The roping pen october 2015 by Ryan Davis

$4.00

Oct 2015

Vol. 24 No. 10

Check out these features... SRA: Southern Finals Rodeo... SFR-42!

Plus... Lone Star Regional Finals And...Getting Ready for the NFTR!

2 • The Roping Pen • October 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 3

What a Blur! The past month has been just that... a blur. It seems only yesterday I was writing this column for the September issue. In fact, looking back, the last year has passed by pretty fast. It has been one full year since I took ownership of The Roping Pen, and I have to say it has been a great experience. Of course it’s also been trying at times, as with anything new, but so many things have made it worthwhile: the folks I’ve had a chance to meet, the excitement of growing, continuing the hard work of those who owned the magazine before me, plus the chance to wake up each morning and go to work on something I truly enjoy. It has been a blessing.

We have all heard the saying, “Life is like a roller coaster.” There is little doubt that at any moment, there are highs and lows waiting around the next bend. When I was younger, my brother and I used to discuss the “magic” that people had. Everyone has it, and it seems to shine brighter in some than in others. I can also say the “magic” we possess can come and go and it is much related to that roller coaster we are sitting in at the time. It seems when you are at the peak of the ride, the “magic” flows pretty easy, but when you hit a low, your self-esteem and confidence does not prevail as much as it should (or could). There are many areas of life that help your “magic” stay strong, and over the years I have found ways that help me keep mine prevalent. Now, I am not saying I’m always the “great guy” my family and friends may know me as, and there are days I wake up on the grouchy side (and sometimes I stay that way until my head hits the pillow that evening.) However, I strive to always work on improving my inner self-worth. I know that I am a better man, husband and father when I do. It’s worth the effort!

For example, I recently worked alongside a lady on a project, and this gal seemed very irritable. All the time. She had nothing nice to say to anyone, and seemed like she was always trying to prove herself better than everyone else. I had not worked with her very long and could see she was overwhelmed with bitterness. I knew to keep my distance to try to keep her negativity from rubbing off. One morning she came by and said something about another person on the project. Nothing mischievous... just a remark. She was, once again, comparing herself (and this time, me, also) to this gal. It felt like she was pulling me into her web of bitterness. I returned with a comment along the lines of, “I don’t worry about things like that. I worry about myself because truly that is enough.” She gave me a very puzzled look, as if a light went off in her head. I’m not sure if it will stay lit, but as for that day, I can say she seemed much more relaxed after that comment and our discussion. It made her think! What am I getting at? It seems like way too many people get caught up in the gossip, drama, and bitterness. Do you want to keep your “magic” alive and well? Do you want your roller-coaster ride to level out at the top instead of the bottom? If so, then try to avoid any negative that surrounds you. Keep your focus on the high road, and choose wisely. Make the high road the one you travel. You’ll be glad you did.

UNTIL NEXT MONTH... Dirt: keep it under your feet

~Ryan Davis

4 • The Roping Pen • October 2015

Table of Contents Articles & Features 4 Dirt: What A Blur! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan Davis 12 Mid Atlantic Classic, Event Recap. . . . . . . . . . . Ben Clements T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F. . .

13 Down The Line: How to Practice. . . . . . . . . . . . Stran Smith

SRA

15 TOP TIPS!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Featuring Cesar DeLaCruz

Southern Rodeo Association AHSRA

16 Sweat & Balin’ Twine: Gate Man . . . . . . . . . . . . John Rhudy 16 Bones 2.0: Coming This Fall! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Press Release

Alabama High School Rodeo Association

17 Ropers of the Round Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stuart Mitchell

FYRA

18 Lone Star Regional Finals, Event Recap. . . . . . Ben Clements

Foothills Youth Rodeo Association GHSRA & GJHRA

Georgia High School Rodeo Association & Georgia Junior High Division LTRA

Louisiana Team Ropers’ Association NTRL

National Team Roping League NEAFRA

Northeast Arkansas Family Rodeo Association NCHSRA • NCJHRA

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

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

Let us help your Association GROW! Want to have your association in The Roping Pen?

We will print your schedule, current standings, results, officer information, member of the month, and what everyone wants to see... PICTURES! Just ask any of our featured Associations and they will tell you their members love being in the Roping Pen. It’s easy - just call and find out all the details. You’ll see your Association take off with the best magazine in the NATION!

28 Photo of the Month: Coops & Knudson @ Lone Star Reg Finals 32 In The Loop. . . . . . . . . . . . . JoJo LeMond, Lone Star Ropes 40 Protecting Your Investment!. . . . . . . . . . . . Jason Strickland 43 Pushing The Barrier: Struggles of Heelers. . Speed Williams 40 Power Team Roping Q&A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rickey Green 41 Get Ready for the NFTR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ben Clements 52 Team Roping Etiquette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gracie Mae 53 Have you swallowed a wooden egg?. . . . . . . . . Crystal Lyons 53 Event & Advertiser Index 53 Classifieds

Associations 6+ Southern Rodeo Association ~ SRA 24 LA Team Ropers’ Associtation - LTRA 26 Northeast Arkansas Family Rodeo Assoc ~ NEAFRA 30 S Carolina HS, Jr Div, & Youth Rodeo Assoc ~ SCHSRA 34 Foothills Youth Rodeo Association ~ FYRA 38 Georgia Jr High Rodeo Assoc ~ GJHRA 42 Alabama High School Rodeo Assoc ~ AHSRA 44 National Team Roping League ~ NTRL 50 N Carolina High School Rodeo Assoc ~ NCHSRA

On the Cover This Month:

Cayden McCraw, SCHSRA Member Photo courtesy of SCHSRA 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

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

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

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 5

SFR

42ND ANNUAL SO

SRA Finals Qualifications:

Top 12 contestants in Bareback, Saddle Bronc, Bull Riding, Calf Roping, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping (Heading & Heeling), Barrel Racing, Breakaway Roping that competed in at least one SRA first-sanctioned rodeo.

SFR Announcer: Matt McGee Clown / Entertainment: Brian Hope Stock Contractors:

SRA Finals will have eight stock contractors bringing their best to match skills with the top SRA rodeo Contestants!

he Southern Rodeo Association (SRA) is putting their 42nd year in the books! On November 6-8, 2015 The SRA will host the 2015 SRA Finals Rodeo. This event will showcase the talents of some of the toughest, most

CONTESTANT INFORMATION:

Payment of ENTRY FEES, prepaid stalls and hookups must be RECEIVED by Thursday, October 22. Send form and payment to SRA office.

STALLS will be first-come, first-served, but only designated barns may

be used. Any horse on grounds overnight must be stalled. Shavings can be purchase at finals, or you may bring your own. The facility charges for stalls used for any amount of time. TRAILER/RV HOOK-UPS will be first-come, first-served, but no trailer over 30ft will be allowed in area between arena building and adjacent barns. The facility charges any RV/ Camper parked overnight (whether or not they are plugged in) and any horse trailer connected to power outlet. QUESTIONS?

talented rodeo CALL 919-963-2599 cowboys and MON OR THURS cowgirls in the 7 PM – 10 PM Southeast. The top twelve contestants in each event will battle it out throughout the weekend, riding, roping and racing their way toward the ultimate goal of season champions! The SRA Finals will be held at the WNC Ag Center in Ashville, North Carolina (Fletcher).The facility is home of the Mountain State Fair and welcomes the cowboy and cowgirls of the SRA to join the many events showcased throughout the year at the WNC Ag Center. The SRA invites everyone to enjoy the event and the friendly atmosphere of Ashville. This great city sits in western North Carolina and is full of adventure that will entertain the many who will visit throughout the rodeo weekend. Nightlife, great attractions that include outdoor adventures, music, shopping, and family fun, Ashville has a wide range of historic sites, as well as a vibrant downtown district that is rarely found in a city of its size. Don’t let the larger city of Ashville trick you though, the down-home styles and friendly atmosphere is inviting and exciting all in one. The rodeo itself is the highlight event of the year for the SRA. Cowboys and cowgirls train, compete and work hard to earn one of the twelve spots open at the Finals event. Being a SRA Finals contestant will allow these contestants a chance to run at a lot of money. With $6,000 added per event, ($12,000 in the team roping) you can be sure everyone entered will accept the challenge and try for their share of big paydays in each performance. In addition to the cash payout, the cowboys and cowgirls will be gunning for their share of the historic fame. Only 6 • The Roping Pen • October 2015

R-42!

OUTHERN FINALS RODEO one contestant in each event will win the ultimate prize of SRA Year-End Champion. Their name will go into the books alongside many others who have helped pave the way for rodeo in the Southeast and help continue a his-

MANDATORY MEETING for SFR Contestants, Stock Contractors & Personnel on Friday, November 6 @ 2:00pm at the arena in the seating area behind announcer stand. If contestant is not present when called to come forward, a $50 fine will be imposed which must be paid before competing. NO EXCEPTIONS. We will be auctioning Cowboy Action during this time as well as issuing jackets, armbands and guest passes. Election of officers, board of directors and event directors will take place during meeting. Individual event meetings will immediately follow. PICTURES will be taken Saturday, November 7 @ 5:30pm in

front of bucking shoots. All contestants, stock contractors & rodeo personnel must be present in dress code with SFR jacket. OR EMAIL THE SRA OFFICE: SRAOFFICE@AOL.COM ANY TIME!

toric tradition for the greatest sport on earth – Rodeo. The event will no doubt capture the attention of the rodeo crowds as the SRA has a tradition of great rodeo talent. Many have passed through the SRA gates and rode, roped, raced and wrestled their way across the arena floor. Rodeo legends and current cowboys such as Jerome Davis, JB Mauney and Luke Brown are just a few of the many talented rodeo hands who have stepped into the SRA rodeo arena and Finals events in the past. The SRA works hard to offer professional rodeo to the many contestants and its proven record is the reason so many of the best rodeo athletes in the Southeast corner of the country choose the association to participate year in and year out. As a leader in the industry, there are always great partnerships that truly recognize the work of the association and the value of reaching, not only the contestants and the spectators that come to enjoy each and every event, but show support to the sport of rodeo. B-Tuff Jeans is a proud sponsor of the SRA and continue to support the association and all of its cowboys and cowgirls throughout each rodeo season. Allen’s Jewelry and Pawn is also a strong SRA partner and with its location in Ashville, North Carolina, the 25 year old (Original Pawn Stars) is well represented throughout the Finals. With many components working together to host one of the biggest events of the year, the SRA Finals ready to play out in November. The best of the best are fine tuning their skills in preparation to be a part of the action at this year’s event. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy one of the best rodeo evnts of the year – SFR-42! TheThe Magazine for for America’s Roper • 7 • 7 Magazine America’s Roper

UPCOMING RODEOS: VISIT SRARODEO.COM FOR MORE INFO!

NOTES TO KNOW… • ALL FINES AND TURN-OUT FEES MUST BE PAID BEFORE ENTERING A RODEO. • SRA 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. • JrSRA, NHSRA & NIRA cards are accepted for rodeo entry. Unless otherwise noted, Permits are accepted as needed at a cost of $10 per rodeo.

