The Roping Pen September 2015

$4.00

Sept 2015

Vol. 24 No. 9

NHSRA

FINALS RODEO TEAM ROPING :

CHAMPS GARRETT MCDONALD

FUNIAK SPRINGS, FL

LUKE TAYLOR

KINSTON, ALABAMA

• • • • • • • • • • •

Plus, check out these features...

SRA: The Scruggs Family... RAISING ‘EM UP RIGHT! NHSFR: RETURNING HOME WITH MORE

THAN JUST CHAMPIONSHIPS

2 • The Roping Pen • September 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 3

Table of Contents Articles & Features September is here, which means the days will soon be getting shorter and colder weather is just around the corner. By the time this gets in your hands, kids will be back in school and hopefully there will be some sort of routine and some sort of normality.

Speaking of normal circumstances, from what I have seen over the past year and the years before that, team roping is probably the only sport that is anything but normal. What I mean is that team roping has continued to evolve and even now what we know today may not be the same in the next couple of years. I recall a time when round robins were all the rage and ropers would wear a horse out roping at a 12 by 12 round robin. They were great and a guy could rope a lot and maybe win a little. I say a little because there was only so much money in the pot at these events.

These were great backyard ropings for the most case and great way to be prepared when the USTRC came to town.

When that happened, the world stopped and all focus was on that “big event.” Roping at these events often meant a lack of sleep and naps in the truck in between your time to rope. They would often last into the wee hours of the mornings. Things have drastically changed and if a roping doesn’t wrap up before supper-time you can bet the producer will hear about it. There are many components that have changed throughout the history of team roping, all for the better I suppose. The money being awarded today is bigger and better than ever before, cattle for the most part are better, there are definitely more ropers and you do not have to wait very long in between great ropings that you can attend.

It seems almost every weekend you don’t have to drive very far to find a good roping.

Looking ahead, I personally can’t wait for the fall and the major events on the schedule. The USTRC Finals, WSTR Finals and of course the NTRL Finals are going to be great this year. Even before those, there is one event I am waiting to see if it will produce what I believe will be a great event.

The Beast Of The East 2 Invitational that will come around in October is one of those events that I believe has wheels to keep growing. This event is unique and not like the majority of team roping events today. Most of the time the meter on a good roping is the number of ropers in attendance.

The more ropers the more money everyone has a chance to make, from the producer to the winners. The Beast of The East though is limiting its teams to 200 and still giving away a load of cash and prizes including, trucks, trailers, UTV, saddles buckles and more. The limited entries means ropers are not roping against a whole lot of other ropers; meaning your chances of winning are better than ever.

This roping is not something new and others have used this type of format throughout the country. The outcome however is most always the same – successful. Last year, John Johnson, producer of the Beast of The East said this was the best roping he ever produced and seeing it back on the schedule tells me that the success of the event will be even better this year.

Well I’m out of room for the month. I hope you all enjoy September and the great colors that Fall will be bringing.

Enjoy the great times with your family and friends and the best of luck at your events throughout the month.

UNTIL NEXT MONTH...

Dirt: keep it under your feet

~Ryan Davis

4 • The Roping Pen • September 2015

4 Dirt: September is here... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan Davis 10 NHSRA Finals Rodeo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Event Recap T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F. . .

12 THE USTRC 2015 NFTR. . . . Upcoming Event, by Ben Clements

SRA

15 TOP TIPS!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Featuring Bret Beach

Southern Rodeo Association AHSRA

Alabama High School Rodeo Association FYRA

Foothills Youth Rodeo Association GHSRA & GJHRA

16 Sweat & Balin’ Twine: Chet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Rhudy 17 Ropers of the Round Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stuart Mitchell 18 The Spicer, Memorial Roping Recap. . . . . . . Stephanie Wolf 32 In The Loop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kaleb Driggers, Lone Star Ropes 36 AL Chanpionships, July 24-26 . . . . . . . Recap, Ben Clements

Georgia High School Rodeo Association & Georgia Junior High Division

40 Protecting Your Investment!. . . . . . . . . . . . Jason Strickland

LTRA

48 Pushing The Barrier: Diagnosing Your Roping. . Speed Williams

LA 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

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41 West-Ark Classic, July 25-26 . . . . . . . . Recap, Ben Clements 49 Power Team Roping Q&A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rickey Green 49 Dead Mouse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crystal Lyons 52 The Other Half: One of Those Days. . . . . . . . Gracie Mae 53 Event & Advertiser Index 53 Classifieds

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

On the Cover This Month: Taken at the NHSRA Finals Rodeo by Jennings Photography Team Roping Champs: Garrett McDonald (Funiak Springs, FL) and Luke Taylor (Kinston, ALabama) 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

RAISING ‘EM UP RIGHT! The Scruggs Family:

HOLLY & BRIAN LANE & LUKE

A

featured barrel racer among the SRA is a young lady who has been in the rodeo spotlight for many years. Holly Scruggs from Pickens, South Carolina has rodeoed alongside the SRA for over 20 years and was a tough High School contestants for several years prior to that. Throughout those years she has been supported by a loving husband, continues to raise a family and posted many fast times at rodeos all across the Southeast.

Holly who is a native of her hometown in Northeast South Carolina roped and raced her way through high school, qualifying twice in five events for the National High School Finals. Barrel racing, running poles, tying goats, breakaway roping and heeling were he events and she has always been part of the rodeo scene.

She married her team roping partner and high school sweetheart Brian. Going on 21 years, the duo has raised 2 boys that will no doubt continue to carry on the Scrugg name in the rodeo business for years to come.

Her oldest son Lane is 16 years old and already a featured guest at many rodeos. He has been bringing both bucking bulls and horses to events for the past two years and continues to grow his herd of rough stock and move into the stock contracting business. Holly and Brian have been a huge support for Lane, helping him along the way and proud of the man he is becoming.

“Lane is 6’ 2” and looks like he’s 20, said Holly with laugh.

“He is very mature and quiet. Brian and I are very proud of him.

He takes his business very seriously and knows this is what he wants to do as he gets older.”

Lane has taken his stock to some great events including SRA rodeos, including the SRA finals in 2014 IPRA events, SEBRA and has even had his bulls featured at a PBR event. He is often helped by fellow stock contractors Ken Treadway Rodeo, and the Double Creek Rodeo Company.

The youngest son, Luke, is 8 years old and like his older brother has been part of the rodeo crowd. Although Holly admits that 6 • The Roping Pen • September 2015

he has not quite found his “thing” in the rodeo arena, he loves to go to the events that either Holly is entered in or the events that Lane is taking his bucking stock to. He can be found helping Lane feeding his stock and according to his mother is an opposite of their older son Lane.

“Luke loves to talk , and has never meet a stranger,” Holly admitted. “He loves to tag along to the rodeos.”

Holly who is a dental assistant throughout the week still clings to her passion of riding fast horses. Although she has had her up and downs in the arena, she has that desire of a cowgirl to race and win. The SRA and the rodeo community in the Southeast has missed Holly for most of the season as she and her horse have had to take some time off to recover and get back to their winning ways. Holly number one horse, VF All Fired Up, who she calls Jolene is a 12-year-old mare that needed a break from the rodeo arena. With a surgery of her own to recover from, Holly took that time to let Jolene recover and for the past month or so has been tightening up the cinches and entering back up.

“I want to finish out this season to sort of break back into it and be ready for next year,” admitted Holly. “Jolene is ready and I am too.”

Holly has no doubt been a great lady to watch burn up the rodeo trail throughout the Southeast. She has been a constant figure at SRA events, the IPRA and among the WPRA barrel racings.

With a lot left to chase, dreams of winning still tugging at her soul you can be sure Holly will be tearing into the arena, zipping around the clover-leaf pattern and racing through the finish line at as many events as she can enter up in throughout the remainder of this year. With a great family that continues to support the sport of rodeo and has a focus on carrying on that tradition, Holly, along with her husband Brian, Lane and Luke will be a part of the Southeast rodeo scene for many years to come.

Photos courtesy of SRA & the Scruggs Family

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 7

UPCOMING RODEOS • SRARODEO.COM FOR MORE INFO!

2015 STANDINGS RANK

NAME

POINTS

ALL AROUND COWBOY 1 JUSTIN THIGPEN........7922.88 2 CODY MOUSSEAU......7029.43 3 DARYL MATTHEWS.....6790.84 4 JOSH AUSTIN............6673.50 5 SHANE PROCTOR.......5544.63 ALL AROUND COWGIRL...

1 TAYLOR EARNHARDT.. 5883.02 2 KRISTIN MULKEY.......4079.35 3 MIKAYLA ALMOND.....2450.42 4 TAYLOR DIGH............2298.44 5 KARLA DAGENHART....2122.10 6 ADDIE FAIRCHILD.......1926.14 7 HEATHER SHERRILL....1736.18 8 KILEY ARRINGTON.......1217.16 9 BAYLEE WOOTEN......... 683.19 BAREBACK RIDING 1 MATT SMITH..............6063.30 2 HAROLD MILLER.........4401.76 3 JOSH CRAGAR........... 2357.80 4 WADE DOTSON.......... 1902.48 5 CASEY CASON............. 391.00 6 BRANDON RIPPY.........283.36 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1 AUSTIN STEWART.......2599.00 2 SHANE PROCTOR........2537.10 3 EDDIE PARLIER.......... 2061.90 4 TRAVIS DEAL.............1947.28 5 BUD HUMPHRIES.......1457.00 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

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: • Stock Contractor Fee: Amount as listed on rodeo info is per entry (per team in team roping)

• IPRA/SRA RODEOS:

Finals Fee: $2 per contestant

CES: $8 per contestant

ABBREVIATIONS USED:

CST CENTRAL

STD TIME

ADM ADDED MONEY

EF ENTRY FEE

BB BAREBACK RIDING

EST EASTERN

STD TIME

BR BULL RIDING

SB SADDLE BRONC RIDING

CBA COWGIRLS BKWAY ROPING

SC STOCK CHARGE

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

SW STEER WRESTLING

TR TEAM ROPING

CR CALF ROPING

BULL RIDING 1 COLT GALVAN............6317.72 2 BRADNEY TART..........6082.73 3 JP COOK................... 4501.56 4 WESLEY JOHNSON..... 4091.90 5 CHAD VANAMBURG....3520.55 6 SHANE PROCTOR....... 3007.53 7 JEREMIAH KEY...........2332.50 8 CODY MARTIN........... 2125.20 9 WESLEY BUCKNER..... 2079.76 10 LUKE POWELL............1991.20 11 RICK BYNUM............. 1654.35 12 DREW FLYNN............. 1624.90 CALF ROPING 1 THOMAS LINTON.......4456.55 2 BRADLEY BULLARD....3828.34 3 DARYL MATTHEWS.....3584.64 4 JUSTIN THIGPEN........ 3319.56 5 WILL CHARPING........ 3276.90 6 CORY KIRK................2589.68 7 GLEN FREELS............. 1924.42 8 ALLEN LIVENGOOD.... 1851.22 9 JACOB DAGENHART....1716.06 10 EARL BRADLEY...........1587.66 11 COLE WATKINS.......... 1285.58 12 JAKE THOMASSON..... 1269.69 ALL POINTS AS OF 8.12.15

8 • The Roping Pen • September 2015

RANK

NAME

POINTS

STEER WRESTLING 1 JOSH AUSTIN............3478.00 2 CHET KIDD................ 3201.94 3 CODY MOUSSEAU...... 2798.01 4 BRIAN BAREFOOT......2642.40 5 JUSTIN THIGPEN.......2202.84 6 BRAD STEWART......... 2179.66 7 JAKE THOMASSON..... 1794.58 8 JASON BAGWELL...... 1396.20 9 CORD SPRADLEY........ 1235.25 10 JOE COOK.................1174.90 11 TROY ORR..................1087.20 12 DANNY PYLES............ 1038.00 TEAM ROPING (HD) 1 JASON TUCKER..........5223.79 2 DARYL MATTHEWS.....4328.60 3 JW BAUCOM.............. 3723.01 4 JOSH AUSTIN............ 3477.02 5 JD YOUNG................. 3446.16 6 DANIEL MCLAMB....... 3318.25 7 CODY MOUSSEAU.......3171.85 8 JUSTIN THIGPEN.......2400.48 9 JACOB DAGENHART... 2265.16 10 LANGDON PLEASANT..1951.81 11 ALEX BROOKS............ 1860.57 12 CASEY HILLEY........... 1675.29 TEAM ROPING (HL) 1 CLAY FUTRELL........... 4342.41 2 HEATH LEROY............ 3301.97 3 TYLER KILE................ 3245.76 4 CALEB ANDERSON.....2908.85 5 ADAM TOOLE.............2854.77 6 CODY ARMSTRONG...2845.21 7 ROSS BLAKENEY........2609.40 8 CORY HONEYCUTT.....2590.46 9 RICK SCRUGGS.......... 2341.20 10 ADAM PLYLER............ 1779.60 11 ALEX BROOKS.............1690.12 12 DUSTIN RASH.............1676.77 BARREL RACING 1 CARRIE PUTNAM.......10105.48 2 MEGAN LYERLY.........7345.81 3 REBECCA OWENS.......6042.86 4 DANIELLE MCCRAW....4443.30 5 TAYLOR EARNHARDT.. 4048.43 6 BRITTANY BELL.......... 3577.42 7 TIFFANY DEAL............ 2581.95 8 LAUREN SMITH..........2535.49 9 MICHELLE LUMMUS....2324.18 10 PEYTON MORROW..... 2173.50 11 HANNAH WARLICK..... 1960.58 12 NANCY GARRISON..... 1932.08 BREAKAWAY ROPING 1 JAMIE ELLSWORTH....4239.66 2 KRISTIN MULKEY.......3830.95 3 LUCINDA FLETCHER... 3321.60 4 ROBIN PRUITT.......... 2363.76 5 NATALIE FLETCHER......2124.74 6 HANNAH KIRK..........2034.91 7 CARSON DENNING......2017.82 8 MARLEE MALCOM...... 1994.67 9 HAYLEY JOH KNOX......1991.47 10 BAILEY LIVENGOOD... 1935.79 11 TAYLOR EARNHARDT.. 1834.59 12 AMANDA STEWART.... 1772.79

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 9

Competitors Return Home With More Than Just

All Photos Courtesy of Jennings Photography

CHAMPIONSHIPS

BAREBACK: Tim Murphy from Simpsonville, SC placed in the Top Five at the NHSFR

GOAT TYING: Mia Manzanares took home the NHSFR National Goat Tying Championship

J

uly was huge for the sport of rodeo. The future of the sport met in Rock Spring, Wyoming for the annual High School Rodeo Finals and the event was nothing short of spectacular. Contestants from all across the globe competed for a chance to stake their name in the history books and enjoy the great times the event always offers. Not only is the NHSFR an event where careers in the sport begin, but lifelong friendships are made. With hundreds of competitors blazing into the arena throughout the week posting fast times, high marked rides and great performances, the end came too soon for many. The event climaxed with a short round where the best of the best competed to see who would finish on top and earn a National Championship!

