigil, 30.05, $300; 8. Logan Taylor / Eddie Trujillo, 30.08, $300; 9.

Shawn Felton / Damian Valdera, 30.11, $300; 10. Antonio Pedro / Mike Sanders, 30.14, $300 CONGRATUALTIONS, WINNERS!

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 43

LEARN, LAUGH, LOVE

I

’ve talked about this before, but if you know me at all I believe the single most important thing to my success is the importance of the people I surround myself with. I think there are three main things that these people should cause you to do daily. 1) Learn 2) laugh 3) Love.

Number 1, learn. You should surround yourself with people that cause you to think. I was in Laughlin, NV in the late 90’s at the slack and I decided to do a little experiment. I had 3 brain teasers. Those of you that know anything about a big slack is there is lots of down time. So in conversation amongst the guys that day I threw out these brain teasers. It was amazing how some guys disappeared and how some guys migrated back to me with more questions on how to figure these brain teasers out. Nearly 20 years later I look back at those same guys and see where they are now. If you want to be small minded you talk and think about people. If you want to be average minded you talk and think about events. You want to be great minded you talk and think about ideas. What are the people that you are surrounding yourself causing you to talk/think about?

Number 2, laugh. I don’t know very many people that laugh who are not having fun. The average adult laughs 4 times per day. The

www.STSRanch.com average child laughs 200 times per day. It’s very healthy to laugh.

When you laugh it releases endorphins that actually cause your body to heal. My last bit of instruction, especially in high pressure situations to anybody I speak to, is go have fun.

Number 3, Love. It tells us in the bible that love always wins. In First Corinthians it says faith, hope, and love and the greatest of these is love. In Romans 8 it says nothing can separate you from the love of god. It’s impossible to be negative whenever you are loving on people. When you’re loving on people, it’s really hard to be completely self- centered. I look for these qualities whenever I am choosing the people I surround myself. Most importantly I strive to have these qualities myself as a husband, dad, and friend.

God Bless. Until next time, see you down the line....

• • • • • • •• • • •

Stran Smith, an 11x NFR Qualifier, was the 2008 World Champion Tie-Down Roper, and has overcome many hardships in and out of the arena. His wife, Jennifer, was Miss Rodeo America and worked as a TV correspondent for 15 years for networks such as ESPN, CBS Sports, and Outdoor Channel. Jennifer spends time as a designer and consultant in the Western fashion industry. With a long background in ranching, Stran and Jennifer live and work from Stran’s 4th generation ranch in Tell, Texas with their 3 children, Stone, Scout, and Selah, raising Black Angus cattle.

Gunner G

by Crystal Lyons

unner is my latest pup; ½ French and ½ Old English bull dog.

He is 6 weeks old and overloaded in Pure-D “CUTENESS!” I take him with me everywhere, and in a couple days I’ve got a pup that considers me the center of his universe. He only wants to sleep where he has some piece of clothing that I’ve worn because he can rest at ease as long as he has my scent. When other people hold him, he keeps his head turned towards the sound of my voice.

He is VERY AWARE of the fact that he’s very tiny in an immensely HUGE universe, and he does NOT want to get lost from me!

Oh if we could have the innate sense that a 6-week-old pup has.

If we could have that same heart that only rests where we can recognize our Master’s scent! If only we could recognize the voice of the Lord amid all the clatter of voices resonating in this world.

If only we would realize the fact that we are exceedingly tiny in an immensely HUGE universe. If only we would yearn, with all that is within us, to NEVER get separated from the ONE who loves us and never lets us out of His sight!

44 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

While watching Gunner the other morning, I recognized some things that I DO actually DO, pertaining to God. I took Gunner with me to feed the horses, and he was doing great as I walked slowly so his little 2” legs could keep up. His eyesight is still not in full bloom, so I kept talking to him to keep him close. Once up

at the barn, Gunner was faced with circumstances he hadn’t faced before... NOISES! LOUD noises! His fear of the unknown, and just the overwhelming greatness of it all, was so overpowering to such a tiny creature, and it began to get the best of him. He looked for a dark corner to retreat into for protection from a world of sensory overload. At that point, my voice was no longer on his radar.

