2019 USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA. – The United States Team Roping Championships recently completed its 30th Annual National Finals of Team Roping. Eight thousand teams competed across multiple arenas in Oklahoma City and Guthrie. This event has held the bragging rights as the largest team roping event in the world in each of those thirty events and this year had cash payouts of $2.8 million. The seven-day event handed out another $500,000 in prizes (buckles, saddles, trucks, tractors, hats, coolers, etc.). The big news around the roping during the week was that the 30th annual OKC October run would end as the event will be moving to a new date next year. Organizers said they expect for the event to have a completely new look and feel in late spring or early summer in 2020.
Cattle were outstanding and the ropers in attendance commented that it was one of the most enjoyable NFTR that they have attended in recent years. This year the event’s total attendance of teams and contestants held steady compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, there was an overall reduction in the total payoff by about 20 percent. This shift showed a reduction in high dollar Shoot Out pre-enter teams to the lower on-site entries. But still the organizers said it is just a continuance of the shift in high dollar fees to the WSTR in Nevada.
Beginning in 2008 this event has seen a steady and slow decline in size that has led to a change in scheduling for the upcoming year. The peak year for the USTRC NFTR was 2007 and it was not a coincidence. The World Series of Team Roping was born in 2006 and both of these major ropings shared the same entry deadline. Ropers were forced to choose between the two big events, and Las Vegas prevailed. The competition for entry dollars started slowly, but over time the shift took a tremendous toll on the US Finals. It is simple math; each team that moved one entry to Las Vegas resulted in potentially four teams that would not compete in OKC. There was an obvious corresponding reduction in USTRC entries with each yearly increase at the WSTR Finale.
When Active Interest Media purchased the USTRC in late 2017, a two-year plan was developed that would culminate after the 30th National Finals of Team Roping. The event contract with the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds would expire in 2019 and USTRC would change dates and possibly locations to limit the conflict.
Oklahoma and the USTRC Finals have always been synonymous with the birth of the modern day team roping industry. But most certainly USTRC will change with the times. Congratulations to all the winners in Oklahoma City and Guthrie, OK. Thank you Oklahoma State Fair for having us as your guest.

Here are the 2019 champions:
Gold Buckle Beer Open Qualifier
Clay Smith, Bowie, TX and Jade Corkill, Stephenville, TX
First place earnings: $11,800. Winning time, 32:85 on five steers

#16.5 USTRC Championship
Logan Currie, Wharton, TX and Logan Moore, Pleasanton, TX
First place earnings: $32,550. Winning time, 36.92 on five steers

Yeti Junior Open
Kreece Thompson, Munday, TX and Kaden Profili, Jacksonville, TX
First place earnings: $11,300. Winning time, 28:20 on four steers

#14.5 Shoot-Out
Zane Collins, Talihina, OK and Cody Roberts, Norman, AR
First place earnings: $38,140. Winning time, 26:43 on four steers

#13.5 Shoot-Out
Caroline Taylor, Canutillo, TX and Calvin Taylor, Canutillo, TX
First place earnings: $42,380.Winning time, 8:31 on four steers

#12.5 Shoot-Out
Mike Carrell, Gladewater, TX and Trent Ward, Kaufman, TX
First place earnings: $43,300. Winning time, 27:87 on four steers

Cinch Ladies Championship #11.5
Taylor Munsell, Alva, OK and Martha Angelone, Stephenville, TX
First place earnings: $6,340. Winning time, 24:72 on three steers

#11.5 Shoot-Out
Garrett Miller, Amarillo, TX and Tate Thompson, Amarillo, TX
First place earnings: $37,000. Winning time, 30:72 on four steers

Yeti Junior Championships #10.5
Jordan Lovins, Canadian, TX and Zach Nicholson, Stinnett, TX
First place earnings: $10,330. Winning time, 33:06 on four steers

#10.5 Shoot-Out
Garrett Miller, Amarillo, TX and Wyatt Mask, Amarillo, TX
First place earnings: $33,650. Winning time, 32:79 on four steers

Ram $100,000 Bonus Event #10.5
Tyler Tryan, Lipan, TX and Nicky Northcott, Odessa, TX
First place earnings: $20,180. Winning time, 31:25 on four steers

#9.5 Daily Double Qualifier
Richard Nolen, Artesia, NM and Doug Miller, Pecos, TX
First place earnings: $12,950. Winning time, 40.12 on four steers

#9.5 Shootout
Wayne Benefield, Wheeler, TX and Blake Williamson, Canyon, TX
First place earnings: $32,800. Winning time, 36:89 on four steers

Case IH Bonus #9.5
Tyler Tryan, Lipan, TX and Nicky Northcott, Odessa, TX
First place earnings: $25,100. Winning time, 35.06 on four steers

#8.5 Shoot-Out
Lafayette Moore, Pleasanton, TX and Murton Stewart, Weatherford, TX
First place earnings: $28,900. Winning time, 38:63 on four steers