In between their time in the arena, many of the cowboy and cowgirls took full advantage of meeting new friends and the extra attractions at the rodeo. The National High School Rodeo Association offers all kinds of fun things to do throughout the week in Rock Springs and for those who make the trip to the rodeo often come home with memories that will last a lifetime.

However, it is still a rodeo and one of the biggest in these young competitors lives to date. The competition is fierce and the for fans and contestants it is a rodeo unlike any other.

For team ropers, it was anyone’s game as all of this year’s competitors had the ability to rope fast and consistent. In the end a team from the Southeast area of the country put their name at the top of the list.

Garrett McDonald from DeFuniak, Florida and Luke Taylor from Kinston, Alabama put together a set of runs to claim the victory and win the National Championship. This duo competed hard throughout the week, roping well and trusting each other’s ability inside the arena.

ALL AROUND COWBOY: 1. Ladd King, Kaysville, UT, 960; 2. J.D. Reed, Spearman, TX, 800; 3. Ethan Price, Leedey, OK, 710; 4. Garrett McDonald, DeFuniak Springs, FL, 690; 5. Wyatt Hershberger, Litchfield Park, AZ, 635; 6-7. Marcus Theriot, Poplarville, MS, 530; 6-7. Daylon Swearingen, Piffard, NY, 530; 8.

Cord Hendrix, Fallon, NV, 510; 9. Caleb Hendrix, Fallon, NV, 500; 10. Seth Peterson, Minot, ND, 460

ALL AROUND ROOKIE COWBOY: 1. Daylon Swearingen, Piffard, NY, 530; 2. Briggs Madsen, Honeyville, UT, 500; 3.

Tristan Braden, Clermont, 495; 4. Cole Harmon, Auburn, AL, 315; 5. Yancie McCuistion, Sugar City, CO, 180; 6. Matt Schultz, Oconomowoc, WI, 165; 7. Austin Christensen, Laverne, OK, 150; 8. Daley Tilse, Mareeba, 100; 9. Brett Guerrieri, Franktown, CO, 60; 10-11. Daniel Eary, Spring Creek, NV, 50; 10-11. Chance Barrass, Yellowhead County, Alberta, CAN, 50

ALL AROUND COWGIRL: 1. Kaytlyn Miller, Dammeron Valley, UT, 1600; 2. Kelly Valdez, La Junta, CO, 1065; 3.

Jayde Atkins, Broken Bow, NB, 795; 4. Morgan Matte, Carencro, LA, 775; 5. Sierra Jo Keith, Stanfield, AZ, 665; 6.

Kate Grover, Cresco, IA, 605; 7. Kelly O’Neal, Choudrant, LA, 585; 8. Karson Bradley, Big Piney, WY, 550; 9. Ceely Davis, Lapoint, UT, 430; 10. Emily Gravlin, Creston, IA, 420

AA ROOKIE COWGIRL: 1. Kaytlyn Miller, Dammeron Valley, UT, 1600; 2. Katie Duncan, Ellensburg, WA, 600; 3.

Dally Goemmer, Battle Mountain, NV, 400; 4. Cora Borman, Backus, MN, 230; 5. Elle Eagles, Center, CO, 160; 6. Beau Peterson, Council Grove, KS, 150; 7. Allie O’Brien, Pineville, MO, 140; 8. Peyton McKinley, Las Cruces, NM, 130; 9. Lacey Steele, Alamo, NV, 120; 10. Ikena Nakoa, Kamuela, HI, 110

TEAM ROPING: Bringing home a NHSFR National Championship... STEER WRESTLING: Gabe Soileau Steer Wrestled his way to a NHSFR National Championship in Rock Springs Garrett McDonald (Funiak Springs, Florida) & Luke Taylor (Kinston, Alabama)

Another National Championship came from a young lady that is a jump and a skip away from the Southeast, Mia Manzanares, from Opelousas, Louisiana claimed the Goat Tying Championship. Mia, no stranger to the pay-window and a tough contestant wherever she goes earned the National Championship and is well on her way to becoming a great part of the sport for many years to come.

Staying in Louisiana and the Steer Wrestling event, Gabe Soileau from Bunkin, Louisiana highlighted the arena floor throughout the week in Wyoming with his smooth runs and a fantastic style of steer wrestling. Gabe and his natural abilities to ride hard, compete even harder is well on his way towards a bright future.

Wyoming’s own, Brian Brown and Arizona Cowboy, Rio Lee shared the Bareback Riding National Championship. Both cowboys were snappy and willing to give it their all in the riding event proving they deserved the championship and will be a force to reckon with in the future. Brian came from his hometown of La Barge, Wyoming and Rio came from the Southwest town of Benson, Arizona.

Faster than fast, the breakaway roping at the NHSFR was furious and the young ladies backed into the box and let em fly each and every day. Kaytlyn Miller from Dammeron Valley, Utah finished at the front of the pack after roping solid throughout the week. The win helped Kaytlyn earn the All-Around, as well as the Rookie All-Around Cowgirl Championship, a feat that is honored as one of the best in the sport.

Native Wyoming cowboy Colton Kofoed from Bear River earned his own National Championship roping his way to the lead in the Tie-Down Roping. Solid, tough, and fast, Colton pushed his way to the front of the pack with several fast times and finished well out in front.

The NHSFR also offers a chance for both young cowboys and cowgirls to compete in Cutting competitions. Winning the boys cutting was Jack Jaros from St, Charles, Iowa and on the girls side it was Sidney Amos from Loma, Colorado.

Competing throughout the week and earning the coveted AllAround Cowboy Championship was Ladd King from Kaysville, Utah.

Ladd placed well in several events and this top honor no doubt recognizes his ability to compete in and win in the rodeo arena. The Rookie All-Around Champion came from New York. Daylon Swearingen claimed the top prize after dazzling the crowd riding both broncs and bulls throughout the event.

As every cowboy and cowgirl competed for their own championship status all scores and times were tabulated to see what state was the best represented at this years event. This year’s Team Standing award went home to Utah. The overall team score showed lots of talent out of the Beehive State as they were the only team to tip past the 10,000 total points. Texas finished second with just over 8,500 total points.

Breaking into the boys and girls teams, Utah finished just in front of Texas in both of these as well. Utah was very well represented with many top competitors.

Congratulations to the many top rodeo athletes who gave it their all in Rock Springs. The event always showcases the best of the best and seems to be the jumping point for many illustrious careers in the sport. The accumulation of the best in each event gives everyone a snapshot at the future of the sport and looking back over the week there is no doubt plenty of talent to continue the great tradition of rodeo for many years to come.

BAREBACK RIDING AVG: • 1. Brian Brown, La Barge, WY, 215; 1. Rio Lee, Benson, AZ, 215; 3. Rowdy Moon, Sargent, NB, 213; 4. Zachary Hibler, Wheeler, TX, 205; 5. Tim Murphy, Simpsonville, SC, 203; 6. Hunter Carlson, Douglas, WY, 201; 6. Dustin Shaver, Crooked Creek, Alberta, CAN, 201; 8. Talon Schneiter, Rexburg, ID, 198; 9. Rylie Clemens, Blackfoot, ID, 190; 10. Dylan Riggins, Kadoka, SD, 185

GOAT TYING AVG: 1. Mia Manzanares, Opelousas, LA, 21.34; 2. Libby Winchell, Scottsbluff, NB, 22.45; 3. Avery Gonzales, Peralta, NM, 23.06; 4. Sierra Jo Keith, Stanfield, AZ, 23.69; 5. Tommi Swannack, Sprague, WA, 24.04; 6. Mary Risse, Martin, SD, 24.19; 7. Kayli Meaux, Lake Arthur, LA, 24.42; 8. Kaytlyn Miller, Dammeron Valley, UT, 24.73; 9. Jacie Sullivan, MT Vernon, AR, 24.82; 10. Dalli Bean, Eagle, ID, 25.19

SADDLE BRONC AVG: 1. Ryder Wright, Milford, UT, 232; 2. Dylan Schofield, Philip, SD, 205; 3. Brody Yeary, Brock, TX, 197; 3. Colin Dibbern, Riverdale, NB, 197; 5. Tegan Smith, Winterset, IA, 195; 6. Briggs Madsen, Honeyville, UT, 193; 7. Tristan Braden, Clermont, 191; 8. Ross Griffin, Tularosa, NM, 190; 9. Shaun Mentaberry, Winnemucca, NV, 147; 10. Cody Moody, Exeter, CA, 135

POLE BENDING AVG:1. Avery Weatherman, Balmorhea, TX, 59.882; 2. Kenzie Hull, New Oxford, PA, 60.516; 3. Sadie Fomby, Boswell, OK, 60.605; 4. Morgan Matte, Carencro, LA, 60.616; 5.

Allison Burgau, Black River Falls, WI, 61.022; 6. Keylie Kemple, Hesperus, CO, 61.309; 7. Abi Deveraux, Newcastle, WY, 61.364; 8. Shayla Currin, Dayton, WA, 61.432; 9. Alyssa Lockhart, Oelrichs, SD, 61.526; 10. Kathryn Varian, Parkfield, CA, 61.601

BULL RIDING AVG: 1. Wyatt Covington, Omak, WA, 214; 2.

Ramon Curley, St. Michaels, AZ, 207; 3. Blake Bentley, Sandy Valley, NV, 185; 4. Keyshawn Whitehorse, The Woodlands, TX, 160; 5. Jess Lockwood, Volborg, MT, 157; 6. Cannon Cravens, Tahlequah, OK, 152; 7. River Stephenson, Blackfoot, ID, 151; 8. Michael Shreeve, Salamonia, IN, 137; 9. Tristan Mize, Bryan, TX, 85; 10. Daylon Swearingen, Piffard, NY, 82

BOYS CUTTING AVG: 1. Jack Jaros, St. Charles, IA, 439; 2. Ty Fogleman, Lake Charles, LA, 436; 3. Judd Grover, Cresco, IA, 435; 4. Jaco Messenger, Woodward, OK, 432.5; 5. Justus Penrod, Santaquin, UT, 431; 5. Lefty Holman, Visalia, CA, 431; 7. J.D. Reed, Spearman, TX, 430; 8.

Ladd King, Kaysville, UT, 428; 9. John Penner, Claresholm, Alberta, CAN, 427; 10. Cole Harmon, Auburn, AL, 424

BREAKAWAY ROPING AVG: 1. Kaytlyn Miller, Dammeron Valley, UT, 7.87; 2. Bracie Beene, Solgohachia, AR, 8.65; 3. Paige Wiseman, Paola, KS, 9.16; 4. Josey Shannon, Ellensburg, WA, 9.61; 5. Blythe Beshears, Gilbert, AZ, 9.72; 6. Sarah Angelone, Cross Junction, VA, 9.83; 7. Abbie Ferguson, Tenino, WA, 10.51; 8. Cassidy Clark, Thorsby, Alberta, CAN, 10.95; 9. Karlie Pearson, Veyo, UT, 11.43; 10. Kate Grover, Cresco, IA, 20.26

TIE-DOWN AVG: 1. Colton Kofoed, Bear River, WY, 26.81; 2. Brady Norman, Springer, OK, 28.37; 3. Ladd King, Kaysville, UT, 29.87; 4. Ryder Ladner, Kiln, MS, 32.58; 5. Jordan Taylor, Logandale, NV, 33.72; 6. Zach Henry IV, Tomah, WI, 33.74; 7.

Payden Dawson, Maryville, MO, 35.47; 8. Dillon Hahnkamp, Melrose, MT, 36.35; 9. J.T. Payne, Fairland, OK, 36.52; 10. Chadron Coffield, Yuma, CO, 36.71

STEER WRESTLING AVG: 1. Gabe Soileau, Bunkie, LA, 21.03; 2. Jacob Bairos, Modesto, CA, 21.8; 3.

Ethan Price, Leedey, OK, 26.48; 4. Zack Jongbloed, LA, 27.82; 5. Kyle Eike, Glenarm, IL, 34.28; 6.

Sawyer Strand, Harrisburg, SD, 38.31; 7. Ryley Gibb, Charters Towers, 39.46; 8. Garett Casterton, Queen Creek, AZ, 41.36; 9. Connor Rexin, Pasco, WA, 43.67; 10. Logan Dibbern, Riverdale, NB, 48.99

BARREL RACING AVG: 1. Ali Armstrong, Lexington, OK, 52.054; 2. Rainy Robinson, Caldwell, ID, 52.154; 3. Kambria McDougal, Weatherford, TX, 52.181; 4.

Mclayne Pearson, Veyo, UT, 52.329; 5. Kaytlyn Miller, Dammeron Valley, UT, 52.466; 6. Sierra Spratt, Lysite, WY, 52.492; 7. Tara Hansen, Manhattan, MT, 52.729; 8.