ADD’L RODEO FEES: (unless otherwise noted in listing) • SRA FIRST-SANCTIONED RODEOS: • Office Fee: $2 per contestant • Finals Fee: $5 per entry: • 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

ABBREVIATIONS USED:

CST CENTRAL STD TIME

ADM ADDED MONEY

EF E NTRY FEE

BB BAREBACK RIDING

EST EASTERN STD TIME

BR BULL RIDING

SB SADDLE BRONC RIDING

CBA COWGIRLS BKWAY ROPING

SC S TOCK CHARGE

CBR COWGIRLS BARREL RACING SCF STOCK CONTRACTOR FEE CES CENTRAL ENTRY SYSTEM

SW STEER WRESTLING

TR TEAM ROPING

CR CALF ROPING

8 • The Roping Pen • October 2015

2015 STANDINGS RANK

NAME

POINTS

ALL AROUND COWBOY 1 JUSTIN THIGPEN........ 9901.81 2 DARYL MATTHEWS..... 9145.30 3 CODY MOUSSEAU...... 7462.87 4 JOSH AUSTIN............6970.34 5 SHANE PROCTOR.......5544.63 ALL AROUND COWGIRL 1 TAYLOR EARNHARDT.. 7189.96 2 KRISTIN MULKEY.......4079.35 4 KARLA DAGENHART... 2751.02 3 MIKAYLA ALMOND.....2450.42 5 TAYLOR DIGH............2298.44 BAREBACK RIDING 1 MATT SMITH.............. 7229.14 2 HAROLD MILLER........5358.28 3 JOSH CRAGAR........... 2357.80 4 WADE DOTSON..........2034.96 5 CASEY CASON........... 1345.96 6 BRANDON RIPPY.........283.36 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1 EDDIE PARLIER..........2972.70 2 AUSTIN STEWART.......2599.00 3 SHANE PROCTOR........2537.10 4 TRAVIS DEAL............2065.04 5 BUD HUMPHRIES......2064.20 6 BEN MAYTON............. 618.30 7 JOSH MOATES............598.00 8 LUKE MORGAN.........586.80 9 PETER HALLMAN..........586.80 10 HAYDEN PHIPPS..........478.40 11 HARRY KING...............229.50 12 PRESTON FOWLKES III.220.80 BULL RIDING 1 BRADNEY TART..........7239.89 2 COLT GALVAN............6317.72 3 JP COOK.................. 4501.56 4 WESLEY JOHNSON..... 4091.90 5 RICK BYNUM.............4064.59 6 CHAD VANAMBURG....3520.55 7 SHANE PROCTOR....... 3007.53 8 JEREMIAH KEY...........2332.50 9 JOHN LEINAWEAVER...2210.14 10 CODY MARTIN.......... 2125.20 11 WESLEY BUCKNER..... 2079.76 12 LUKE POWELL............1991.20 CALF ROPING 1 THOMAS LINTON.......4456.55 2 DARYL MATTHEWS.....4423.68 3 WILL CHARPING....... 3906.18 4 BRADLEY BULLARD....3828.34 5 JUSTIN THIGPEN.......3753.00 6 CORY KIRK................ 3657.32 7 ALLEN LIVENGOOD....2256.22 8 GLEN FREELS.............2200.42 9 COLE WATKINS..........1757.54 10 JACOB DAGENHART...1716.06 11 CODY MOUSSEAU..... 1668.51 12 EARL BRADLEY...........1587.66 STEER WRESTLING 1 BRIAN BAREFOOT.......4196.51 2 JOSH AUSTIN............3478.00

RANK

NAME

POINTS

3 CHET KIDD................ 3201.94 4 JUSTIN THIGPEN....... 2813.95 5 CODY MOUSSEAU...... 2798.01 6 TROY ORR................. 2292.10 7 BRAD STEWART......... 2179.66 8 JAKE THOMASSON..... 1794.58 9 JASON BAGWELL...... 1396.20 10 CORD SPRADLEY........ 1235.25 11 JOE COOK................1174.90 12 DANNY PYLES............ 1038.00 TEAM ROPING (HEADER) 1 DARYL MATTHEWS.....5844.02 2 JASON TUCKER..........5223.79 3 JW BAUCOM...............4195.51 4 DANIEL MCLAMB....... 4091.53 5 JOSH AUSTIN............3773.86 6 JD YOUNG................. 3446.16 7 JUSTIN THIGPEN.......3334.86 8 CODY MOUSSEAU.......3171.85 9 JACOB DAGENHART...2950.92 10 CASEY HILLEY...........2885.86 11 LANGDON PLEASANT.2545.49 12 ALEX BROOKS............ 1860.57 TEAM ROPING (HEELER) 1 TYLER KILE................4584.68 2 CLAY FUTRELL........... 4342.41 3 CORY HONEYCUTT.....3950.56 4 HEATH LEROY............3895.65 5 ROSS BLAKENEY........3069.40 6 ADAM TOOLE.............2995.53 7 ALEX BROOKS............2969.50 8 CALEB ANDERSON.....2908.85 9 CODY ARMSTRONG...2845.21 10 ADAM PLYLER............2649.37 11 RICK SCRUGGS..........2530.20 12 STEPHEN BRITNELL....2003.94 BARREL RACING 1 CARRIE PUTNAM.......10105.48 2 MEGAN LYERLY.........8486.22 3 REBECCA OWENS....... 7692.97 4 TAYLOR EARNHARDT.. 4918.57 5 DANIELLE MCCRAW....4639.32 6 BRITTANY BELL.......... 3577.42 7 PEYTON MORROW..... 3165.44 8 TIFFANY DEAL............ 2581.95 9 LAUREN SMITH..........2535.49 10 JESSICA GILBERT....... 2524.94 11 HANNAH WARLICK..... 2501.48 12 MICHELLE LUMMUS... 2495.76 BREAKAWAY ROPING 1 JAMIE ELLSWORTH....4826.91 2 KRISTIN MULKEY.......3830.95 3 LUCINDA FLETCHER... 3674.88 4 BAILEY LIVENGOOD...3375.34 5 CALLIE GARRISON..... 2794.76 6 AMANDA STEWART.... 2631.70 7 HANNAH KIRK............2517.91 8 CARSON DENNING.....2500.82 9 MARLEE MALCOM......2430.04 10 ROBIN PRUITT.......... 2363.76 11 NATALIE FLETCHER.....2345.54 12 TAYLOR EARNHARDT.. 2271.39 POINTS ARE AS OF 09/09/15

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 9

10 • The Roping Pen • October 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 11

he Mid Atlantic Classic took place at the H & H Arena in Taylorsville, North Carolina. The event was produced by Jx2 Productions and John Johnson and took place the weekend of August 1-2, 2015. The team roping action began with the #13 Division. The champion team was Dustin Coltrane from Madison, NC and Daniel Raynor from Four Oaks, NC. They finished the roping with a time of 39.09 seconds on 4 steers. The win landed them $1520, trophy Gist knives and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the roping was Kris Clayton from Mooresboro, NC and Colby Herman from Taylorsville, NC. Third place in the average was Jacob Dagenhart and Zach Mabry.

William McCraw from East Bend, NC teamed up with Clay Futrell from Union Grove, NC to win the average of the #12 Division. They were 34.44 seconds on 4 steers and won $2090, trophy Gist knives and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the average was Langdon Pleasant from Angier, NC and Josh Little from Mebane, NC, while third place went to Cole Hartsell and Dustin Egusquiza. Jody Heyward and Travis Brown won the incentive average. Matt Frazier from Benson, NC and Daniel Raynor won the average of the #12 Gold Plus Division. They were 35.80 seconds on 4 steers and earned $1290, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the roping was Langdon Pleasant and Josh Little, while third place went to Dale Jarman and Scott Tant. Jarman and Tant also won the incentive average of the roping. In the #11 Division, the victory went to Cole Hartsell and Clay Futrell. They roped 4 steers in 30.22 seconds and walked away with $2630, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the average was Jody Heyward from Prosperity, South Carolina and Clint Humphries from Lincolnton, NC. Third in the average was Jonathan Gillespie from Leicester, NC and Clay Futrell. The incentive champions of the roping were Brent Carlton and Blake Walker.

Brent Carlton from Mocksville, NC then teamed up with Travis Brown from Wirtz, Virginia to win first place in the #10 Division. They were 42.17 seconds on 4 steers and claimed first prize of $2030, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was the team of Sheldon Walker and Kris Clayton with a time of 54.07 seconds on 4 steers. Sheldon and Blake Walker won third place in the average, while also claiming first place in the incentive average.

The final day of the Mid Atlantic Classic kicked off with the #10 Gold Plus Division. Coleman Simmons from Wirtz, Virginia and Bill Little Jr from Fall Branch, Tennessee teamed up to win first place in the average. They were 39.99 seconds

12 • The Roping Pen • October 2015

on 4 steers and won $1760, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place went to Lynn Fisher and Tim Bell. Candice Parsley and Charlie Barefoot won third in the average and also won the incentive average. The winning team in the #9 Division was Cole Hartsell and Travis Brown. They caught 4 steers in 37.49 seconds and won $4300, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Brent Carlton and Gina Compton. Third place was the team of Carlton and Chad Simmons as they caught 4 steers in 42.75 seconds. Dale and Chad Simmons won the incentive average. The final roping of the Mid Atlantic Classic was the #8 Pick/Draw. Cole Compton from Kemersville, NC and Sean Bass from Statesville, NC were the winning team. They caught 3 steers in 26.01 seconds and won $2980, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Christian Drumheller from Scottsville, Virginia and Jacob Johnson from Rockymount, Virgina with a time of 37.20 seconds on 3 steers. Eli Colvard and Paul Lyman won third place in the average.

www.STSRanch.com

Do you know how to practice? I

n organized sports there are a lot of benefits of having a coach, but there are some negatives also. One, some coaches can’t see the potential you have. Two, they can’t measure your heart or your try. Three, if you’re not careful they can hinder your dreams.

When you rodeo it’s just the opposite of organized sports. You are your own coach usually. You control how you prepare, how you practice, and how you perform. And if you’ve ever been to one of my schools or spoke to me about this to any extent you know my stance on this. There is a big difference between practice and simply roping. Most people go to the practice pen and they just rope. When you ask them at the end of their session they would probably say they were practicing when actually they were just simply roping.

Now lets switch back over to organized sports for a second so I can prove my point. Lets take Tim Tebow as my example. In college Tim Tebow was a Heisman Trophy winner and a national champion. Maybe the greatest college quarter back ever. But when he tried to go to the next level he had serious issues with his mechanics. He

had been throwing the ball wrong all those years, and he was never forced to deal with it until he went to the next level. And unfortunately for him, up to this point, he has not been able to correct it.

Now lets switch back to roping. In my opinion the difference between practicing and just going through the motions is when you actually address a weakness or a problem. Then you go to whatever measures you need to correct them. This is where the benefit of having a knowledgeable coach that can actually see what you’re doing wrong is a great benefit. Another way to do this would be studying video of yourself. Its common knowledge that it takes 21 days to create a habit, but if you have a bad habit it will take a whole lot longer than that to correct something that you’ve been doing wrong. The first step in all of this is you have to acknowledge your problem or weakness. The next step is you need to figure out or get instruction on how to correct it. And the great and final thing about this is now you can just stop roping and start practicing. God Bless and see you down the line!

