As we get into the last month of 2012 we will be watching the best in the rodeo world of team roping compete at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, NV. Although I am not a big fan of the Thomas and Mack Arena for team roping, I will embrace it, for it is what it is. Because of the huge payoff at the WNFR, any of the top teams are candidates for a world title.
I also notice the big difference in the team roping roster this year compared to ten or twenty years ago, is the representation from a wide variety of states. Years ago the majority of the team ropers were from California and Arizona with a few from New Mexico and many of the Texas ropers were transplanted Californians that had moved to Texas to be around more ropings. In the early years, Texas didn’t even have team roping at the rodeos and if you wanted to be around team roping you lived out west or the southwest. This year there are only two team ropers from California, header Spencer Mitchell and in the heeling there is Dugan Kelly. Texas is the most well-represented state again this year. I would like to remind you that Ryan Motes was from California as were Clay O’Brien Cooper and Russell Cardoza. All three of these heelers now live out of California.
Steer Wrestling this year is being lead by a Californian, Ethen Thouvenell of Napa, CA and world champion Luke Branquinho of Los Alamos, CA is in the pack and could pick up another gold buckle. Billy Bugenig of Ferndale, CA is the third steer wrestler on this years roster sitting in the number 12th position. Wade Sumpter, Fowler, CO is in the second place spot trailing by a little over $10,000 and Dean Gorsuch and Luke Branquinho are right behind in third and fourth. With the money up for grabs, this title is still to be decided.
This years WNFR will be exciting with many titles up for grabs as the top contestants in more than one event are not out of reach from a world title. The All-Around Title pretty much belongs to Trevor Brazile and he and his partner Patrick Smith come into the team roping with a lead for the heading and heeling titles. Trevor already finish the year second in the Steer Roping behind Rocky Patterson. Only $419 separated the two when it was all said and done at the Lazy E Arena.
Justin Maass controls the Tie Down Roping coming into Las Vegas but Tuff Cooper and Cody Ohl are sitting in the number two and three spots respectively. They are definitely forces to be reckoned with.
The roughstock events are close and no one has a title cinched. This will be some good watching.
Brittany Pozzi, Victoria, Tex. has the largest lead of any event going into this years Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. She commands first by over $34,000. In second is Lindsay Sears, Alberta, Canada, and third is Mary Walker, Ennis, Tex. The girls always put on a good showing at the Thomas and Mack and this year will be no exception.
Good luck to all of the contestants who have qualified for this year’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Pretty nice when you can come to a rodeo and pay no entry fees, only have to compete against 14 other contestants, and have a chance at winning a part of the $6.125 million dollars up for grabs. Just to say that you have qualified to be part of the WNFR is a great year-end reward. Congratulations to all of you.
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Be sure to “like” us on Facebook, and stay up-to-date with live coverage from PRCA Cowboy and Ropers Sports News website blogger, Lane Santos-Karney. He will be bringing up-to-date WNFR action to us through many insights and updates – small and large. It only comes once a year, and he’s bringing the insider information to all of us. Look for daily quotes from his talks with many of the WNFR contestants throughout the week.
Speaking of Lane, he writes a really informative blog for Ropers Sports News that you can find on our website. Just go under the Features button to find it, www.roperssportsnews.com
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Earlier I was mentioning that team roping used to be represented by mostly Californians, Arizonians, and New Mexicans. Well this year at the South Point Casino Arena, the World Series of Team Roping will be hosting a week of team roping breaking all records for money being paid out in a single rodeo event. Over $6 million dollars will be up for grabs for the many contestants who will be entered up in the different divisions of team roping over the week who will be competing for big money against ropers from all over the world.
My Resistol hat off to all of the producers of the World Series of Team Roping events who have put on ropings all year long in a quality fashion so ropers could qualify for this great roping Finale. A win or even a placing at this roping could make for a great holiday season. Denny and Connie Gentry will again be the host and hostess at this fabulous event which they have nurtured since since founding it a six years ago. This event has been another spark in the team roping industry and has opened the door up for ropers of all classifications. Michael Gaughan’s South Point will again roll out the red carpet for all of the contestants, family and horses in true Las Vegas style during this years event.
The South Point, “Where all the Cowboys and Cowgirls Stay and Play” is the place to be during the WNFR. Great entertainment is on hand during the Finals as well as being the home of the Montana Silversmiths nightly go-round buckle presentation hosted by Flint Rasmussen and Randy Corley at 11pm. The South Point also offers shuttle service to the Thomas and Mack Arena.
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It is so nice to see team roping getting so much press as of late. In the old days about the only place you could read about team roping was in the Ropers Sports News which was founded in 1968. The Pro Rodeo Sports News rarely had a team roping photo or story for team roping was only recognized in a few states and was not a standard event at PRCA rodeos. Team roping has come a long ways in the 44 years that I have been associated with the sport and I am pleased to see it striving even in this bad economy. Good luck to all the contestants this great month of December and a Merry Christmas to all of our readers.
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By the way if you know someone who doesn’t currently get Ropers Sports News, it would make a lasting Christmas gift. Only $20 per year ($5 off the regular price of $25). Call today 209-333-2924 or go online and order it for yourself or a friend. www.roperssportsnews.com. The special offer is valid through Dec. 31, 2012.