Loops-October 2011

Page 1

The Official Publication of the

October 2011 • Vol. 14 #10 • $3.00

ALSO INSIDE:

Horse Allergies Common Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments for Horse Allergies

NE W

WN O D E I T C ALF

Sparky has a new inexpensive way to train your horses and practice tie down roping. The new Sparky calf sled can be pulled behind a 4 wheeler or any type of pulling unit. You get the same practice as with live calves but not the livestock up-keep and cost. The Sparky calf tie down will give your horse a jerk when it is roped and releases from the sled. You can run your rope, pick up the calf and tie it. The legs are spring loaded for gathering them. The front left leg has a loose hock joint to press straight for tying. The calf body is 75 Ibs. and it comes with a bladder for more body weight. Body and legs are VSA IN HOUSE PROOF made from a plastic rubber material that is flexible and very durable.

CRX’D

www.smartsteer.com or 866.767.3294

“When you're buying calves that weigh under 200 pounds, you better have a feed that they want to eat and goes to work quickly. Precision Calf Feeds is the answer for me.” Lanham Mangold Owner/operator of USCRA and L&M Cattle Co.

Mannsville Mannsville Ag Ag Center Center 580.371.9588 580.371.9588 mannsvilleagcenter.com mannsvilleagcenter.com 2 • OCTOBER 2011

THURSDAY

8:00 AM: 12 & Under Tie Down (First 3 Rounds) 3:00 PM: All-Star Calf Roping (First 2 Rounds) LIMITED TO 81 ROPERS 8:00 PM: Opening followed by 12 and under short go followed by 3rd Go of All-Star and Shoot Out of All-Star

HOMEMADE THANKSGIVING MEAL WILL BE SERVED ALL DAY FRIDAY

8:00 AM: 12 & Under Breakaway 2:00 PM: (Approx.)13-15 Tie Down

SATURDAY

8:00 AM: 13-15 Breakaway 2:00 PM: (Approx.) 19 & Under Girls Breakaway

SUNDAY

8:30 AM: Cowboy Church Service 9:00 AM: 16-19 Tie Down

**Cowboy Auction held prior to the start of each roping (cash only)

WHAT’S NEW FOR 2011 HOGG Trees in All Trophy Saddles built by Oxbow*

LIVE WEBCAST JENNINGS RODEO PHOTOGRAPHY

Dave & Beth Jennings Web: jenningsrodeophotography.com Email: flyingwbar@ texas-skies.com Phone: (325)387-2194

D&C PRODUCTION

Jody Duggan Web: dugganvideo.com Email: dugganvideo@ gmail.com Phone: (325)665-4083 You Will Be Able To View Your Runs At The Roping! DVD’s Will Be Available For Purchase!

Entries MUST POST MARKED BY NOVEMBER 7TH, 2011 Age as of day of the Roping - fee and

OXBOW Saddle to the youngest tie down roper

proof of age must accompany entry form $25 Late Fee - No

Refunds - No walk up entries Eight Champion Trophy Saddles

$GGHG 3UL]HV WR Each Roping 5RSH &DQV IRU Fastest Time in Each Roping $OO 5RSLQJV ZLOO EH 3 Head with the Top 12 advancing to the Finals 35&$ &RZER\ 'UHVV Code in All Ropings 2YHU 6WDOOV Available - 1st Come, First Served $20 per stall, Shavings sold on site All draw outs after

NOVEMBER

deadline Fees are NON-REFUNDABLE!!!

24, 25, 26, 27

59·6 DYDLODEOH first come, first serve!!! $20 per night

THANKSGIVING

WEEKEND

HOST HOTEL

Mention Rising Stars Calf Roping When Booking

DUNCAN,

Quality Inn

1015 North Hwy 81 Duncan, OK 73533 580-252-1500 New Low Rate! $67.50/night + tax

OKLAHOMA

Chisholm Suite Hotel 1204 North Hwy 81 Duncan, OK 73533 580-255-0551 Rate: $79.99/night + tax

FOR MORE INFO:

Chris Neal: 479-462-7275 Mark Holder: 918-773-5585 www.risingstarscalfroping.com

TO ENTER GO TO: www.risingstarscalfroping.com

ad design by Rodeo News www.therodeonews.com

SCHEDULE:

SPONSORS: Additional Sponsors Include: Smith Brothers, Stockman’s Western Wear, K-F, Crutchers Western Wear, Joplin Stockyards, Willard Rope Company.

6 16

Calf Ropers Reunion Horse Allergies

UNITED STATES CALF ROPERS ASSOCIATION P.O. Box 690, Giddings, Texas 78942 979.542.1239 fax 979.542.0170 www.USCRA.com

Common Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments for Horse Allergies

DEPARTMENTS 8 News and Notes 10 USCRA Insider

18 Down the Line with Stran Smith 20 Lonestar Cowboy Church

Advertising or Editorial: 505/899-1870 fax: 505/792-5678 Produced and published by USCRA EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING Editor: Ryan Davis Assistant Editor: Tracy Mangold

21 Out My Window

COVER PHOTO Photo courtesy of Photos by Rusty

tracy@loopsmagazine.com

Sales Manager & Event Advertising: John English Advertising Representative: Elizabeth Dominick Customer Service Representative: Jules Price

Calf Roping News Across the Nation Loops is the only magazine dedicated to calf roping. Each month, it features stories on current and past champion calf ropers, tips to help you with your roping, entertaining articles on the sport and news on calf roping events across the United States. Call to subscribe or advertise

505.899.1870

Name ________________________________________ Address ______________________________________ City __________________________________________ State _____________________

Zip ______________

Phone ________________________________________ Email ________________________________________

12 Issues Per Year for Only $24 Mail to: Western Sports Publishing 2340 Menaul NE Suite 400 Albuquerque, NM 87107

LOOPS MAGAZINE 10601 Lomas Blvd. NE, Suite 106 Albuquerque, NM 87112

Credit Card # __________________________________ Expiration Date ________________________________ Name on Card __________________________________ Signature ______________________________________ Or check payable to Loops Magazine

CIRCULATION & PRODUCTION Art Director: Marcia Rackstraw Production Coordinator: Doug Purdy Advertising Graphics: Violet Sue Anderson Administrative Assistant: Kathy Williams October 2011 / Vol.14, No.10 LOOPS Magazine (USPS No. 019674) is published monthly by Western Sports Publishing, Inc., 10601 Lomas Blvd. NE, Suite 106 Albuquerque, NM 87112 Subscription price: 1 yr. - $24. PERIODICALS Postage Paid at Giddings, Texas and additional entries. Material may not be used without permission from the publisher. Deadline for editorial and advertising is the 10th of the month, one month preceding issue date. Advertising rates on request. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: USCRA, P.O. Box 690, Giddings, Texas 78942 www.loopsmagazine.com Advertising claims are the sole responsibility of the advertiser, not Loops Magazine.