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 13

14 • The Roping Pen • October 2015

GETTING YOUR SHOT: ADVICE FROM CESAR DE LA CRUZ

magine you are heeling and left the chute a bit late. Your header has a clean break at the barrier and the steer is moving across the front of your horse towards the wall. You’re stuck, having to slow up to give your header a shot at the horns up against the right fence. The headers loop is on mark and he turns the corner leaving you behind. What can you do? Or think about this scenario. You are heeling again and in the short round in great position. Any kind of a clean catch puts you in the money. Your header’s loop is not clean around the horns and he fishes it and drops the loop over then nose of the steer. By now the steer is running hard and your header ducks left. You know the handle is not going to be the best. Should you dive into the corner or hold out and let the steer line out before you go in for the kill? We threw these two questions to one of the best heelers in the business this month at TotalTeamRoping.com. Cesar De La Cruz has been a consistent champion over the past several years and has won money at every level of competition. “To answer the first question of missing your haze and getting beat to the fence, you need to let your header get a hold of the steer before you make your move. It might cost you a couple hops, but you can get a better and more consistent shot if you do. You need to get behind the steer again, wait for the steer to take a couple hops and straight-

en out. Don’t try to sacrifice being fast and go for a 2-foot catch.” Cesar continued & had more to say concerning the 2nd question...

“There are a lot of things that can happen causing a header to make a whole head catch. Heelers need to be patient when this happens. A heeler should stay wider to give themselves more opportunity. Do not get in the corner too tight or fast, try to keep the steer out in front of you. A heeler has to be very patient in these situations and give more room for better position.” Cesar added, “The worst thing a heeler can do is panic or try to be fast in either of these situations. At a World Series event or the USTRC Finals that is coming up, just get em caught and go for the average money. There is a lot paid out even down the average, so don’t get caught up in being fast, just be patient and get em caught.” We appreciate Cesar taking the time to talk to us and would like to invite everyone to take the opportunity to take advantage of a great deal at TotalTeamRoping.com and The Roping Pen.

Be sure to head to www.theropingpen.com, click on the Total Team Roping Link and get a monthly subscription to TotalTeamRoping.com for only $19.95 per month. Improve your roping with all of the great team roping tips at TotalTeamRoping.com at a great rebate!

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 15

GATE MAN

am the man on the cut gate. There are other jobs on shipping day, but this one is mine. I am the last line of defense between a clean sort and having to bring them back again. Whether heat and dust, rain and wind, or frozen tracks and blowing snow, if there are trucks to be loaded, I am on my gate. When I first started here, we had an older, more experienced day work hand on the gate. He was as steady as the day is long, made it look easy. I learned a lot pushing up cattle and watching him work. Now it’s my job. The boss does the sorting, with an eye for cattle I’ve seen few match. With one hand to push out of the sort, and sometimes another to keep the flow, we break them down. It’s not too tough when several are coming and they all go one way. It is a bit different when I hear; “By. By. By, uh, catch that baldy in the back.” Then I swing, pun intended, into action. Stay out of the hole, no wasted motion; let the cattle think it’s their idea to go that way. Step, either up or back, as the steers turn the way I need, the gate in time with my steps and an extension of my arm. Halfway down the gate; too close to the end and the cattle won’t go, too close to the hinge and the swing of the gate is too slow. You’ve heard of the bucking horse ballet, poetry in motion between horse and rider. This is more like a waltz crossed with a dramatic interpretive dance and a Three Stooges episode.

No tolerance for whooping and hollering; the help learn quick that’s not our style. I try to not put down the way a new hand learned to work cattle. I prefer to say; “Not saying it’s wrong; just not the way we do things here.” They also learn to not second-guess the boss’s call, even I don’t do that unless I see that look. Then I just hold ‘em up until he gives the word, or I might ask if a certain steer is the one he’s eyeing to help out on a tough call. I would like to say I never miss one, or never have one get away. Alas, I’m getting older, and sometimes my swing of the gate, or step, is a little slow when there are two going different ways. And, the snot blowing, get in your pocket type often wins the battle. I’ve been put on the fence more times than I like to admit. I once had the gate slammed into me, knocking me senseless as the steer ran into a fence corner, wheeled, and came back at me. Only the quick thinking of the young lady helping saved me from getting my face tattooed by 975 pounds of beef. She jumped in front of me, yelling at the steer and holding it off until I got it together enough to get out of harm’s way. But I’ll win the war, after I go bring them back and correct my mistake.

Yes, I’m the man on the cut gate; I take pride in my job. I’ll be that man until my body says I can’t do it any longer. Then, I’ll be the old man leaning on the gate, the one telling the young hand how we did it in the old days. 16 • The Roping Pen • October 2015

hen Heel-O-Matic introduced the BONES in 2008, Chad Masters was the reigning World Champ, one of only four headers to win the world in the 10 previous years. Heading was evolving then and continued to in the seven years since, and now, so has the BONES. Coming this fall, the BONES 2.0 will be the most advanced portable heading dummy on the market, combining a look and feel rivaled only by roping live cattle.

The Realistic Look: The BONES 2.0 was

sculpted by an artist who team ropes and features an anatomically correct head, a lower headset, and gives headers the most common look they see roping live cattle. This helps ropers practice the proper swing angles, loop placement, and muscle memory to rope the horns.

Feel the Difference:

Until now, having a hornwrap was as close as you could get to having a realistic feel. The BONES 2.0 comes with a hornwrap, but is also made of a hidelike feeling material. This combination gives ropers a realistic rope action to help them develop a feel for their rope and ability to handle their slack.

“This is the most realistic dummy there is. The headset is more realistic because it’s harder to get the right horn, and the material keeps my rope from sliding like it does on other dummies. This is an advanced-level heading dummy.” – Chad Masters, 2X World Champ Look for the BONES 2.0, this fall, at your local Heel-O-Matic dealer, or visit one of our booths at the USTRC and ACTRA Finals to feel the difference yourself.

For more information on Heel-O-Matic products, call 1-888-433-5464 or visit heelomatic.com

BY STUART MITCHELL

Weekend Warrior

She had the truck loaded and full of fuel. Upon arrival she unloads the horses and gathers her gear for the day. As she came through the door and entered the arena floor she looked like she had prepared all week long. Her horses were washed, groomed and saddled. She had the rope bag full of new ropes. Her mind was on the task at hand. It would be a long day and her mental state was sharp. As the teams were posted she checked the draw. Although she wouldn’t rope a steer today she was as prepared as the rest of the team. She had the camera ready for video. She set up camp for the duration: chairs, food, drinks and rope bags with extra Ropesmart rubber, gloves and ropes at the ready. This was game day. Her day started early: loading the truck, catching the horses, making sure the trailer had plenty of water and toiletries, enough food and drinks to go around, video battery full, chairs set up for family members. As the roping starts, she has all the team numbers recorded and ready upon request. She keeps the list at hand. Drinks passed across the rail. Swaps ropes as needed As the rotations progress she remains alert while team members nap and eat to keep their energy focused. Good runs and bad runs, all videoed without a miss. Her mind stays focused as others need pep talks or pats on the back. She stays hooked to the task at hand. When the short round concludes her psychological skills are displayed to the highest power. Keeping all member needs specific to the outcome of the day. As the final spin winds up she packs the truck with the day’s equipment, makes sure all ropes and bags are loaded. She remains awake on the trip home to maintain driver alertness. Upon arrival home she unloads the truck and puts away the days necessities. As the horses are put up and fed she prepares the nightly meal, makes sure all have baths and clothes for the night and following day, puts the dishes away and gets all to bed. As she finishes up, she finally bathes and sits down for a rest. A final voice is heard. Mom, thanks for helping today. We couldn’t do it without you! Don’t forget my blue shirt with Hotheels patch for tomorrow, it’s my extra lucky shirt. So this true warrior starts again in support of her family so they can be together in a sport they love and enjoy. If you have a warrior in your family, thank them often and reward them sometimes with something they love and enjoy.

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 17

LONE STAR REGIONAL

FINALS EXTRACO EVENT CTR - WACO, TX • AUG 6-9, 2015 story by Ben Clements • Photos by Allen’s Rodeo Photos

he Lone Star Regional Finals held at the Extraco Event Center in Waco, is a favorite of many team ropers. It gives ropers an opportunity to get in out of the heat & enjoy the coolness of the climate controlled facility. The USTRC Team Roping event began on August 6th & ran through August 9th. The 1st roping of the weekend was the Open Division. It was a qualifier for the 2016 American. Tee Woolman from Llano, Tx & Ty Arnold from Midway, Tx partnered up to win 1st place in the American portion of the roping. They were 29.10 sec. on 4 steers & took home $6000 in cash plus a qualification to the Semi-Finals of The American. Second place was Andrew Livingston & Truman Magnus, while 3rd went to Cyle Denison & Daniel Braman. Turtle Powell & Jonathan Torres finished in 5th. Woolman & Arnold qualified to the main short round of the Open Division in the 2nd call back position. They were 6.53 sec. in the short round & finished the roping with a time of 35.63 sec. on 5 steers. That time landed them in 1st place & they won $7186, trophy Gist knives & points for the Pro View US Open. Second place in the avg went to the high team back of Parker Warner & Tyler Domingue. They won $5390, & Pro View US Open Points. Warner & Domingue also won the incentive avg & added $3850 plus $2000 in USTRC Flex Earnings to their winnings. Third place in the main avg was Clay Tryan & Patrick Smith, while 4th went to Stratton Lopez & Justin Pruitt. The #15 Qualifying Round was next. Tee Wooman & partner Ross Ashford were 1st place with a time of 14.65 sec. on 2 steers. They won $1770 & an advancement into the Shoot Out round. Second place was Cody Carter & Tyler Schaffner. In the #15 Shoot Out, Trevor Hedeman from Morgan Mill, Tx & Cooper Vandiver from Fairfield, Tx were the high team back. They had finished 2nd in 2014 & were now in a position to win this year. They were 7.44 sec. on their final steer & won the roping with a time of 26.28 sec. on 4 steers. The win paid them $11,656, trophy Martin saddles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Micah Smith from McGregor, Tx & Justin Briggs from Chiton, Tx. Third place in the roping was Cole Wheeler & Andrew Hill. The 2nd day of the Lone Star Regional Finals began with the #13 Qualifying Round. Whit Kitchens & Coy Brittain bested the field of ropers & won $2550 & an advancement into the Shoot Out Round. Second was Andrew Livingston & Truman Magnus. Ky Bray from Stephenville, Tx & Cody Falcon from Andrews, Tx were 2nd call to the short round. They were 5.99 sec. on their final steer & won the roping with a time of 28.10 sec. on 4 steers. “I just wanted to get a good start & see what happened,” said Bray. “I

18 • The Roping Pen • October 2015

knew if I could get him caught & handle him that Cody would do the rest.” The team plans to college rodeo together in the upcoming fall semester. “Ky is a good run & he really set that last steer up for me,” added Falcon. “I think we will make a good team.” The pairing won $11,742, trophy Martin saddles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was the team of Whit Kitchens & Coy Brittain. They were the 6th call back & finished the roping with a time of 31.87 sec. on 4. The win paid them $8806 plus $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Third place was the team of Dexter Udall from Uvalde, Tx & Skeeter Hill from Scottsdale, Arizona. The #12 Gold Plus Division featured a 93% payback with the added money. Mitch Copps from Boerne, Tx was 1st & 2nd call back to the short round. He & Danny Zuniga from Jourdanton, Tx were 2nd call back & were 8.48 sec. on their final steer to move to the lead with a time of 34.44 sec. on 4 steers. However, there was one team to rope & it was Copps & Bob Knudsen from Ft. Worth, Tx. They were 7.70 sec. & ultimately won the roping with a time of 31.77 sec. on 4 steers. “This is the 1st time I have ever been 1st & 2nd call back,” said Copps. “When I caught that 1st one I was relieved that I had some money but I didnt want to back off for Bob.” Copps & Knudsen won $8788, trophy Gist buckles, Resistol Hats, Tony Lama Boots, Cinch Jeans & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. “Mitch & I have been roping pretty good together here lately,” said Knudsen. “We don’t get to rope together except at the ropings so it has taken us a while to get together, but I think we have it figured out.” Copps & Zuniga won 2nd & took home $5860 plus $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Third place was Jonathan Holder & Kelly Boswell both from Bridgeport, Tx. The #12 Qualifying Round was next. Tyler Willberg & Ross Ashford were 14.52 sec. on 2 & won $2760 in cash plus an advancement into the #12 Shoot Out Round. Graves Wallace & Jesse Hines finished in 2nd place. Third went to Slade Townsend & McCray Profili. The #12 Shoot Out finished out the 2nd day of the Lone Star Regional Finals. Wyatt Inderman from Goldwaite, Tx & Truman Magnus from Mason, Tx were the 2nd high team back in the #12 Shoot Out. They were 7.33 on their final steer & went to the lead of the roping with a time of 32.10 sec. on 4. They had one team to sweat. Sage Good & Kirby Blankenship were the high team back & had some time to play with. When the barrier went off they finished the run with a time of 11.10 sec. & a total of 33.25 sec. on 4. That placed them 3rd in the avg. Inderman &

OPEN PRELIM

#15 SHOOT OUT

#13 SHOOT OUT

#9 SHOOT OUT

#12 GOLD PLUS

#12 GOLD PLUS INC.

