By Jerry Jones, Linda Davis and John Startt
Special To Ropers Sports News
The 15th annual production of the Lucky 777 held in Laughlin/Bullhead City turned out to be a great roping. With team attendance up 34 percent over last year it created a better payout than in previous years. The announcement of a no score barrier system seemed to create a groundswell of interest. With the calls from ropers every-where, 100 additional steers were ordered to make sure everyone had a fair chance when they roped. With every team in the #15, #11, and the #10 Century getting three full runs, the need for good cattle was apparent.
The #15 held on Saturday morning with 229 teams signed up to rope. First in the average went to Wesley Thorp and Logan Medlin, giving them a payday of $43,764 along with Skyline Silversmith saddles. The winning time of 29.38 seconds was only one hundredth better than second for the team of Shawn Bird and Casey Cummins. The second place finish garnered them $27,717, along with Gist trophy buckles.
The #10 Jim Hamilton Memorial Century Roping was also up a few teams over last year. This roping is in honor of a good friend and a real cowboy who enjoyed team roping as well as anyone. You could always find Jim handling the front end of the chute to make sure every roper received a fair chance to succeed. Johnny Garcia and Travis Bufford won the roping with a time of 35.42 and took home $8,600 and the Gist trophy buckles. Johnny Garcia also took 4th in the average with J.W. Atkinson. So all in all, Johnny had a great roping.
Sunday morning the #11 was held and it also had an increase in teams and the payout reflected the increase. Ab Hendley and Joey Martin won comfortably with a time of 34.35 seconds, to take home $24,260 and the Skyline Silversmith Saddles. The second place team in the average was Craig Wisner and Shane Adamson, with a time of 35.56 seconds. They won $16, 174, and Gist Trophy Buckles.
Friday night a #13 Handicap was held. This warm up roping gives everyone a chance to get the kinks out before the more serious roping begins on Saturday. Unlike the #15, #11, and the Century, this event was a 3 steer, progressive after one. First in the Average went to Billy Simmons and Bobby Simmons with a time of 21.02, which rewarded them with $6,800 and Skyline Silversmith buckles.
The 15th Annual continues to offer a quality roping for all who participate. A thank you goes out to Phillip Murrah for his outstanding job of flagging. Also, Reed Flake for keeping things going as the announcer and cattle supplier. The facility at the Mojave Crossing Equestrian Event Center is a high quality place to have a team roping. Avi Resort & Casino provided lodging and offers rooms at a reasonable rate. Around the casino, the National Finals Rodeo was broadcast on the televisions. This allowed everyone to keep track of how things were going on in that event. Another thank you goes to Vicky and Kelsi Mounyo who did an outstanding job in the office. Most of all, a thank you to all the ropers who attended the 15th Annual Lucky 777.
We look forward to seeing you again next year.
#13 Hdcp: 3 for $100
Overall FT: 1. Dean Byars and Matthew Mapp, 5.94, $1,380. 2. Phillip James Shurden and Garrett Busby, 6.11, $920.
Average: 1. Billy Simmons and Bobby Simmons, 21.02 $6,830. 2. Tyler Bach and Garrett Busby, 21.14, $4,550. 3. Mitch Copps and Skeeter Hill, 21.81, $3,520. 4. Bill Richards and Colton Lee, 21.85, $2,480. 5. Clay Lewis and Dillon O’Gorman, 22.43, $1,860. 6. Rudy Rodriguez and Victor Iglesias, 22.48, $1,460.
#15 Roping: $500/roper, 3 full rounds; top 20 to short go
Round 1 FT: 1. Dean Byars and Matthew Mapp, 6.45, $3,000. 2. Chance Kiehne and JoDan Mirabal, 6.55, $2,000. 3. Jarett Rogers and Calvin Taylor, 6.77, $1,000.
Round 2 FT: 1. Ryan Dodds and Tyler Ishman, 5.34, $3,000. 2. Tait Gurney and Cullen Teller, 5.71, $2,000. 3. Kurt Kiehne and Bubba Garcia, 6.01, $1,000.
Round 3 FT: 1. Ed Necochea and Denny Watkins, 5.56, $3,000. 2/3/4. Chace Thompson and Todd Thompson; Clayton VanAken and Wade Masters; Jason Garduno and David Key, 6.02, $1,000.
Short go FT: John Rosanky and Boogie Ray, 6.21, $1,000.
Average: 1. Wesley Thorp and Logan Medlin, 29.38, $43,764. 2. Shawn Bird and Casey Cummins, 29.39, $27,717. 3. John Rosanky and Trey Carter, 29.8, $18,964. 4. John Rosanky and Boogie Ray, 30.38, $16,046. 5. Caleb Twisselman and Josh Gonzales, 30.45, $13,129. 6. Cooper Wimberly and Diego Castillo, 30.86, $11,670. 7. Bodi Dodds and Joseph Shawnego, 31.23, $8,752. 8. Ty Murphy and Josh Gonzales, 31.24, $5,835.
#10 Century: $250/roper. 3 full rounds; top 20 to short go
Round 1 FT: Mitch Waters and Walt Batson, 8.15, $1,000.
Round 2 FT: Joe Gallegos and Mike Weatherly, 8.21, $1,000.
Round 3 FT: Billy E. Evans and Matt Keil, 7.04, $1,000.
Short go FT: Johnny Garcia and Travis Bufford, 8.43, $500.
Average: 1. Johnny Garcia and Travis Bufford, 35.42, $8,600. 2. Mike Boyle and Brian Arave, 40.1, $6,450. 3. Bob Burris and Tom Cox, 44.71, $4,300. 4. Johnny Garcia and J.W. Atkinson, 45.1, $2,150.
#11: $500/roper. 3 full rounds; top 20 to short go
Round 1 FT: 1. Ryder Lee and Bill Richards, 7.46, $2,000. 2. J.C. York and Tyler Boyd, 7.76, $1,000.
Round 2 FT: 1. Casey Cordell and Todd Mathews, 6.38, $2,000. 2. Coby Littlesoldier and Derek Weinreis, 6.88, $1,000.
Round 3 FT: 1. Paje Turner and Jerome Hutchison, 6.9, $2,000. 2. Robert B. Clark Jr. and Robert C. Clark, 6.97, $1,000.
Short go: Josh Morris and Will Lloyd, 7.63, $1,000.
Average: 1. Ab Hendley and Joey Martin, 34.35, $24,260. 2. Craig Wisner and Shane Adamson, 34.56, $16,174. 3. Jamie Payton and Carl Luna, 38.4, $12,498. 4. Walt Stein and Jim Shawnego, 38.86, $8,822. 5. Kylie McLean and Justin Hughes, 40.31, $6,616. 6. James Masters and Greg Orgain, 42.43, $5,146.
Ab Hendley and Joey Martin took the win in the #11 Roping, splitting $24,260 and each winning a saddle.
#10 Century champions were Johnny Garcia and Travis Bufford. They split $8,600 and won buckles.