Oh, how often have I done that! I’m following the Lord, and everything is sunshine and roses, until my picture perfect world gets invaded with circumstances too huge for me to handle... and the noises, the LOUD noises, that shake me to my core! Not to mention all the other voices clamoring for my attention. Somehow amidst this chaotic avalanche, I completely lose my focus on Him and the voice of the Lord gets drowned out by all the louder sounds declaring their supremacy over my life! Kinda like Peter walking on water, until his attention shifted from Jesus to the wind and waves. Really? What do wind and waves have to do with whether or not you’re a water walker? It’s all about FOCUS. But just like Gunner, I must learn that there is ONE walking with me who is greater and wiser and stronger than ANYTHING that can possibly come against me!

It’s my responsibility to stay consciously connected to Him. As long as I can tap into His wisdom, I am wise. As I tap into His strength, I am strong. And just as I did for Gunner, He sometimes reaches down and simply carries me. If I keep a watchful eye over a DOG, HOW MUCH MORE does our Father have His eye on me? He never leaves us, we just get frantic and lose our sense of where He is. We just need to quiet our emotions until we can again recognize His voice. Because if I can HEAR Him... I can defeat ANYTHING!!

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 45

46 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 47

T

he Louisiana Championships is a favorite among ropers. The event took place at the Ike Hamilton Expo Center in West Monroe, Louisiana. Things kicked into gear on March 13th and finished up on the 15th.

The first roping of the weekend was the Open Division. The team of Cyle Denison from Iowa, Louisiana and Lance McFarland from Bell City, Louisiana came from the second call back position to win first place. They were 48.79 seconds on five steers to secure the win. Second place was Justin Johnson and Dane Brister. Johnson and Brister also won the incentive average.

The next roping was the #15 Division. Justin Pender from Perkinston, Mississippi and Dustin Purvis were the high team back. They caught their final steer in 8.08 seconds and finished the roping in first place with a time of 30.80 seconds. The win gave them $2440, trophy Gist knives and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Stephen Kinchen from Tickfaw, Louisiana and Purvis. The third place team was Brody Bellett and Zach Shovan.

In the #13 the team of Cody NesSmith from Glenmora, Louisiana and Jacup Dixon from Boyce, Louisiana were the high team back.

After a run of 7.53 seconds on their last steer they finished first place in the average. The win gave them $4866, trophy Gist knives and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Lane McKenzie and Coy Brittain with a time of 34.13 on four steers.

Third place was Dillon Ward and Cody Bush.

The final roping of the day was the #12 Division. Chad Robertson from Florien, Louisiana and Mason Pitts from Haughton, Louisiana were the fifth call back team. They posted a time of 7.15 seconds in the short round and finished the roping with a time of 32.53 seconds on four steers. That gave them first place in the average and landed them $5480, trophy Gist knives and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place went to Nathan Smith and Rickie Leblanc. Third was the team of Caleb Fallin and Matt Scogin. Brandon Matthews and Blake Wheeler won first place in the incentive.

Caleb Fallin carried his winning ways into day number two of the Louisiana Championships. The Garrison, Texas header teamed up with Boo Boo Cornelius from Nacodoches, Texas to win first place in the #12 Gold Plus. The pairing was 29.19 seconds on four steers and took home $3608, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Colby Winborn from Denham Springs, Louisiana and Cody Warner from Louisville, Mississippi. Third was Bubba Barlow and Warner. Lance Mudd from Bell City, and Becky Cannizzaro from Folsom, Louisiana.

incentive average.

The day ended up with the #10 Division. It was a battle right down to the last steer. Pookie Perkins from Dubach, Louisiana and Mason Pitts from Haughton, Louisiana were the second call to the short round. They went into the lead after roping their final steer in 8.03 seconds. When it was all said and done the duo was first in the average with a time of 33.28 seconds on four steers. The win earned them $7680, trophy Cowboy Gold saddles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Joey Pilgrim and Colby Winborn with a time of 36.16 seconds on four steers. Third place was Mike and Jed Sibley. Colby Laird and Hank Saxon were the incentive winners.