#12 SHOOT OUT

#9 PRELIM

#11 PRELIM

#11 SHOOT OUT

#10 GOLD PLUS

#10 GOLD PLUS INC

Open Prelim: Tee Woolman / Ty Arnold # 15 Shoot Out: Trevor Hedeman / Cooper Vandiver # 13 Shoot Out: Ky Bray / Cody Falcon # 12 Gold Plus: Mitch Coops / Bob Knudson # 12 Gold Plus Inc.: Chance Ray / Dolf Lowe # 12 Shoot Out: Wyatt Inderman / Truman Magnus #10 PRELIM

#10 SHOOT OUT

# 11 Prelim: Kasen Mccall / Blake Wheeler # 11 Shoot Out: James Whitlow / Jason Jones # 10 Prelim: Tyler Willberg / Brett Willberg # 10 Shoot Out: Steve Tomlinson / Blain Belknap # 10 Gold Plus: Kenneth Foy / Charlie Beach # 10 Gold Plus Inc: Jeff Hodge / Gaylor Riddels # 9 Prelim.: Parker Cudd / Blaine Belknap

JR LOOPERS

# 9 Shoot Out: Fred Elms / Justin Elms The Magazine for America’s Roper • 19

Magnus were the champions. “I wasn’t really nervous,” said Inderman. “I was really confident & knew that I could catch any steer that came into the chute.” The team won $14,706, trophy Martin saddles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. “Team roping is a mental game,” said Magnus. “Even though I was a little nervous I just tried to stay focused & ready to heel the steer for Wyatt.” Second place in the avg was Jarett Freeman from Tolar, Tx & Blake Bentley from Joshua, Tx. The team won $11,030 plus $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Good & Blankenship were 3rd & they earned $7352 along with $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. The 3rd day of the Lone Star Regional Finals began with the #11 Preliminary. Kasen McCall from Lufkin, Tx & Blake Wheeler from Flint, Tx were 5th call to the short round. They were 7.68 sec. on their final steer & won the roping with a time of 32.29 sec. on 4 steers. The win was worth $6020, trophy Martin saddles & $8000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Slade Townsend & Blake Bentley with a time of 32.35 sec. on 4 steers. Third place was Jacob Tircuit & Kyler Gomez. Tircuit & Gomez also won the incentive avg. The winners of the #11 Shoot Out were James Whitlow from Weatherford, Tx & Jason Jones from Alba, Tx. The pair was 3rd high team back & won the roping with a time of 36.10 sec. on 4 steers. The win gave them $9588, trophy Martin saddles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. “I have been roping a long time & really enjoy USTRC ropings,” said Whitlow. “Team roping is my passion & what I do. Some people golf & I team rope.” The team has been friends for a long time. “I really like to rope with good people & especially with my friends,” said Jones. “James is a good friend & a good partner. I was really glad to do some good with him.” Second place in the roping was Sam Massey & Clayton Lowry. They were 36.18 sec. on 4 & won $7192 plus $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Third place went to Alex Gilder & Louin Easley. Tyler Willberg & Brett Willberg from Lott, Tx won the avg of the #10 Preliminary with a time of 32.27 sec. on 4 steers. The win paid them $8874, trophy Martin saddles & $8000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Clay Haigood & Tanner Witt. Third went to the team of Whit Kitchens & Kayden Little with a time of 37.46 sec.. The winners of the incentive were Charlie Barefoot & Rowdy Bond. They also won 4th in the main avg. The #10 Shoot Out was the last roping of the day. Steve Tomlinson from Angleton, Tx & Blain Belknap from Alvin, Tx were the high team back. They were 8.28 sec. in the short round & finished the roping in the #1 position with a time of 30.27 sec. on 4 steers. The win paid them $11,130, trophy Martin saddles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. “My family & I just enjoy team roping,” said Tomlinson. “I enjoy the sport & the competition.” Second place was the team of Whit Kitchens & Kayden Little with a 20 • The Roping Pen • October 2015

time of 33.09 sec. on 4 steers. They won $7420 plus $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Third place was Logan Moore & Case Swaim. The final day of competition at the Lone Star Regional Finals began with the #10 Gold Plus. Kenneth Foy from Hempstead, Tx & Charlie Beach also from Hempstead were the 5th call back to the short round. They were 9.98 in the short round & finished the roping in 1st place with a time of 41.78 sec.. The pairing won $11,152, trophy Gist buckles, Resistol Hats, Tony Lama Boots, Cinch Jeans & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. “This is a good day & I am excited,” said Foy “We just won over $11,000 & are headed to Oklahoma City for the Finals. That is a good day.” Second place in the roping was Arch Maples & Mike Hunter with 42.45 sec. on 4 steers. They took home $7064 & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Third place was Billy Reagan & Mark Rush. The incentive winners were Jeff Hodge from Weatherford, Tx & Gaylon Riddles from Sherman, Tx. The win secured them $6754, trophy Gist buckles, Classic Equine Horse Sheets, Classic Rope Bags, Classic Equine Hay Bags. The #9 Preliminary was next on the agenda & featured some great teams. There was lots of money & some great saddles up for grabs. Parker Cudd from Gatesville, Tx & Blaine Belknap from Alvin, Tx were the high team back & ultimately the champions of the roping. They won $7634, trophy Martin saddles & $8000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place went to Clay Haigood & Clayton Downing with a time of 40.69 sec. on 4 steers. They earned $4772 plus $8000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Third was Braden Harris & Kade Cotton. Rey Rey Ruiz & Leopoldo Arreola were the incentive champions. They were 28.89 sec. on 3 steers & won $5728, trophy Gist buckles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second in the incentive was Parker Cudd & Dylan Murphy as they took home $3818, trophy Gist buckles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Third in the incentive was Derek Pierce & Luke Leather. They received $2950, trophy Gist buckles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. The finale of the Lone Star Regional Finals came with the #9 Shoot Out. Fred & Justin Elms, the father/son team from Thorndale, Tx were the high team back. They posted a time of 8.09 sec. to win the roping with a time of 33.77 sec. on 3 steers. The win earned them $14,414, trophy Martin saddles & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. “This is a special win for us,” said Fred . “I have struggled roping for Justin & to finally get it all put together here is a true positive. It is not easy to rope with family because of the pressure, but I am glad we got the win today.” “I am really excited to win my 1st saddle with my dad,” said Justin. “I really don’t know what to say except that I am happy that we had a good day.” Second place in the avg was Cameron Grady & Clayton McLaughlin both from Burnet, Tx. They won $9610 & $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Third was Danny Kosse & Ronald Pritchett. As the weekend came to a close, the high point Gold Plus roper of the weekend was Tee Woolman & the high money Cruel Girl champions was Glover Womack.

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 21

22 • The Roping Pen • October 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 23

LouisianAssociation Team Roping

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

•(

• • • • 337 263 0036 )

Be sure to follow us on Facebook! •

•

• • •

Steely Rein Jordan

is the 4 year old daughter of LTRa co-founder Ricky and Jodee Jordan. She is a 4th generation cowgirl that has grown up in the roping arena. Steely is a member of the Cenla Barrel Racing Association. She spends most of her time in the arena practicing barrel racing, goat tying, and roping the dummy. You may also hear her singing the National Anthem at an LTRA event. Although she spends most of her time around horses, she still finds time to participate in gymnastics and enjoys singing and dancing. Steely is the 2015 Little Miss Country Diva Queen and the API Reserve Dummy Roping Champion. If you ask her what she wants to be when she grows up, she will say a horse chiropractor. At just 4 years old she has the same big dream as most cowboys and cowgirls. She hopes to one day make it to the NFR just like her favorite rodeo idols. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for this little cowgirl. Many LTRA members have seen Steely grow as the association has and now as she has grown into the little cowgirl that she has we will be spending more time running barrels than chasing steers down the arena.

ith this said we will be putting the LTRA on hold for a few seasons. This has been a great experience and we never dreamed our association would turn into what it has. It has taken a lot of dedication and commitment from many different people. We could have never been able to be this successful at what we do without the many great sponsors and partners. I would like to say how much we appreciate all of our sponsors, and the many great people that have made us successful. Thanks, Ricky Jordan

24 • The Roping Pen • October 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 25

DON’T MISS THIS YEAR’S NORTH EAST ARKANSAS FAMILY RODEO ASSOCIATION FINALS! This event will be hosted at Higher Trails Cowboy Church October 30 & 31. Rodeo starts at 8 pm both nights & on the 31st, a costume contest & trunk or treat will be held before the rodeo!

TOP POINTS LEADERS: MUTTON BUSTING Jack Robbins - 58 Caleb Allison - 14 CALF RIDING Mason Stark- 47 Konnor Maxwell - 26

JR GOAT TYING Sam Massengill - 30 Casen Briley - 17 OPEN GOAT TYING Chandler Henfling - 54 Amerra Pulley - 33

STEER RIDING Ty Anderson - 53

YOUNG GUN BARRELS Jack Robbins - 51 Abbie Williams - 49 Colter Hunt- 28

GOAT UNDECORATING Colter Hunt - 58 Jack Robbins - 51 Marek Andrews - 35

OPEN BARRELS Heather Hopkins- 10 Jennifer Williams -8 Ashley Scott -7

26 • The Roping Pen • October 2015

JR BARRELS Chandler Henfling- 49 YOUNG GUN POLES Jack Robbins- 37 Colter Hunt - 32 Abbie Williams- 28 OPEN POLES Molly Pfeifer- 9 12 & UNDER BREAKAWAY Sam Massengill- 29 Casen Briley- 19 JR BREAKAWAY Chandler Handling - 9

AMATURE TEAM ROPING: HEADER Jeff Jones - 25 Brian Williams - 19 HEELER Sam Massengill - 32 OPEN ROPING: HEADER Jeff Jones - 54 Luke Massengill - 39 HEELER Luke Massengill- 30 Sam Massengill- 17

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 27

October 2015 PHOTO OF THE MONTH

Lone Star Regional Finals # 12 Gold Plus Champs: Mitch Coops / Bob Knudson Waco, Texas • August 6-9, 2015 Photo by Brenda Allen, Allen’s Rodeo Photos

& Junior and Youth Divisions

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121: 1-8

hat a wonderful verse to go with the article of the First Jr Division rodeo of the year. We could not have asked for a more perfect weekend. No rain, wonderful temperatures and fantastic people. Thank you Lisa and Allen Sligh for all your hard work and wonderful organizational skills to make this Rodeo Weekend marvelous! We honored this rodeo weekend by remembering those who lost their lives 14 years ago on that HORIFIC day that the world united. We all stood tall, angered, scared but PROUD to be an AMERICAN. Not separated by color or gender. Just plain ole AMERICAN. There were lots of changes in store this year for the Jrs. We had many kids move up to the High School division and many moved up from our Youth division. We also had some kids join from other associations. What a well-rounded group we had!! The fact that we had a High School rodeo the same weekend only brightened the experience. Experienced “rodeoers” helped those with less experience and eased their fears. I know that with all we saw, felt and experienced this weekend, this will be our BEST year yet! ‘Til Later...