Anna Dietrich, Greenville, IN, 52.786; 9. Sage O’Loughlin, Yamhill, OR, 52.927; 10. Kelly Valdez, La Junta, CO, 52.95

QUEENS’ CONTEST: 1. Chloé Costello, Kaufman, TX, 680.5; 2. Riley Smith, Rapid City, SD, 636.5; 3. Baylee LaFleur, Plain City, UT, 635.5; 4. Alli McKibbin, Tucson, AZ, 633.75; 5. Allesha Arehart, Lewiston, UT, 609.75; 6. Maggie Richardson, Bogata, TX, 594.25; 7. Isabelle Ritz, Comstock, NB, 593.5; 8. Summer Weldon, Martin, TN, 590; 9. Taylor Harty-Moffatt, Radium Springs, NM, 577.25; 10. Lexi Hicks, Mortlach, Saskatchewan, CAN, 566

GIRLS CUTTING AVG: 1. Sidney Amos, Loma, CO, 452; 2. Kadee Belle Hall, Comanche, OK, 442; 3. Cassie Eaton, Arcola, Saskatchewan, CAN, 441; 4. Brailie Allred, Fountain Green, UT, 439; 5. Madelynn Rucker, Cat Springs, TX, 436; 5. Patricia Rincon, Honoka’a, HI, 436; 7. Kate Grover, Cresco, IA, 435; 8. Kelly O’Neal, Choudrant, LA, 433.5; 9. Kate Jaros, St. Charles, IA, 432; 10. Raelene Paradis, Nanton, Alberta, CAN, 429

TEAM ROPING AVG: 1. Garrett McDonald, DeFuniak Springs, Florida, Luke Taylor, Kinston, Alabama, 21.21; 2. Jhett Trenary, Salida, Colorado, Jase Staudt, Nathrop, Colorado, 22.97; 3. Hayden Cloward & Hadley Cloward, Castle Dale, Utah, 24.04; 4. Quentin Branden, Barrhead, Alberta, Canada, Walker Galloway, Ponoka, Alberta, Canada, 24.69; 5. Ethan Awa & Chase Onaka, Holualoa, Hawaii, 26.71;

10 • The Roping Pen • September 2015

The smoothness and quickness Colton demonstrated will help him move into the future realms of rodeo and be a statement wherever he decides to hang his hat.

Ryder Wright no doubt rode em right and did his job well in the Saddle Bronc Riding. The Millford, Utah cowboy sat in the middle of his broncs and posted high marks in the scorebook throughout the week. Finishing well in the front of the pack of talented cowboys in Wyoming, Ryder proved he was the one to beat early on and he never looked back. Don’t be surprised to see the name Ryder at some of the biggest events for many years to come.

The great state of Texas broke into the winners circle in the Pole Bending event. Avery Weatherman from Balmorhea, Texas was the fastest in the field of great cowgirls who came out to compete hard at the NHSFR. Not much separated Avery from the rest of the group, but it was enough to earn her a National Championship.

The cowgirls struck again in the barrel racing event, racing around the clover-leaf pattern to see who would claim the National Championship. Ali Armstrong from Lexington, Oklahoma was just a bit faster than the rest of the field with only .1 second moving her into the championship spotlight. What a feat for this young lady and huge congratulations to all of the tough cowgirls who raced and made the event exciting from beginning to end.

Claiming his National Championship in the final rough stock event, Wyatt Covington from Omak, Washington was declared the bull riding champion. Wyatt eased into the victory spot and stole the show with high marked rides and true professionalism that will carry him to many more victories throughout his career.

ALL AROUND: Mississippi’s own Marcus Theriot rode, roped, and wrestled his way into the Top 10 All-Around

TEAM ROPING AVG, CONT’D: 6. Cooper Martin, Alma, Kansas, Bo Yaussi, Udall, Kansas, 28.76; 7. Seth Peterson, Minot, North Dakota, Layton Bohlman, Richardton, North Dakota, 36.32; 8. Slade Townsend, Fredonia, Texas, McCray Profili, Anderson, Texas, 37.34; 9. Caleb Hendrix & Cord Hendrix, Fallon, Nevada, 37.35; 10. Tanner Green, Cotulla, Texas, Coleby Payne, Seagoville, Texas, 37.51

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 11

T

he Cinch USTRC National Finals is just around the corner. This event is the pinnacle of the sport of team roping and takes place each October in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. This year the USTRC has made some modifications to the Cinch USTRC NFTR to make it a more enjoyable and memorable event for everyone. The event will take place October 24th through November 1st and will again have a guaranteed $1 Million in cash added to the payout.

The big changes will come in the Shoot Out Divisions. All Shoot Outs, which include the #15, #13, #12, #11, #10, #9, #8 and the Gold Plus #12 and #10, will be progressive after two steers. Teams that fail to qualify their first steer will have a chance at Rotation Fast Time money as the fast time will be paid based on times in round 2 only. Each rotation will pay up to 3 places in the fast time payout. Next, USTRC is bringing back Rotation Fast on Two Payout.

Eligible teams are those with two qualified runs or those with three qualified runs, but too long to make the cut to the short round.

Teams too long to make the cut to the short round will have their longest time thrown out. Each rotation will pay up to 3 places in the fast on two average. The entry fee will be $500 per roper and ropers may enter twice, but not with the same partner. Each Shoot Out Division will be broken into 100 team rotations and ropers will rope their first steer in the Main Coliseum and then move to Barn 8 for their second steer. Then ropers will come back to the Main Coliseum for the third steer and the short round. The top 30 teams will advance to the short round. All divisions will be four steer averages. These changes will allow more teams to earn checks and of course with the $1 Million added the payouts will be incredibile.

Pro View joins the USTRC this year to bring the US Open Championships to ropers. Pro View Equine Surveillance is a division of Pro View Global Digital Surveillance, a leading surveillance company with years of experience in the oil and gas, educational and commercial industries. Pro View Global Digital Surveillance services has sites across the nation and has developed a valuable network of surveillance experts to address the needs of security in a number of platforms. With that in mind, Pro View Equine Surveillance is expanding to provide surveillance applications for virtually any type of horse trailer, from stock to elaborate living quarters, to providing smaller systems for stalls at team roping events, as well as complete surveillance for the farm and ranch. The entry fee for the US Open Championships will be $2000 per roper and it will be 100% payback. The roping will be four full rounds and a short go round.

The preliminary divisions will be $300 per roper and ropers may enter two times. The Open Division will be a five steer average progressive after one steer, and all other divisions will be four steer averages progressive after one steer. There will be an incentive in each division that is one number down from the division, except for the Open and it will feature a #15 Incentive. The top 20 teams or five percent (whichever is greater) of the roping will advance to the short round. When the roping is all said and done all eligible teams

12 • The Roping Pen • September 2015

that qualify to the short round will advance to the Shoot Out except in the Open Division. The top five incentive teams will advance to the Shoot Out. The preliminary divisions (#15-#9) will allow a “Draw In” option, but ropers must still pre-enter.

The Cinch USTRC NFTR will also have the Invitation Ropings again this year. The #12 and #10 Invitational ropings have been very popular among team ropers over the past few years. The ropings are available to ropers over the age of 30 as of the day of the event. Both divisions will be limited to 100 teams and will be a 4 steer average with three full rounds with a three steer consolation.

The top 15 teams will advance to the short round of the main average and the top 20 teams will rope in the consolation short round.

The entry fee will be $2000 per roper with an 80% payout and ropers may enter twice. The #12 will have no caps, but the #10 will be capped at a #6.

The specialty ropings will also be in place again this year. The Cruel Girl Championships will be Wednesday October 28th and will be a #11 with a #9 Incentive and is open to all female ropers. The Century will be on Thursday October 29th and will be a #11 with a #9 Incentive and is open to all ropers over the age of 50 within the calendar year. The entry fee for both ropings will be $300 per roper and both will be 4 steer averages progressive after 1 steer.

The Junior Looper Roping is set for Wednesday October 28th at 9 am and Saturday October 31st at 9 am in Barn 3. The top three from each of the preliminary ropings will come back to compete in the Junior Looper Shoot Out inside the Main Coliseum on October 31st right after the #10 Shoot Out to compete for all the big prizes.

Of course the Cinch USTRC NFTR would not be complete without the Challenge Arena. Team ropers may go to Barn 6 October 25th through October 31st to compete in the USTRC Challenge. Ropers may also go compete at the Guthrie Shoot Outs at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma starting October 23 & ending October 31.

The entries for the Cinch USTRC NFTR are open now and must be postmarked by September 18, 2015 to avoid any late fees. Gold Plus members may have their entries postmarked September 25th, however absolutely no entries will be accepted after October 2, 2015. Please note that the postmark deadline for ALL stall reservations is September 18th. The deadline for Gold Plus members to PHONE in their stall reservations is September 25th The USTRC is proud to say the Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping is set up to be even bigger and better than ever before. It is certainly one team roping event that you will not want to miss. Make your stall and hotel reservations now and be sure to schedule your vacation so you can be a part of one of the biggest and best team roping events in the entire world. We hope to see YOU at the Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping event on October 24-November 1, 2015.

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 13

NO WAVE… NO MORE!

A

n often missed head shot is not one that sails past the horns, a loop that falls short of its intended target or one that misses to the left or right. Often for most headers who have been roping for a while the most common form of a missed head loop is one that sails well, seems like it will settle nicely around the base of the horns, but does not stay there and instead fails to stay secure. Known as the “wave-off,” it is dreaded among headers. The wave-off is very common among amateur ropers. Many fear it and search for ways to cure its diseased effect.

This month we went to Bret Beach at TotalTeamRoping.com to see what he had to say about head loops that sail off their intended targets. He had plenty to state on the subject and admitted that he probably could not fit all of the reasons in a single article. With that in mind, he headed straight to the top of the list and gave us some insight as to why ropers wave it off and what to do to avoid this problem.

“One of the problems is that steers don’t usually have a good set of horns like they used to,” said Bret. “These shorter horned cattle make the problem worse. To fix not waving it off though a header needs to begin by throwing a better loop. If you throw a good loop you decrease your chances of waving it off.”

Bret said he watches ropers who often wave it off and they do different things to try to compensate for it.

Bret had a little more to say on what headers try to do in order to avoid waving it off the horns and why in many cases their attempt to rope better does more harm then good.

“I also see headers try to use a smaller loop in order to avoid waving it off,” he added.

“These guys still wave it off and a smaller loop causes more problems, such as, one they lose their range. Also, a smaller loop stiffens the rope up. The affect of a smaller loop is that it hits the left shoulder of the steer and opens up and pops off even quicker. I suggest using a regular sized loop and work on the mechanics of roping the horns correctly.”

In order to avoid a wave-off Bret explained a few things to try.

“To begin, like I said before, work on a better loop,” Bret said. “You must also pull your slack at the right time. The timing of pulling your slack is critical. I see a lot of headers who are too slow on pulling their slack and it causes a wave-off. As soon as the curl hits the shoulder slam it shut. You can’t be late.”

Like every header, Bret works on his loop and delivery in order to not wave it off.

“When I back in the box, especially when there is money on the line and I see a smaller-horned steer I know I need to lower my chances of waving it off,” he said. “I raise my hand a little, get my tip down and really try to rope the horns deep, get more skull in the loop and rope them around the eyes. This will eliminate the wave-off most of the time. In some instances I will even go with a neck shot in order to make sure I make a solid catch.”

“To begin, it is a misconception that the way a header pulls his slack causes the loop to wave off. Many believe that by pulling their slack out to the side (to the right) causes a Like Bret said, there are many different factors that go into a header to trying to avoid wave-off. It is not created by the way you pull your slack, but most of the time caused by a wave-off and you can find them all at TotalTeamRoping.com. There are hundreds of a poor loop to begin with,” Bret said. “If they fix their swing and delivery to have a better loop, they could pull their slack straight back, to the side or even straight up like a heeler videos to watch from the pros and guest at the website and thousands of tips that you can take to the pay window of your next roping! and the loop will stay secure.”

14 • The Roping Pen • September 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 15

CHET

S

ometimes, life changing events happen without being noticed. I met Keith Gobble around 2002, when we were both getting into team roping. We roped some together and, through team roping, learned more about one another, and a friendship developed. In a world filled with gunsels and wannabes, Keith was the real thing.

He shod horses for a living, ran a few cows, backgrounded stockers, and day worked. Keith was a cowboy.

When my first children came along, I took a break, almost four years to be exact, from roping. Keith and I stayed in touch throughout this time. I eventually got back into team roping and Keith could be counted on to partner with me no matter how poorly I roped.

Along about then I started trying to lure Keith to Burke’s Garden to work with me. He day worked for us some, but never would make the commitment to relocate and become full-time.

Life has a way of monkey-wrenching the best of plans and routines. The spring of 2013 brought changes, both here at Steele Cattle and in Keith’s life. We once again were in need of a hand, and Keith had some things happen in his life freeing him up to join me here. Finally, there was a bonafide, true enough, good hand working on this outfit. In addition to feeding, fencing, haying, and any and all farm type work, Keith was cowboy. He could process new arrivals, ride traps and pull sicks, or, if they wouldn’t come in, he could use, the ol’ poly portable chute (rope) and pasture doctor them, reducing the stress of running one too much. Keith was cowman enough to know when to and when not to throw the twine.

With Tino handling most of the feeding and tractor work, Keith and I spent a lot of time working horseback together. One of my favorite pictures is one I snapped when he and I had a steer stretched out for doctoring. Along about this time I gave him the nickname, Chet. Being of slightly shorter stature, Keith has endured many other aliases; Shorty, Stubby, Stubs. Never having Short Man Syndrome, he was always comfortable with himself and took everything in stride. My favorite book is Monte Walsh by Jack Schaefer. Most of you may be familiar with the film versions, but in the book, Chet was Monte’s shorter, calmer, sidekick. Therefore, I made him Chet, and myself the louder and extroverted Monte. Keith, always one to carry on, wanted to be Monte, as well. One conversation while riding went like this; Me: “Chet, I think we’ll check the Sinkhole Trap.”

Keith: “I’m not Chet, I’m Monte.”

Me: “You can’t be Monte; he was tall and good-looking.”

