The 73rd Annual Three Rivers Lions Team Roping
-Biggest Little Roping in the West
The Three Rivers Lions Club roping event has a rich and long history, stemming from the annual spring picnics of the 1880s held by local ranchers and cattlemen in Three Rivers, California. These early gatherings, which involved activities like horseshoe throwing and foot races, evolved into the annual May Day Picnic by the 1920s. With a growing community of ranchers and cattlemen, the need for an arena for equestrian competitions became clear. Local rancher Lee Maloy built the current roping arena in 1937 with help from other residents, and it was used for equestrian events following the May Day festivities of the 1940s.
The Three Rivers Lions Club was organized in 1947, with Maloy and his roping friends as charter members. Recognizing their expertise and love for the sport, the Lions Club took charge of staging the first roping event on April 15, 1950. The initial event featured quarter horse racing and team roping, with admission costing 50 cents. Proceeds from the first event supported a local teenager’s medical expenses.
The event grew to include various roping and equestrian competitions, such as bucking horse riding and stake races. Today, it features activities like team roping using the ACTRA handicap system for fair competition. This system, developed in the 1980s, helped popularize the sport. A variety of events are now held, including all-girl roping, junior and senior mixed divisions, and Over 40 categories. Since 1982, the Three Rivers Lions Club has partnered with Navajo artist Robert Yellowhair to create unique championship buckles. The event has earned its nickname as the “Biggest Little Roping in the West” and serves as a vital fundraiser for community efforts such as scholarships. Though it was canceled in 2020, it remains a cherished tradition.
#4.5 Pick or Draw- Average winners, Ethan Strassburger and Aiden Amador with a 23.56 on 3, winning $1000 each; Second: Charlee Marcotte and Daniel Alviso with a 25.21 on 3, winning $850 each; Third: Ethan Strassburger and Cash Lea with a 30.09 on 3, winning $700 each; Fourth: Jaycee Chaves and Julian Bracken with a 31.90 on 3, winning $550 each; Fifth: Donald Ornelas and Jett Amador with a 32.00 on 3, winning $400 each; Sixth: Poncho Jimenez and Daniel Alviso with a 32.64 on 3, winning $230 each; Seventh: Rylee Gunderman and Daniel Alviso with a 32.92 on 3, winning $150 each. [Text Wrapping Break]
#5.5 Robert Lea Memorial – 1st 3 Steer: Average winners, Garrett Baker and Nolan Scott with a 23.08 on 3, winning $900 each; Second: Mikayla Hagemann and Colton Haynes with a 28.49 on 3, winning $760 each; Third: Herman Holland and Shawn Aguiar with a 28.92 on 3, winning $640 each; Fourth: Rylee Gunderman and Kenny Ellison with a 29.36 on 3, winning $540 each; Fifth: Charlotte Hafenfeld and Trent Jones with a 29.83 on 3, winning $420 each; Sixth: Sutton Lockett and Gus Hafenfeld with a 30.11 on 3, winning $300 each; Seventh: John Fawkes and Julian Bracken with a 30.32 on 3, winning $190 each; Eighth: Sadie Grant and Nolan Scott with a 30.39 on 3, winning $80 each.
#5.5 Robert Lea Memorial – 3rd 3 Steer: Average winners, Seth Mielke and Dean Sherbo with a 35.59 on 4, winning $820 each; Second: Sutton Lockett and Frank Perez with a 39.77 on 4, winning $620 each; Third: Dominic Jr Patino and Paul Mullins with a 45.05 on 4, winning $400 each; Fourth: Kelton Martinez and Paul Mullins with a 50.50 on 4, winning $200 each.
#8.5 – 1st 3 Steer: Average winners, Jake Logan and Kyle Lockett with a 23.54 on 3, winning $650 each; Second: Ross Rivera and Blaine Ketscher with a 25.23 on 3, winning $500 each; Third: Sutton Lockett and Ryan Sr Eaton with a 26.29 on 3, winning $350 each; Fourth: Tanner Watt and Gavin Eaton with a 28.02 on 3, winning $200 each; Fifth: Ward Fuhlendorf and Stephen Howard with a 28.14 on 3, winning $120 each.
#8.5 – 2nd 3 Steer: Average winners, Dominic Sr Patino and Gus Hattenfeld; Second: McKenzie Hall and Trent Tone; Third: Rylee Gunderman and Camryn Boyce; Fourth: Mike Rankin and Dominic Sr Patino; Fifth: Karen Dias and Aiden Amador; Sixth: Rylee Gunderman and Luke Cardoza; Seventh: Dominic Sr Patino and Broden Hooper; Eighth: Shayla Lockett and Sutton Lockett.
#7- Jr and Sr Handicap: Average winners, Kashlyn Martinez and Gavin Eaton with a 19.00 on 3, winning $1000 each; Second: Hanna Coale and Bobby Roberts with a 19.16 on 3, winning $840 each; Third: Charlotte Hafenfeld and Gavin Eaton with a 20.54 on 3, winning $660 each; Fourth: Jessica Small and Chris James with a 21.16 on 3, winning $490 each; Fifth: Hanna Coale and Tanner James with a 21.24 on 3, winning $320 each; Sixth: Sadie Grant and Gavin Eaton with a 21.62 on 3, winning $180 each.
All Girl #7 Handicap- Average winners, Jessica Small and Presley Watt with a 16.17 on 3, winning $600 each; Second: Jaycee Chaves and Charlotte Hafenfeld with a 21.65 on 3, winning $480 each; Third: Karen Dias and Jody Gunderman with a 22.61 on 3, winning $300 each; Fourth: Brooke Jackson and Kelley Pile with a 26.39 on 3, winning $160 each.
Over 40 #8.5 Handicap- Average winners, Seth Mielke and Dean Sherbo with a 35.59 on 4, winning $820 each; Second: Sutton Lockett and Frank Perez with a 39.77 on 4, winning $620 each; Third: Dominic Jr Patino and Paul Mullins with a 45.05 on 4, winning $400 each; Fourth: Kelton Martinez and Paul Mullins with a 50.50 on 4, winning $200 each.