30 • The Roping Pen • October 2015

Photos couretsy of SCHSRA

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 31

ody Ray LeMond, known to all of us as JoJo, thanks to the nickname his dad and uncle gave him as a youngster, is one of the best all-around timed event hands in the business. JoJo started his PRCA career as a heeler in 2002, stopped rodeoing professionally in 2004 when he married but was back at it just a few years later as a header, tie-down roper and steer roper. LeMond currently sits third in the world all around standings, 13th as a header and 11th in steer roping. LeMond is also known as someone who gets it on a steer wicked fast and this year is teamed up with Dakota Kirchenschlager shooting for a fourth NFR qualification in team roping. The Andrews, Texas cowboy has earned over a half million dollars in the PRCA and is a regular competitor each spring at the Timed Event Championships in Guthrie, Oklahoma. LeMond took 2014 off from professional rodeo, but in 2013 he placed in six of ten rounds at the National Finals Steer Roping, winning third in the average and finishing fourth in the world. We caught up with JoJo to get a little insight to his life on the road. Here’s what we learned… Q: You’re known as an all around timed-event hand, how do you juggle the different events and keep your mind focused when going from one event to another? JOJO: I really try hard not to let the different events feed off of one another...a short memory is very valuable but hard to come by. You have to be willing to leave it behind so you are ready to compete in the next event. Q: How many horses do you keep on the road and how hard is it to find places to keep those different event horses tuned up while traveling?

JOJO: We have two rigs running this year with about five to eight horses with us all the time. I’m riding a lot of older horses this year so they don’t require much practice. It’s more work trying to keep them sound than keeping them working.

32 • The Roping Pen • October 2015

Q:As far as team roping, you and Dakota are both known as “go fast” guys...what’s the secret to making that work? We’ve always heard that a fast header needs an average-type heeler and vice versa. JOJO: Dakota and I both like to be aggressive but now days there are so many people who rope so good, you have to go fast if you’re going to win much. I think the days of headers setting it up and letting their partners make up time are over. Q: You’re currently ranked 13th in the PRCA header standings and your partner is 17th. What’s the plan for the remainder of the season? Will you go as much as possible to try and get your partner in the top 15? JOJO: We will definitely go the remainder of the year and try to make it to Vegas, that’s the only way you can profit out here rodeoing. We’ll go until we know we’re both in and safe for the NFR. Q: Assuming you’re heading to the Timed Event Championships again next year, what sort of practice routine do you use to prepare for an event like that and for how long before? JOJO: I start going to the gym and practicing in January, which seems to work best for me. I have peeked to early in the past and sometimes I’ve not been ready. I like to work on every event, so it’s an all-day practice session. Q: What rope from Lone Star do you prefer and why? JOJO: I use the Raptor super soft because I like the body it has. I’ve always used a soft rope...if I get it on something, I want it to stay there. If you’ve got a question or comment for “In The Loop”, submit it to lonestarintheloop@gmail.com.

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 33

FYRA POINT STANDINGS

• FYRA POINT STANDINGS

rodeofyra.com • Follow us on Facebook! SR BOYS ALL AROUND 1 Eddie Rounds.......1569.10 2 Hunter Styles.......1241.00 3 Chase Dyal..........1198.50 4 Bennett Dove.........732.70 5 Colby Winstead......661.30 6 Caleb Traenkner....629.00 7 Hunter Roof..........571.20 8 Kenneth Glick........448.80 9 Spencer Tucker......370.60 10 Kendall Chappell....360.40 11 Tyler Willis.............273.70 12 Dakota Collyer.......193.80 13 Cayden McCraw.....154.70 SR GIRLS ALL AROUND 1 Monica Harmon...2182.80 2 Brittany Malone...1037.00 3 Cheridan Gowan....988.72 4 Chanler Burgess.....975.12 5 Maggie Wirchball...718.76 6 Leah Hunter..........686.12 7 Jessica Burgess......660.62 8 Kayla Lombardo....547.06 9 Kyra Lombardo......504.73 10 Kiowa Waters........407.66 11 Amber Tatham.......341.02 12 Chloe Cox..............317.90 13 Brooks Eddins........274.04 14 Leah Blanton.........271.32 15 Skylar Langley......183.60 16 Jordan Mullinax....152.49 17 Hannah Loudermilk.79.90 18 Ashton Willis............58.48 19 Morgan Gambrell....46.92 BAREBACK 1 Jordan Hill............238.00 2 Kendall Chappell....214.20 3/4 Kenneth Glick........40.80 3/4 Dakota Collyer......40.80 5 Caleb Treankner......27.20 STEER WRESTLING 1 Bennett Dove.........187.00 2 Eddie Rounds...........17.00 * Chase Dyal..............85.00

SR BARREL RACING 1 Monica Harmon...1025.27 2 Jessica Burgess......574.60 3 Cheridan Gowan....544.34 4 Madison Bagwell....525.64 5 Chanler Burgess.....311.10 6 Kiowa Waters........264.86 7 Maggie Wirchball...261.80 8 Leah Hunter..........216.92 9 Amber Tatham.......159.12 10 Kayla Lombardo....125.46 11 Jordan Mullinax....106.59 12 Brooks Eddins........104.04 13 Abbi McCraw............52.36 14 Bailey Curtice..........48.62 15 Skylar Langley........38.76 16 Leah Blanton...........36.72 17/18 Hannah Loudermilk... 25.84 17/18 Thomas Hagood...25.84 19 Elli Hope..................24.48 20 Morgan Gambrell....12.92 * Ashton Willis............36.72

SR BREAK AWAY 1 Brittany Malone.....380.80 2 Monica Harmon.....261.80 3 Kayla Lombardo....251.60 4 Leah Hunter..........221.00 5 Kiowa Waters........142.80 6 Kyra Lombardo......130.90 7 Chloe Cox..............115.60 8 Leah Blanton...........93.50 * Julianne Sloan.........17.00

SR GOAT TYING 1 Brittany Malone.....656.20 2 Chanler Burgess.....353.60 3 Leah Hunter..........248.20 4 Kyra Lombardo......173.40 5 Chloe Cox..............127.50 6 Leah Blanton.........107.10 7 Maggie Wirchball.....81.60 8 Cheridan Gowan......49.30 9 Jordan Mullinax......45.90 10 Nikki Price...............34.00 TEAM ROPING-HEAD 11 Monica Harmon.......23.80 1 Hunter Styles.........486.20 12 Grace Miller.............20.40 2 Jacob McGinn........355.30 * Kayla Lombardo....170.00 3 Chase Dyal............314.50 * Amber Tatham.........68.00 4 Eddie Rounds.........300.90 5 Davis Sewell..........188.70 SR POLES 6 Hunter Roof..........175.10 1 Monica Harmon.....871.93 7 Olivia Dove...........122.40 2 Cheridan Gowan....395.08 8 Cayden McCraw.....119.00 3 Maggie Wirchball...375.36 9 Bennett Dove...........56.10 4 Chanler Burgess.....310.42 10 Tyler Willis...............44.20 5 Kyra Lombardo......200.43 6 Brooks Eddins........170.00 TEAM ROPING-HEEL 1 Jacob McGinn........457.30 7 Skylar Langley......144.84 2 Chase Dyal............360.40 8 Amber Tatham.......113.90 3 Eddie Rounds.........292.40 9 Jessica Burgess........86.02 4 Hunter Styles.........205.70 10 Chloe Cox................74.80 5 Colby Winstead......187.00 11 Hannah Loudermilk.54.06 6 Spencer Tucker......129.20 12/13 Kelsey Shillinglaw.44.20 7 Hunter Roof..........120.70 12/13 Katie Queen......44.20 8 Bennett Dove.........113.90 14/15 Morgan Gambrell.34.00 9 Tyler Willis...............81.60 14/15 Leah Blanton.....34.00 10 Davis Sewell............40.80 16 Mariah Easley..........17.00 11 Dylan Cook..............34.00 * Ashton Willis............21.76

SR CHUTE DOGGIN’ 1 Eddie Rounds.........340.00 2 Caleb Treankner....226.10 3 Bennett Dove.........215.90 4 Spencer Tucker......173.40 5 Chase Dyal............166.60 6 Hunter Styles.........122.40 7 Dillon Miller.............54.40 * Zach Tucker.............20.40 * Kendall Chappell....119.00 SR BULL RIDING 1 Colby Winstead......346.80 2 Jesse Barnhardt.....204.00 3 Dakota Collyer.......153.00 SADDLEBRONC 1 Kenneth Glick........448.80 2 Hunter Roof..........178.50 3 Hunter Styles.........136.00 4 Colby Winstead......127.50 5 Spencer Tucker........68.00 6 Kendall Chappell......27.20 CALF ROPING 1 Eddie Rounds.........311.10 2 Hunter Styles.........290.70 3 Jacob McGinn........270.30 4 Chase Dyal............224.40 5 Caleb Traenkner....204.00 6 Tyler Willis.............147.90 7 Hunter Roof............96.90 8 Cayden McCraw.......35.70 9 Bennett Dove...........17.00 BOYS GOAT TYING 1 Jacob McGInn........316.20 2 Eddie Rounds.........307.70 3 Ethan Lombardo....238.00 4 Caleb Tranekner....171.70 5 Bennett Dove.........142.80 6 Chase Dyal..............47.60

WR BK AWAY ROPING 1 Cynch Whitesell.......... 464.10 2 Colby Yarborough....... 329.80 3 Wess Hawkins............. 263.50 4 Annie Grace Roach...... 132.60 5 Gabe Tackettt............. 119.00 PW GIRLS ALL AROUND 1 Taylor Culton.......... 1560.60 2 Bristol Norris.......... 1062.50 3 Lexi Clark................. 894.20 4 Savannah Caston...... 406.30 5 Trinity Cook.............. 396.10 6 Gabbie Metta.............. 68.00 PW BOYS ALL AROUND 1 Aiden Tackett.......... 1186.60 PW GOAT DOGGIN’ 1 Taylor Culton............ 532.10 2 Aiden Tackett............ 455.60 3 Lilly Per.................... 358.70 4 Bristol Norris............ 232.90 5 Lexi Clark................. 229.50 6 Quaid Busby............. 180.20 PW GOAT TYING 1 Aiden Tackett............ 391.00 2 Lexi Clark................. 367.20 3 Taylor Culton............ 261.80 4 Trinity Cooke............ 221.00 5 Bristol Norris.............. 27.20 PW BARREL RACING 1 Bristol Norris............ 549.10 2 Taylor Culton............ 299.20 3 Lexi Clark................. 261.80 4 Trinity Cook.............. 139.40 5 Aiden Tackett.............. 95.20 6 Savannah Caston........ 86.70 7 Gabbie Metta.............. 47.60 PW POLE BENDING 1 Taylor Culton............ 467.50 2 Savannah Caston...... 319.60 3 Bristol Norris............ 253.30 4 Aiden Tackett............ 244.80 5 Josie Hill.................... 51.00 6/7 Lexi Clark................. 35.70 6/7 Trinity Cooke............ 35.70 8 Gabbie Metta.............. 20.40