Keith: “What’s that make you, the camp cookie?” (I still think I make the better Monte)

Things were going well, both for the outfit and Keith. So well in fact, he started making plans to find a piece of land here in the valley to buy and stay permanently. Once again, life threw a monkey wrench into the plans. Chet started having some health issues June 15, 2013. Then came slight behavioral changes, which he, and the

16 • The Roping Pen • September 2015

rest of us, overlooked, thinking he was simply stressed from feeling under the weather. On June 22, Keith just simply left a field of hay unbaled while I was at a wedding. The following day, when I met him to discuss it, he told me he was a bit concerned with his health and wanted to go home. I respected his decision, but was extremely disappointed to lose such a good coworker. His last day working was the 28th. Four days later, I got a late night phone call from a friend telling me Keith had been hospitalized and a brain tumor was discovered. Needless to say, Wifey and I were greatly saddened by this news. Keith underwent surgery on July 5th to have the tumor removed. While in surgery, he suffered a stroke, partially paralyzing his left side. Cancer treatments began about a week later at Duke University.

The roping community pulled together for Chet. I found a spur maker to design and make a custom set of spurs to raffle off to help our buddy with expenses. The initial raffle raised about $4,000. The spur winner, Jeremy Rector, donated the spurs back to be actioned off to continue raising funds for Chet. With the help of Cowfolks Care and their Facebook page, the spurs were auctioned off, bringing in about $1000 more, thanks to the kind-heartedness of Rhonda Lacroix and Ern Mooney, who pooled together to win the spurs. In another act of kindness, they gave the spurs to Keith.

Through all of the trials, the treatments, stroke, rehab, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes, Chet has been one of the most positive, uplifting people I’ve known. He has never stopped, always looking for an angle where he can be independent and continue making a living in agriculture. He is an inspiration to so many of us.

In addition, he never stopped being Chet, Stubby, Keith. He’s even managed to get back on a horse, even with limited mobility. Yep, Chet is still cowboy.

I would like to stop the story right here, saying Chet has gone on to get his auctioneer’s license, as he’s planned, and is still improving and living cancer-free. Unfortunately, he has been monkey wrenched once more. By the time you are reading this, Chet will be almost one month into treatment again. Cancer has been found around his brain stem. I called him a few days before writing this, only to discover he is still the same positive, uplifting, self-aware Keith I met over ten years ago. While my faith has been shaken, and I took the news hard this time, Chet continued to pick up those around him. I ask everyone to keep one of the best cowboys I know in your thoughts and prayers. Just like in the novel, it’s Chet who is the true friend and cowboy that keeps Monte going. I love you, buddy, keep on fighting; we’re all behind you.

BY STUART MITCHELL

Rules.

No one seems to like them but what would happen if we had none? Cars would all go at the same time at an intersection. Politicians would all cheat at elections. Kids would boss their parents around. (Or does that happen too much anyhow? ). There are all kinds of rules... written rules, unspoken rules, and ignored rules. There are a few, however, that need to be stated and remembered.

If you are going to do something, do it well. If you say you will do something then do it. Children obey your parents. Parents take care of your children. Respect your elders. Be considerate of the young. Contribute to society, don’t be a burden. If you mess it up, clean it up. If you open a gate, close it back. Honor God and thank Him for all he has blessed you with.

There are rules that are more common sense than anything and some you only learn as you age. Here are a few for those of us who are lucky enough to be team ropers.

1. If you’ve never owned 40 head of roping steers, don’t gripe about a man’s stock.

2. If you’ve never planned a roping, don’t complain about the mud or dust.

3. If you get a bad break at a roping, learn from it, don’t gripe about it.

4. If you go to a roping and don’t do well, don’t blame the contractor. Who twisted your arm, anyhow?

5. If your attitude ain’t good that morning, then don’t go. Save your money.

6. If you practice at a buddy’s place, always offer to help with the light bill or the feed bill.

7. Don’t be the last to arrive and the first to leave. Steers have to be wrapped and unwrapped.

These are just a few rules that need to be followed. Common sense and courtesy are the guidelines here. Rules are made to be followed, not broken. Most rules are good, some are not so good. But if one would just “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (I think I read that somewhere), then you will be part of the solution, and not part of the problem.

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 17

THE SPICER SPICER GRIPP MEMORIAL ROPING • JULY 29 - AUG 2 • HEREFORD, TX STORY BY STEPHANIE WOLF •PHOTOS BY LONE WOLF PHOTOGRAPHY

R

oping is a craft passed down from the settlers of the open plains that span our great country & others around the world. The “sport” of roping has evolved from the heroes of earlier times.

The cowboy that stepped up & saved his buddy from the sharp horns & hooves of an angry steer never received a gold buckle. The men & women of previous generations depended on their horses as well. When a cowboy stepped off to doctor a steer, he trusted his horse to keep Junior Nogueira the rope tight. Every day involved risk.

There was not a cell phone h&y to call for help. No fences surrounded those cowboys’ “office.” They lived under the stars. Working, sweating, & bleeding together, they shared their dreams & nightmares. More importantly, they shared their knowledge & craft.

Cowboying is an art. The ability to ride a horse, read a cow, & throw a rope is each, in itself, a skill. Those who have mastered all 3 have a trade. The few that can teach just 1 of those techniques have a profession. Then there are those with a calling. Roping & cowboying are in their soul. These men & women give Jake Barnes everything they’ve got. Then they dig down deeper & give a little more. It’s more than just roping skills they possess. Their character provides inspiration. They are the very best at what they do, but more importantly, how they do it. Those with a calling ride Jake Barnes & through life humble & eternally thankful. Junior Nogueira They live by example & hold their self to earned the a higher st&ard. The thing that separates Open Team the everyday cowboys from those with a calling is the answer to a very short ques- Roping tion: Why? Why do they live the way they Championship do? That intangible quality creates the from the high legend. Spicer Gripp had it, & joined the call position legions of legends. He is forever remem- of the short bered the 1st weekend in August in Her- round! eford, Texas at the Spicer Gripp Memorial Roping. It is a nearly week-long event full of festivities and events and is an event not to be missed. All ages are represented and challenged to be the best they can be over the weekend.

2015 Spicer The first roping event was the Senior Gripp Steer Roping./ Quality Distillers Grain & Tie-Down Panhandle Express sponsored the Senior Roping Steer Roping. Contestants that were ages Champion 50 & older had the opportunity to throw overtook a their rope at three steers. Each round, as fierce field well as the average, paid 4 places. Marty Jones started off strong with a round win of ropers at & went on to finish 1st in the avg. Marty this year’s tied his 1st steer in 12.47 sec for $1,326. event!

He was too long in the 2nd & 3rd rounds to win a check, but stayed consistent, tying three steers in 38.68 seconds and ended up taking home $1,990 for first in the average.

A match Steer Roping was also held on Thursday. While enjoying the fajitas by Panhandle Express, folks watched Landon McClaugherty take on Jason Evans. This match was the final in a series with $20,000 on the line. Both Landon & Jason roped well, but in the end Landon prevailed

18 • The Roping Pen • September 2015

and was named Champion

Landon & Jason were not done, however. Both men were in the arena once again on Friday morning for the Open Steer Roping. BJM Sales & Service is a long time sponsor of the Open Steer Roping & with their support it remains among the highest paying steer roping competitions in the country. A total of $75,000 was paid out this year in the BJM Open Steer Roping. Three full rounds were run on Friday & the top 12 in the avg came back on Sunday for the short go. One of the last men to rope in the 1st round, Jo Jo Lemond set the pace for most of the day. Jo Jo tied his 1st steer in 10.78 sec winning the round & $5,454. Scott Snedecor made his 1st of 4 nice runs in the 1st round. A previous winner of the Spicer Gripp Steer Roping, Scott tied his 1st steer in 12.57 sec. He earned $1,364 for that effort, but Scott had his eye on a bigger prize. After tying his next 2 steers, Scott’s total time on 3 head was 42.20 sec. That put him 4th in the avg & allowed him to come back for a shot at the big money on Short Go Sunday. After the dust settled on Sunday, Scott picked up his new buckle, a check for $2,727 for 1st in the short go, & another check for $10,910 because his time of 10.87 sec on his final steer placed him 1st in the avg.

This year, the Ladies Team Roping was replaced by the Ladies Breakaway Roping. Lone Star Ropes provided the sponsorship of the event & the inaugural Spicer Gripp Ladies Breakaway Roping was the largest breakaway roping ever held in Texas. A total of 51 ladies showed up to compete for the $22,900 in prize money. Two rounds were run on Friday with the top 12 coming back on Sunday for the short go. Lari Dee Guy, founder of the Rope Like a Girl line of clothing, was the winner in the 1st round of breakaway roping. Lari Dee stopped the clock in 3.22 sec & pocketed a check for $1,602. Kaylee Moyer came into the short round sitting 6th in the avg with a total time of 8.71 sec on 2 calves.

Kaylee ran her final calf down in 7.22 sec, but a few bobbles & breakouts made by the ladies following her allowed her to finish 3rd in the short round & 1st in the avg. Kaylee won $458 for placing 3rd in the short go & $3,653 for placing 1st in the avg.

The sky opened up around dark on Friday evening, yet the band played on overwhelming the sound of generators providing power in the background. By Saturday morning the ground was once again in good condition & the tie down ropers were ready for their shot at over $53,000 in prize money. Westyn Hughes dominated the 1st 2 rounds. Westyn tied his 1st calf in 9.18 sec & his 2nd one in 8.83 sec. Both runs placed him 1st in their respective round & he was paid $3,873 for each round win. Westyn was too long on his 3rd calf to earn a check in that round, but remained high call back on Sunday. His

...continued on page 20

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 19

total time on 3 head was 29.27 sec. Meanwhile, Hunter Herrin placed 2nd in the 1st round with a time of 9.48 sec which earned him $2,905.

Hunter was also 2nd high back with a total time of 29.40 sec on 3 head.

Hunter tied his final calf in 8.77 sec putting Kaylee Moyer all the pressure on Westyn. Westyn had a bit of trouble at the line & ended up 2nd claimed the Avg in the avg with a total time of 41.06 sec on Championship 4 head. In the end, Westyn did take home in the Ladies one more check for $5,810, but the winner Breakaway of the SG Tie-Down Roping sponsored by Roping, Mobile Vet Practice was Hunter Herrin & the largest he received $7,745 for the averag win.

Breakaway roping to date in Texas The top Dummy Ropers from each age group competed for the coveted Spicer Gripp Diggin’ the Kids Dummy Roping Champion Saddle in the arena. The notorious Panhandle resident, Digger Howard, was the competition’s namesake, and Sweet Bran RAMP was the sponsor. Several rounds of roping whittled down the contestants to the top 1 in each of 3 age groups. Nicholas Lovins was from the oldest group. Former champion, Ketch Kelton, represented the middle group, & Gunnar Lemond was the youngest dummy roper. After 3 full rounds, all 3 boys were tied. Unfortunately, Nicholas missed on his 4th attempt leaving the previous champion, Ketch Kelton, & Gunnar Lemond to battle for the saddle. Gunnar Tyson Durfey won half headed the dummy on his 5th attempt, allowing the possibility for Ketch to the match against win the saddle. As Ketch let go of his rope Justin Maass at the on his 5th attempt, he actually missed... 2015 Spicer Gripp an extremely rare occurrence! Gunnar Lemond, the new Diggin’ the Kids Dummy Roping Champion was lifted high in the air by his dad, Jo Jo Lemond, in celebration.

Texas Feed Fat once again sponsored Landon the Pro Am Team Roping held on Saturday McClaugherty afternoon. A total of 71 teams competed overtook for the Coats Saddles, Montana Silver- Jason Evans smith buckles, spurs, bits, breast collars & in the steer money clips. The high team back in both roping match divisions ended up winning the saddle for 1st in the avg. The top 2 teams at the end during the of the day were Chance Kelton heading for 2015 Spicer Chuck Senter, & Dakota Kirchenschlager Gripp heeling for Treylr Jackson. The money raised by the Pro Am Team roping provides a significant boost to the Spicer Gripp Youth Foundation. Each and every amateur roper, their professional counterparts, & Texas Feed Scott Fat is sincerely appreciated for their conSnedecor tribution to the event. Each year tens of thousands of dollars is raised for students won the at West Texas A&M, & these people are ex- Average in the tremely important in that process.

Open Steer Between short rounds, two match tie- Roping down ropings were held. The first was be- event at the tween Justin Maass & Tyson Durfey & was 2015 Spicer sponsored by CINCH. With $10,000 up for Gripp grabs, both competed to the best of their ability. After the second section of calves, Tyson was declared the winner. The 2nd match was between junior tie-down ropers Cameron McCarley & Kory McConnell. When they were done, Kory was presented with the Montana Silversmith buckle & a scholarship worth $1,000.

Knot tying made its 2nd appearance in the event’s lineup. Jo Jo Lem-

20 • The Roping Pen • September 2015

ond & Dakota Kirchenschlager won the 1st round with a time of 17.40 sec. Chance Kelton & Jason Thomas were out of the money in the 1st round, but tied their 2nd steer in 15.32 sec the round win. Chance & Jason’s total time of 35.63 sec on 2 steers placed them 1st in the avg. $1,000 was split between the 2 for 1st in the round; $2,400 was split for 1st in the avg and they each took home a Montana Silversmith buckle.

And then it was Sunday. The Short Go started off with the Open Team Roping, sponsored by a huge supporter of the Memorial, Whiteface Ford. Only the top 12 teams were invited back. Turtle Powell & Jonathan Torres came back 11th in the avg & knew they had to be fast for a chance at money. They took a risk & it paid off. When the flag dropped, the clock read 5.11 sec. Turtle & Jonathan split $1,500 for the fastest time of the roping, another $1,500 for the fastest time in the short round, & $8,700 for 4th in the avg. The great Jake Barnes with his young & very fast protégé, Junior Nogueira, came to the short round in the #1 position. Jake’s Gunnar age & experience blend well Junior’s Lemond, youth & freedom. Jake & Junior backed into the box for their 6th & final steer of the new the day. They needed to stop the clock Diggin’ the in less than 12sec. Spectators watched Kids Dummy as Jake turned the steer off. Dirt flew Roping from the wake left by Junior’s horse as Champion! he slid around the corner putting Junior in position. The crowd cheered as Junior performed his signature layback. After the flag dropped, Junior wrapped Jake up in a bear hug as they rode back up the pen displaying the connection the team shares. Jake & Junior’s total time on 6 steers was 45.33 sec. They split $34,800. Zac Small & Tyler Worley ended up placing 2nd in the avg which put $13,050 in each pocket.