The final day of team roping competition began with the #10 Gold Plus Division. The team of Darrell Cripps and Jim Herring both from Pineville, Louisiana came from the third call back position to win first place in the average. The team was 36.29 seconds on four steers and won $4088, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place went to the Mississippi team of Greg Williams and Nathan Smith with a time of 36.88 seconds on four steers. Third was Nicholas Wolfe and Harvey McDaniel. David Earl Johnson and Dan Dalton were the incentive winners.

Daniel Benson and Eric Davis Jr, both from Marshall, Texas teamed up to win first place in the #9 Division. The win was worth $7816, trophy Cowboy Gold saddles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Ethan Sparks and Clay Green with a time of 34.68 seconds on four steers. Grant Soileau and Cameron Fontenot were third in the main average and first in the incentive average.

The Louisiana Championships came to a close with the #8 Pick/ Draw. Heath Clark from Doddridge, Arkansas and Zeb Corkern from Zachary, Louisiana were the winners of the average with a time of 28.30 seconds on threes steers. The win was worth $3970, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the average went to Andy McBroom and Danny Robert.

Third place was Scarlet Starkey and Pete Starkey with a time of 35.13 seconds on three steers.

The winners of the #11 Division came from Mississippi. Thomas Scheer from Noxapater and Kevin Bentley from Rose Hill were the high team back. They were 8.30 seconds on their final steer and finished the roping with a time of 31.61 seconds on four steers.

The win gave them $6676, trophy Cowboy Gold saddles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Laramie Johnson and Mason Pitts. The third place win went to Wallace Greer and Hank Brown. Jimmy Dale White and Jed Sibley were the winners of the 48 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 49

THE

Other Half

Peter Pan I

’m sure you have all noticed at the roping, in the coliseum, that little tucked out of the way space where all the kids gather to play. It is full of toys, roping dummies and is a drawing magnet for every kid that attends the roping.

The kids play and rope and have their own mock ropings. There are at least three or four little miniature-roping steers. They are used to simulate the real thing and all the kids carry a rope. What happens there is the epitome of what goes in the arena. If you happen to miss your own kids you can always head for that play area, designated or not, and most of the time that is where they are hanging out.

The thing that amazes me is how often team ropers stop by and hang out until it is time for their next run in the actual arena. If you notice, they also occupy the play area. It is almost like the little practice dummies are luring the adult ropers in to play as well.

I’ve yet to meet a team roper who didn’t just love to rope the little miniature toys.

How many of you know team ropers who have spent hours roping their kid’s roping dummy toy? Ropers cannot resist them. Not only is it fun, challenging but provides an excellent opportunity to hone and improve one’s skills while you are waiting for your next run.

Thoughts of a Team Roping Spouse...

by Gracie Mae

lenge for everyone involved. I don’t think any adult roper wants to be out roped by a kid but it happens all of the time. In this particular instance the adults were certainly bringing out that competitive edge in the kids involved. You should have seen the grins on those kid’s faces when they grabbed up a set of heels that the adults had missed. The kids loved it when they could head the dummy and an adult followed up with two heels. When two kids made a perfect run to beat out the adult team the air was electric. No matter the scenario they were all kids and they were all having a great time.

Off and on an adult would drift away evidently getting ready to take his or her turn in the real arena. Perhaps the few practice loops he had taken on the miniature dummy had improved his chances in the real team roping. Regardless, they were all kids, no matter their ages, and no matter their sizes.

There is nothing like getting in a little practice on a mini-roping steer to improve your game in the field. As I headed back up to my seat to watch the roping I couldn’t help but chuckle out loud. Team ropers! They are just kids at heart. What is the saying once a kid, always a kid? Maybe that is why team roping is such a family sport.

We all want to be Peter Pan and never grow up

Keep Ropin’... Love, Gracie

We were at a roping recently and the kids had been in the little corner playing and having their mock ropings. The area was filled with kids taking their turn to rope. It was the perfect scenario of the Junior Looper practice. All the kids were having fun and seriously involved.