JR GOAT TYING 1 Olivia Dove...........733.45 2 Grace Bryant.........394.40 3 McKenzie Brown....271.15 4 Cheyenne Douglas.255.00 5 Elly Whitesell.........244.80 6 Emma Hunter........198.90 7 Hannah Grace Harmon.. 122.40 8 Josie Trotter.............73.10 9 Bailey Schmidt.........68.00 10 Georgia Caroline Kay.51.00 11 Abby Force..............40.80 12 Emily Servies...........34.00 13-14 Madison Per.......34.00 13-14 Amber Massey....30.60 JR BOYS ALL AROUND 1 Jacob McGinn......1796.90 * Macy Cook............139.40 2 Spencer Timms......553.69 3 Ethan Lombardo....549.10 JR POLE BENDING 4 Davis Sewell..........521.90 1 Cheyenne Douglas.....531.76 2 Hannah Grace Harmon.. 449.14 3 Amber Massey.......341.02 JR BULL RIDING 1 James Cole............119.00 4 Georgia Caroline Kay..281.35 2 Jacob Ashley............68.00 5 Madison Per..........274.72

JR GIRLS ALL AROUND 1 Olivia Dove.........1847.80 2 Cheyenne Douglas.1625.88 3 Hannah Grace Harmon.1261.28 4 Amber Massey.......985.83 5 Grace Bryant.........936.19 6 McKenzie Brown....704.14 7 Georgia Caroline Kay..534.99 8 Maddison Per........400.52 9 Isabella Hart..........341.19 10 Elly Whitesell.........337.84 11 Rebecca McClinton.234.65 12 Emma Hunter........215.90 13 Sally Poteat...........123.42

6 Rebecca McClinton.257.89 7 Grace Bryant.........238.00 8 Olivia Dove...........225.08 9 Isabella Hart..........218.28 10 Jacie Blackard.........91.80 11 Elly Whitesell...........56.10 12 Sally Poteat.............32.64 13 Jordan Anderson.....21.76 14 McKenzie Brown......18.70 * Riley Sutherland......89.76

6 McKenzie Brown....313.99 7 Olivia Dove...........302.77 8 Rebecca McClinton.276.76 9 Eryn Crider............264.35 10 Georgia Caroline Kay..202.64 11 Grace Bryant.........140.59 12 Isabella Hart..........122.91 13 Madison Per............91.80 14 Sally Poteat.............90.78 15 Josie Saribok...........76.50 16 Rachel Louks...........38.76 17 Emma Hunter..........17.00

JR CHUTE DOGGIN’ 1 PT Styles................401.20 2 Jacob McGinn........397.80 JR BK AWAY 3 Chris Cartwright.......95.20 1 Olivia Dove...........464.10 4 Davis Sewell............40.80 2 Ethan Lombardo....311.10 3 Davis Sewell..........251.60 JR BARREL RACING 4 Hannah Grace Harmon.. 207.40 1 Cheyenne Douglas.691.22 5 Grace Bryant.........163.20 2 Amber Massey.......614.21 6 Cheyenne Dougals.147.90 3 Hannah Grace Harmon.. 482.29 7 Jackson Rhymer....112.20 4 Spencer Timms......458.49 8 McKenzie Brown....100.30 5 Elly Whitesell.........336.94 9 Spencer Timms........95.20

34 • The Roping Pen • October 2015

WR BOYS ALL AROUND 1 Cynch Whitesell........ 1501.10 2 Wess Hawkins........... 1419.50 3 Colby Yarborough..... 1084.09 4 Gabe Tackett............... 790.50 5 Bryce Stockman.......... 759.05

WR GOAT TYING 1 Cynch Whitesell.......... 545.70 2 Kierstyn Cochran......... 527.00 3 Colby Yarborough....... 392.70 4 Wess Hawkins............. 351.90 5 Addi Grace Hunter...... 170.00 6 Annie Grace Roach...... 153.00 7 Madysen Baker............ 51.00 8 Gabe Tackettt............... 18.70 9 Skylar Scott.................. 17.00 WR BARREL RACING 1 Bryce Stockman.......... 597.55 2 Cynch Whitesell.......... 491.30 3 Wess Hawkins............. 334.90 4 Gabe Tackett............... 283.90 5 Colby Yarborough....... 279.99 6 Addi Grace Hunter...... 239.70 7 Annie Grace Roach...... 163.20 8 Bailey Langley.............. 91.46 9 Madysen Baker............ 74.80 10 Natalie Montgomery..... 44.20 11 Grace Servies............... 40.80 12 Gracie Metta................. 30.60 WR POLE BENDING 1 Madysen Baker.......... 491.30 2 Wess Hawkins............. 469.20 3 Bailey Langley............ 377.40 4 Gabe Tackett............... 317.90 5 Bryce Stockman.......... 161.50 6 Grace Servies............. 122.40 7 Colby Yarborough......... 61.20 8 Annie Grace Roach........ 39.10 9 Sophie Eddins............... 17.00 WR BULL RIDING 1 Austin Ashley.............. 144.50 2 Aiden Per................... 111.35 3 Zach McCuen.............. 102.00 4/5 Cynch Whitesell.......... 51.00 4/5 Gabe Tackett.............. 51.00 6 Timothy Louk............... 29.75 7 Colby Yarborough......... 20.40

STOCK BUSTIN’ Abby Rae Stockman................ 7 Aiden Tackett.......................... 8 Ally Farr................................. 6 Augustus Green...................... 7 Brennon Louk......................... 9 Brayden Moiser.................... 14 Bristol Norris........................ 14 Colton Hughes........................ 9 Colton Hill.............................. 7 Cooper Gowan........................ 2 Eli O Shields........................... 8 Elijah Humphries.................... 1 Ethan Humphries.................... 1 Ethan McGahee.................... 11 Jackson Davis......................... 3 Josie Hill................................ 7 Layne Farr............................. 9 Levi Pennington.................... 12 Lilly Per............................... 14 Luke Guy............................... 9 Morgan Ward......................... 9 Quaid Busby......................... 12 Ryder Thomas........................ 2 Teally Rein Gray................... 12 Trinity Cooke........................ 10 Walker Timms........................ 7

POINT ARE AS OF 9.6.15 • PHOTOS COURTESY OF FYRA

*Anyone riding in less than 4 rodeos in an event will be dropped from the year end points standings (noted with *), however, all points won apply to the All Around Standings.

WR GIRLS ALL AROUND 1 Madysen Baker.......... 617.10 2 Annie Grace Roach...... 487.90 3 Bailey Langley............ 468.86 4 Addie Hunter.............. 409.70 5 Grace Servies............. 163.20

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 35

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 37

GHSRA & GJHRA We kicked off the 2015-2016 season in Franklin, Georgia. I think this is going to be a great year! We have a lot of new members this year and some old familiar faces. Thank you to everyone who helped to make the first rodeo of the season a success! The student officers have a lot of great ideas planned throughout the year. We are going to try and make it as fun and memorable as possible. I would like to wish each contestant the best of luck!! God Bless,

Tyler Boatwright

GHSRA STUDENT PRESIDENT

•••••••••••••••••••••••••

2015-16 HS SCHEDULE

Madison • October 23-24 Perry • November 6-8 Cleveland, TN • Nov 21-22 Andalusia, AL • February 5-7 Franklin • March 12-13 Chatsworth • TBD Blairsville • April 1-2 Gay • April 15-16 Ringgold • May 6-7 Perry • May 27-29

October 2015 38 • The Roping Pen • September 2015

L to R: Claire Waldrop, Secretary Ashley Hawkins, Queen Tyler Boatwright, President Julia Johnson, Vice President

ey Guys! I have a couple of request in the last month for General Liability for boarding horses. So this month I wanted to cover some of those questions.

GENERAL LIABILITY: This coverage is vital protection if you perform any commercial equine activities such as boarding, instruction, riding academies, training, breeding, clinics or horse sales. Coverage is provided if you are sued by a third party who is injured or whose property is damaged due to your horse-related activities. This coverage covers defense costs and claims for which you are legally liable, up to the policy limits. These policies for some farms would start at a $500,000 limit of coverage and go up from there. Be sure and check with your agent for a policy tailored for your specific needs.

CARE, CUSTODY, AND CONTROL: This coverage is for anyone who has care, custody, or control of someone else’s horses. Coverage is provided if you are sued by a third party who is injured or whose property is damaged due to your horse-related activities. Many farm and ranch owners and operators who board, breed, or train animals owned by others often assume they will never be sued. Or if they are sued they assume that their General Liability coverage will protect them in the event of a death or injury to a horse left in

their care. What many do not realize is that most General Liability policies exclude coverage for death or injury to horses in your care. This type of coverage would also protect you from accident, sickness, and disease in most cases if the customer’s horse became sick or hurt. This is with most policies so be sure and check your policy for specific coverages. This coverage would also protect you with defense costs and will provide for medical care, or replacement cost of an animal up to the policy limits if a horse is injured or dies while in your care and you are found negligent. With limits available up to $250,000 per animal and $500,000 maximum loss per year (normally), you can buy only the coverage you need. This is just a brief description of the liability coverages offered. Based on underwriting requirements from each company not all coverages may be available. Refer to your policy wording for complete details of coverages, conditions, and exclusions. Again the best thing to do is contact your agent and discuss your needs. This will assure you have the best coverage for your situation or requirements. I know this is not the fun stuff to talk about, but it is necessary in today’s world for being protected. Again, if I can help with any of these questions, give me a call, text, email, or look me up on Facebook. Thanks again... and be sure to keep sending me those questions!

b/w open

COOPER ASKS: Does it hurt to rope calves and head? Will it mess me up? RICKEY’S ANSWER: I think the more things you do with your rope the better you will be. So head, heel or rope calves, it’s all good.

40 • The Roping Pen • October 2015

GET READY FOR THE

NATIONAL FINALS OF TEAM ROPING Oklahoma State Fairgrounds

Oklahoma City Oklahoma

OCT 24 - NOV 1, 2015 here are more team ropers now than ever before! The United States Team Tof Team Roping Championships is proud to bring the Cinch USTRC National Finals Roping to its members again this year. It truly will be Your Victory as team ropers compete for $1 Million in added money. Because of that, each Shoot Out will feature a payout of well over 100%. This year, ropers will have a shot at $6 Million+ in cash and prizes, so give it your best shot! OKLAHOMA CITY is a city with something for everyone. Known as the “Horse Show Capital of the World,” this city is familiar with rodeo and horse enthusiasts. Restaurants and hotels roll out the red carpet to welcome everyone. This city is much more than a great meal and a good night’s rest!

