WICKENBURG, AZ – The third annual National Team Roping Tour (NTR) National Finals were held March 6-11, 2017, at Rancho Rio Arena in Wickenburg, Ariz. The six-day event paid out $876,610 in cash, plus $100,000 in prizes over 17 individual ropings and nine divisions. Nearly 900 contestants made their way to the Team Roping Capital of the World for the Finals to compete at three of the highest-paying divisional ropings in the industry.
Awarding a combined $556,600, the National 12, National 9 and National 8 Finales set the stage for the week, with each division paying $100,000 plus trophy Cactus Saddlery custom saddles and fancy Gist Silversmith buckles to the winning teams. Hailing from Snowflake, Ariz., stepbrothers Clint Groff and Logan Rogers roped five steers in 44.75 seconds to take home the inaugural NTR National 12 Championship title.
“We couldn’t think of the money, we just had to take it one steer at a time,” said Rogers. “Yesterday I had a work day that was quite literally one of the worst days ever, so to come out here and have a day like this it’s just a huge blessing.”
This was the third consecutive year for the National 9 Finale, and it continues to stand as the highest paying division of the Finals. The young draw team of Jace Johnson, Newtown, N.D., and Tyler Jiron, Bosque Farms, N.M., were the 2017 Champions, roping four steers in 40.53 seconds.
“When I turned my last steer for Tyler I knew he was going to catch right away,” said Johnson. “I could tell he was devoted to it—he wasn’t going to miss. I just had to go out there and do my job.”
New last year, the National 8 Finale continued to gain momentum in 2017. South Dakota cowboys Chuck Nelson, Hartford, S.D., and Dan Olson, Flandreau, S.D., pocketed the cool $100,000.
“We’re just truly blessed to be able to do this and to have this opportunity,” said Olson, who’s sons, Jordan and Logan Olson, have both competed in the team roping at the amateur and professional levels. “I can’t thank Ty Yost enough for giving our age an opportunity to do this and win this kind of money.”
The NTR National Finals is also home to the annual The Horse Sale at Rancho Rio. With 56 top-notch consignments, this year’s event drew spectators from all over the U.S. and Canada. The NTR will host the fourth annual sale during next year’s National Finals, which will once again be held in Wickenburg in March 2018.
With low entry fees and big payouts, the National Team Roping Tour has more than 6,000 members who compete in NTR-sanctioned events nationwide. For more information on the National Team Roping Tour or to become a member visit nationalteamroping.com. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram at nationalteamroping.
Results as follows; payoffs are per team:
March 6
Legends Championships: 1st go, not placing in Avg: JoAnn Merritt and Ray Lane, 8.38, $300.
Average: 1. Bob Dineen and Blake Nelson, 40.70, $6,260. 2. Sondra Williams and Glenn Teixeira, 42.52, $4,700. 3. Chris Galbreath and Bob Coppock, 42.78, $3,120. 4. Johnnie Phillips and Neil Karlson, 43.40, $1,580.
National 9 Qualifier
(1-10 in average received $1,000 payout): 1. Matt Chandler and Danny Garcia, 38.36. 2. Rex Swim and Jeremiah Andrews, 41.01. 3. Julie Ballek and Kevin Kelly, 42.12. 4. Raymond Kerr and Steve McDaniel, 43.68. 5. Clay Negaard and Heath Myers, 43.74. 6. Kari Ann Cross and Phillip Caines, 44.95. 7. David Soppe and Jesse Driskill, 45.54. 8. Jon Monteaux and Chuck Vanliere, 45.80. 9. Lynn Stadheim and Charlie Persson, 49.35. 10. Marty Shlumberger and Chris Wehling, 49.87.
National 8 Qualifier
(1st through 9th in Average all received $1,000 payout). 1. Kip Gates and Zack Wright, 40.80. 2. Brad Lands and Jim Watson, 52.47. 3. Paul Romo and Steve Klein, 52.91. 4. Brooklin Ness and Nasia Chapman, 53.33. 5. Debi Alps and Jerry Satterfield, 53.41. 6. Antonio Mendive and Rudy Blossom, 53.44. 7. Tim Stampe and Bob Rose, 55.54. 8. Debi Alps and Herb Snow, 57.14. 9. Bud Lawlor and Charlie Johnson 58.09.
March 7
#13 Championships
1st go, not placing in Avg: Erin Simon and Bill Beard, 6.89, $600.
Average: 1. Cy Christensen and Taylor Duby, 31.32, $8,020. 2. Travis Johnson and Enoch Schaffer, 32.49, $6,000. 3. Fred Ennist and Enoch Schaffer, 32.67, $4,020. 4. Kevin Jaeger and Rob Black, 33.24, $2,000.