As I walked past the kids I was amazed at the adult ropers who were standing by watching. Some of the ropers were dads of the kids playing. Some were older siblings and then there were others who were just enjoying watching the kids’ rope.

I proceeded on my mission but when I came back by I couldn’t help but smile. Lined up taking their turn to rope were many of the adult team ropers. Mixed in with all the kids were adults waiting for their turn at the little miniature-roping dummy.

What was the draw? Why couldn’t they let the kids’ play? What was so appealing about roping with the kids?

The longer I watched the more amusing it became. The adults had mixed in with the kids and they are having quite a competition.

Kids were paired with kids; kids were paired with adults and adults paired with adults. Everyone was having a terrific time. It was, indeed, play time for everyone involved.

I supposed the kid in us is always alive and well. We just cannot resist the temptation to stop and play once in awhile. The kids loved the attention. The adults loved the practice and it was a chal© The Other Half / © Melinda Clements 2015

50 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 51

ARIAT: THE NEXT GENERATION OF BOOTS

by Ryan Davis

T

he cowboy boot is symbolic of the cowboy, the American West, the rodeo cowboy, and offer individual style and status. However, to the majority of these folks, the cowboy boot is very much a tool, also. Like the saddle, the rope, the horse, and everything else needed to mount and ride for a paycheck inside the arena, the boot is as important as anything else.

Comfort and style are only the beginning of what the cowboy boot is all about. Sure, we all want to look good, but the boot has to be made with the integrity to hold up to the vigorous demands of what the rodeo cowboy puts them through. With that in mind, I turned to Ariat and asked them about the new Catalyst boot they offered to the public late last year. The Catalyst caught my attention, as Ariat is always pushing the limit in construction, style and comfort. It was not long until Ariat had a pair in the mail to let me try out and report on, after I gave them some good wear and tear.

I will be honest.

When my boots came in and I

pulled them out of the box, my

I will be honest. When my boots came in and I pulled them out of the box, my first thought was, “Wow... who do I know that owns a Harley that I can give these to?” With patches of rubber and reinforcements mixed among the leather... at first glance I was not sold.

However, although it took me a minute, as I looked closer I soon understood that these areas of reinforcement were directly in line with areas of the boot that get the most punishment while in the saddle.

first thought was, “Wow... who do I

know that owns a Harley that I can give these to?”

Next came the wear-and-tear test. Out I went with my new boots to give them an honest shot to see how they held up, and of course, to put them to the comfort test. Least to say, it was a long winter, and through the mud, snow, ice, and all that I put the boots through, the Catalyst boot gave everything it promised. The true comfort came within a week of wear, which is just a bit longer than most boots, for me. But once I had them broke in, they were just as comfortable as a pair of tennis shoes. And the wear? Fantastic. With extra reinforcement across the toe and welt areas, a spur area that boats a built in spur counter, and ribbed areas inside and out to protect against a stirrup all makeup a boot that is designed perfectly for wear and tear. The Catalyst also came equipped with a great sole that allowed traction for both the outside harsh winter conditions as well as staying put in a stirrup.

52 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

Even though they are not quite my cup of tea as far as style is concerned, the wear of the Catalyst is top notch. The engineered design is obviously well tested, and they are a must for anyone who spends time in the saddle, or for that matter, anywhere around the farm or ranch. They are well-built and can easily handle the tough conditions of any cowboy or cowgirl. Be sure to try on a pair next time you’re looking for boots and let me know what you think!

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54 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 55

GHSRA & GJHRA CUTTING: MAY 8 & 9

Cutting Qualifying Goes (3) will be held Friday, May 8 at 8 pm.

State Final Goes (3) will be held May 9 Circle A Arena, 1379 Newsome Gap Road, Rising Fawn, GA Stalls and hook-ups will be available

STATE FINALS • Perry, Ga • May 29, 30, & 31

Fun Facts! Did you know...

Wil Payton

Gracie Finley

Emily Young

Loves playing guitar, trick roping, and roping with his dad and his brother.

Has been riding since a baby and is the only one in her family that rides.

Born in Kazakhstan.

10th grade

God is number one!

