Photos by Andersen C Bar C Photography
WICKENBURG, ARIZ. –National Team Roping (NTR) hosted its eighth annual National Finals presented by Ariat March 5-12, 2022, at Rancho Rio in Wickenburg, Arizona, continuing its tradition as one of the highest-paying divisional ropings in the industry. Ropers from across the nation competed for a record-setting $1.2 million in cash and prizes.
The 2022 edition centered around the #11.5, #10.5, #9.5 and #8.5 National Finales and included VIP Championship divisions for ropers 21 and over, Legends Championships for ropers 50 and over, an All-Girl and a #8.5 Ram Truck Roping. The NTR introduced two new divisions to their line-up this year including the NTR Open and #6 2-Steer Championships.
Pedro Egurrola, Florence, Arizona, and Logan Cullen, Casa Grande, Arizona, took home $10,800 for their win in the Open. Egurrola and Cullen roped at fourth callback and stopped the clock in 5.84 seconds to move them to the lead of the roping with an aggregate time of 37.55 seconds on five head.
The single highest-paying division of the week was the National 9.5 Finale which paid $26,140 to the father-daughter team of Rashel Richards, Humboldt, Arizona, and Gilbert Garside, Prescott, Arizona, who jumped from eighth callback with a time of 45.08 seconds on four head to secure the win.
“Winning with any family member is the hardest thing you can do,” said Richards, who is married to NFR team roping qualifier Tom Richards. “I’m just glad that I got to have my dad here and win with him. I’ve had a lot of coaching the last couple of years and it’s paying off. We’re really blessed.”
Also new in 2022 was the #6 2-Steer Championships which awarded cash along with 20 trophy buckles to its winners. Mario Cervantes, Manhattan, Montana, and Jimmy Costanzo, Wickenburg, Arizona, roped two steers in 20.77 seconds to take home $4,000 and champion bragging rights. Cervantes also finished second with Tanner Young, Cortez, Colorado to split another $2,780.
The NTR National Finals is also home to The Horse Sale at Rancho Rio, which draws spectators and buyers from all over the world. The eighth annual event saw $2.3 million in team roping horse power go through the sale ring on Friday, March 11. Lot 31, Sportin Roscoe, was the high seller when the hammer dropped at $200,000. “South Point” was consigned by New Mexico’s Brooke and Rodey Wilson of Wilson Cattle Company. The chestnut gelding sired by Sportin High Brow was bred by Jim Rounsaville, Olney, Texas. With 48 horses sold, the overall sale average was $48,656 with the top 10 average coming in at $93,200 and the top 20 average at $72,125. For additional sale results visit ranchorioaz.com.
The NTR National Finals IX and the ninth annual Horse Sale will take place in Wickenburg, Ariz., in March 2023.
Results below are for the first five places of each roping and payoff is per team. For complete results visit nationalteamroping.com.
Sat. March 5
#8.5 Megabucks
Average: 1. Jubal Williamson and Will Hooper, 42.63, $7,840. 2. Michael Wilson and Rodney Teichert, 3.89, $5,220. 3. Walt Scott and Clifford Happy, 45.45, $4140. 4. Joe Skogg and Jay Tallsalt, 47.08, $3,050. 5. Kip Gates and Rees Jackman, 48.32, $1,520.
#8.5 Ram Truck
Truck and saddle winner: Martin Savedra.
Average: 1. Kait Belone and Tel Sorenson, 26.25, $15,000. 2. Carter Hutchison and Martin Savedra, 26.51, $9,320. 3. Ray Jodie and Brayden Begay, 27.31, $7,460. 4. HP Evetts and Martin Savedra, 27.98, $6,220. 5. Mike Randall and Cooter Larsen, 28.11, $5,600.
Mon. March 7
#8.5 Legends
Average: 1. Rod Week and Danny Eagerton, 41.68, $10,720. 2. Kip Gates and Tobe Driskill, 44.50, $7,140. 3. Don Schmeling and Stan Wolfe, 49.61, $5,660. 4. Dave Yost and Charlie Johnson, 50.06, $4,160. 5. Doug Barnes and Gary Johnson, 52.86, $2,080.