2012 Big Changes Take the Challenge!

n “00” Divisioe first roping of the

th Starting at , the “00” th r o W t. F in 2012 season into two t li p s e b l il division w of the “00” d n e p to e ” ropings. Th e “00 Select. m o c e b l il ropers w create a to e n o d g in This is be osphere for tm a e v ti ti e rs. more comp the 00 rope f o d n e r e h the low ated throug lu a v e e r e w Ropers r als and afte in F A R C S l be the U , ropers wil 1 1 0 2 , 0 1 r r Octobe their “00” o y if r e v to ll able to ca status. “00 Select”

No Open or Breaka way Ropings in 2012

The USCR A is not ho sting any sanctioned Open or B reakaway events for the 2012 S eason.

00 Select Challenge and #1 Challenge Top 25 money earners of the 00 Select and the #1 ropings for the 2012 season will be invited to the Challenge roping at the Finals in September. The “Challenge” roping will be two head with short round for $200 with $2,500 added and a 100% Payback (NO MONEY COMES OUT OF THE POT) 1st Place in the Average will pay $2,500 and a buckle. Payoff Average 1st $2,500 2nd $1,800 3rd $1,350 4th $900 5th $450 Go Round Winners Round Winners 1 Round - $250 2 Round - $250 Challenge Roping Rules K Ropers 21 or under (as of the day of the roping) are not eligible to enter the 00 Select Challenge. K Ropers must be 00 Select card holder to be eligible for the 00 Select Challenge . K Ropers must be a #1 card holder to compete in the #1 Challenge.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF PHOTOS BY RUSTY

Calf Ropers Reunion 8 Header

Jeff Yates, Average Champion of the #2 eight head roping at the 2011 Calf Ropers Reunion - 97.98 seconds on 8

Kyle Parrish, Average Champion of the EE eight head roping at the 2011 Calf Ropers Reunion - 116.10 seconds on 8 Micky Nelson, Average Champion of the #00 eight head roping at the 2011 Calf Ropers Reunion - 109.48 seconds on 8

T

here is something about entering and winning a multi-head calf roping, never the less an eight header. The Calf Roper’s Reunion in Bryan, Texas gave calf ropers that opportunity and more. When I say more, I mean you cannot believe the facilities at the Bryan County Expo. This was a great place to have an event like the Calf Ropers Reunion. Mickey Nelson placed second in three rounds on his way to the average win of the EE roping. He was one of only two ropers that caught and tied down all eight calves. Mickey had a time of 109.48 on eight calves and took home 6 • OCTOBER 2011

$1,525 along with a Wild West Buckle. This made Mickey the high money winner of the weekend. Rick McLemore won the first round of the #1 eight header and went on to win the average with a 91.46. Rick was one of only two ropers to tie all eight head down. His winnings totaled $1,431. How many ropers thought Kyle Parrish would win the 00 eight header after going 28 seconds on his first calf? The answer is probably only one. Kyle told me himself that he was going to make up the time and win the buckle. Sure enough, with a time of 116.10, Kyle took the victory and $985. Out of the six monies paid

in the average of the 00 roping, only five caught all eight calves. The #2 roping was the only roping of the weekend that paid all the average placing to ropers that tied down all eight calves. However, none of the ropers in the #2 were faster than Jeff Yates. Jeff posted a time of 97.95 on eight head and took home $845. When talking about the #2 roping, honorable mention has to go out to Joe Keating, who placed first or second in five of the eight rounds. Next year put the “Calf Ropers Reunion” on your calendar and take the challenge of trying to tie down eight calves. Come rope with us! K

Rick McLemore, Average Champion of the #1 eight head roping at the 2011 Calf Ropers Reunion - 91.46 seconds on 8

RESULTS Calf Roper’s Reunion Bryan, TX EE Round 1 1. Dakota Felton, 12.02, $340; 2. Mickey Nelson, 12.37, $255; 3. Ricky Peoples, 12.49, $170; 4. Bubba Kendrick, 12.50, $85 Round 2 1. Brett York, 11.04, $340; 2. Mickey Nelson, 11.09, $255; 3. Bubba Kendrick, 11.73, $170; 4. Colton Mize, 11.89, $85 Round 3 1. Garrett Rose, 10.84, $340; 2. Clayton Eggers, 11.18, $255; 3/4. Marvin Mills, 12.46, $130; 3/4. Robert Jones, 12.46, $130 Round 4 1. Colton Mize, 10.23, $340; 2. Dakota Felton, 10.93, $255; 3. Hope Thompson, 12.16, $170; 4. Brandon Wilson, 12.41, $85 Round 5 1. Raeben Meyer, 9.75, $340; 2. Ricky Harris Sr., 11.00, $255; 3. Colton Mize, 11.09, $170; 4. Clayton Eggers, 11.89, $85 Round 6 1. Brett York, 10.64, $340; 2. Guy Brown, 11.02, $255; 3. d Dakota Felton, 11.16, $170; 4. Charles Lee Henry, 11.81, $85 Round 7 1. Clayton Eggers, 10.73, $340; 2. Mickey Nelson, 11.08, $255; 3. Marvin Mills, 11.50, $170; 4. Ronnie Williams, 11.69, $85 Round 8 1. Joe Carter, 10.86, $340; 2. Colton Mize, 11.25, $255; 3. Ricky Peoples, 11.40, $170; 4. Hope Thompson, 12.14, $85 Average 1. Mickey Nelson, 109.48, $760; 2. Jerry Hayes, 135.42, $630; 3. Ronnie Williams, 1101.65/7hd, $500; 4. h Chris Wishert, 127.36/7hd, $365; 5. Charles Lee Henry, 136.21/7hd, $235; 6. Colton Mize, 69.34/6hd, $135