9th grade

10th grade

Blake Leamon

Clay Pannell

Member of student government.

Loves running track and riding her horse.

Runs track, poles vaults, and loves hurdles.

Likes math and is a good cook.

Katelyn Harbeke

Marlee Malcom Alec Edmondson

Makayla Alliston

Alec Edmondson

Morgan Larkin

56 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

Witt Pierce

Breanna Johnson

Photos courtesy of ©JD Photography

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 57

I

hope everyone had a safe and blessed Easter holiday and a wonderful April! Easter is one of my favorite holidays simply because of what it is. Jesus was crucified for our sins on the cross, and two days later, He rose from the grave.

That, of course, is why we celebrate Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Although everyone knows the story, I don’t think many people actually stop and realize what the days in between Jesus’ death were like. Jesus had died… actually died. Let that sink in. The people were filled with sorrow and fear. I’m sure no matter how sunny that day may have been, it was the darkest time for Christians. That’s why even though our rodeo did not fall on Easter weekend, we wore dark colors in memory of what it must have been like when everyone believed the King of Kings had been defeated. Sunday we wore white or bright colors to show that not even death can stop our God. Though Jesus walked out of that tomb, our sins remained there in death, and now we have the chance to be cleaner than ever by just believing in Him! Please keep this in mind next time you don’t have such a good day, or week, or even year. Remember that OUR God defied death. With a God like that, surely we can get through anything this earth throws our way.

Safe travels and best of luck… Lizzy Sexton

AHSRA’s

Top 10 GIRLS’ ALL AROUND 1.........Bailey O’Ferrell......277.0 2.........Lauryn Hoagland...252.0 3.........Alli Tate.................192.5 4.........Sara Hubbard........185.5 5.........Mikayla Stacey.......155.0 6.........Kaitlyn Pugh..........153.5 7.........Heather Varner......135.0 8.........Carmen Maness......117.0 9.........Briar Smith............113.0 10.......Carli Hodges............95.0 BOYS ALL AROUND 1.........Garrett McDonald...196 2.........Cole Harmon..........174 3.........Zach Varner...........151 4/5......Logan McNeil.........138 4/5......Gus Maraman........138 6.........Lukas Taylor..........132 7.........Jason Garcia............99 8.........Grant Hodges...........83 9.........James Farren...........58 10.......Wyatt Hubbard........49 STEER WRESTLING 1.........Gus Maraman..........70 2.........Zach Varner.............49 3.........Cole Harmon............45 4.........Charlie Langley........42 5.........Garrett McDonald.....37 6.........Forrest Gibbs............19 BREAKAWAY ROPING 1.........Lauryn Hoagland.....84.0

2.........Carmen Maness........62.0 3.........Alli Tate...................61.5 4.........Kaitlyn Pugh............53.5 5.........Haley Polk...............42.0 6.........Bailey O’Ferrell........38.0 7.........Briar Smith..............30.0 8/9......Riley Bryant.............27.0 8/9......Sara Hubbard..........27.0 10.......Prairie Smith............24.0 TIE DOWN ROPING 1.........Garrett McDonald.....82 2.........Zach Varner.............77 3.........Gus Maraman..........68 4.........Logan McNeil...........65 5.........Cole Har mon..........56 6.........Lukas Taylor............55 7.........Jason Garcia............50 8.........River Houck.............38 9.........Ryan Bibb................25 10.......Jordan Whitman.......14 POLE BENDING 1.........Mikayla Stacey.........87 2.........Sara Hubbard..........66 3.........Lauryn Hoagland.....64 4.........Kaitlyn Pugh............59 5.........Skylar Stokes...........54 6.........Madison Campbell....53 7.........Bailey O’Ferrell........50 8.........Alli Tate...................31 9.........Heather Varner........29 10/11.Jessica Mullins..........18 10/11.Hannah Rogers........18 GOAT TYING 1.........Bailey O’Ferrell........79.5 2.........Briar Smith..............69.0 3.........Lauryn Hoagland.....68.0 4.........Marah Smith............57.0 5.........Lizzy Sexton............51.5 6/7......Heather Varner........50.0 6/7......Belle Carpenter........50.0