#9.5 Legends
Average: 1. Craig McIver and Bobby Willis, 38.99, $11,040. 2. Raymond Kerr and Todd Mattson, 48.70, $8,280. 3. Tammy Ellerman and Darrel Broadhead, 51.51, $5,520. 4. Danna Broadhead and Darrel Broadhead, 52.70, $2,760.
#10.5 Legends
Average: 1. Tracy Duce and Frank Simpson, 44.60, $12,600. 2. Marvin Kleinbert and Darren Stoner, 48.80, $7,560. 3. Craig Moore and Dale Woodard, 51.39, $5,040.
#11.5 Legends
Average: 1. Stefani Lyman and Tee Woolman, 37.96, $11,640. 2. Steve Eckroth and Randy Sanchez, 40.68, $6,980. 3. Danna Broadhead and Zanga Schutte, 42.22, $4,660.
Open Championship
Average: 1. Pedro Egurrola and Logan Cullen, 37.55, $10,800. 2. JD Yates and Dillon Graham, 37.99, $8,100. 3. Tanner Baldwin and Nano Garza, 38.35, $5,400. 4. Dawson Graham and Dillon Graham, 38.82, $2,700.
Tues. March 8
#14.5 Championships
Average: 1. Quentin Anseth and Asher Freeman, 31.19, $13,720. 2. Ky Redstrom and Tom Bill Johnson, 31.92, $10,300. 3. Kenzie Kelton and Ketch Kelton, 32.74, $6,860. 4. Vicente Rivera and Phil Treadwell, 33.32, $3,440.
#13.5 Championships
Average: 1. Hayden Hutchison and Britt Newman, 31.20, $18,840. 2. Dean Drosos and Phil Treadwell, 31.27, $13,200. 3. Pony Hernandez and Kyle Pratz, 31.39, $10,020. 4. Chachi Odom and Clay Elkington, 33.16, $7,400. 5. Kelton Hill and Wyatt Mask, 35.94, $3,700.
#12.5 Championships
Average: 1. Braden Hutchison and Clayton VanAken, 33.14, $22,340. 2. Kenzie Kelton and Conner Herren, 33.33, $15,560. 3. Katelyn Perkins and Hunter Karlson, 33.72, $11,500. 4. Ethan Parr and Conner Herren, 34.03, $8,120. 5. McCrae Fillmore and Garrett Riding, 34.37, $6,100.
#11.5 Megabucks
Average: 1. Katelyn Perkins and Connor Ward, 35.40, $8,460. 2. Tyler Gibbs and Wyatt Adams, 36.50, $5,840. 3. JoAnn Merritt and Reed Merritt, 37.57, $4,560. 4. Travis Vezina and Prestin Huerta, 37.66, $3,580. 5. Raymond Kerr and Chris Freed, 38.51, $2,280.
#10.5 Megabucks
Average: 1. Braden Hutchison and Conner Herren, 33.81, $8,020. 2. Chachi Odom and Garrett Hershberger, 36.06, $5,620. 3. Seth Bolerjack and Chase Mitchell, 37.88, $4,280. 4. Brit Bradford and Garrett Riding, 41.91, $3,200. 5. Pete Magill and Justin Putz, 44.47, $2,400.
Wed. March 9
#9.5 Megabucks
Average: 1. Tom Massman and Bobby Hamilton, 38.85, $8,680. 2. Lynn Proctor and Marco Rodriguez, 40.16, $6,420. 3. Julie Ballek and Tobe Driskill, 40.98, $4,520. 4. Gelasio Perez and Shawn Parrott, 41.43, $3,760. 5. Pete Magill and Justin Putz, 44.47, $2,400.