Today we have social media blasting an idealized version of a cowboy.

Their feats quantified in homeostatic arenas. Their true character hidden by spotlights. Spicer Gripp’s style of life made him a legend, and in line with the true nature of a hero, he inspired those around him to carry forward & share that intangible quality. Hereford, Texas’ pride of the Spicer Gripp Memorial Roping, the dedication of everyone involved, links the character of the man, Spicer Gripp, to future generations.

In 1975, Craig Peterson & Kevin Naughton wrote, “All would be wagered for the final hand in this game of chance. The odds preposterous; the pot a fortune; the players fickle; the ante adventure. Deal them cards!” Take a gamble next year and show up in Hereford, Texas on the 1st weekend in August & join the adventure. All are welcome to come. Join the fun, sit back, observe, & absorb the never-ending influence of Spicer Gripp.

Photos courtesy of Lone Wolf Photography - Gabe Wolf.

21

22 • The Roping Pen • September 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 23

& Junior and Youth Divisions

So Proud of Our Members!

S

tarting in August, every member of the SCHSRA begins the journey to rodeo and to earn points toward our state final in May. This May, we had an exciting state final, as we brought together all the qualifiers and their families at the T.Ed Garrison Arena in Clemson, South Carolina, for three days of competition. On Thursday night, we remembered the true cowboy during our Western Vintage night. Friday night was Cinch night and we recognized our senior competitors. Saturday night was very special as we celebrated our fortieth anniversary for our association as well as the state’s Purple Heart recipients.

When all was over, each and every competitor could hold his/her head high knowing he/she had given it all he/she could.

Next to come was Nationals in Rock Springs, Wyoming.

Our state team represented the Palmetto state with pride and great effort. Kelsey Martin joined talent with Ethan Cook and won the hearts of those who attended the talent show. Tim Murphy proved to the nation once again that he was in the top ten for his event as he finished 5th overall for Bareback riding. We were very proud of everyone’s effort.

MEET THE 2015/16 SCHSRA QUEEN:

Makaylah McCurry

A

s a junior at West Oak High School, I compete in team roping, goat tying, and breakaway roping. I am part of HOSA (Health Occupational Students of America), WOHS FFA, BETA Club, and GT choir for South Carolina. I have been a member of South Carolina High School Rodeo Association for 2 years, and wish I would have started sooner! Andy and Lisa McCurry are my fabulous parents, who give up a lot to allow me to pursue something I love dearly. Their support and love have pushed me to become who I am today, and to continue to strive for goals I desire to achieve. Through all the mud, rain, friendships, failures, and 4 hour road trips, SCHSRA has provided me with a great family atmosphere, a determination to better myself, and great memories. I am very honored to have the opportunity to represent such an amazing association, and I hope to make a difference and be a role model during my reign. These past two years have shown me how much love and support can come from the volunteers, sponsors, and definitely parents. After high school, I plan to go to college and pursue a job in the medical field, whether that be animals, or people. I hope that everyone has a very successful year of rodeo during the 2015-2016 season. Be ready for success, challenges, and great friendships, but in the end HAVE FUN! Let God lead you to be who you are, give it your all, and never give up. Good luck to all rodeo contestants, old and new, I cannot wait to be with so many kids who genuinely love what they do!

MEET THE 2015/16 SCJHD PRINCESS:

Emma Hunter

24 • The Roping Pen • September 2015

Photos couretsy of SCHSRA The Magazine for America’s Roper • 25

NEAFRA MEMBERS, FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND THE ENTIRE ROPING COMMUINITY ARE ALL INVITED!

HIGHER TRAILS COWBOY CHURCH

KEEPING OUT THE COLD

•••• BENEFIT ROPING •••• •• SAT • OCT 10 • PARAGOULD, AR •• • BOOKS OPEN 9 AM • ROPING STARTS 10 AM • ••• RAFFLE FOR SHOTGUN & MUZZLELOADER ••• • OPEN: $40 • #12 SLIDE: $25 • #10 CAP @ 6: $20 •

••• NOTE: MUST HAVE NEGATIVE COGGINS TEST •••

For more information: Pastor Ray Sandusky @ 870.746.1685 Brother Bruce Carr @ 870.243.1117 • Events: Brandon Pully @ 870-215-9018 Roping: Devin Tate @ 870.219.1244 • Roping: Josh Carr @ 870.919.0157

26 • The Roping Pen • September 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 27

September 2015 PHOTO OF THE MONTH

Turtle Powell

Spicer Gripp Memorial Roping

July 29 -Aug 2, 2015 • Hereford, Tx © Lone Wolf Photography

28

29

WR GIRLS ALL AROUND 1 BAILEY LANGLEY......... 430.10 2 MADYSEN BAKER........ 406.30 3 ANNIE GRACE ROACH.. 324.70 4 ADDIE HUNTER........... 323.00 5 GRACE SERVIES........... 129.20

FYRA POINT STANDINGS

• FYRA POINT STANDINGS

rodeofyra.com • Follow us on Facebook!

SR BOYS ALL AROUND 1 Eddie Rounds.......1164.50 2 Chase Dyal............890.80 3 Hunter Styles.........775.20 4 Colby Winstead......640.90 5 Bennett Dove.........523.60 6 Caleb Traenkner....459.08 7 Kendall Chappell....360.40 8 Kenneth Glick........353.60 9 Hunter Roof..........275.40 10 Tyler Willis.............232.90 11 Spencer Tucker......178.50 SR GIRLS ALL AROUND 1 Monica Harmon...1628.94 2 Cheridan Gowan....782.17 3 Chanler Burgess.....744.60 4 Maggie Wirchball...718.76 5 Brittany Malone.....683.40 6 Kayla Lombardo....547.06 7 Kyra Lombardo......504.73 8 Leah Hunter..........492.15 9 Jessica Burgess......488.75 10 Brooks Eddins........274.04 11 Chloe Cox..............198.90 12 Kiowa Waters........130.56 13 Jordan Mullinax....110.50 14 Skylar Langley......102.00 15 Hannah Loudermilk.79.90 16 Leah Blanton...........59.50 17 Ashton Willis............58.48 BAREBACK 1 Kendall Chappell....214.20 2 Jordan Hill............102.00 3/4 Kenneth Glick........40.80 3/4 Dakota Collyer......40.80 5 Caleb Traenkner......27.20 STEER WRESTLING 1 Bennett Dove.........102.00 2 Eddie Rounds...........17.00 JR GIRLS ALL AROUND 1 OLIVIA DOVE.......1433.78 2 CHEYENNE DOUGLAS...1268.88 3 HANNAH GRACE HARMON...772.31 4 MCKENZIE BROWN.616.93 5 AMBER MASSEY.....520.71 6 GRACE BRYANT......510.85 7 GEORGIA CAROLINE KAY..335.58 8 REBECCA MCCLINON.. 328.78 9 ELLY WHITESELL.....325.21 10 MADDISON PER.....278.12 11 ISABELLA HART......264.18 12 EMMA HUNTER......175.10 JR BK AWAY 1 ETHAN LOMBARDO.311.10 2 OLIVIA DOVE.........294.10 3 DAVIS SEWELL........200.60 4 MCKENZIE BROWN.100.30 5 GRACE BRYANT........95.20 6/7 HANNAH GRACE HARMON...61.20 6/7 SPENCER TIMMS.....61.20 8 CHEYENNE DOUGLAS...45.90 9 JACKSON RHYMER...20.40

SR BARREL RACING 1 Monica Harmon.....763.81 2 Madison Bagwell....418.54 3 Cheridan Gowan....404.09 4 Jessica Burgess......402.73 5 Maggie Wirchball...261.80 6 Chanler Burgess.....253.98 7 Leah Hunter..........187.85 8 Kayla Lombardo....125.46 9 Brooks Eddins........104.04 10 Kiowa Waters..........96.56 11 Jordan Mullinax......64.60 12 Abbi McCraw............52.36 13 Bailey Curtice..........48.62 14 Skylar Langley........38.76 15 Ashton Willis............36.72 16/17 Hannah Loudermilk.25.84 16/17 Thomas Hagood.25.84

SR BREAK AWAY 1 Brittany Malone.....258.40 2 Kayla Lombardo....251.60 3 Monica Harmon.....190.40 4 Leah Hunter..........153.00 5 Kyra Lombardo......130.90 6-7 Chloe Cox...............34.00 6-7 Kiowa Waters.........34.00 8 Leah Blanton...........18.70 9 Julianne Sloan.........17.00

SR CHUTE DOGGIN’ 1 Eddie Rounds.........289.00 2 Bennett Dove.........215.90 3 Caleb Traenkner....134.30 4 Chase Dyal............132.60 5 Kendall Chappell....119.00 6-7 Dillon Miller...........54.40 6-7 Spencer Tucker.......54.40 8 Hunter Styles...........51.00 9 Zach Tucker.............20.40

SR GOAT TYING 1 Brittany Malone.....425.00 2 Chanler Burgess.....277.10 3 Kyra Lombardo......173.40 4 Kayla Lombardo....170.00 5 Leah Hunter..........151.30 6 Chloe Cox................90.10 7 Maggie Wirchball.....81.60 8 Jordan Mullinax......45.90 9 Leah Blanton...........40.80 10 Cheridan Gowan......30.60 11 Monica Harmon.......23.80 12 Grace Miller.............20.40

SR BULL RIDING 1 Colby Winstead......346.80 2 Jesse Barnhardt.......85.00

TEAM ROPING-HEAD 1 Hunter Styles.........401.20 2 Eddie Rounds.........249.90 3 Jacob McGinn........243.10 4 Chase Dyal............239.70 5 Olivia Dove...........122.40 6 Cayden McCraw.......81.60 SR POLES 7 Hunter Roof............66.30 1 Monica Harmon.....650.93 8 Tyler Wills................44.20 2 Maggie Wirchball...375.36 3 Cheridan Gowan....347.48 TEAM ROPING-HEEL 1 Jacob McGinn........345.10 4 Chanler Burgess.....213.52 2 Chase Dyal............306.00 5 Kyra Lombardo......200.43 3 Eddie Rounds.........292.40 6 Brooks Eddins........170.00 4 Colby Winstead......187.00 7 Jessica Burgess........86.02 5 Hunter Styles.........102.00 8 Chloe Cox................74.80 6 Spencer Tucker........56.10 9 Skylar Langley........63.24 7 Hunter Roof............52.70 10 Hannah Loudermilk.54.06 8 Bennett Dove...........45.90 11/12 Kelsey Shillinglaw.. 44.20 9 Tyler Willis...............40.80 11/12 Katie Queen......44.20 10 Dylan Cook..............34.00 13 Ashton Willis............21.76 JR BOYS ALL AROUND 1 JACOB MCGINN...1356.60 2 ETHAN LOMBARDO.549.10 3 SPENCER TIMMS.....264.52 4 DAVIS SEWELL........241.40 JR GOAT TYING 1 OLIVIA DOVE.........538.05 2 MCKENZIE BROWN.249.05 3 CHEYENNE DOUGLAS.188.70 4/5 EMMA HUNTER....158.10 4/5 GRACE BRYANT....158.10 6 MACY COOK...........139.40 7 ELLY WHITESELL.....117.30 8 HANNAH GRACE HARMON.. 81.60 9 JOSIE TROTTER.........73.10 10 BAILEY SCHMIDT......68.00 11 GEORGIA CAROLINE KAY..51.00 12-13 EMILY SERVIES....34.00 12-13 MADISON PER....34.00 14 AMBER MASSEY.......30.60

JR POLE BENDING 1 CHEYENNE DOUGLAS.421.60 2 HANNAH GRACE HARMON...416.50 3 OLIVIA DOVE.........225.08 4 AMBER MASSEY.....224.06 5 ISABELLA HART......187.68 6 MADISON PER........152.32 7 GRACE BRYANT......132.60 8 GEORGIA CAROLINE KAY...96.90 9 REBECCA MCCLINTON..66.30 10 ELLY WHITESELL.......56.10 11 JACIE BLACKARD......37.40 12 JORDAN ANDERSON.21.76 13 MCKENZIE BROWN...18.70

SADDLEBRONC 1 Kenneth Glick........312.80 2 Colby Winstead......107.10 3 Hunter Styles...........71.40 4 Spencer Tucker........68.00 5 Hunter Roof............59.50 6 Kendall Chappell......27.20 CALF ROPING 1 Jacob McGinn........210.80 2 Eddie Rounds.........192.10 3 Chase Dyal............164.90 4 Hunter Styles.........149.60 5 Tyler Willis.............147.90 6 Caleb Traenkner....125.80 7 Hunter Roof............96.90 8 Bennett Dove...........17.00 BOYS GOAT TYING 1 Jacob McGinn........261.80 2 Ethan Lombardo....238.00 3 Caleb Traenkner....171.70 4 Bennett Dove.........142.80 5 Eddie Rounds.........124.10 6 Chase Dyal..............47.60