BY BEN CLEMENTS

SAT • OCT 24 • 8 AM

Open Preliminary #15 Prelim • #15 Shoot Out

SUN • OCT 25 • 8 AM #13 Preliminary US Open Championships

MON • OCT 26 • 8 AM #13 Shoot Out #12 Preliminary

TWO ARENAS will be used again this year: the Main Coliseum where everyone in the Preliminary ropings run their first steer, and Barn #8 arena where TUES • OCT 27 • 8 AM teams will rope their second and third steers. There are a few exceptions, #12 Shoot Out thouugh. The Pro View US Open Championships, the Invitational #12, and #12 Gold Plus Shoot Out the Invitational #10 will take place entirely inside the Main Coliseum. In the Shoot Out Divisions, ropers will rope the first steer in the Main Coliseum, WED • OCT 28 • 8 AM their second in Barn #8, and the third in the Main Coliseum. The Shoot Out Cruel Girl Championships Divisions will feature two full go rounds (every team will get to rope 2 steers.) Jr Looper Prelim @ 9:00 am The roping will pay fast times and a fast time on 2, as well as BIG money in US Invitational #12 the average with well over 100% payback. The short round of every roping #10 Gold Plus Shoot Out will be taking place in the Main Coliseum. STALLS: Thousands of horses go in and out of the Fairgrounds during the Finals! If you made reservations for stalls, you can use the Express CheckIn. Here’s how it works: First, you must have already sent in your money. The USTRC will send you a postcard confirming your reservation, and MAKE SURE TO BRING THAT CARD WITH YOU. Once at the fairgrounds, follow the signs and give your card to the Express Check-In attendant. If you haven’t made stall reservations, the stall office is located inside Barn #1 on the SE side of the warm up arena. Walk ups are welcome 24 hours a day, but please note that stalls are first-come, first-served. All stalls are pre-bedded, but consider extra shavings if you plan to stay for more than a couple of days. Shavings will be available at the Fairgrounds. Also, the 9am checkout is strictly enforcedl. Also, please note that the NO PARKING ZONES will be strictly enforced and there will be fines for overnight tying of horses to trailers, and absolutely NO PORTABLE PENS set up.

THURS • OCT 29 • 8 AM Century Championships US Invitational #10 #11 Preliminary

FRI • OCT 30 • 8 AM #11 Shoot Out #10 Preliminary

SAT • OCT 31 • 8 AM

#10 Shoot Out Jr Looper Prelim @ 9 am Jr. Looper Shoot Out (after the #10 Shoot Out, Main Coliseum) #9 Preliminary

PRO VIEW US OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS: The Pro View US Open Championships will feature the cream of the crop when it comes to team roping. This year the top teams in the nation will compete for extremely big money: 100% payback! The top Open teams will compete in 4 full go rounds and then face off in the short round. This roping will be Oct 25 in the afternoon in the Main Coliseum. Guaranteed to be a crowd favorite! JR. LOOPERS will also have a chance to compete and strut their abilities at the NFTR Jr. Looper Championships. Qualifying will be at the preliminary events on Oct 28 & Oct 31 at 9 am in Barn #3. Contestants can enter on site beginning at 8 am in Barn #3. (Remember, a birth certificate is required, & ANY JR LOOPER THAT HAS EVER WON A USTRC TROPHY SADDLE OR A NFTR JR LOOPER TROPHY SADDLE IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE.) The final Shoot Out will be in the Coliseum on Oct 31 right after the #10 Shoot Out. Guaranteed to be an exciting event! TEXT NOTIFICATIONS: Know when you are up via text messaging! Sign up at www.ustrc.com – log in to member services and click on TEXT NOTIFICATION. Enter the cell number and carrier, then click on SIGN UP. USTRC TRADE SHOW features more than 80 vendors inside and outside the Main Coliseum, and all ropers and their families and friends are invited to stop by! Find horse and roping supplies, trailers, tack, jewelry, boots, hats, clothing, home décor, knick-knacks and other goodies. (Think Christmas shopping - DONE!) The USTRC Store is also a popular place, so shop early - it goes fast! It’s the only vendor selling USTRC-logo wear. USTRC SEMINARS: Team ropers will enjoy the FREE CINCH NFTR Seminars at the Purina Checkerboard Arena, located on the east end of Barn #3. Come get tips and pointers on everything from roping to horsemanship. It will kick into gear on Tuesday, October 27th and run through Friday, October 30th. These free seminars are brought to you by Classic Ropes, Classic Equine, Martin Saddlery and Purina Mills. Come enjoy the great line-up of speakers! USTRC FARRIER & VETERINARIAN is on the grounds every day for your use and convenience. The Farrier can be found on the west end of Barn #3, and the Vet station is located on the west end of Barn #4.

SUN • NOV 1 • 8 AM USTRC EVENT OFFICE will be located inside the main coliseum between OVERNIGHT STAY: HOTELS are available all around at different prices. #9 Shoot Out • #8 Shoot Out the roping boxes and Barn #1 warm-up arena. Reserve yours soon - occupancy dwindles fast. If you have a RV or a Camper, there are over 400 RV HOOKUPS available at the Fairgrounds (on-site rental only.)They are first-come, first-served & handled by the Ok State Fairgrounds (not USTRC.) THE USTRC APP is great tool for those with smartphones! It offers everything you need to be in the know with the USTRC. It is a FREE downlad on both the Apple App Store and the GUTHRIE SHOOT OUT CHAMPIONSHIPS: There is also team roping action set for the Google Play Store and offers many great features: Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma - just north of Oklahoma City & is the largest indoor • Track your EARNINGS throughout the current season. rodeo arena in the world. The Guthrie Shoot Out Championships are produced by Rope the • View your DRAW POSITIONS for Regional Final Events and the National Finals. Rockies (Jeff Smith & Ike Cox) and runs Oct 23-31. It is a good way to warm up for the Cinch • View all your PAST ENTRIES from this season & before. NFTR while winning some extra USTRC Flex Earnings! Rope the Rockies is awarding Gist • See details about upcoming events on the CALENDAR. trophy spurs to all average winners October 23 -29, Martin trophy saddles to the average • See the winners and RESULTS from recent events. winners on October 30, and the average and incentive average winners on October 31. • Sign up under “MY TEXTING” for text notifications about your events. • Keep your information up to date under MY CONTACT INFO. USTRC CHALLENGE ARENA: The USTRC Challenge Roping will also be running at this • An interactive RULEBOOK allows you to jump to any section you need to access. year’s Cinch NFTR. This gives ropers a chance at some extra cash and another way to • Communicate with any department in the USTRC under CONTACT US. warm up for competition inside the main arenas. The Challenge action will take place in Barn #6 at the State Fairgrounds and will begin on October 25th and run through October 31st. Come one, come all – everyone is invited! Featuring $6 million in cash and prizes Custom Gist buckles valued at more than $1,000 will be awarded to the high money header throughout the week, which includes USTRC’s guarantee of $1 Million of added cash, it’s and heeler each day at the Challenge Arena. Remember if you and your partner are both sure to be exciting. Each of the Shoot Out Divisions will feature a payout that is well over a Gold Plus members and you beat the Challenge, you each receive $3,000 in USTRC Flex 100% payback. Members, this is what you have been working toward all year long. USTRC Earnings that may be used at this years Cinch NFTR or may be carried over to next year to producers across the country & the staff at the USTRC HQ in Stephenville work all year long use at the USTRC Regional Events or the Cinch NFTR next year. Enter up to win your chance to bring this top-of-the-line production. Come enjoy the ropings, and best of luck to all! to get into the next USTRC Shoot Out division.

ctober is here and that can only mean two things; Halloween and our high school rodeo in Autaugaville, Alabama!

By the time you read this, the Alabama High School Rodeo Association will have taken over the city of Autaugaville for a weekend full of rodeo. I hope you were there!

Saturday night not only offered all the rodeo action that comes along with high school rodeo, but our members will have shown off their best Halloweenthemed western attire! Mary Katherine

Morris Photograp

I am excited about getting this year started off right and enjoying our second rodeo! Safe travels & good luck to all who are heading out on the rodeo trail this month...

Loce Always, Miss Lizzy Sexton

AHSRA RODEO DATES OCTOBER 3-4 • AUTAUGAVILLE, AL 2 Day, 2 Go w/shooting

NOVEMBER 6-8 • PERRY, GA Multi State sponsored by GHSRA • 3 Day, 2 Go

DECEMBER 5-6 • Location Pending 2 Day, 2 Go

JANUARY 15-16 • HEADLAND, AL 2 Day, 2 Go w/shooting

FEBRUARY 5, 6, & 8 • ANDALUSIA, AL Bama Challenge • Multi State w/ GHSRA 3 Day, 2 Go Rodeo

FEBRUARY 27-28 • PENSACOLA, FL 2 Day, 2 Go w/ shooting

MARCH 12-13 • MONTGOMERY, AL 2 Day, 2 Go

APRIL 9-10 • PRICEVILLE, AL w/PCA • 2 Day, 2 Go

APRIL 30 - MAY 1 • BAY MINETTE, AL 2 Day, 2 Go w/Shooting

STATE FINALS • ANDALUSIA, AL JUNE 8-12, 2016 NATIONAL FINALS • GILLETTE, WYOMING JULY 17-23, 2016

2015 Team Alabama at Nationals Photo by Jennings Photography

42 • The Roping Pen • October 2015

The Struggles of Heelers T

he fact is it’s difficult to improve without consistent practice and for heelers, that means having good, consistent handles of their steers. The best practice tool is a machine where you can work on your position, corner, and target. I prefer the Hot Heels because the legs move so that you must be in time to catch. However, when roping steers behind lower numbered headers, it’s very difficult to get consistent turns. The handle is the responsibility of the header and if done correctly, gives his partner the best chance to catch the steer. There are times when I cause my heeler to miss. If I’m riding a young or green horse, often I’ll turn the steer’s head loose while working on my horse’s footing. This breaks the stride of the steer and causes the heeler’s timing to get out of sync. Believe me headers, the last thing I want to do is give ammunition to heelers who like to blame their headers. But the truth is if the steer isn’t handled correctly, it’s usually the header’s fault, at any level. This is not uncommon when someone is riding a green or new horse, and they don’t have control of their horse’s footwork.

Many times headers come to my house for lessons and tell me that people can’t catch behind them. Often they think their partners are trying too hard. Then we film and watch the video to figure out

why their heelers can’t catch. When you watch a video frame by frame, it exposes the real reason.

On speedroping.com I’m currently working on a series of drills for headers and their horses. Currently we’re on Drill #11 which is about getting a head horse to do his footwork correctly. It shows the importance of where your feet are and what they need to do in order to handle the steer correctly. It’s not just about the bridle reins. You have to control the side of the horse as well. If you cannot side pass and move your horse around, you’re going to have a difficult time handling steers correctly. What’s new with me: Gabe is playing select baseball on a team in Granbury. Hali is playing select ball on a 14 & under team and she’s just 11. They are still roping but they enjoy playing ball while getting stronger and understanding competing. I think it’s important for them to learn the mental aspects of playing sports. Gabe has been turning steers. Hali has been roping at jackpots and will be competing in Stephenville soon. The ERA rodeos start in March of 2016, so it looks like I’ll be coming out of retirement. For information on ERA rodeos, you can find a link to it on speedroping.com.

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 43

44 • The Roping Pen • October 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 45

46 • The Roping Pen • October 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 47

48 • The Roping Pen • October 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 49

North Carolina

Jr High & HS Rodeo Association

ESTIMATED 2016 SPRING SCHEDULE:

SEE WEBSITE FOR UPDATES!