#11 Championships
1st go, not placing in Avg: Travis Johnson and Todd Holden, 6.17, $600.
Average: 1. Tyler Muth and Preston Chamberlain, 35.35, $10,220 + buckles. 2. Raymond Kerr and Todd Holden, 35.47, $6,800. 3. Chris Galbreath and Brodey Serres, 35.81, $5,260. 4. Chase Mitchell and Brodey Serres, 36.18, $3,720. 5. Larry Wehling and Rob Black, 36.42, $2,780. 6. Kenny Lee and Tommy Lee, 36.94, $2,180.
#10 Championships
1st go, not placing in Avg: Barbara Kenney and AJ Kevie, 10.25, $600.
Average: 1. Tyler Muth and Preston Chamberlain, 36.58, $12,600. 2. Eddie Torres III and Clayton Torres, 38.02, $8,400. 3. Ferron Lucero Sr. and Joey Martin, 40.59, $6,480. 4. Lindsey Fortkamp and John Forkamp, 40.85, $4,580. 5. Bill Eckroth and Russ Schirado, 42.14, $3,440. 6. Bob Dineen and Blake Nelson, 43.83, $2,660.
National 10 Finale
1st go, not placing in Avg: Jeff Lovelace and Jim Volk, 8.21, $2,000.
Average: 1.Rocky McLeod and Wade Baize, 36.74, $16,400 + buckles. 2. Jamie Payton and Pat Danehey, 38.14, $12,000 + buckles. 3. Jamie Payton and Ray Lane, 40.03, $8,000. 4. Nick Nehl and Hagen Wallace, 42.49, $4,000.
National 9 Qualifier
Average (1-10 in average received $1,000 payout): 1. Tyler Muth and Jace Helton, 45.46. 2. Skip Shamp and Terry Boydstun, 45.92. 3. Lindsey Fortkamp and Jeff Clark, 46.86. 4. John Alps and Dan Olson, 47.0. 5. Pedro Marquez and Cristy Kinghorn, 47.23. 6. Adan Aranda and Carlos Aranda, 47.54. 7. Dallas Morgan and Michael Brockett, 47.65. 8. Lynn Stadheim and BJ Palmer, 50.84. 9. Chris Galbreath and Bob Coppock, 50.97. 10. Bob Dineen and Joe Stricklin, 52.21.
March 8
National 8 Qualifier
(1-10 in average received $1,000 payout): 1. John Hintz and Tim Jones, 41.25. 2. Trever Courvell and Shannon Miller, 41.31. 3. Bruce Northrop and Jose Gonzalez Sr., 46.03. 4. Larry King and Danny Lewis, 46.49. 5. Jesus Bobby Parra and Ricardo Ramirez, 47.68. 6. Ron Vancromphaut and Jim Estill, 48.87. 7. Debi Alps and Ed Gage, 52.04. 8. Mitchel Ritchie and Brian Kelly, 54.30. 9. Bradyn Crider and Chase Crider, 55.17. 10. Jerome Anderson and Victor Small, 55.93.
National 12 Qualifier
1st go, not placing in Avg: Seth Schafer and Hardy White 7.59, $1,000.
Average: 1. Mike Collins and Coy Hildreth, 34.58, $4,550. 2. Sergio Garcia and Eduardo Aranda, 36.41, $3,400. 3. Rocky McLeod and Kelly Buhler, 39.18, $2,280. 4. Layton Belcher and Logan Rogers, 39.36, $1,140.
National 12 Finale
1st go, not placing in Avg: Bryan Beaver and Ryan VonAhn, 8.21, $1,000.
Average: 1. Clint Groff and Logan Rogers, 44.75, $100,000. 2. Ranger Hill and Jim Matlack, 47.30, $10,000. 3. Tim Chadwick and Brodey Serres, 47.47, $6,000. 4. Layton Belcher and Logan Rogers, 48.67, $4,000. 5. Bill Spratt and Larry Steele, 48.72, $3,000. 6. Jason Williams and Richie Maher, 48.79, $2,000.
March 9
National 9 Qualifier
1st go, not placing in Avg: Rocky McLeod and Steven Dugger, 9.60, $500.
Average: 1. Bradyn Crider and Chase Crider, 39.62, $12,320. 2. Vonnie Lewis and Danny Lewis, 42.16, $8,300. 3. Julie Ballek and BJ Palmer, 42.18, $6,300. 4. Tim Stampe and Jim Stoddard, 43.03, $4,500. 5. Antonio Mendive and Jerry Satterfield, 43.95, $3,400. 6. Juliann Lamb and Danny Garcia, 43.98, $2,600.