JR BARREL RACING 1 CHEYENNE DOUGLAS.612.68 2 AMBER MASSEY.....266.05 3 REBECCA MCCLINTON...262.48 4 OLIVIA DOVE.........254.15 5 MCKENZIE BROWN.248.88 6 HANNAH GRACE HARMON..213.01 7 SPENCER TIMMS.....203.32 8 ERYN CRIDER.........197.03 9 GEORGIA CAROLINE KAY.. 187.68 10 ELLY WHITESELL.....151.81 11 GRACE BRYANT......124.95 12 MADISON PER..........91.80 13/14 ISABELLA HART.. 76.50 13/14 JOSIE SARIBOK.. 76.50 15 RACHEL LOUKS........38.76 JR CHUTE DOGGIN’ 16 SALLY POTEAT..........20.40 1 JACOB MCGINN.....295.80 17 EMMA HUNTER........17.00 2 PT STYLES..............248.20 3 CHRIS CARTWRIGHT.95.20 JR BULL RIDING 4 DAVIS SEWELL..........40.80 1 JAMES COLE.............68.00

30 • The Roping Pen • September 2015

PW GIRLS ALL AROUND 1 TAYLOR CULTON........ 926.30 2 BRISTOL NORRIS....... 741.20 3 LEXI CLARK............... 644.30 4 TRINITY COOK........... 268.60 5 SAVANNAH CASTON... 214.20 6 GABBIE METTA............ 68.00 PW BOYS ALL AROUND 1 AIDEN TACKETT......... 695.30 PW GOAT DOGGIN’ 1 TAYLOR CULTON........ 321.30 2 LILLY PER.................. 256.70 3 AIDEN TACKETT......... 241.40 4 BRISTOL NORRIS....... 198.90 5 QUAID BUSBY........... 163.20 6 LEXI CLARK............... 161.50 PW GOAT TYING 1 LEXI CLARK............... 256.70 2 AIDEN TACKETT......... 212.50 3 TRINITY COOKE......... 197.20 4 TAYLOR CULTON........ 122.40 5 BRISTOL NORRIS......... 27.20 PW BARREL RACING 1 BRISTOL NORRIS....... 353.60 2 TAYLOR CULTON........ 200.60 3 LEXI CLARK............... 190.40 4 AIDEN TACKETT........... 95.20 5 TRINITY COOKE........... 71.40 6 GABBIE METTA............ 47.60 7 SAVANNAH CASTON..... 27.20 PW POLE BENDING 1 TAYLOR CULTON........ 282.00 2 SAVANNAH CASTON... 187.00 3 BRISTOL NORRIS....... 161.50 4 AIDEN TACKETT......... 146.20 5 JOSIE HILL.................. 51.00 6 LEXIE CLARK............... 35.70 7 GABBIE METTA............ 20.40

WR BOYS ALL AROUND 1 CYNCH WHITESELL...... 949.45 2 COLBY YARBOROUGH.. 763.30 3 WESS HAWKINS.......... 659.60 4 BRYCE STOCKMAN....... 612.85 5 GABE TACKETT............ 433.50 WR BK AWAY ROPING 1 COLBY YARBOROUGH.. 329.80 2 CYNCH WHITESELL...... 234.60 3 GABE TACKETT............ 119.00 4 ANNIE GRACE ROACH.. 102.00 5 WESS HAWKINS............ 64.60 WR GOAT TYING 1 KIERSTYN COCHRAN.... 418.20 2 CYNCH WHITESELL...... 333.20 3 COLBY YARBOROUGH.. 283.90 4 WESS HAWKINS.......... 166.60 5 ADDI GRACE HUNTER.. 151.30 6 ANNIE GRACE ROACH.... 74.80 7 MADYSEN BAKER.......... 51.00 WR BARREL RACING 1 BRYCE STOCKMAN....... 485.35 2 CYNCH WHITESELL...... 330.65 3 WESS HAWKINS.......... 222.70 4 ADDIE GRACE HUNTER.171.70 5 GABE TACKETT............ 127.50 6 ANNIE GRACE ROACH.. 108.80 7 COLBY YARBOROUGH.... 88.40 8 BAILEY LANGLEY........... 69.70 9 NATALIE MONTGOMERY.44.20 10 GRACE SERVIES............. 40.80 11/12 GRACIE METTA........ 30.60 11/12 MADYSEN HOPE BAKER... 30.60 WR POLE BENDING 1 BAILEY LANGLEY......... 360.40 2 MADYSEN BAKER........ 324.70 3 WESS HAWKINS.......... 205.70 4 GABE TACKETT............ 187.00 5 BRYCE STOCKMAN....... 127.50 6 GRACE SERVIES............. 88.40 7 COLBY YARBOROUGH.... 61.20 8 ANNIE GRACE ROACH.... 39.10 WR BULL RIDING 1 ZACH MCCUEN............ 102.00 2 CYNCH WHITESELLL....... 51.00 3 AIDEN PER.................... 51.00

STOCK BUSTIN’ ABBY RAE STOCKMAN............. 4 AIDEN TACKETT....................... 8 AUGUSTUS GREEN.................. 5 BRENNON LOUK..................... 7 BRAYDEN MOISER................. 10 BRISTOL NORRIS................... 10 COLTON HUGHES.................... 6 COLTON HILL.......................... 4 COOPER GOWAN..................... 2 ELI O SHIELDS........................ 5 ELIJAH HUMPHRIES................ 1 ETHAN HUMPHRIES................. 1 ETHAN MCGAHEE.................... 8 JACKSON DAVIS...................... 3 JOSIE HILL.............................. 4 LAYNE FARR............................ 5 LEVI PENNINGTON................ 10 LILLY PER............................. 10 LUKE GUY.............................. 8 MORGAN WARD...................... 8 QUAID BUSBY......................... 8 RYDER THOMAS...................... 2 TEALLY REIN GRAY.................. 8 TRINITY COOKE....................... 6 WALKER TIMMS...................... 2 ALLY FARR.............................. 2

POINT ARE AS OF 7.26.15 • PHOTOS COURTESY OF FYRA

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 31

L

ike many ropers who are looking forward to the upcoming Fall months and the two great events that are just around the corner. The USTRC Finals and the World Series of Team Roping Finale are two of the largest paying events of the year and no doubt ropings that every roper wants to be ready to compete.

This means, horses tuned up, ropes broke in, trucks, trailers, tack and saddles in best condition. However, what about your partner or partners? Are they ready and how do you know you have the best one to help you make a trip to the pay window this Fall?

We went to Kaleb Driggers this month with the question on finding that perfect partner to help you succeed. Kaleb has roped at every level of competition, from jackpots to the NFR and knows that his partner is a valuable tool in his quest to succeed.

He has several suggestions for ropers who are taking aim to win by this year and what to look for in a partner that will help get you there.

“You want someone who is compatible,” said Kaleb. “You have to know what kind of roper you are and what kind of partner compliments the way you rope. Most often if you are an average type roper and catch a lot you should find someone that likes to rope fast. This is often the best match up. If you have two aggressive ropers roping together it just does not work out very well. Same goes for two guys who rope for the average, they may catch a lot, but don’t win that often. A roper who ropes fast and an average guy usually works the best together.”

We also asked Kaleb if he ever had the opportunity to rope with someone who he thought he would rope well with to only 32 • The Roping Pen • September 2015

find out that it did not work out very well.

“Yea, I’ve roped with some guys who I thought would be a perfect match and it just did not turn out that way,” he admitted. “Really it’s about chemistry and you have to rope together in order to figure that out.”

About Kaleb Driggers...

Kaleb Driggers hails from Albany, Georgia. He joined the PRCA in 2009, and the talented 25-year-old has roped his way to an impressive $723,454 in PRCA career earnings. He has made the trip to the PRCA National Finals Rodeo 4 times (2011-2014) and has been the back to back RFD TV’s - The American team roping champion header. Roping with Brandon Webb for the 2015 season, they are on tap to be a top team at this year’s PRCA National Finals Rodeo.

Kaleb has earned several titles and without a doubt will continue to add to these titles throughout his career. He was the Overall and Team Roping (Heading) PRCA Rookie of the Year in 2009, after earning the High School Finals Rodeo All-Around Rookie of the Year in 2005. His parents own Lazy D Performances Horses, and his father, Nick, has been training horses for more than a quarter of a century. Kaleb now lives in Stephenville, Texas. He prefers to head with The Glacier in a medium-soft and heel with The Shark in a medium-hard, both from Lone Star Ropes.

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

GHSRA & GJHRA T

he GHSRA National Finalist contestants had an awesome July week of competition in Rock Springs, Wyoming. Everyone worked hard and made Georgia very proud.

A very special shout out to Julia Johnson for making the short go in Breakaway. I would like to thank all of our sponsors, directors, parents, GHSRA, and God for allowing us to compete in the awesome sport of Rodeo. I would like to recognize our new 2015/2016 student officers: President - Tyler Boatwright, Vice President - Julia Johnson, Secretary - Claire Waldrop, and Queen - Ashley Hawkins. The elected officers are always around willing to help, take ideas and suggestions, and we all want to get to know each and everyone.

Our first Rodeo for the 2015/2016 Rodeo season kicks off on Labor Day weekend, September 5th and 6th in Franklin, Georgia at the Heard County Arena. Please join us for a fun filled, family oriented, awesome action filled competition Rodeo. The Covered arena has plenty of bleacher seating, restrooms, great parking, and a very nice concession stand.

Good luck to everyone and to God all the Glory.

Your Queen,

Ashley Hawkins

2015 - 2016 GHSRA OFFICERS President ~ Todd Watkins - trwatkins@comcast.net VPs ~ Keith Boatwright - (828) 837-0900 & Hal Roberts - (770) 328-4715 Rodeo Secretary ~ Leisa Haslerig​- (706) 764-2205 Points Secretary ~ Jeanette McElhannon - (770) 601-7413 State Secretary ~ Tracey Boatwright​- (828) 361-9336 or (828) 837-0900 National Director ~ Ronnie Haslerig - (706) 764-2205

2015 - 2016 GHSRA STUDENT OFFICERS

President ~ Tyler Boatwright • Vice-President ~ Julia Johnson Secretary ~ Claire Waldrop • Queen ~ Ashley Hawkins

BOARD MEMBERS • Angie Pannell - (404) 316-4020

Angie Sims - (678) 777-9540 • Joy Daniell - (770) 868 6202 Terry Goble - (706) 847-3106​• Shane Sanders - (770) 328-9892 Tommy Cargle - (706) 346-3948 •Lisa Hawkins - (706) 844-4442 Curtis Bearden - (706) 889-0473 • Bryon Shahan - (423) 364-5786

AREA DIRECTORS

North - Matt Thomas •South - Terri Massa East - Carl Sims •West - Jay Denney ​

EVENT DIRECTORS

Arena Director ~ Todd Watkins • Calf Roping ~ Matt Thomas Asst Arena Directors ~ Keith Boatwright & Hal Roberts Team Roping ~ Shane Edmonson • Breakaway ~ Matt Thomas Steer Wrestling ~ Tommy Cargle • Barrel Racing ~ Bobby Waldrop Pole Bending ~ Bobby Waldrop • Goat Tying ~ Joe Young Bareback, Saddlebronc, & Bull Riding ~ Hobie Daniell

2015-16 HIGH SCHOOL RODEO SCHEDULE All Call-ins are the Monday night before the rodeo Girls 6:00 -7:30 pm • Boys 7:30 -9 pm Call Leisa Haslerig at 706-764-2205 unless otherwise noted FRANKLIN SEPTEMBER 5 - 6 CARTERSVILLE SEPTEMBER 18 - 19 JAKIN OCTOBER 16 - 17 MADISON OCTOBER 23 - 24

34 • The Roping Pen • September 2015

PERRY NOVEMBER 6 - 8 CLEVELAND, TN NOVEMBER 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

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 35

ALABAMA CHAMPIONSHIPS

WO CRAWFORD/GARRET COLISEUM -- MONTGOMERY, AL JULY 24-26 • PRODUCED BY ED ALLEN • STORY BY BEN CLEMENTS ​Mitchell Hembree and Chuck Jenkins teamed up to win the average OPEN #8 of the #11 Division. They were 32.86 seconds on four and took home $6150, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place went to TJ and Ed Allen. Third place was Joseph McCollum and Jerritt Varner. Mike and Jed Sibley finished first place in the incentive average. ​The team of Bryer Hamilton and Ethan Wheeler were the winners of the #10 Division. They were 30.33 seconds on four steers and they won $7220, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place went to Greg Mitchell and Justin Ethridge. Third place in the roping was Mike bramlett and Scott Seiler. Joe Capps and #13 #15 Jeff Tilley teamed up to win first place in the incentive average.

Dallas Hooper and Glenn Kelly both from Hope Hull, Alabama teamed up to win first place in the average of the #10 Gold Plus Division. They were 28.09 seconds on four steers to win $2730, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the main average was Jake Pollard and Alan Miller. Jacky Barnett and Luke Barnett finished in third place. Carol Knight and Jeff Tilley won the incentive average. ​The winners of the #9 Division were Jake Pollard from West Point, Mississippi and Marc Koehn from Macon, Mississippi. They were labama is a great place to get in 35.10 seconds on four steers and took home $6100, trophy Gist a little team roping action. Ed buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the roping Allen and his crew produce the went to Chad Boyd and Glenn Kelly, while third place went to Wyatt Alabama Championships at the WO Simmons and Brent Worrell. Ronnie Simmons and Cody Simmons Crawford/Garret Coliseum Arena in were the incentive champions.