#8.5 Megabucks
Average: 1. Obed Arreloa Cruz and Dakota Brown, 38.59, $8,000. 2. Jonas McKenzie and Dexter Williams, 39.69, $5,980. 3. Malik Hegge and Johnnie Phillips, 41.09, $4,300. 4. Rick Thompson and Dan Ballek, 42.69, $3,640. 5. Gene Small and Nuce Marshall, 45.11, $3,000.
#11.5 Finale
Average: 1. Joe Thompson and Larry Gleave, 35.50, $25,400. 2. Kawohi Schutte and Zanga Schutte, 36.42, $17,500. 3. Doyle Thompson and Ben Bub Mays, 36.62, $13,680. 4. Larry Rice and Clayton Symons, 37.56, $10,740. 5. Pete Magill and Ben Bub Mays, 37.74, $8,800.
#10.5 Finale
Average: 1. Josh Smart and Vail Guiterrez, 37.43, $25,900. 2. Pete Magill and Carter Taylor, 37.79, $17,920. 3. David Lopez and Ivan Noreiga, 38.79, $12,450. 4. Marty Okamura and Chase Hollingsworth, 38.79, $12,450. 5. LaRae Branham and Darrel Broadhead, 40.82, $8,960.
#10.5 VIP Championships
Average: 1. Shayne Ohotto and Glen Crane, 42.78, $19,460. 2. Craig Moore and Darren Stoner, 47.50, $13,900. 3. Kyndall Bates and Casey Hayes, 47.83, $10,560. 4. Marvin Kleinbert and Darren Stoner, 53.49, $7,780. 5. Coby LittleSoldier and Todd Holden, 56.39, $3,900.
Thur. March 10
#9.5 Finale
Average: 1. Rashel Richards and Gilbert Garside, 45.08, $26,140. 2. Johnnie Phillips and Todd Holden, 46.17, $18,100. 3. Jose Luis Garcia and Ivan Hernandez, 46.74, $14,080. 4. Kenny Mantor and Herb Smith, 48.00, $11,060. 5. Lowell Goold and Garrett Odle, 48.51, $9,060.
#8.5 Megabucks
Average: 1. Dylan Martin and Miguel Ruiz, 35.88, $24,340. 2. Laurie Blickenstaff and Cass Gebers, 46.52, $17,040. 3. Ramon Gomez and Cesar Saenz, 48.54, $12,980. 4. Ramon Gomez and Abel Villaloos, 48.87, $9,720. 5. Kerry Jackman and Darren Calhoun, 51.55, $7,300.
Fri. March 11
#8.5 VIP Championship
Average: 1. Ron Miller and Mark Jones, 41.64, $24,960. 2. Kenny Mantor and Dan Olson, 42.22, $17,480. 3. Efren Benavidea and Terry Boydstun, 44.88, $13,320. 4. Lynn Proctor and Roger Williams, 45.46, $9,980. 5. Erasmo Tapia and and Cesar Saenz, 49.22, $7,480.
#6-2 Steer Championships
Average: 1. Mario Cervantes and Jimmy Costanzo, 20.77, $4,000. 2. Mario Cervantes and Tanner Young, 25.09, $2,780. 3. Kenneth James and Bud Lawlor, 26.10, $2,050. 4. Kellie Mackin and Lonnie Schwend, 26.17, $1,440. 5. Tim Fletcher and Jason Small, 26.64, $1,080.
Sat. March 12
#10.5 All Girl
Average: 1. Loni Dowton and Kelsey Russey, 38.85, $4,760. 2. Cindy Wolfe and Megan Gunter, 40.07, $3,580. 3. Shanna Perkins and Katelyn Perkins, 43.71, $2,380. 4. Gracie Anne Sherrick and Katelyn Perkins, 46.39, $1,200.
#7 Championship
Average: 1. Gail Allen and JK Kinsey, 32.22, $8,600. 2. Tom Roberts and Joseph Hayden, 32.73, $6,640. 3. Laurie Blickenstaff and Don Cook, 32.95, $4,680. 4. Lori Nicholson and Charlie Johnson, 33.04, $3,520. 5. Jerry Morrison and Jerry Satterfield, 33.85, $3,120.