00 Round 1 1. Ty Islet, 10.14, $330; 2Rex Bla10.53, $245; 3Jamie M. Smith, 12.02, $165; 4th Russell Moore, 12.18, $80 Round 2 1. Danny Stephens, 10.32, $340; 2. Rody Balla10.48, $245; 3. Trenton Smith, 11.09, $165; 4. Bill Morris, 11.24, $80 Round 3 1. Rex Bla10.05, $330; 2. Bobby Horton, 10.33, $245; 3. Kyle Parrish, 10.40, $165; 4. Dakota Champion, 10.77, $80 Round 4 1. Ty Iselt, 9.85, $330; 2. Dakota Champion, 10.18, $245; 3. Norman Roberts, 10.78, $165; 4. Dale Corley, 11.26, $80 Round 5 1. Randy Weaver, 9.63, $330; 2. Ty Iselt, 9.85, $245; 3. Chance Jones11.25, $165; 4. Donny Lawrence, 11.37, $80 Round 6 1. Norman Roberts, 9.75, $330; 2. Roosevelt Walker, 11.25, $245; 3. Doug Hough, 11.35, $165; 4. Terry Phillips, 11.59, $80 Round 7 1. Dakota Champion, 9.74, $330; 2. Danny Stephens, 10.29, $245; 3. Don Sims, 10.65, $165; 4. Norman Roberts, 10.82, $80 Round 8 1. Trenton Smith, 10.10, $330; 2. Bobby Horton, 10.26, $245; 3. Norman Roberts, 10.70, $165; 4. Kyle Parrish, 10.79, $80 Average 1. Kyle Parrish, 116.10, $740; 2. Jamie M. Smith, 129.63, $615; 3. Steve Kolle, 131.20, $485; 4. Stephen Perry, 142.01, $355; 5. Charles Johnston, 151.59, $230; 6. Dakota Champion, 103.24/7hd, $130 #1 Round 1 1. Rick McLemore, 10.46, $466; 2. Nick Taylor, 10.84, $310

Round 2 1. Tyler Milligan, 9.94, $466; 2. Justin Braudrick, 10.22, $310 Round 3 1. David Porter, 10.43, $466; 2. John Rosanky, 10.63, $310 Round 4 1. Chad Boggs, 8.76, $466; 2. Dalton Dewinne, 8.92, $310 Round 5 1. Tracy Inman, 8.94, $466; 2. Westyn Hughes, 9.55, $310 Round 6 1. Quinton Inman, 9.07, $466; 2. Tyler Milligan, 9.13, $310 Round 7 1. Bubba Hargrove, 8.60, $466; 2. Scott Smith, 9.18, $310 Round 8 1. Bubba Hargrove, 8.13, $466; 2. Randy Hay, 8.65, $310 Average 1. Rick McLemore, 91.46, $965; 2. Ryan Rule, 112.96, $725; 3. Tyler Milligan, 75.71/7hd, $485; 4. Randy Hay, 81.65/7, $240 #2 Round 1 1. Cody Sacula, 9.95, $275; 2. Joe Keating, 10.75, $180 Round 2 1. Joe Keating, 9.88, $275; 2. Tyson Arledge, 10.34, $180 Round 3 1. Cody Wood, 10.50, $275; 2. Tyson Arledge, 11.29, $180 Round 4 1. Jeff Yates, 9.38, $275; 2. Neal Felton, 9.39, $180 Round 5 1. Joe Keating, 8.30, $275; 2. Austin Taylor, 9.10, $180 Round 6 1. Chad Kolbe, 8.92, $275; 2. Joe Keating, 9.13, $180 Round 7 1. Robert Mathis, 8.46, $275; 2 Reno Gonzales, 9.03, $180 Round 8 1. Joe Keating, 8.32, $275; 2. Cody Wood, 9.65, $180 Average 1. Jeff Yates, 97.95, $570; 2. Rex Martin, 99.60, $495; 3. Landyn Duncan, 111.94, $355 LOOPS MAGAZINE • 7

Top Rodeos Announced For 2012 Cinch Rodeohouston™ Super Shootout: North America’s Champions After the successful debut of the Cinch RodeoHouston Super Shootout: North America’s Champions in 2011, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo announced the 10 championship rodeos invited to the 2012 Show. “We are excited to bring the Super Shootout back for a second year after a great reaction from rodeo athletes and spectators,” said Joe Bruce Hancock, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo general manager. “It was everything our fans wanted to see — the best athletes, big money, and wild action.” The winning contestant in each of the four Super Shootout events – bareback riding, barrel racing, bull riding, and saddle bronc riding – from the following top 10 U.S. and Canadian rodeos, will be invited to the 2012 Super Shootout: • Calgary Stampede – Calgary, Alberta • Cheyenne Frontier Days – Cheyenne, Wyoming • Cloverdale Rodeo & County Fair – Surrey, British Columbia • Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo – Fort Worth, Texas • National Western Stock Show – Denver, Colorado • San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo – San Angelo, Texas • San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo – San Antonio, Texas 8 • OCTOBER 2011

• Reno Rodeo – Reno, Nev. • Rodeo Austin – Austin, Texas

Super 8 launches fan discount to celebrate PRCA sponsorship

• RodeoHouston – Houston, Texas

Courtesy of PRCA – ProRodeo

If the 2011 published World Champions in each event are not champions from the above rodeos, they also will be invited to compete. “Cinch is pleased about the success of the 2011 Cinch RodeoHouston Super Shootout, and the level of energy it has brought to the sport of rodeo,” said David Dean, president of Cinch Jeans and Shirts. “We look forward to a continued relationship with RodeoHouston and the Super Shootout.” During the 2011 Super Shootout, champions from the four Super Shootout events from 10 of the top rodeos in North America competed for $200,000, which brought RodeoHouston’s total cash commitment to more than $2 million. The 2012 RodeoHouston BP Super Series will run Feb. 28 – March 17. The Cinch RodeoHouston Super Shootout will close the 2012 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Sunday, March 18. For tickets and more information, visit www.rodeohouston.com. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a Section 501(c)(3) charity that benefits youth, supports education, and facilitates better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation. Since its beginning in 1932, the Show has committed more than $265 million to the youth of Texas.

Rodeo fans across the country are now being treated to a 15 percent discount at thousands of Super 8® hotels thanks to the Super 8 hotel brand and its newlyannounced sponsorship of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. A longtime supporter of professional rodeo events in Canada, the sponsorship is the first of its kind for the Super 8 brand in the United States, and provides members and fans of the PRCA with a discount of 15 percent off the best available rate at participating Super 8 hotels. “The Super 8 hotel brand has a great history of supporting the passions and interests of our guests, which is why I couldn’t be more excited to launch this new sponsorship,” said John Valletta, president of the Super 8 brand. “With over 2,000 hotels, more than any other economy brand in the world, PRCA members now have one more reason to rely on Super 8 hotels for clean, comfortable and affordable accommodations when they’re out on the road.” Current PRCA members will begin receiving their Super 8 discount cards via regular mail over the next 60 days; however members and fans who want to immediately start saving can download a discount card at www.facebook.com/super8rodeo. There is no cost for the cards and they’re available to all.