Montgomery, Alabama. The event ​The final roping of the Alabama Championships was the #8 Pick/ was held July 24-26, 2015 and Draw. Wes Tindell from Hartford, Alabama and Jake Borden from welcomed team ropers from across Lineville, Alabama teamed up to win first place with a time of 26.91 the southeast. ​Lane Taylor from Kingston, Alabama and Mark Strickland from Dun- seconds on three steers. They won $3600, trophy Gist buckles and nellon, Florida teamed up to win the average of the Open Division with $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Hal Wiley and Jessie Arnow. The third place team was Jay and Jay Jay McCaskill. a time of 45.91 seconds on five steers. They won $950, and ten points for the Pro View US Open Tour. They also won the incentive average. #12 #12GP ​In the #15 Division Marcus Theriot from Poplarville, Mississippi and Nelson Wyatt from Clanton, Alabama partnered up to win the average. They were 28.87 seconds on four steers and earned $3040, trophy Gist knives, and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Jacob Locke and Zak Richardson and third place was John Perrett and Dustin Griffith. ​Chase Chapman from Eclectic, Alabama and Chase Graves from Poplarville, Mississippi were the winners of the #13 Division. They finished the roping with a time of 29.19 seconds on four steers. Chap#10GP #10 man and Graves won $4810, trophy Gist knives, and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place went to Tyler Watt from Geiger, Alabama and Tyler Thornton from Hoboken, Georgia. Third place was Chase Chapman and Tyler Thornton. ​In the #12 Division, the winners of the average were Bryer Hamilton from Tellico Plains, Tennessee and Ethan Wheeler from Pisgah, Alabama. They were 30.36 seconds on four steers and won $5290, trophy Gist knives, and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Austin Pitts teamed up with Dustin Griffith to win second in the average. Third place was Kash Miller and David Curry. The incentive winners were Hamilton #11 #9 and Wheeler. ​The team roping action really heated up in the #12 Gold Plus Division. Sonny Mooney and Dustin Griffith were the average champions with a time of 35.87 seconds on four steers. The win paid them $3260, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the roping was Steve Horne and Ed Allen and third was Mitchell Hembree and Johnny Kennemer. Greg Mitchel and Cal Green won the incentive average.

A

36 • The Roping Pen • September 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 37

Photos from Nationals by Jennings Photography • Other photos courtesy of AHSRA

Team Alabama at Nationals

D

espite all the stress, nationals for Team Alabama turned out pretty well! We had multiple people represent in each go-round, as well as the short go. I’m so blessed to have been able to make it out there for a second year and also to get to compete in the NHSRA’s newest event, reined cow horse. It was such a good learning experience! I can’t wait for this year to start with our first rodeo in Andalusia, Alabama, September 19th and 20th. My goal for this rodeo is to pack the stands, so mark your calendars and i can’t wait to see y’all there!! Also, if you’re interested in joining our association, go check out our website, ahsra.org and fill out the registration forms. Sincerely, Miss Lizzy Sexton

AHSRA volleyball team at National Finals Rodeo having so much fun!

Alabama team ropers Lauryn Hoagland and Dustin Hyson from Nationals Alabama’s Horse of Year – “Watch Coy Sparkle” competing at NHSFR

The bonding and having fun between friends at the Team Party at Nationals.

Garrett McDonald and Luke Taylor with saddles they won as National Team Roping Champions at the High School National Finals in Wyoming.

Just a few of the seniors – All will be missed this upcoming year.

38 • The Roping Pen • September 2015 2015

Cole Harmon placed 10th in the Short-Go in Boys Cutting at High School National Finals.

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 39

W

ow, the last several weeks have been a blur, it seems. Shows and rodeos all over! We are truly blessed to be in a nation where we can go and do pretty much as we please. I have been all over the country it seems in the last few weeks. It is really good to see old friends. Making new ones is a job that I hope never ends. In talking over the last month at some rodeos around I found a couple of things that kept coming up and wanted to share them...

The first one seemed to keep coming up was:

What makes you (Albracht) any different than any other insurance agency?

Well, most any insurance agency should be within the same general price. In the end there are only a handful of underwriters out there backing our(s)/your(s) insurance. That goes for any other company as well. So we are generally selling the same product but some agencies have more leeway than others. With that in mind we as a company have a great relationship with our underwriter(s).

We do market several. We try to find the best within our company to represent your interest. That is just one thing that sets us apart from some other companies. Having good relationships with the underwriters also allows us to negotiate the best possible rates on your behalf. It also helps during the time of claim for a more efficient filings. For instance, we can find out where we are during the claim process. These same relationships also have to apply to the Independent adjuster we use as well. The agency has to have a good relationship in order to help with any filing or notifications from either party. These relationships do not guarantee payments that is not what I am trying to say. They simply help in the process.

Lastly what sets us apart is working for you. We strive to build strong relationships with our clients. Relationships that we hope last well beyond business together. I for one still have friends that are not clients. They were in business with other agencies before me or due to business obligations are still with other agencies. For that I understand. They know what I do. I don’t bother them until they ask me (most of the time) about working together. Just mutual respect. Since I have been in this business I have also worked alongside of other agencies. Some of which are very good agencies. There are some great companies out there but I wouldn’t sell something I didn’t believe in. I just can’t do it.

The second thing that seemed to keep coming up was:

Why I should insure my horses? I never have before.

Well… you know, I didn’t either for a very long time. I first decided to, once I talked to some folks about it at a roping, and they had been covered for a loss. It wasn’t expensive to get it started, and it was relatively cheap compared to losing the horse. So I did it. In a few years it went from the one I felt like I couldn’t live without to having five insured. After the first claim I was sure glad I did do it. It saved me a $4,500 colic bill. That was a mild colic and a very small vet bill for colic surgery. However, in 30 days I was reimbursed. I figured it up for what I had paid until that time for all of the premiums paid to Albracht. The surgery had cost me about $500. Problem is that one horse has had some type of surgery twice more since then. All of which was covered under insurance.

After losing a horse just last year I am very thankful I carry insurance on my horses. No, it did not bring my horse back, or even replace her for what she was worth. It did, however, get me started (money wise) for purchasing another. That is what horse insurance is, and insurance in general. It’s set up to protect your investment.

So, you can insure a horse for very little cost. Keep that in mind.

Don’t hesitate to call me for a quote. As always, see you guys down the road at the next roping!

T

he West-Ark Classic took place in Ft. Smith, Arkansas at Harper Stadium/Kay Rogers Park. The roping was held July 25-26, 2015. Denny and Lynn Flynn produced the event and it was one not to be missed.

​ he #13 Slide Division winners were Clint Crane from T Wister, Oklahoma and Ben Hogan from Vian, Oklahoma. They caught four steers in 34.27 seconds. The feat gave them $2814, trophy Gist knives and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was the team of Brenten Lee Hall and Jake Cooper Clay. The third place finishers were Jonathan Holder and Kelly Boswell. ​ he #12 Division winners were Ethan Griffin from Jay, T Oklahoma and Jake Cooper Clay from Sapulpa, Oklahoma as they caught four steers in a time of 38.11 seconds. The win was worth $3154, trophy Gist knives and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place went to Garrison Duke and Will Allen.

The third place team was Jake Cooper Clay and Blayne Horne and the incentive champions were Marshall Speer and Kelly Boswell.

​ he #12 Gold Plus Division was next on the agenda at the T West-Ark Classic. When it was all said and done, the team of Brent Bartlett and Jared Lasseter won the average with a time of 42.56 seconds on four steers. They took home $2190, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Todd and Cody Southerland were second place and the third place team was Jason Stockton and Larry Harris. The team of Don LaRue from Republic, Missouri and Glenn Girard from Branson, Missouri won the incentive average.

Earnings. Second place was Harold Mcain and Daryld Pottorff, while third place went to Dwayne Clay and Randy Johnson.

Shawn Pugh and Shawn Curtis won the incentive average.

​​Jerry Albert from Checotah, Oklahoma and Marty Russell from Spavinaw, Oklahoma won the average in the #9 Division. They completed the roping with a time of 41.31 seconds on four steers and earned $7987, plus trophy Gist buckles, and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Jason O’Brien from Pineville, Missouri and Cooper Freeman from Carthage, Missouri and third place went to Darrell Weathers and Bent Hudson. Chance Chandler and Virgil Moore won the incentive average with a time of 30.25 seconds on three steers.

​​The final roping of the weekend was the #8 Pick/Draw. Todd Martin from Missouri and Doug Wann from Oklahoma were 25.43 seconds on three steers and won the average. The win gave the team $4354, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place went to Landen Collins and Brayden Hodge as they received $2902, plus $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings and trophy Gist buckles. Third place was Wade Snow and Bruce Dean.

​The next roping was the #11 Division. The winning team was Tanner Bowden and Blayne Horne. They were 37.57 seconds on four steers and earned $4670, plus $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings and trophy Gist buckles. Second place was Britton Monday and Shawn Hambelton and third place went to Michael Wooten and Tyler Merritt. The team of Steve Hinson and Randy Johnson took home the incentive win.

The #10 Division champions were Trevor Howard and Brayden Cox as they finished the roping with a time of 34.93 seconds on four steers. They won $5572, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was the team of Blake Adams and Laramie Warren with a time of 39.90 seconds on four and third place went to Blake Adams and Blayne Horne. The incentive winners of the #10 Division were Dayton Williams and Brayden Hodge.

The final day of the Wesk-Ark Classic kicked off with the #10 Gold Plus Division. Mark Wedel from Centerville, Arkansas and Aaron Mattox from Erie, Kansas were the champions of the #10 Gold Plus. They were 38.17 seconds on four steers and won $4464, trophy Gist buckles and $6000 in USTRC Flex

40 • The Roping Pen • September 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 41

North Carolina Jr High & HS Rodeo Association

T

he new season is on the horizon and our fall schedule is posted on our website as well as listed below. NCHSRA is looking forward to another great year. Please, all new and current members, get your paperwork printed off and sent in to the office. All information is posted on the our site, www.nchsrodeo.com. Our first rodeo is September 27 at Lone Hickory Arena.

Call-in’s will be 2 weeks prior, on Monday September 14th.

We have some new board members added to the 2015-2016 board. Please welcome Kristy Yankee and Jeff Robinson to the board. Also, Amy Colvard who served as our treasurer is now a voting member and will continue her treasurer duties. We would also like to thank the outgoing members, Jason Scott, Eddie Dunning, and Billy Harris for their service to the NCHSRA. The time they volunteered to the contestants and the families of our association is priceless.

Also big shout out to the High School team that went to Rock Springs, Wyoming. You all put out an outstanding effort and represented the NCHSRA proudly. Congratulations to Bailey Livengood for a second place in the first go, great work. ...see everyone soon. Thank you! ~ Adam

Bolatto. President, NCHSRA

Upcoming Cutting Event:

Reined Cowhorse Event:

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Location - Southeastern Ag Center, Lumberton, NC Call-In Date - September 14th, 7-10 p.m.

Number - Kate Scott - 919-548-384

Time: 1:30 p.m.

Location - Southeastern Ag Center, Lumberton, NC Call-In Date - September 14th, 7-10 p.m.

Number: Kate Scott - 919-548-3844FUTURE SCHED

FUTURE SCHEDULE OF THE CUTTING PROGRAM WILL BE POSTED SOON!

FUTURE SCHEDULE OF THE REINED COWHORSE PROGRAM WILL BE POSTED SOON!

Date: FRIDAY, September 25TH

2015/2016 NCHSRA QUEEN

Bailey Tate Hello! My name is Bailey Tate your 2015/2016 Miss NC High School Rodeo Queen. I am a Junior at North Gaston High School in Dallas, NC and also a student at Gaston College. I have been a member of NCHSRA for the past 2 years and I’m excited to begin this season!

I am honored to represent NC high school rodeo and during my reign I will promote our amazing association and the opportunities it gives Jr. High and High School students.

I would like to wish all the members of the association GOOD LUCK in the upcoming season. To all the new members coming, we are excited to have you and welcome you. You are in for a treat!!!

Let’s all give a 100% to our events, have a great time, make lasting memories and give ALL the glory to GOD!!!

~ Bailey

42 • The Roping Pen • September 2015

Date: SATURDAY, September. 26TH

2015/16 Rodeo Schedule RODEO #1: Sun, Sept 27, 2015 • 1 p.m.

Lone Hickory Arena, Yadkinville, NC Call-In: Monday, Sept 14, 7-10 p.m.

Call-In to Sharon Livengood: 704-278-0023 #2 & #3: Sat & Sun, Oct 17 & 18, 2015 Time: TBD • Low Gap, NC Call-In: Monday, Oct 5, 2015, 7 - 10 p.m.

Call-In to Sharon Livengood: 704-278-0023 #4 &# 5: Sat & Sun, Oct 24 & 25, 2015 Time: TBD • Livengood Arena - Cleveland, NC Call-In: Monday, Oct 5, 7 - 10 p.m.

Call-In to Sharon Livengood: 704-278-0023 #6 & #7: MULTI STATE EVENT Fri-Sun, Nov 6-8, 2015 • Time: TBD • Perry, Ga Call-in info will be posted as soon as available FUNDRAISER RODEO: Sat, Dec 26, 2015 Time: TBD • Lone Hickory Arena Yadkinville, NC • Call-In Date / Time TBD • • • • • • • • ESTIMATED 2016 SPRING SCHEDULE: #8: Feb 5 & 6 @ Lone Hickory Arena in Yadkinville #9: TBD in MARCH • #10: TBD in APRIL #11 & #12: May 6 & 7 @ Hinson Arena, Stanley, SC NC STATE FINALS: May 27-29 @ Lone Hickory Arena in Yadkinville, NC The Magazine for America’s Roper • 43

44 • The Roping Pen • September 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 45

46 • The Roping Pen • September 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 47

Diagnosing your Roping R

ecently I visited with some guys on the rodeo trail who were struggling, and they asked what I used to do when things weren’t going well. There are just so many things that are out of your control: the draw, the ground, weather, etc. You really need to break it down. Out of 30 runs, what is the common denominator of mistakes made? You then need to figure where you’re making those mistakes and what the cause is.

That is the goal when I’m teaching my schools. We start out with high team roping scenarios. I have my students rope six or seven on one horse and then six or seven on another horse. That way it’s easier to isolate problems not related to the horse.

Without using a camera and filming, it’s hard to diagnose the exact problem. It’s much like a snowball effect. One thing causes a problem, which then causes another problem, etc. For example: if your horse doesn’t score well and you’re pulling at the line, then your body is not in the correct position. Your tip is raised, you won’t have speed on your swing and your loop is at the wrong angle. It doesn’t matter that you threw to the right. It wasn’t your loop that caused you to miss. You have to fix the root of the problem, which in this case, is your horse not scoring correctly.

Many of my schools are made up of regular customers where we spend a lot of time figuring out the little things causing the biggest problems. When you recognize the root of the problem and correct fundamentals, it’s much easier to move forward with your roping.