8.........Carmen Maness........48.0 9.........Sydney McQueen......37.5 10.......Kaitlyn Pugh............27.0 TEAM ROPING 1.........Lukas Taylor..........154

Garrett McDonald 2.........Grant Hodges.........150

Alli Tate 3.........Cole Harmon..........146

Logan McNeil 4.........Wyatt Hubbard........98

Jason Garcia 5.........Hunter Van Scyoc.....84

Will Kirkland 6.........Lauryn Hoagland.....64

Dustin Hyson 7.........Hunter Moates.........52

Lizzy Sexton 8.........Bailey O’Ferrell........50

Zach Varner 9/10...Jordan Whitman.......32

Ryan Bibb 9/10...Casey Cox................32

Kaitlyn Chestnut BARRELS 1.........Bailey O’Ferrell........84.5 2.........Taylor Oglesby.........79.0 3.........Mikayla Stacey.........68.0 4.........Carli Hodges............67.0 5.........Sara Hubbard..........63.0 6.........Chloe Patterson........37.0 7.........Riley Bryant.............31.0 8.........Skylar Stokes...........29.5 9.........Heather Varner........29.0 10.......Taylor Dean.............27.0 BULL RIDING 1/2......Josh Jeter................20 1/2......Kade Murphy...........20 3.........Cross Dunn...............19 4.........Justin Kent...............17

5.........Trevor Eiland............10 6.........Brian Ferguson...........8 GIRLS CUTTING 1.........Bailey O’Ferrell........40 2.........Lizzy Sexton............26 3.........Lauryn Hoagland.....18 4.........Sara Hubbard..........15 BOYS CUTTING 1.........Cole Harmon............30 2.........Logan McNeill..........18 BAREBACK RIDING 1/2......Kutter Barnett..........20 1/2......Joshua David Green.20 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1.........James Farren...........58 2.........Robert Haley............39 TRAP SHOOTING 1.........Jared Rollins............37.5 2.........Owen Carter.............35.0 3.........Hunter Van Scyoc.....32.0 4.........Jacob Jeter..............24.0 5.........Casey Cox................23.5 6.........Prairie Smith............23.0 7.........Drake Rollins.............9.0 SMALL BORE SHOOTING 1.........Jacob Jeter..............36 2.........Owen Carter.............33 3.........Prairie Smith............30 4/5......Shelby Wicker..........21.5 4/5......Erica Johnson...........21.5 6.........Jared Rollins............18 7.........Casey Cox................17 8.........Hannah Reed...........14 9.........Hannah Rogers........11 10.......Drake Rollins.............8 ALL RANKINGS AS OF 4.14.15

Dustin Hyson

Alicia Cruz

Belle Carpenter

Briar Smith

58 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

Garrett McDonald

Hannah Reed

Lauryn Hoagland & Dustin Hyson

Trevor Eiland

JW Farren

Carmen Maness

Photos courtesy of © JD Photography

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 59

T

his month’s article I am going to discuss a couple of questions I had sent to me about General Liability, Personal Liability, and Clubs and Associations policies for equine related events. These will be kind of a brief explanation but call me for any questions.

Keep sending in these questions! Send them by calling, texting, or emailing me!

First let’s discuss General Liability insurance. This type of coverage is for professional equestrian that performs a horse related service for a fee. This fee could also be for “barter” such as boarding, instruction, training, buying/selling, breeding, or even organizing shows and events. This type of policy protects you in the event a third party sues you for bodily injury or property damage.

In this case the “third party” is generally someone who is not a family member or employee. General Liability policies can provide defense cost as well as pay claims for which you are liable up to your individual policy limits. For instance, you’re boarding horses for a fee and the owner of the horse is over with a “friend” looking at their horse. The “friend” trips on a rake at your barn falls and is injured. They can file suit and your General Liability insurance would come into play covering your losses.