“Travel costs, including lodging, are a major expense for our membership,” said PRCA Commissioner Karl Stressman. “I’m excited about this partnership with the Super 8 brand because it will help our members save their hard-earned money. With its thousands of hotels throughout the U.S., the Super 8 brand has locations near most of our more than 550 sanctioned rodeos. They can be found in big cities as well as small communities – just like the PRCA.” In addition to the discounts, the Super 8 brand will have a major presence on www.prorodeo.com and provide the “Super 8 Second Clock” during the PRCA’s Xtreme Bulls GAC TV coverage. The brand will also have a significant presence at the Justin Boots Championships in Omaha, Sept. 22-24.

Equine Deworming: Out With the Old, In With the New Old Rule - Deworm the entire herd regularly, rotating through different classes of dewormers. New Rule - Evaluate horses individually, deworm only as necessary utilizing one effective product. Equine parasitologists are advising veterinarians and horse owners to rethink their traditional methods of parasite control.1 The outdated practice of treating every horse the same and with products from different classes of dewormers has been found to be ineffective1 according to Hoyt Cheramie, DVM, MS, a manager of Merial’s Large Animal

Veterinary Services. Let’s look at some facts that will help you understand why conventional thinking has changed and how it impacts deworming. Fact: Rotating dewormers is not only unnecessary; it actually may be contributing to the problem of resistance. Horse owners have long believed that by rotating dewormers, they’ve been fighting drug resistance. “Using several products blindly, some of which may no longer be effective on the parasites infecting horses on your farm, simply doesn’t make sense,” says Dr. Cheramie. “Not only is the program not the best it can potentially be, but experts agree that alternating drug classes does not delay the development of drug resistance. Using products which may no longer be effective is neither medically sound nor cost effective.” Fact: As it turns out, leaving a residual worm population on a farm is not only harmless – it’s necessary. True – as long as it’s the right population. That population is called “refugia.” As illogical as it may sound, you should actually welcome some parasites on the farm as long as they are susceptible to the dewormers you’re using. By leaving that refuge population of non-resistant (susceptible) worms to interbreed with resistant parasites, you help reduce the development of resistance. Using selective deworming practices will keep a balance between managing this population and keeping your horses healthy. Fact: Only about 20 percent of the horses in a herd shed about 80 percent of the farm’s worm eggs. Most worm contamination on a farm comes from a small subset of

high shedders. Dr. Cheramie suggests utilizing Fecal Egg Counts to identify that subset and then developing a comprehensive deworming strategy. By developing treatment plans based on shedding levels, optimum worm control can be achieved, and the risk of developing worm populations that are dewormer resistant is reduced. FACT: No dewormer classes are immune to the eventual development of resistance. “Although resistant populations and species of worms have developed at different rates of speed depending on the parasite, drug and frequency of use,” says Dr. Cheramie, “the fact is every class of dewormer currently available is at risk for resistant worm populations to arise.8 -12 That is why it is so important for horse owners to work with their veterinarians and take action to ensure their deworming programs are both effective and responsible.”

Feed Rite™ Bag from Cashel Company The Feed Rite™ Bag is a simple piece of equipment that every horseman should own. Durable and easy to use, the Feed Rite™ Bag saves money by not wasting feed. It keeps the grain at the horse’s mouth so he does not have to “fish” for grain like in traditional buckets. Take it out and feed your horses easily at events or near other horses with no fuss. Suggested Retail $16.95. Visit www.cashelcompany.com. LOOPS MAGAZINE • 9

Did You Know? One Second Penalty

Welcome new Website!

In the EE and 00 roping it is only a onesecond penalty for not getting your calf up.

A new USCRA.com website is being built. Stay tuned for a new look, information, and better navigation throughout the newly designed website.

00 Roping Split The 00 Roping will be divided into two ropings for the 2012 season. There will be a 00 and 00 Select. You can check on your status as of October 10, 2011.

New Season The first roping for the 2012 season will be the Roland Reid Memorial November 6, 2012 at the Cowtown Coliseum in Ft. Worth, Texas.

USCRA is now on Facebook Search for Lanham Mangold and stay in touch with up to date news and information straight from the USCRA!

2012 Membership Discount Family Memberships 1/2 price of USCRA Membership First family membership is full price; all additional family memberships are half price. Family memberships are defined as spouse and/or children 19 years and under or siblings that are both 19 years of age and under living at home. Family memberships receive one copy of Loops magazine per household. Additional subscriptions to Loops can be purchased for $24.00. You must fill out a separate application for each Family Membership.

Be sure to check out the new Select 00 Membership information!

Come Rope With Us!

2012 Schedule November 6 Roland Reid Memorial FT. Worth, TX

March 10 & 11 Spring Classic Giddings, TX

June 30 & July 1 Firecracker 5 Header Stephenville, TX

December 10 & 11 Christmas Bonus Roping Stephenville, TX

April 14 & 15 TBA

July 21 & 22 Denton, TX

May TBA

August 4 Hill Country Championships Hamilton, TX

January 14 & 15 West Texas Championships Sweetwater, TX February 25 & 26 Tejas Championships Bulverde, TX

10 • OCTOBER 2011

June 9 & 10 North Texas Championships Denton, TX

August 25 & 26 Calf Ropers Reunion Bryan, TX

2012 Membership Application Membership Dues: $100

Members from states other than Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and New Mexico are $75 Tiedown (Classes EE, 00, #1, #2)

2012 Memberships are good from August 1, 2011 – September 19, 2012 USCRA Membership includes a one-year subscription to Loops magazine.

United States Calf Ropers Assn PO Box 690, Giddings, Texas 78942 979-542-1239

To join, fill out the application & mail to the USCRA office or you can join on-line at our website at www.uscra.com. Please print all information completely and legibly; please fill out a separate form for additional members.