My rodeo friends told me that they had been practicing and it was

getting much better. You can always make your practice better with some minor adjustments. It’s always been my philosophy that the practice pen is where you need to struggle. That’s where you should put yourself in the position where you have to overcome obstacles and make sure your horse is responding to you. In the practice pen when you score the bad steers that go left, right, or check off, you are missing an opportunity for you and your horse to learn to overcome the steer that you will inevitably draw.

b/w open

Everyone can and will go through a spell of drawing bad. But your preparation and reaction can make the difference between a miss and an executed run. We all go through struggles and times of not winning. The best in the world go through it. It’s how you deal with it that counts. You have to be able to recognize your weaknesses and work on those things. Sometimes you need to look in the mirror and ask what you can do to improve your team.

WHAT’S NEW WITH ME: Gabe got the roping bug this week. We had some boys from Alabama roping at the house and he enjoyed roping with them. I made a deal with him that if he roped the Hot Heels five times in a row at a lope, he could chase steers. Needless to say, he’s now chasing steers. At the USTRC roping in Waco, he sat on the fence and watched the roping. We will take Hali back on Sunday to rope in the #9. She and her horse have been working well and I’m anxious to see how they do.

Lately I’ve been working with a four-year-old buckskin. I just loaded a video at speedroping.com with my philosophy about riding and training young horses.

The other night just my wife, the kids and I were all in the arena at 10 p.m. We were all having fun and just enjoying ourselves roping.

That is a dream come true for me.

It seems like I

always miss my slack when I’m heading.

RICKEY’S ANSWER: Make sure as you

follow through your right hand comes across on the left side of your coils and then pick it up on the way back.

Dead Mouse

by Crystal Lyons

D

on’t ya just LOVE the smell of a dead mouse in your house that you CAN’T FIND!! Yeah, you know what I’m talking about.

YUCK!! The other day I smelled one as soon as I walked into my bedroom. I looked under the bed, behind furniture, inside drawers…. but no luck. The temperature was cooling down outside so I decided to open up the windows, turn the fan on, and pull fresh air into the bedroom in hopes that would help. It was weird. It seemed to get worse!

After 4 nights of sleeping on the couch and the fan running day and night, the smell was getting weaker. We had gotten a wonderful rain one day, and I turned the fan off to enjoy its sounds and smells. Later that evening, after the rain had passed, my bedroom smelled almost normal again. I turned the fan on and instantly could smell dead mouse again, and that’s when it hit me. I looked into the fan and... voilá!! Lo and behold, the mouse carcass was IN the fan! No WONDER keeping the fan on wasn’t helping... geez. I was fumigating my bedroom with a rotting mouse carcass! What SHOULD’VE helped by pulling IN fresh air actually made it worse because the source was INSIDE the apparatus.

48 • The Roping Pen • September 2015

DOUG ASKS:

That’s exactly the same result we get when we speak right words and Biblical truths out our mouths when our heart is harboring things attributed to death instead of life. It doesn’t matter how

much scripture we can quote if our heart STINKS! We simply turned the fan on to blow fresh life from a heart holding on to rotten things. The words we speak may be TRUTH, but the essence permeating the atmosphere is repulsive. Instead of bringing life and joy, it has the opposite effect.

It’s actually no wonder some people are repulsed by the gospel instead of being drawn to the Lord. No amount of deodorant can cover up the fact that someone hasn’t bathed in a week. Just so, no amount of religiously decorated speech can offset the crappy feel that permeates the air when spoken from a heart filled with deadness. You simply can’t fake real life! When the source of the stink was inside the fan, turning the speed on a higher setting wasn’t making the smell get any better. Quoting scripture while embracing a rotten attitude does nothing to minimize the bad odor! You can’t cover up the stench of something that’s dead. We have to deal with the issue and get the decay out of our hearts!

What attitude or opinion am I holding on to that stinks? Am I holding unforgiveness? Has a bitter attitude creeped into my heart? Has pride or greed crept in and gained a foothold? One thing’s for sure... just like that dead mouse in the fan, no matter how fresh the air is that blows through, if something is dead inside, there will be no refreshing affect until that which stinks is removed!

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 49

LouisianAssociation Team Roping

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

•(

• • • • 337 263 0036 )

Be sure to follow us on Facebook! •

•

• • •

The 2015 High School Rodeo season is right around the corner, and High School Roping partnerS HAIDON SALTZMAN & Zack McAlister have set a goal to make the NHSFR this year.

TAKE A MINUTE TO MEET HAIDON & ZACH AND WISH THE M THE BEST OF LUCK!

Haidon Saltzman

is the 14 year old son of Matt Saltzman. He will be a 10th

grader at South Beauregard High School this year. He is a member of the rodeo and football team. He started team

roping around the age of 6. Since the first day he picked up

a rope he has never set it back down. He spends most of his days roping the dummy with friends and family. Some of Haidon’s greatest accomplishments include winning 2nd in the average at the Louisiana High School State Finals

Rodeo. He has won several saddles and buckles during his travels around the state roping. His first roping horse was a mustang cross named Shug that help teach him to rope.

Although Haidon and Shug spent many days together in the roping pen, he realized he needed to take the next step and let Shug teach others as she did him. He sold her and pur-

chased a partner, Dee Dee. She has allowed Haidon to progress to new heights.

Zach Mcalister is a 16 year old Sophmore from Pitkin Louisiana.

He attends Pitkin High School and after high school plans to attend college in instrumentation. He

started roping at the very young age of 5 years old.

He has won many buckles, saddles, and money over the years. He ropes in the LTRA, USTRCA, USA.

He and his header, Haidon Saltzman, have set a goal to make the National High

School Rodeo Finals this year. Zack made it to the Nationals Jr High School Rodeo

Finals his 6th and 8th grade year. He was a member of the Cinch Team his 7th grade year. Even with the great success Zack has had in the roping pen, he is always very humble and appreciative of what he has.

When he isn’t roping, he loves to be in the woods whether its chasing hogs around with his dogs or trying to find a whitetail deer.

Most of all Zack is a dedicated to his family and serves as a mentor to his siblings.

50 • The Roping Pen • September 2015

The Magazine for America’s Roper • 51

THE

Other Half

One of Those Days I

t had been one of those days. You know, one of those days when it just goes from bad to worse. Broken water lines, missed runs in the practice pen, broken skid on the roping dummy, and so when the truck wouldn’t start it just added to the chaos and was the icing on the cake.

Boss figured it had something to do with the electrical system since we couldn’t jump-start the truck with battery cables. Nothing would turn over. Point blan... the truck was in lockdown.

I went to the house and called the mechanic. He said if we could get it there he could work on it. I was glad, since we were headed to a roping on the weekend, and the truck wouldn’t do anyone any good if it was parked and broke down.

Boss’s mood was a hair short of murder, and he’d about had a belly full. He was frustrated, to say the least, and it was hot — already close to a 100° — and was supposed to get even hotter.

“Let’s get this dang thing to the shop,” he grumbled. “Since we have no steering or brakes or much of anything, you can pull me with the feed truck and I’ll try to manhandle it so we don’t have issues.”

His last words rang in my ears, “Don’t go fast, and remember I don’t have a lot of control.” That was comforting thought.

I loaded the kids and we started out for the mechanic. Five and a half miles isn’t far but it is far enough. Boss crawled in the driver’s seat and I put the feed truck in gear. The towline grew taut and we took off. For me, not going fast meant maybe a mere twenty miles per hour. For Boss it might mean forty. Typically, we are on different pages as far as that goes. The good thing was we were not on a major road and it wasn’t far. There is some blessing in having a mechanic living nearby.

The one thing neither of us thought about was the heat and temperature in the enclosed cab of a parked truck. I tootled along about my speed when Buzzy starts hollering, “Dad, is flapping his arms. I think he wants you to stop.” © The Other Half , Melinda Clements melinda@clements.net

I paused and Boss shoved the driver’s door open and motioned me onward. I picked up a little speed, but not a lot, for fear he couldn’t stop and I knew he couldn’t turn.

Suddenly, the driver’s door opened again and fortunately we were on a straight stretch of road.

“What’s dad doing?” June Bug asked. “Hope he doesn’t jump out.”

I started to slow down but again Boss motioned me onward.

Since he was waving with such intensity I hit another gear.

“He sure looks funny,” Buzzy said. “Hope he’s all right.”

“Go faster, Mom,” June Bug added.

Thinking I should probably stop, I looked through my rear view mirror to see Boss slapping his face and waving his arms. His glasses were askew, but I couldn’t determine the look on his face.

He’s motioned me on and I picked up speed.

“Maybe there are bees in the truck,” Buzzy commented.

52 • The Roping Pen • September 2015

Thoughts of a Team Roping Spouse...

by Gracie Mae

“There are no bees in the truck,” June Bug added. “He wants Mom to hurry up.”

After what seemed like a lifetime, I pulled up to the mechanic’s garage. Thinking to myself that maybe Boss can’t stop, I angle out of his way to give him lots of room. Fortunately, the truck stopped rolling and Boss came out of the truck cab like he had been shot out of a cannon.

The kids and I gathered around him and he looked like he had just walked out of the shower. He was soaking wet from the top of his head to his boots. There was not one dry spot on him. He glasses were fogged up and wet and he had sweat all over his face.

His shirt was plastered to his body and he was gasping for air. He looked horrible and was pretty much worse for wear.

“Are you all right?” I asked. “You look awful.”

“Am I alright?” he shouts. “Do you have any idea how *&*^&%*% hot it is in the cab of that truck? I kept motioning you to hurry up and you are just out for a Sunday drive. *(^)*&^)(^%$# I could have died in there.”

Boss immediately pulled his shirt off and threw it down and spit the remnants of his chew all over the ground.

“I can’t roll down any windows and it is hot in that cab and you just lolly gag along,” he continued to holler in a hysterical rant.

About that time, the mechanic walked up. He was laughing so hard he could hardly talk. He finally was able to speak and said, “You guys are a zoo! I’ve never seen anyone come out of a truck so fast. Boss, you okay?”

“Oh yeah, I’m just fine as frog hair,” Boss glares. “It’s so %$%^&^ hot in that truck my glasses are fogged up and I can’t see. I’m soaked from sweat pouring out of my hair and off my face. I’m literally drowning in my own sweat. I tried to wipe away all the water but it just keeps coming and I smear my chew all in my eyes. I’m slobbering like a crazed person and then I about choked on my chew and you ask me if I’m all right? Sure, I’m doing just &*^%$^$% great!”

“Sure glad you folks didn’t have far to drive,” the mechanic laughed. “Heck, Boss, you would have been dead by the time Gracie got you to town if it was that hot and had you been going that far.

Good thing you came here.”

Boss couldn’t even focus on telling the mechanic what he thought about repairing the truck. He immediately went to the feed truck, started the engine and turned the air conditioner on high and sunk into the driver’s seat. I gathered up his shirt, accepted a bottle of water from the mechanic and told him I would call him in the morning about the truck. The man just grinned.

“Ya think Dad has cooled off some?” Buzzy asked. “He sure is hot.”

I smiled as best I could. Yes, he was certainly hot, and in more ways than one. It wasn’t exactly just because I didn’t drive faster, or at least I hoped not. Honestly I wasn’t trying to kill him. I just never thought about it being that hot in the truck. I think he was just upset because it had been one of those days.

Keep Ropin’... Love, Gracie

Classifieds are FREE for Subscribers!

Email ads to: theropingpen@charter.net Deadline: the 10th of each month HORSES 12/14 14 year old, roan, gelding head horse. Good beginner horse. Good in the box.

Has been hauled to KRA roping’s. Asking $3000. Call Tom @ 270-402-7191

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

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!

ROPING DUMMIES: 6/15 Used Hot Heels roping dummy w/ Springer Sled. Please email for additional info: kbrown@tsys.com

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: 706319-5930 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 706319-5930

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 8/14 - TIME MACHINE OR HEEL-O-MATIC FOR SALE, I have both, don’t need but one, time machine still crated, heel a matic has battery operated legs, in great shape. Make me an offer! 334 341 1127 10/14 Robo Steer for Sale. Very well maintained and kept under cover. Collapsable horns and articulating and collapsable heels. Delivery available. $4500 Call or email for pics and more information. irishjump@gmail.com or 404-433-7444.

7/15 - Used Hot Heels for sale or trade for newer version call – 417-214-2063 and ask for Billy

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Submit ad requests by the 10th of the month to rdavis@theropingpen.com

Advertisers & Events Index EVENTS:

Classic Rope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Rope Smart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Biggest E of the Miss, Tm Rp . . 21

Corriente Saddle Co . . . . . . . . . . 26

Running P Saddlery . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Cinch Nat’l Finals USTRC . . . . . . 43

Dare to be a Cowboy . . . . . . . . . . 41

Silver Lining Herbs . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Hillbilly Redneck Truck & Trailer . . 22

FastBack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Sparky Lead Steer . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

NTRL News & Events . . . . . . . . . . 44

FSR Cattle Company . . . . . . . . . . 27

SpeedRoping.com . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Beast of the East . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Gist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

STS Ranchwear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

WSTR/NJ Prod, Ruston, La . . . . 25

Heel-O-Matic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Team Equine Saddle Pad . . . . . . 27

Hot Heels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Tom Bourne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

ADVERTISERS:

JD Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Total Equine Feed . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Adam Toole Horses . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Jim Davis Photo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

TotalTeamRoping.com . . . . . . . . 15

Alabama Roping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Lil Blue Heeler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Tres Rios Silver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Albracht Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Lone Star Ropes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Twisted Spur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Allen’s Rodeo Photos . . . . . . . . . . 4

Lubrisyn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Uniontown Horse Auction . . . . 31

Ariz Ranch & Farm Real Estate . . 13

Maynard Buckles . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Willard Rope Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Bar H Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

NRS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

BTuff Jeans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 & 19

Power Team Roping . . . . . . . . . . 49

Call us today to reserve a spot for your

C Bar C Photography . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Priefert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

event or advertisement! 505-407-2151

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