#8 & #9: Feb 5 & 6 @ Lone Hickory Arena, Yadkinville

#10: TBD MARCH

#11: TBD APRIL

#12 & #13: May 6 & 7 @ Hinson Arena, Stanley, SC

NC STATE FINALS: May 27-29 @ Lone Hickory Arena in Yadkinville, NC

High School Officers • President: Sarah Scott • Vice President: Savannah Cobb • Secretary: Casey Lemmons Junior High Officers • President: Clay Livengood • Vice President: Frog Bass • Secretary: Sage Dunlap

50 • The Roping Pen • October 2015

THE

Other Half

Team Roping Etiquette A

s we all know, team roping plays by a unique set of rules. I really don’t know that there is a set of rules or protocol that is standard because, after all, team ropers get up in a different world every single day. Despite being all alike, they are different in many ways, and each of us has a story to tell that either causes us all to shake our heads in disbelief or smile smugly and say, “Yep! Been there and done that!” I compiled a list of (so-called) do’s & dont’s, and things that can (and do) occur. We all rope, we all haul, and we all rodeo, and every day is a new day when it comes to experiences. We’ve all lived in trailers, taken showers and washed clothes in water troughs and changed diapers on the fenders of trucks and trailers. Yep, you know the scenario. Let me add to the repertoire... • There are occasions when it is okay to shower and shave using a water hose. If you have to rinse muddy clothes in the horse trough that is fine too. Sometimes kids need rinsing in the water tank as well. Beats clogging up the shower in the trailer. • There are occasions when it is okay to feed the dogs from the bed or table in the trailer especially if you are pretty sure it is some you will absolutely never eat again. Sometimes food shared is not all it’s cracked up to be. • It is okay to dip ice out of the ice chest using your hands even if you haven’t washed them through the course of the day. Besides the water in the bathrooms don’t work half the time. And on that topic there are times you do have to make a bathroom run instead of filming even if you know you have committed the unforgivable sin. No matter how hard you try you cannot hold it for that long and versus wetting your pants this is just one run he won’t see on tape. • It is okay, on occasion, to give your impression and opinion about his short go round run. After all, you are the one who watches him rope, day after day, 24/7 year round so you are entitled to some input. However, remember timing is everything. If defeat or a miss is fresh on his mind it is probably not a good time to interject your two cents worth. Wait until he is rational and remember team roping is not a game to your ropers. It is a very serious business so even though your opinion matters be very careful how and when you voice it. • Don’t get your feelings hurt if your team roping crew would rather eat at the concession stand than eat all that stuff you brought from home. They eat at home all the time and, after all, that is part of the fun - eating “JUNK” at the concession stand. • Remember, you will only find what you are looking for in that mess in the trailer when you stop looking for it and start looking for something else. And no matter how many times you clean up and pick up the mess in the trailer it is always going to be a mess. After all, how do you cram two kids, one husband, ropes, tack & equipment into such a small living space? • It also doesn’t matter that your trailer sleeps six and has all the comforts of home. A hotel room once in awhile would just be nice. Clean sheets, clean towels and a king size bed is just appealing, on occasion.

• It never fails that the one time you hit the throttle on the four wheeler for the perfect practice run and finally have it figured out is the time that Boss hollers, “That’s all for today!” The least he could do is make one more run for your sake but he’s not roping for your sake. • No matter how many towels you pack in the trailer when it comes time for your shower there will not be enough hot water and no clean towel can be found because they are all in a heap on the floor. If you holler for someone to hand you a towel they will all chime in a chorus, “We don’t know where they are!” • It doesn’t matter how much you have in your hands or how on overload you are, someone is going to ask you to hold their horse while they go do something else. “It will only take a minute,” they say but you know it will seem like forever. • It is a pretty safe bet to say you can back up and hook up to the trailer better by yourself than with all the motioning and hollering from your better half and kids. At least when you do it by yourself it doesn’t take as long and there is less wear and tear on your nerves and state of mind. Besides who can tell what all those motions mean anyway. • No matter how they describe it to you with explicit instructions where it was left last you will, indeed, bring the wrong rope. There are only thirty green ones, twelve pink ones and at least sixty-five that are multi-colored and all those others look exactly alike. So how could you not know which one to get?

52 • The Roping Pen • October 2015

Thoughts of a Team Roping Spouse... by Gracie Mae

• You want to tell him, “a miss is a miss is a miss, so let it go” but don’t voice that out loud. If you do you are going to get “that” look and the silent treatment on the way home. Remember he can’t ever let “a miss” go. If it is his fault he can’t overcome it for a minute. • Rope every steer like it is the one and only one. One awesome practice run will win the roping every time! I don’t know if he believes that or not but from my observation it is true. He is going to tell you that you don’t rope so you don’t understand. Just agree and go get ready to film. • You can bet it will be you pulling long nights driving down the highway headed home listening to him rerope the roping. Be glad when they are all asleep and you can turn on the radio or plug in a book. • If you are rodeoing, plan on being on the phone to the central entering office for hours because he has no time for such nonsense, and besides, he has work to do. Also, if it goes out by mail, how could you NOT have stamps? If he has to call the office, it will be you waiting on hold because he cannot understand what they are saying. • Learn to coil up a rope. It will save you some wear and tear later on. A coiled rope is better than dragging it on the ground and others will be glad you’ve actually learned one thing about ropes. • No matter what you are headed to town to do, his list will be longer than your list and he’ll call fourteen times to remind you or add to his list. The one thing you forgot on the list is the one thing he needed the most. • In the dark all trailers look alike. Be sure you are in yours before you crawl into bed. The last thing you want to do is realize those aren’t your clothes and look a stranger in the face in the middle of someone else’s bed. • Disappear for five minutes and that is when everyone needed you the absolute most. Out of pocket is not necessarily out of mind and how could you possibly choose that time to be out of sight? • There will, indeed, be times you hate the sound of your own name and or the name “MOM!” They will always call you from a distance and tell you important stuff right after you have left the room or flushed the commode. • There are going to be times in the practice pen when you cannot tell if he actually nodded for the steer. Turn it out anyway, ignore his tone, and tell him you thought he was schooling his horse. It doesn’t matter anyway because he is going to run another steer (or ten.) • The one time you decide to pack things in the stud stall of the trailer is the one time he will decide to take another horse. It doesn’t matter where you put it it’s going to be in the way and you will have to move it more than once. • The word “toys” has several definitions. One is Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, one is a toy roping dummy and one is tack and equipment used for roping (necessity or not). Toys or not they are all an absolute necessity. • No matter how much you lecture and dictate they will not leave muddy boots at the door. There is just something about tracking in that has a universal appeal. Maybe it has to do with the old days and marking your territory or something. Regardless, you will have to mop and clean the floor again right after you threatened them to leave their boots outside on the doorstep.“Bring me a Coke” does not necessarily mean Coca-Cola. And a “cool one” is rarely indicative of a cold bottle of water. Just be sure you understand who is asking for what. • Don’t ever forget little team ropers mimic big team ropers. Be very careful how you react and careful about what you say because it will come back to haunt you. There is nothing like disciplining your child and his defense is, “Dad, did it!” • Just be ready because if he wins a saddle it will set in your living room for at least a month or more if not forever. That is okay because it will blend and match with all that other tack and equipment that has been setting there forever. The western décor is growing by leaps and bounds and you have an edge on the trend. • The minute he wins a roping your cell phone will quit working. You won’t be able to call and tell anyone he won because you will have no service. Don’t ever forget you can learn something new at every roping you go to even if it is how NOT to do things. After all, that is why roping is such fun. (Did I really say that?) Remember, ropers live in their own world. Fun is like beauty—in the eye of the beholder!

Keep Ropin’ ... Love Gracie

HORSES: 12/14 14 year old, roan, gelding head horse. Good beginner horse. Good in the box. Has been hauled to KRA roping’s. Asking $3000. Call Tom @ 270-402-7191 PROPERTY: 12/14 For Sale – Alabama Premier Horse Property – 78 Acres, fenced & cross fenced with 2 ac pond, creeks & magnificent 4,200 Sq. Ft Home. 3 Barns, RV hookups and lots more. It is a must see! – Asking $1,100,000. Call The Joel Gill Team, Joel or Susan Gill – 334-277-8204! CATTLE: 8/15 Breeding Roping or Bucking Cattle? Our lab offers pregnancy testing, BVD, and Johne’s testing. Call 307-742-9072 or visit our website to find out more at www.eagletalonent.com 6/15 - 20 FRESH LONGHORN/CORRIENTE steers & heifers, weaned, bunkbroke, vaccinated, dewormed, 325-425 lbs. $875 & up. Contact Kelly Cattle Company: 706-319-5930 7/15 - 14 fresh corriente/longhorn steers and heifers. Ready to rope. Vaccinated, dewormed, bunk broke 400 lb. avg - $900 each if all taken. Call Colt Kelly at 706-319-5930

WANTED: 12/14 Looking for a used roping chute. I can pick up in Texas. Please text me a picture and information. 361-227-2914 – Armando ROPING DUMMIES: 6/15 Used Hot Heels roping dummy w/ Springer Sled. Please email for additional info: kbrown@tsys.com 2/15 Heel-O-Matic For Sale! Brand New - Straight from the factory. Heel-O-Matic with all of the upgrades. The Ultimate Ground-Driven Trainer includes the Spring-Loaded Tongue and Deluxe Leg Package. It is the top of the line roping practice machine. See one at heelomtic.com. Selling for $3100 ($500 off full retail). Call 505-259-7975 10/14 Robo Steer for Sale. Very well maintained and kept under cover. Collapsable horns and articulating and collapsable heels. Delivery available. $4500 Call or email for pics and more information. irishjump@ gmail.com or 404-433-7444. 7/15 - Used Hot Heels for sale or trade for newer version call – 417-214-2063 and ask for Billy

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by Crystal Lyons

Have you swallowed a wooden egg?

he other day I was out at the hen house collecting eggs, and found myself face to face with a big black chicken snake, all coiled up in a nest. That’ll get your heart rate going! Well, we killed him. He had a big lump in him where he had swallowed one of the wooden eggs I keep in the nests. Talk about a severe case of constipation! He thought he was getting something that was going to fill his hunger, but instead he got something that would slowly kill him. He didn’t know it, but what he had taken in was a “death sentence”. That egg had the “smell” of chicken on it, but it was a “decoy”. Have you swallowed something that is killing you? Are you mad at someone? Have you taken in an attitude of resentment and bitterness against someone? Boy, don’t it feel good when you just let your emotions go and fly off the handle at someone who – of course – deserves it! Yeah buddy, it feels real good! It feels good going down, but it’s kinda like that wooden egg – if you don’t get it out of you, it’ll kill you! The longer it’s allowed to stay, the greater harm it does and the greater we’re in danger of passing a point of no return.

I’ve heard it said that a man who holds on to resentment and won’t forgive, is like a man drinking poison and hoping the guy he’s mad at gets sick! You gotta get it out of you. Forgiveness is NOT a feeling! It’s a decision. You give the incident AND the offender over to God and you let it go, releasing them of the debt of offence that they owe you. It’s hard, yeah. About like coughing up that wooden egg! But, it’s better than dying as a result of it. Oh, you may not lose your life physically, but you’ll lose joy, vision, peace, hope. You’ll forfeit the hand of God on your life. That’s right, you hold on to grudges and unforgiveness, and God has to remove Himself from your presence. Jesus even went so far as to say in Matthew 6: 1415 that if you would not forgive those who’ve sinned against you, God in heaven could not forgive you of your sins! That means, that at the end of my life there is NO HOPE of heaven, only hell. It ain’t worth it! Forgiving people means coughing up my pride – my right to be avenged! Coughing up pride is as hard as regurgitating that wooden egg! Hey, whatever it takes to get that source of death out of my system is worth it!

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 53