Jace Johnson (l) and Tyler Jiron (r) earned $100,000 for winning the National 9 Finale.
National 9 Finale
Average: 1. Jace Johnson and Tyler Jiron, 40.53, $100,000. 2. Nolan Williams and Rodney Williams, 43.70, $20,000. 3. Todd Bishop and Sean Wright, 44.88, $18,000. 4. Ty Dayzie and Trey Emerson Begay, 45.22, $14,000. 5. Jon Monteaux and Chuck Vanliere, 45.88, $10,000. 6. Ken Huseman and Terry Boydstun, 47.43, $8,000. 7. Cassidy Evans and Shawn Small, 49.0, $7,000. 8. Doug Krantz and Amanda Kooiker, 52.59, $4,000. 9. Raymond Kerr and Steve McDaniel, 52.65, $4,000. 10. Spud Tharp and Justin Kipp, 53.96, $3,000. (11-15 place paid $2,000; 17-33 place paid $1,000)
March 10
National 8 cash Qualifier
1st go, not placing in Avg: Jerry Morrison and Jim Watson, 9.84, $500.
Average: 1. Kenzie Kelton and Ketch Kelton, 38.65, $14,600. 2. Jodi Edwards and Kyndall Tibbitts, 42.89, $9,260. 3. Octavio Ruiz and Jose Gonzalez Sr., 43.71, $6,340. 4. Dylan Smith and Michael Calmelat, 46.10, $5,360. 5. Kip Gates and Zack Wright, 46.45, $4,380. 6. Ike Wilson and Kenny Knudson, 47.764, $3,900. 7. Tracy Riley and Doug Watson, 49.58, $2,900. 8. Brad Horner and Dave Alvarado, 50.57, $1,960.
The team of Chuck Nelson and Dan Olson received a check for $100,000 as winners of the National 8 Finale.
National 8 Finale
Average: 1. Chuck Nelson and Dan Olson, 40.60, $100,000 + saddles + buckles. 2. Brad Lands and Jim Watson, 44.09, $20,000. 3. Mike Schmitz and Ketch Kelton, 46.81, $12,000. 4. Bud Lawlor and Charlie Johnson, 47.13, $10,000. 5. Mandy Hagler and Rick Myers, 47.82, $7,000. 6. Sondra Williams and Todd Bishop, 51.34, $6,000. 7. Mandy Hagler and Kenny Knudson, 52.60, $5,000. 8. Lynda Jones and Robyn Freberg, 56.83, $4,000. 9. Marty Schlumberger and Jerry Satterfield, 59.68, $4,000. 10. Rohn Alder and Troy Clark, 61.89, $3,000. 11. Avery Pavinyama and Jesse Driskill, 61.97, $2,000. 12. Ken Lyon and Tom Simpson, 62.91, $2,000. (13-23 place paid $1,000)
March 11
#7 Championships
Average: 1. Eliana Tena and Dale Vayro, 29.84, $4,600 + saddles + buckles. 2. Cam Johnson and Maelee Heart, 32.65, $3,000 + saddles. 3. Manuel Palma and Denny Nielsen, 34.55, $2,400 + saddles. 4. Hanna Strate and Simon Tafoya, 40.15, $2,000 + saddles. 5. Bradley Nelson and Tom Bailey, 40.69, $1,700 + saddles. 6. Ken Huff and Tom Teague, 40.86, $1,500. 7. Antonio Mendive and Jody Huff, 40.98, $1,300. 8. Connie Tafoya and Darren Calhoun, 45.04, $1,200. 9. Steve Buhlke and Kathy Getten, 45.58, $1,000. 10. Bill Hamblin and Chad Odom, 46.37, $800. 11. Connie Tafoya and Simon Tafoya, 46.80, $600. 12. Alfonso Parra and Kenny Knudson, 47.15, $600.
#6 Championships
Average: 1. Candie Gurren and Michael White, 23.29 on 2, $2,780 + saddles + buckles. 2. Hubert Heart and Peyton Yazzie, 23.40, $1,740. 3. Tony Byers an Tom Bailey, 25.17, $1,400. 4. Mike Wolf and Michael White, 26.27, $1,160. 5. Mike Kanaga and Tyler Temple, 28.06, $1,040. 6. Ken Huff and Bruce Johnson, 28.78, $920. 7. Merrilee Cook and Judy Byers, 29.89, $810. 8. Stacey Padilla and Bob Elliott, 29.98, $700. 9. Steve Buhlke and Dale Williams, 30.21, $580. 10. Wyatt Ramsour and Tyler Temple, 30.93, $470.
Top 10 Bonus Roping: 1. Hubert Heart and Peyton Yazzie, $1,000.