FIRST NAME

Male

LAST NAME

Female

Tiedown MAILING ADDRESS

PAYMENT OPTIONS: The USCRA accepts checks, money orders, or VISA or Mastercard for membership dues. Please make checks or money orders payable to USCRA and mail to: PO Box 690, Giddings, TX 78942. Please fill out the information below for credit card payments:

CITY, STATE, ZIP EMAIL ADDRESS SOCIAL SECURITY # BIRTHDATE WORK #

Visa-M/C Account Number

_ _ _ _-_ _ _ _-

HOME #

_ _ _ _-_ _ _ _ Exp. Date _______________

CELL #

Cardholder Signature

Have you been a member of the USCRA? ______Yes ______No

X__________________________

DISCOUNT FAMILY MEMBERSHIP: $50 Tiedown You must fill out a separate membership application for each Family Membership. First family membership is full price; all additional family memberships are half price. Family memberships are defined as spouse and/or child 19 years & under or siblings that are both 19 years of age & under living at home. Family memberships receive one copy of Loops magazine per household. Additional subscriptions to Loops can be purchased for $24.00. To receive discount all blanks below must be filled out: Current 2010 USCRA Member’s name_________________________ ID #________ Relation to you_________________

DISCLAIMER: The USCRA reserves the right to re-classify or change classification numbers at any given time. I will not hold USCRA and all those associated with the arena performed in liable for injuries. I understand I am roping at my own risk. Photographs taken at USCRA events may be used for advertising and promotional purposes. All entry fees are to be paid in cash. Pay-outs will be in cash. Please Sign Here: X_________________________________________________

Signature of member or guardian if member is a minor

ROPING SECRETARY USE ONLY Record class. #, date, dues paid, and paid by when application is turned in by roper. CLASSIFICATION #_______

DATE JOINED__________

DUES PAID $________

PAID BY:

Cash

Check #______ Credit Card

MAILED_________ NEW CLASS #______ DATE CHANGED _________ NEW CARD MAILED__________ LOCATION JOINED_________

LOOPS MAGAZINE • 11

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Sunday, November 6 Historic FT. Worth Stockyards Cowtown Coliseum FT. Worth, TX SCHEDULE

77% Payback Buckles to Average Winners ATTENTION ROPERS Saturday, November 5 L

9:00 a.m. Ladies Breakaway - 2 and short $175 Short Round goes Saturday Night Performance 12:00 p.m. Open Tiedown - 2 and short $175 Short Round goes Saturday Night Performance No Cards Needed. Sanctioned with UPRA.

9:00 a.m. 00 Followed by #2 11:00 a.m. EE 1:00 p.m. 00 Select 3:00 p.m. #1 All Ropings are 2 and short for $180 New “00” Number system will be in effect. Call 979/540-7755 for numbering info. Pre-Enter on Monday from 12-8 979/540-7755. There will be a $10 Walk-up late charge. GPS Directions: 121 E. Exchange Ave, FT. Worth, TX 76164 Steak houses, shopping, and night life all within walking distance of Stockyards Cowtown Coliseum.

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December 10 & 11, 2011 Lone Star Arena Stephenville, TX Buckles to Average Winners $250 Bonus to the roper that wins the 4th go-round on the bonus calf.

$100-Bonus to the high money EE or 00 roper that enters the 00 select roping. Must win money in the 00 select to collect bonus.

$100-Bonus to the high money #1 roper that enters the #2 roping. Must win money in the #2 to collect bonus. 12 • OCTOBER 2011

SCHEDULE Saturday 9:00 a.m. 00 11:00 a.m. #2 1:00 p.m. 00 Select Sunday 9:00 a.m. EE 11:00 a.m. #1

All ropings are 4 Head for $250

77% PAYBACK New “00” Number system will be in effect. Call 979/540-7755 for numbering info. Pre-Enter on Monday from 12-8 979/540-7755. There will be a $10 Walk-up late charge. GPS Directions: 4696 N US Hwy 377, Stephenville, TX 76401 Driving Directions: Located on Hwy 377 north of Stephenville. Plenty of stalls and hookups.

CALF ROPINGS & ROPING SCHOOLS

The 58th Annual Cinch Roping Fiesta Presented by the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Association October 28-30, 2011 H San Angelo, TX

Friday, October 28th 1st Community Federal Credit Union Spur Arena Cinch Calf Roping Preliminary Preliminary Roping Books Close October 21 at 5:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m.

Buckle to Average Winner Top 5 in Average Earn an Invite to Cinch Saturday Calf Roping Enter Ultimate Calf Roping Events On-Site Prior to Start of Roping

Young Guns Championship Match Roping Following Preliminary Roping Champion to Saturday Cinch Fiesta Calf Roping Ultimate Calf Roping Association #10 Begins at 9:30 a.m. Open Girls Breakaway at 5:00 p.m.

Sunday October 30th

Saturday, October 29th Cowboy Collectibles Show 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

San Angelo Coliseum & Association Cattle Barn Ultimate Calf Roping #9 & Ultimate Calf Roping Girls Breakaway “B” Roping 8:00 a.m.

1st Community Federal Credit Union Spur Arena Ultimate Calf Roping #13 5:00 p.m.

1st Community Federal Credit Union Spur Arena

Cinch Calf Roping Events Cody Ohl vs. Tuff Cooper Match Roping Invitational Roping of the World’s Top 40 Calf Ropers 1:00 p.m.

Outdoor Roping Fiesta Arena Introduction of Ropers at 10:00 a.m. in the Wells Fargo Pavilion

Jake Hooker & The Outsiders Dance Starts at 9:00 p.m. in the Wells Fargo Pavilion BYOB

Cowboy Collectibles Show 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

San Angelo Coliseum & Association Cattle Barn Ultimate Calf Roping #11 and #12 9:00 a.m.

Steer Roping & World Champion Double Mugging 1:00 p.m. Outdoor Roping Fiesta Arena Introduction of Ropers at 10:00 a.m. in the Wells Fargo Pavilion

Saddles To ALL Average Winners At Ultimate Calf Roping Events All Ultimate Calf Ropings Are 4 Head For $180 With An Optional $100 Side Pot

Roping Tickets $10 each day H On Sale September 1 H Call 877-727-6336 for more information. Cowboy Collectible Show 9:00 a.m. each day with free admission in the San Angelo Coliseum. For more information please visit: www.sanangelorodeo.com and follow the links to Roping Fiesta. CALF ROPINGS & ROPING SCHOOLS

LOOPS MAGAZINE • 13

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*(&785 $ 4&(-* *(&785 $ *(&785 $ 30'*57 # 804-85 5&.5.* ".*: $ 8'5*< $ -8''8(/ *&,8* $ *<1385 $ .(3 $ *(&785 $ **)9.00* $ 31&2(-* 31'&00 $ *5*+35) $ 7*4-*29.00* $ 7*4-*29.00* $ 7.00:&7*5 357&0*6 0&.2 .7< ! 32(& .7< .)).2,6 $ 804-85 4&2.6- 35/ ! 00*26'85, # 8*'03 3:2)*6'353 & "*52.& $ 85&27 8*'03 336*9*07 ! &781 0&(/+337 &5&2& % &,5&78*53 $ 0&1&7- &006 7-*26 *;&6 8'0.2 $ 3(/0*< $ .0)*2 $ 5&=35.& $ 7*4-*29.00* $ &/)&0* -.0)5*66 $ #.22.* $ 56/.2* 7&2+.*0)

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become one of the many state, national, jr. high and high school champs and nfr qualifiers who have attended my schools.

