WICKENBURG, AZ – The National Team Roping Tour (NTR) hosted its fifth annual National Finals March 4-9, 2019, at Rancho Rio Arena in Wickenburg, Arizona, continuing its tradition as one of the highest-paying divisional ropings in the industry. The six-day “Duel in the Desert” consisted of 18 individual ropings over seven divisions. Ropers from across the nation competed for more than half a million in cash and prizes including trophy Cactus Saddlery saddles, custom Gist Silversmith buckles and a one-of-a-kind new Ford F350.
The 2019 edition boasted #11.5, #10.5, #9.5 and #8.5 National Finale divisions along with #10.5 and #8.5 VIP Championships—for VIP members 21 and over—plus the #13.5, #12.5, #7, Legends Over 50 and All-Girl Championships and an Open to the World #8.5 Truck Roping. Winners in the four National Finales took home fully-tooled trophy saddles and buckles in addition to large cash payouts. First through fifth place in the #7 Championships also took home trophy saddles.
Top hand Whip Peterson, of Paradise, Arizona, was the one to watch at this year’s NTR National Finals. Peterson, 14, topped the National #9.5 Finale heading for his dad Ace. The father-son team picked up $17,000 in cash plus saddles and buckles for the win. Peterson switched ends the following day for another victory in the National #8.5 Finale heeling for Zane Compton, Tombstone, Arizona, splitting $20,000 for their efforts. With an additional fast-time on two paycheck, Peterson’s total cash earnings in two days came to $18,500.
Larry Goss, of Redmond, Oregon, and Johnny Phillips, of Casper, Wyoming, teamed up at the suggestion of a mutual friend to rope in the Legends Over 50 Championships. The duo roped four steers in 40.16 seconds to pocket $10,600 and the trophy Gist buckles. Goss, who qualified for the NFR in 1966, 1973 and 1978 and won the BFI in 1978, is no newcomer to the winner’s circle however, a bout with cancer has had him out since May 2018.  “This was my first win since going through chemo and radiation,” Goss explained. “It felt good to be back.”
Ivan Hernandez, of Rifle, Colorado, finished second and eleventh heeling in the #8.5 National Finals Truck Roping aboard a borrowed horse they call “Sheeza Hot Mess” to earn the title of High Point Champion Team Roper and drive home the new Ford F350. Kanden Coronado, Kanarraville, Utah, and Cort Crume, Grants Pass, Oregon, roped three steers in 23.21 seconds to top the average in the truck roping and split $5,000.
The NTR National Finals is also home to The Horse Sale at Rancho Rio, which draws spectators and buyers from all over the U.S. and Canada. (See story on page 21). The NTR National Finals VI and sixth annual Horse Sale will take place in Wickenburg, Ariz., in March 2020. For complete results visit nationalteamroping.com.
March 4
#11.5 Qualifier
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: Meason Ybarra and Jace Thorstenson, 6.06, $300.
Average: 1. Dean Drosos and Wade Baize, 34.69, $6,740. 2. Bub Barkurst and DJ Tidyman, 35.98, $5,060. 3. Lyndon Acord and Brady Jenkins, 37.63, $3,380. 4. Steve Eckroth and Greg Langen, 38.07, $1,680.
#10.5 Qualifier
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: Alan Spencer and Steve Kelin, 8.57, $300.
Average: 1. Ketch Kelton and Denton Dunning, 38.32, $8,420. 2. Whiskers Reynolds and Micah Northington, 38.48, $6,320. 3. Kenzie Kelton and Kenny Reeves, 38.68, $4,220. 4. Carson Weaver and Ty Smith, 39.93, $2,100.
#9.5 Qualifier
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: Bill Eckroth and Charlie O. Persson, 9.40, $600.
Average: 1. Jayson Carl and Jeff Carl, 42.02, $9,400. 2. Keith Nelson and June Ann Nelson, 45.26, $6,240. 3. Elvis Lebaron and Adan Quezada, 47.24, $4,960. 4. Tommy G. Thompson and Ty Smith, 47.58, $3,620. 5. Jon Monteaux and Neil L. Karlson, 48.23, $1,820.
#8.5 Qualifier
Short go FT: Julie Ballek and Antonio Carbajal, 10.46, $600.
Average: 1. Julie Ballek and Antonio Carbajal, 48.99, $8,600. 2. Malcolm Davis and Jody Crane, 63.65, $6,440. 3. Jarret Baker and Sergio Garcia, 70.28, $4,300. 4. Antonio Carbajal and Sergio Garcia, 36.76 on 3, $2,140.
March 5
#13.5 Championships
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: Brady Black and Chad S. Turner, 6.34, $600.
Average: 1. Brooke Wilson and Clancey Kreutzer, 30.23, $7,540 + buckles. 2. Joel Anderson and Ryon Tittel, 31.96, $5,660. 3. Chase Richter and Garrett Busby, 32.70, $3,760. 4. Tyrone Ashman and Casey Fuller, 32.84, $1,880.
