May 7, 2012
Hello everyone! So much has been going on lately, and I am excited to bring this blog to you! At times, I don’t know what to say on here, but I don’t know where to begin this time. This is such a great time of the year. I really hope everything is going great with all of you.
In my last blog, I talked about the Challenge of Champions that was about to happen in Plymouth, which consisted of the top three contestants in each of the nine districts that make up the California High School Rodeo Association. With 27 of the top CHSRA competitors in each event, it makes for an awesome experience for the contestants. While I couldn’t make it up there to watch my younger brother, Taylor, I was tickled when he called to tell me he’d won the All-Around Cowboy title up there. That is one of the most first-class rodeos I ever went to in high school, and always enjoyed it. I couldn’t have been more proud to get that report from Tay. I get just as excited when he wins than when I do. Sometimes I think I get more excited than he does when he does good. I remember how pumped I was back in 2009 when he won the Wrangler Jr. High National Finals All-Around Cowboy title in Gallup, New Mexico. That was about the most excited I’ve been about a rodeo. When he wins I feel like I win. That’s something that not many people can share. I’m his biggest fan, and even though he is younger, I really admire him and learn so much from him. Congratulations to all the Challenge of Champions winners! Good luck to all of you that qualified for the CHSRA State Finals in June.
As for me, I once again announced the 3rd Annual James Pickens Jr. Foundation Charity Roping down at the historic Tejon Ranch in Lebec, CA. Mr. Pickens and his crew added a Pro-Am this year that was held prior to the Open Roping. It was a great success. With $5,000 in added money and no stock charge, it is a great roping. Dustin Bird and B.J. Campbell were this year’s champs. Thank you to Mr. Pickens for the opportunity to be a part of that great event, and for what he continues to do for Open ropers.
I have been entering up about every weekend at the Prorodeos out here in California this spring. A few weeks ago, we went down to Lakeside, where Jordan Ketscher and I placed on our second steer in the team roping. Jordan also won the first round of the calf roping. It was a great trip, and a fun rodeo. They sold that rodeo out down there, so the stands were packed. I also did a 10 minute segment with the San Diego Morning News when we were down there one morning, which was a neat experience. Jake Barnes won the team roping average down at Lakeside, and it was fun to watch him- as always. I even pushed his second steer and Jordan pushed their first one. It’s always fun to rub elbows with a legend. With Joeseph Parsons, Blair Burke, and even the reigning World Champion Tie-Down Roper Tuf Cooper entered at Lakeside in the tie-down roping, it was fun when Jordan won the first round. All that hard work he puts into it is paying off. Another California guy, Anthony Estep, won the second round down at Lakeside, so the circuit guys held their own. I’ve gotten to know Anthony more this year at the rodeos, and what a great guy. Since we were up Thursday morning and Sunday afternoon down at Lakeside, Jordan and I were so fortunate to have an extraordinary place to stay. Thank you to Marcus Battaglia and his family for their super hospitality. When we weren’t over at the rodeo watching a performance, we were lounging by the pool, playing basketball, or playing some card games. We were in paradise down there.
This past weekend, Jordan and I entered Bakersfield, Stonyford, and Riverdale Prorodeos. We roped together in the team roping, and both entered the tie-down roping as well. Bakersfield was our first stop, and I was lucky enough to win my first ProRodeo tie-down roping title over there. I was 9.1 and I sure was tickled that it held up to win it. We also got a check in the team roping at Riverdale on Sunday. It seems like no matter if we win or lose, we are bettering ourselves for the future. As much as it is to learn to rope out here, the trick is to learn how to win. It’s all about maintaining the confidence in your run, your horses, your partner, and his horses. I made a change in the head horse I’ve been riding, It isn’t because the one I’m riding now is better than the one I was taking, it’s just that my confidence is so high on this one. I was hauling my younger horse, who is really talented and I can definitely win on him, but I have been riding an old horse I’ve had since I was about 12 years old. He’s 22 now, and not as quick or athletic as my younger horse, but I have so much confidence in him everytime. It’s all about a positive mental attitude. About handling the losses, learning from them. It’s about making your run everytime, without getting caught up in the run the guys right before you make. Do your job. We must subscribe to a positive mental approach. You can only worry about what you can control, which is yourself. I’m so lucky to have a team roping partner, who is like a brother. I mess up sometimes, and rarely he messes up, but we stay upbeat. That’s the only way to be ready when the next run comes around. I’m excited about where we are at, and what we’re doing. Next weekend we are up at Sonora and Woodlake. The next weekend we are going to Ramona, CA and Las Vegas for some ProRodeos.
Our regional rodeos are over out here for the college rodeos. I am so lucky to be going to the College National Finals in Casper, Wyoming in the tie-down roping, team roping, and the steer wrestling. It was a fun freshman year, and I dang sure learned a bunch. Since I won’t have Jordan at the college rodeos next year, I was so blessed to have him to rope and travel with this year. It is amazing how much it helps to have someone else in the rig who is positive and loves this game. So, we’re gearing up for the College Finals, which I am so excited to get to go to. Last year, at the High School National Finals, my distant cousin- Joe Frost- and I took a picture together. We made a deal that we wanted to take another one this year at the College National Finals. He won the Bull Riding and the All-Around in the Central Plains Region, so we can get out picture back there in Casper. One other thing about the college rodeos, thank you to Tyler Mitchell for letting me ride his horse in the steer wrestling at the last couple Regional Rodeos. Tyler Mitchell won the Steer Wrestling, Saddle Bronc Riding, All-Around, and also made Casper in the tie-down roping. Nobody deserved the All-Around more than he did. Anyone who can ride a bronc, then run over and win the steer wrestling deserves it. He was a class act this year. Also, congrats to Jordan for winning the region in the tie-down roping. In his college career, he won the region in the tie-down, steer wrestling, team roping, and the all-around. Pretty impressive feat.
Well, I’m down to about 4 weeks left in my freshman year here at Cal Poly- SLO. It is crazy that my first year of college is winding down. It really has flown by. I’ve made some memories, and met some great people that I will never forget. From Martin (Merle) Paris, John and Joe Seifert, Daniel Rice, Blaine Jones, and Miles Switzer, we have had a great year out on Adobe Road, where we all reside.
So, that’s a little bit of catching up on what I’ve been up to and where I’ve been. I will dang sure be blogging again prior to the College National Finals, and then will bring some posts straight from Casper. I thank each and every one of you for checking in on this blog. Check out Ropers Sports News on Facebook for up to date events and all that. Thank for your support. This is a beautiful life.
It’s my journey, and your experience.
Lane Santos-Karney