14 • OCTOBER 2011

CALF ROPINGS & ROPING SCHOOLS

Top Cowboys Hope to Rope World Title Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping at Lazy E Arena Will Host Top 15 Cowboys to Decide the 2011 World Championship

T

he best steer ropers in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association will converge on central Oklahoma November 11-12 to decide the 2011 World Championship of Steer Roping at the 53rd Annual Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping presented by National Saddlery at the Lazy E Arena. The two-day Championship that begins at 7:30 p.m. each evening will feature the top 15 steer ropers from the final regular-season world standings, all chasing that elusive, yet coveted, Montana Silversmiths gold buckle given to the cowboy who earns the title of PRCA World Champion. Atop the list heading into this year’s 10-Round slugfest is 14-time World Champion Trevor Brazile, owner of a record eight all-around titles, three tie-down roping crowns, a team roping championship and two steer roping season victories. Through late August, he held a $13,000 lead over Vin Fisher Jr., the No. 2 man in the world standings. “It’s like any other event, where if you want to win the world title, you have to have a good Finals,” said Brazile of Decatur, Texas. “It’s going to be close enough by that time that it will be about anyone’s to win.” Brazile had a significant run at the 2010 Steer Roping Finale inside the Lazy E last November, winning more than $28,000 in two days. But Kansan Rocky Patterson walked away with the World Championship, setting a new standard in the process. Patterson, carrying a significant lead in the standings heading into the November Finale, earned nearly $18,000 and finished fourth in the aggregate race. Most importantly, though, is that the money won at the Lazy E shot Patterson’s season earnings to $101,685; he became the first cowboy in PRCA history to earn more than $100,000 in steer roping. “The last two years have been good for me, but I’ve been doing this for a long time,” said Patterson, the two-time reigning World Champion who has qualified for the Steer Roping Finals for the seventeenth time in his storied career. “To me, longevity means something.” This year’s field is expected to feature a who’s who in the world of steer roping, including two-time World Champion Scott Snedecor of Uvalde, Texas; Bryce Davis of

Abilene, Texas; and Cody Lee of Gatesville, Texas – those contestants are firmly in the top 10, but there are several others who are battling their way through the remaining few weeks of the season to play in the World Championship. “There’s a lot of tradition in steer roping,” Brazile said. “It’s the first event, period. It’s one of the earliest cowboy sports. That tradition means a lot to me, plus it’s just a cowboy event.” Brazile knows more than most the prestige that comes with winning the Steer Roping World Championship. The Texan owns a record eight all-around gold buckles, but his 2006 steer roping world title marked the first time in his career that Brazile had earned an individual event championship. One of just two men to have qualified for a ProRodeo National Finals in all four roping disciplines – team roping (heading and heeling), tie-down roping and steer roping – he’s also the man with the biggest target on his back when NFSR begins. “I’m going to have to start roping better if I’m going to win another title,” Patterson said. “When you’re talking about Trevor, I think he’s just that talented; he works hard at it.” As in years past and just like the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the event will consist of 10 go-rounds to determine the PRCA World Champion and the final 2011 PRCA Steer Roping World Standings. On Friday night, Nov. 11, Rounds 1 through 5 will take place – that means 75 runs in one night. Then on Saturday night, Nov. 12, Rounds 6 through 10 – and another rugged 75 runs – will determine who walks out of the Lazy E Arena with the PRCA World Championship gold buckle and saddle. The Lazy E Arena was built to host the NFSR in 1984 by E.K. Gaylord II. The Lazy E hosted this world championship event from 1984 until 2000. In 2001, the Finals event moved to Amarillo, Texas, for a five year run then made a three-year stop in Hobbs, N.M. In 2009, the Oklahoma State Legislature unanimously passed a resolution to bring the NFSR back to Oklahoma and change the name of the event to honor the late Clem McSpadden, who served for many years in the Oklahoma Legislature and the U.S.

House of Representatives while also building a reputation as one of the best announcers in rodeo history. He worked the NFSR a record 27 times. McSpadden was also known as the “Voice of the Lazy E”. Steer Roping fans will enjoy all of the activities planned for the performances and in addition, the Senior National Finals Steer Roping will take place during the day at the Lazy E Arena on Nov. 11-12. VIP ticket prices for each performance of the NFSR are $37 … Box seats $30 and general admission $20 preshow. Children 12 and under are free in general admission. Group discounts are also available … Call (800) 595-RIDE for complete details. A portion of the proceeds from the 2011 Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping will again be donated to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City and the Clem McSpadden Endowed Chair at Oklahoma State University. The Lazy E is proud to support these institutions for Western preservation. Tickets go on sale September 12 and will be available at www.lazye.com, all ticketmaster outlets, by calling Ticketmaster (800) 745-3000 or by calling the Lazy E directly at (800) 595-RIDE. Call early to get the best seats possible for this World Championship! The 2011 Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping is presented by National Saddlery, with support from Wrangler, Justin Boots, Boyd Gaming, Montana Silversmiths, the American Quarter Horse Association, Priefert Ranch & Rodeo Equipment, Ram Rodeo, John Vance Auto Group, Pendleton Whisky, Purina Mills, Cinderella Horses, Chesapeake Energy, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, Kyler Cattle Company, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, CSI Saddlepads, Fentress Oil, One Stop Copy Shop, the Fairfield Inn & Suites – Edmond, Best Western – Edmond, and the Comfort Suites – Edmond. The Clem McSpadden NFSR is a Lazy E Production. For more information on the NFSR or other Lazy E events, contact the Lazy E Arena, 9600 Lazy E Drive, Guthrie, OK 73044, (405) 282-RIDE, (800) 595- RIDE or visit www.lazye.com. LOOPS MAGAZINE • 15

AAAACHOOOOO! Horse Allergies Common Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments for Horse Allergies