#12.5 Championships
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: Dick Churchill and Lane Lansing 7.58, $600.
Average: 1. Bryan J. Beaver and Kraig VonAhn, 34.19, $9,800 + buckles. 2. Jim Randle and Brady Jenkins, 35.59, $6,980. 3. Jordan Olson and Michael Eugenio Calmelat, 35.78, $4,660. 4. Paje Turner and Clark Hufty, 36.24, $2,320.
#9.5 Qualifier
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: Tammy Ellerman and Mason Saunders, 15.07, $600.
Average: 1. Cole Bunting and Blake Cronin, 34.30, $8,640. 2. Jamie Payton and Danny Eagerton, 42.81, $6,480. 3. Mark Wright and Ramon Valenzuela, 45.47, $4,320. 4. Jamie Payton and Mike Weatherly, 47.39, $2,160.
#10.5 Qualifier
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: Nick Nehl and Neil L. Karlson, 9.11, $600.
Average: 1. Lisa Garnhart and Ryon Glick, 35.06, $7,100. 2. Dave Yost and Jerry Cobb, 36.71, $5,340. 3. Shaunti Short and Spud Denmark, 40.91, $3,540. 4. Jamie Payton and Juan Montoya Jr, 42.79, $1,780.
March 6
#9.5 Legends
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: Clay Overson and Bill Overton, 13.48, $600.
Average: 1. Larry Goss and John L. Phillips, 40.16, $10,600. 2. Lori McLean and Mike Hughes, 40.94, $7,420. 3. Fred Jones and Wayne Baize, 44.15, $5,480. 4. Larry Goss and Blake Nelson, 44.52, $3,880. 5. Malcolm Davis and Ray Lane, 45.64, $2,900. 6. Raymond Kerr and Todd Mattson, 47.83, $1,940.
National #11.5 Finale
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: Cassie Hambrick and Michael Eugenio Calmelat, 7.73, $2,000. FT Overall: 1. Mike McLean and Mike Hughes, 6.76, $2,000. 2. Maverik Franks and Cashton Weidenbener, 6.78, $2,000. 3. Lyndon Acord and Brady Jenkins, 6.81, $2,000. FT on two: 1. JoAnn Merritt and Reed Merritt, 15.04, $2,000. 2. Mozaun McKibben and Chad S. Turner, 15.74, $2,000.
Average: 1. Dick Churchill and Michael Eugenio Calmelat, 33.85, $16,320 + saddles + buckles. 2. Roger St Clair and Ryon Glick, 35.66, $12,240 + buckles. 3. David Jenkins and Brady Jenkins, 35.78, $8,160. 4. Jamie Payton and Glen Crane, 38.06, $4,080. 5. Denton Dunning and Ketch Kelton, 39.26, $2,000. 6. Bub Barkhurst and Ace Spratt, 39.53, $2,000.
National #10.5 Finale
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: Ricardo Ruiz and Manuel Vazquez, 7.29, $2,000. FT Overall: 1. Ace Peterson and Denton Dunning, 6.27, $2,000. 2. Buddy Uldrikson and Jett Uldrikson, 6.46, $2,000. 3. John C. Alps and Blake Nelson, 7.01, $2,000. FT on two: 1. Buddy Uldrikson and Jett Uldrikson, 17.93, $2,000. 2/3. Ace Peterson and Whip Peterson; Donny King and Glen Crane 18.03, $1,000.
Average: 1. Whip Peterson and Ace Peterson, 40.63, $17,000 + saddles + backles. 2. Raymond Kerr and Neil L. Karlson, 41.54, $12,620 + buckles. 3. Don Schmeling and Neil L. Karlson, 41.96, $8,420. 4. Angelina Calmelat and Michael E. Calmelat, 42.31, $4,200. 5. Randy Baker and Tommy Hall, 42.79, $2,000. 6. Francisco Dominguez and Tyler Gallaway, 45.45, $2,000.
#10.5 VIP
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average:  Nikkie Miller and Shane Barmby, 9.35, $600.
Average: 1. Rudy Mendiola and Bryan Orozco, 36.71, $12,200. 2. Shawn Small and Travis Wilde, 37.62, $8,700. 3. Tony Holden and Amanda Kooiker, 40.89, 46,620. 4. Wallace Townsend and Roger Verquer, 40.97, $4,880. 5. Karen McFarlane and Shane Barmby, 41.32, $2,440.
March 7
National 9.5 Finale
FT Overall: 1. Roger St Clair and Jesse Driskill, 6.24, $1,000. 2. Pam Jorgenson and Houston Thomas, 6.90, $1,000. 3. Rudy Mendiola and Ace Peterson, 7.23, $1,000. Short go FT: Darrell Nez and Julius Keyonnie, 9.07, $1,000. FT on two: 1. Rudy Mendiola and Ace Peterson, 14.86, $1,000. 2. Roger St Clair and Jesse Driskill, 14.88, $1,000.
