Here it is the beginning of another year and team ropings and rodeos are already filling up everyone’s calendars. Many of us can remember when there was a “season” for roping, rodeo, barrel racing – but nowadays competition is year-round. Very little break after the champions in Las Vegas were crowned.
My Resistol hat is off to all the producers of the many events that took place during the first two weeks of December.
The Thomas and Mack again hosted the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo with 10 great performances run to perfection each night. It is amazing how they can run 15 in each event plus a couple of added features and do it all in a comfortable time frame of less than 2.5 hours. Most nights are less than 2 hours and 15 minutes of action packed rodeo featuring the best in cowboys and stock.
All in all, I thought the NFR production and related PRCA events were great and another tip of my Resistol to the PRCA and Las Vegas Events for putting on a great show and exposing many new talents.
- - - - - - - - - -
At the South Point Hotel and Casino Equestrian and Events Center, the 11th annual Priefert World Series of Team Roping Finale took place, paying out over $2,040,000 in the combined events. Over 3,800 contestants competed for this money at the first class run event. Over the years, this event has grown and become the premier event for ropers of all classifications. It is amazing what team roping has become in the equestrian world since the start of Ropers Sports News in 1968. It makes one proud to be a part of this great sport. Be sure and read all the results in this issue and see who took home the big checks from this lucrative paying event.
- - - - - - - - - -
At the Cowboy Christmas held at the Convention Center, the Jr. WNFR was held with many great talents of the up-and-coming youth displaying their skills in front of huge crowds at this first-time event. I’m sure this will only get bigger and better in the years to come.
If one wanted to do Christmas shopping, Las Vegas was the place to be to compare prices at the many trade shows offered at several locations during the week. It always amazes me to see all the repetitive items at the different venues and every year vendors seem to do well selling their goods. Some vendors have a following and this is what seems to keep their customers coming back. For instance, if one is looking for an item like a new Resistol or Wranglers, there are many places to chosoe from. Bits, headstalls and tack seem to be in every aisle you turn down at the many trade shows.
- - - - - - - - - -
It was great to go to the performances each night and see some of the new talent and to see the leaderboard change as far as who was leading the world. It came down to the final performance to decide many of the events plus the All Around Champion. Many surprises came about as the 10th round unfolded.
As usual the team roping had good nights and bad nights as far as good watching. It is always disappointing to see the best in the world miss, especially on the heading side. The money in the rounds has caused a lot of this, but when it happens fast the crowd seems to love it. I would still rather see good team roping rather than fast team roping over the week. Congrats to the newly crowned World Champion Header and Heeler, Canadians Levi Simpson and Jeremey Buhler.
I read an interesting blog by the “Lion” (Leo Camarillo) about his analysis of the team roping at the NFR. I agree with his perspective and thoughts that he shared and have done so for years.
- - - - - - - - - -
The new year is under way and some of my favorite events are coming up, like the Cowboy Downhill in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, which will be held on Monday, Jan. 16. If you have never been, come on up and watch the action that John Shipley and I will have the privilege of calling again this year. It is one of the premier social events outside of the arena in the world of professional rodeo and it benefits the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund.
- - - - - - - - - -
The Timed Event Championships will once again be held at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla., March 3-5. This year will feature a Junior division prior to the regular event. Be sure and check out the ad in this issue.
- - - - - - - - - -
Start making your plans for the Wrangler BFI Week in Reno, Nevada, this year starting June 19th with the BFI. Call and make your reservations now at the Silver Legacy and stay where all the top ropers stay, 1-800-687-7733. This year the week is filled with great events including the all-new breakaway roping to be held on Thursday.
- - - - - - - - - -
Last month we were saddened by the passing of long-time team roper Dayton Silva from the Livermore/Byron/Acampo, Calif. area, and of stock supplier Harvey Camacho from Red Bluff.