M

any humans suffer from allergies. If you are one of those people or even know one of them, you understand the challenges they face in finding out what causes the allergy, the symptoms and the regular treatments used to overcome allergic reactions. What about your horse? Many people may overlook the fact that they too have allergies that can affect behavior, performance and health. Horse owners must be aware of these symptoms and understand that they may be associated with other common equine health and disease conditions. Causes of Equine Allergies Horses are in contact with many things that can cause allergies. Normal living 16 • OCTOBER 2011

conditions can play a major role to how much allergens your horse is in contact with. Horses are often engulfed in dust, mold spores, and other allergens within their stall areas, barns and horse trailers. In other conditions, such as pastures, horses may be in contact with natural occurring things that could cause allergic reactions. A horse’s immune system can fight against these allergens with antibodies. Antibodies are used by the horse’s body as weapons against antigens. These can also be called allergens. When the horse’s immune system works correctly, the antigens are eliminated. Usually a horse can fight off these allergens with a healthy immune system, but not in every circumstance. In other cases, allergic reactions, also known as hypersensitivity can occur when the immune system or the antibodies overreacts to an outside antigen that is introduced to a horse’s body. Some of these conditions are quite minor, while others can be

life-threatening such as allergies that cause problems with cardiovascular or respiratory systems. Anything in the air, like mold or certain proteins can cause allergic reactions. In addition, certain foods, feeds, grains, hay, nutrition supplements and insect bites can also trigger allergic reactions. Equine Allergy Symptoms Horse owners should ask before purchasing a horse about any past allergy problems or experiences. This does not mean you should not buy the horse, but this information can be helpful should allergic problems arise. You can use the information to get the horse treated more effectively. Equine allergies can exhibit many different symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms include watery eyes, coughing, or raised lumps on the horse’s shoulders. Other cases may include sickness behavior or unresponsive reactions. Horse owners can usually tell when a horse is not feeling well or up to their performance potential. This should be the first sign of a problem and you should take actions immediately by contacting your local veterinarian. Diagnosing allergies may be difficult event when a veterinarian is involved. In many cases, the horse’s allergies may take several months, or even years, to fully develop to

the point where they are noticeable. A horse that has never shown signs of allergic reactions may develop an allergy without warning. In addition, allergies can be very difficult to prevent and diagnosis, since there are so many sources the horse may be in contact with. There are no indications that a horse’s age, gender, or breed plays a factor to allergies and any horse can come down with hives or other skin allergies at any time in their life. Skin and respiratory allergies are the two main allergies that effect horses. Respiratory allergies may be more threatening than skin allergies, but both are important and need to be treated as soon as they are diagnosed. Skin allergies are among the most common allergies in horses. These allergies usually appear as hives that affect the horse’s neck and shoulder area first. They usually appear 12 to 14 hours after the horse is exposed to the antigen. Some horses may experience fever or itchy skin when they have hives. Skin allergies can be caused by insect bites and food allergens. The most common skin allergies are reactions caused by gnat bites. Sometimes mosquito bites can also pose a problem in different parts of the United States. Many horses will rub the

areas where the bites are present. Although this does not front any immediate danger, the horse can rub the hair off in these areas, or injure themselves on fences or gates of their stall of pasture. Horses often recover from hives and other skin allergies without any intervention. However, if the hives occur often, with no apparent reason involved, a vet can do an intradermal skin test to identify the allergen. If an antigen is found through the test, hyposensitization (similar to

allergy shots) may help fend off future hives. Corticosteroids are also commonly used to treat skin allergies. Heaves is the term most vets use for respiratory allergies in horses. The symptoms usually include coughing, exercise intolerance and nasal discharge, much the same as asthma in humans. It is important to get a heaving horse treated as soon as possible. Severe cases can cause weight loss due to loss of

appetite, as well as poor performance or even the threat of other diseases since the immune system is unhealthy. Some horses will wheeze when affected by respiratory allergies. There may even be a visible “heave line” in the area between the flank and the thorax. There are several environmental issues that can cause heaves in horses including, pollen, dust, and mold, which are easily found in most horse stables. The best treatment to cure or relieve your horse of heaves is to identify and remove the problem as quickly as possible. In many cases, you can simply take the horse out of the stable and let it out to pasture for some fresh air. You can also try changing the bedding to shavings or shredded paper to reduce the possible irritants in your horse’s pen area. If all standard bedding choices seem to bring on heaves, some horses must sleep on rubber mats to resolve their allergy. Hay can host many organisms that cause heaves. Soaking your hay in water can help remove any unwanted spores. If your horse still can’t stay healthy with hay in its immediate environment, owners may need to take hay out of the horse’s diet completely and replace with pelleted feed rations. A secondary course of action that your vet can prescribe in some cases of heaves is corticosteroids. K LOOPS MAGAZINE • 17

From the Archives

R

ecently I was given a book titled Outliers, The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell. I have always believed and said that there’s no substitute for time spent and this book reinforces that for me. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a school teacher, calf roper or a rocket scientist. If you want to be the best there’s no substitute for time spent. The person who spends the most time at something is the best.

When you hear that someone has “potential,� while a compliment, it also means they haven’t accomplished anything yet. According to The Outliers, it takes approximately 10,000 hours to become an expert at something. There’s about 2,000 hours in a year of 40-hour weeks, so depending on how hard you work and how much time you devote to something, it can take five to ten years to become an expert.

These statistics made me reflect on my career. I’ve always felt a little behind because I didn’t start roping until I was sixteen. Though I’ve never doubted my ability, I also never felt like I was as good as I wanted to be. Therefore, I practiced all the time and couldn’t practice enough. I look back now and realize I didn’t know, but it was what I needed to do. I’ve always said that you get

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18-19 Down the Line_Layout 1 9/26/11 1:12 PM Page 19

out of it what you put into it and that’s proven. The person who spends the most quality practice at something will be the best. In the book they talk about musicians and athletes and the difference between those who went on to become teachers versus the elite who became the very best. The elite practiced more and spent more time doing it. I can’t think about roping and longevity without thinking of Allen Bach. He’s worked hard,

continued to change with the times and is still a driving force. He didn’t rest on his laurels and at 50-something he’s still working at it and will continue to until he quits. It’s no accident that Trevor dominates the All Around. He’s spent more time at it – that’s no secret. Hanging in my office is my quote: “Practice is not what you do when you get good – Practice is what you do to get good.” Today while I was practicing, the father of one of my students

was there and afterwards he asked, “Do you always practice this hard?” Ironically, it wasn’t really that tough of a day for me. I don’t practice to get a warm and fuzzy feeling, or out of anger or to prove anything. I constantly challenge myself to INbeHOUSE the PROOF VSA very best I can be. If you want to be the best – do it more than anyone else. Period. Till next time, God Bless and I’ll see you down the line. K