Average: 1. Jace Johnson and Ashlee Jaeger, 39.00, $25,160 + saddles + buckles. 2. Shawn Small and Marshall Jovenall, 40.48, $17,980 + buckles. 3. Katie Green and Denton Dunning, 42.09, $13,660. 4. Jeff Schaefer and Kim Williamson, 42.34, $10,060. 5. Tim Kepler and Rockwell Kepler, 43.02, $5,020. 6. Raymond Kerr and Todd Mattson, 45.35, $2,000. 7/8. Mike Schmitz and Pat Danehey; Quincy Reeves and Kenny Reeves, 45.83, $1,500.
National #8.5 Finale
FT Overall: 1. Dave Yost and Troy A. Clark, 7.49, $1,000. 2. Malcolm Davis and Danny Eagerton, 7.54, $1,000. 3. John Kuban and Sergio Garcia, 7.58, $1,000. Short go FT: Bill Nevill and Willy Vietor, 9.92, $1,000.
Average: 1. Zane Compton and Whip Peterson, 37.08, $20,000 + saddles + buckles. 2. Kenneth Lyon and Stephen Harper, 38.46, $15,600 + buckles. 3. Larry L. Rice and Sammy Gilbert, 46.06, $10,220. 4. Dave Yost and Troy A. Clark, 46.21, $5,140. 5. Ray Williams and Earl Merrill, 48.53, $3,000. 6. Jarret Baker and Carson Weaver, 48.77, $2,000. 7. Elvis Lebaron and Todd P. Bishop, 51.24, $1,000.
March 8
#8.5 VIP
Short go FT: Chris Navarro and Willy Vietor, 9.43, $600.
Average: 1. Bob Powers and Gus Evagelopoulos, 39.65, $15,100. 2. Zack Wright and Roger W. Chancellor, 46.86, $10,580. 3. Ray Williams and Willy Vietor, 48.28, $8,040. 4. Kiotee Alexander and John L. Phillips, 48.75, $6,040. 5. Elier Gill and Jim Probert, 49.07, $4,520. 6. Jon Comfort and Bonnie Matlack, 50.18, $3,520. 7. Pizz Peart and Allan Probst, 51.78, $2,520.
#7 Championships
Average (1st-5th also won saddles; 6th-10th also won breast collars): 1. Ray Lafromboise and Jimmy Costanzo, 32.83, $5,200. 2. Karen Duncan and Brett Mills, 34.26, $3,240. 3. Tavo Varela and Chad Odom, 34.66, $2,600. 4. Bob Meyer and Rudy Blossom, 35.10, $2,160. 5. Bob Crosthwaite and Mike C. Felix, 35.66, $1,950. 6. Josie Durbin and Alejandro Martinez, 37.70, $1,720. 7. Leslie Wheeler and Juan Carpio, 38.18, $1,500. 8. Kenadie Crane and Chad Odom, 39.86, $1,080. 9. Bud Lawlor and Chad Odom, 39.86, $1,080. 10. Howard Davis and Tim Stout, 40.54, $900.
March 9
All-Girl
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: Kaycee Werdel and Tammy Lewis, 7.36, $200.
Average: 1. Maelee Hearet and Sammy Gilbert, 37.88, $3,120 + buckles. 2. Antoinette Smith and Bradi Nelson, 44.54, $1,880. 3. Renae Malala & Staci Mitchell, 48.82, $1,250.
Open To The World #8.5 Truck Roping
Average: 1. Kanden Coronado and Cort Crume, 23.21, $5,000. 2. Hugo Quinones and Ivan Hernandez, 23.87, $3,100. 3. Lance Lebaron and Carson Riding, 24.94, $2,500. 4. Erik Cordova and Marcus Litson, 25.22, $2,100. 5. Joseph Jiron and Sherina Singer, 27.44, $1,900. 6. Berretta Bradford and Ram Hughes, 27.55, $1,600. 7. Abel Aispuro and Antonio Carbajal, 27.69, $1,440. 8. Lance Lebaron and Leo Bonnie, 28.37, $1,240. 9. Bruce Johnson and Pab Good, 28.58, $1,000. 10. Sam Espey and Herman Denetsosie, 28.76, $900. 11. Edgar Aguilar and Ivan Hernandez, 29.19, $800. 12. Rudy Mendiola and Sergio Navarrete, 30.06, $800. 13. Elmer Fernandez Granillo and Juan Corral Jr, 30.46, $800. 14. Erik Cordova and Jerry Stutts, 30.51, $800. 15. Elier Gill and JR Sells, Jr, 30.51, $800.