Next let’s talk about Personal Liability. Most horse owners assume their covered by their homeowner’s policy for equestrian activities, check this because you may in fact not be covered. This type of coverage provides financial protection for the horse owners by providing coverage for bodily injury and or property damage caused by your personal horse to a third party. Again we see that word “third party”. Yes it means the same again as well someone generally not a family member or employee. This type of coverage is an excellent way to provide protection for you while on your horse activities whether you are showing, trail riding, or simply enjoying your horses in your own yard.

your horse rear’s back and backs into someone making them fall.

They need medical attention and want you to pay the bill. This insurance would cover you for bodily injury to the limits of the policy.

Yes, I have seen this happen and also have had horses back into others property and it pays as well.

And to finish up Clubs and Associations policy is just that. This policy protects the club and its members in the event of a suit by…. you guessed it, a third party for bodily injury and property damage up to the policy limits. Normally these pay defense cost incurred as well. The basic policy covers the organization year round for club member only functions. Normally these include some coverages for public event days. These are events the organization runs such as horse shows, events, or clinics to which the general public is invited. They also cover you for the days prior to and afterwards for setup and breakdowns for such public events. These policies can also have additional insureds so if a landowner or facility owner requires them to have coverage.

This was only a brief overview to some questions you guys sent in. Please call for more detailed answers. I hope it helps and as always see you guys at the next roping!

An example of this type of coverage would be while at a show

60 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 61

62 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

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TRUCKS/TRAILERS 12/14 Looking for a used roping chute. I can pick up in 5/14 - 2006 4 HORSE SUNDOWNER 8012 TRAILER, one Texas. Please text me a picture and information. 361-227- owner 12’ LQ, like new AC/Heat Pullout sofa, queen bed, micro, cooktop, frig w/Freezer, TV, radio/cd, speakers in 2914 – Armando and out, big shower with glass door. Built in Generator, 3/14 - LOOKING FOR A USED HOT HEELS! If anybody (push button) Side storage mangers in stalls, drop down knows of one or is selling one please let me know via text windows, rear tack and electric jack. Hate to sell but too or call. 817-965-4527 big for college student. Would trade for smaller LQ trailer.

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10/14 Robo Steer for Sale. Very well maintained and CATTLE kept under cover. Collapsable horns and articulating and 5/14 - BARREL HORSE 17 YRS OLD, Cash not Credit runs 3/14 - 4 LONGHORN STEERS, 1 LONGHORN BULL. Used for collapsable heels. Delivery available. $4500 Call or email 1D/2D times all business, no Bad habits, sound. Pics/video steer wrestling practice. 2 yrs old. $750 ea. 850.758.7255 for pics and more information. irishjump@gmail.com or available $3,500.00 704-842-4991 or 980-522-1865 4/14 - FOR SALE: 40 HD LONGHORN CATTLE, calving now. 404-433-7444.

3/14 - STEER WRESTLING HORSE , GELDING ,Came from 6 had calves taken off & bred back to Angus or Charlois.

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The Roping Pen’s Classifieds REALLY horse 5000.00 850.758.7255 WORK and are FREE for Subscribers!

4/13 - HIGH SCHOOL RODEO HORSE, Poles 20 sec & Submit ad requests by the 10th of the barrels, APHA Mare 13yrs old (Two Eyed Jack/Zippo Pine MISCELLANEOUS month to rdavis@theropingpen.com.

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64 • The Roping Pen • May 2015

NRS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Outlaw Saddles . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Power Team Roping . . . . . . . . 65 Priefert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Quicksilver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Red Bluff Buckles . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Running P Saddles . . . . . . . . . . 40 Silver Lining Herbs . . . . . . . . . 57 Smarty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Sparky Lead Steer . . . . . . . . . . 16 STS Ranchwear . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Team Equine Saddle Pad . . . . 36 Tom Bourne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Total Equine Feed . . . . . . . . . . 66 TotalTeamRoping.com . . . . . . 27 Tres Rios Silver . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Twisted J . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Twisted Spur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Willard Rope Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Conway Asks:

I’m having trouble being consistent when I throw my head loop.

Rickey’s Answer:

The word throw could be your problem. Make sure your swing is pointed to the target and then make your delivery a swing that you release, not a throw!

Call for great advertising rates!

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