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LOOPS MAGAZINE • 19

CRX’D

Signs Of The Times “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.” (Matthew 24:44) Throughout history people have continually speculated about the second coming of Christ. If this topic is of no interest to you, this article may be the most important article you will ever read. In Matthew 24 Jesus gives us some of the most valuable information about the signs of His return. Many believe that Christ’s return has been delayed and that perhaps it is a fairy tale that will never happen. I would like to remind you that God’s calendar is a much different calendar from the one we live with today. The Scripture says in Psalms 90:4, “for a thousand years in your signs are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.” In the light of eternity, since the day Christ walked on the face of this earth, it has really only been (according to God’s calendar) a couple of days. The Scripture says that our life on earth is like a vapor. If you have ever made coffee from an old steam kettle, you will understand that a vapor disappears quite suddenly. In Matthew 24:6, Jesus speaks of wars, rumors of wars, nation rising against nation, kingdom against kingdom, famines and earthquakes in different places. It also says that these are only the beginnings of “birth pains.” There are seven signs that are given in this 24th chapter of Matthew. As much as we drive, one thing that we understand is a road sign. There are stop signs and yield signs. Driving through Colorado you will find cautionary signs that warn of falling rocks. The Scripture says that many will be deceived in the last days. We have witnessed an extreme amount of deception in the past few years and have been convinced that compromise is okay. Whenever we buy into

20 • OCTOBER 2011

the deception that we can allow other things to take the place of our relationship with our Creator, we have bought into the deception of the last days. Years ago, I got on an airplane to go to a rodeo in Fresno, California. At that time, I had not flown very much at all. The plane had a layover in Salt Lake City, Utah. Because I was not paying attention to the signs, either printed on my ticket or in the terminal, I did not realize that I should have changed to a different plane to go through San Francisco to Fresno. I wound up at the Orange County airport in Southern California. When I finally realized what I had done, the ticket agent told me there was a flight leaving from LAX and that I might make it to the rodeo on time – or I might not! The only way that I could get to LAX was on a bus. What she didn’t tell me was the bus toured Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm on the way. Needless to say, I didn’t win anything when I finally arrived at the rodeo in Fresno. God has given us many signs to help us know when He will return. Even though we do not know the exact date and time, this is an event that will supersede all events. May I say to you two words that in my estimation are two of the most important words in the Bible? Those two words are for your benefit. Those words are “BE READY!”

Pastor Randy Weaver Lone Star Cowboy Church 21627 Eva St. Montgomery, TX 77356 (936) 597-5742 Service Times: Sundays 8:30, 10:00 and 11:30am Mondays 7:00pm

by Ryan Davis

O

ctober is here and the new 2012 USCRA Season is about to kick off. Plenty of changes are in store for ropers this year and a quick look through this issue will give you details. The USCRA is again at work to make their events a great place to rope and the association a great way to enjoy the sport at any age. The new 00 ands Select 00 looks to allow ropers a better opportunity to stay competitive and continue their roping career and, in the long run, will continue to grow the sport in all divisions. What I have learned over the years is that you cannot continue to build any type of organization without new members. This is exactly what the splitting of the 00 should do. By allowing ropers a better chance to compete at this level it will open the door for them to continue to learn and move up the classification ladder, thus continuing to grow the sport. Look at the many obstacles a new roper will have to cross, whether a young roper just learning to rope calves or someone who never had the chance until later in life to take up the sport. From the basics of learning to rope, to finding a good horse and the opportunity to practice and compete, it is all part of a rather hard learning curve. Now, throw in that they will probably be handed quite a few defeats before winning any money and it can become very discouraging. When a new roper heads to their first couple of events they carry with them the thought that all the money, time and effort put into learning to rope calves should pay off. Looking at events from the outside, it is really easy to get caught up in the fact that it looks easy. Then there comes a defeat, then another and, in many cases, another. The wind is taken out of their sails, the fun and excitement disappears and the option to quit

can seem pretty appealing. By spitting the 00 division into the 00 and the Select 00, the opportunity for these rookie ropers to succeed more quickly jumps significantly. The fun returns to the sport, the excitement of being a calf roper and having the chance to win at an event is there again. This will allow these ropers to continue to rope, all the while honing their skills and becoming better. By the time they take the move to the next level, the Select 00, they will be ready and prepared to move up the system with more opportunities to stay competitive. The more competitive it gets at this level and above will continue to grow the sport as ropers become more aggressive. This seems to be the way the sport needs to go, continuing to grow and succeed and I am sure the new Select 00 system will spark the interest in the many ropers out there who have always thought of giving the sport a try. On to other news, the USCRA is no longer hosting Open or Breakaway ropings at their events. I have to say Lanham has given Open ropers every chance to rope and win, but it is a tough draw. These guys are often looking to compete at rodeos and have overlooked the many opportunities to win at USCRA events. The same may be true for breakaway ropers and there just are not enough of them competing to continue to make it profitable and it is probably sucking money out of the association. I can see breakaway ropings returning to the USCRA if things in society turn around. I know personally how hard it is to survive during these tough economic times and look forward to the future and the prospect of it getting better. Until next time, I wish you all the best of luck for the 2012 season.

LOOPS MAGAZINE • 21

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX

B Joe Beaver School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 K King’s Saddlery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 M Mannsville Ag Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Sid Miller Calf Horses . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

R Rattler Ropes, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Rising Stars Jr. Calf Roping . . . . . . . . . . .3 S San Angelo Roping Fiesta . . . . . . . . . .13 Sparky Superior Roping Machines . . . . . .2 Stran Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

USCRA National

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Sponsors Stephenville, Texas Chamber of Commerce The Home of the USCRA Finals P.O. Box 306, Stephenville, TX 76401 800.658.6490 www.stephenvilletexas.org

Rattler Ropes The Official Rope of the USCRA 1301 Weatherford Hwy., Granbury, TX 76048 800.654.7864; www.rattlerrope.com

M.A.C. Precision Calf Feeds Martin Saddlery The Official Saddle of the USCRA 1301 Weatherford Hwy. Granbury, TX 76048 800.654.7864; www.martinsaddlery.com 22 • OCTOBER 2011

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