Story and Photos
by Kristen Spinning
CASA GRANDE, ARIZONA – Ropers perservered through cold and wind to win big in Casa Grande, at the Mike Cervi Memorial Pro Classic February 22. Riley Minor and Jake Long showed without a doubt that they were playing to win from the moment they broke out of the box. As the field of 174 narrowed through 4 rounds and challenging conditions, the pair stayed consistent, capitalizing on every opportunity they had.
The Cervi has a storied history of running rain or shine. “The weather threatened us,” admitted roping producer George Aros. “I tossed and turned for a week ever since I saw the forecast. We had a back up plan. The Volken Academy Ranch offered their covered arena. We weren’t going to rope in the rain again like last year. I promised myself that. But I’m pretty happy we didn’t have to use it.”
As dawn broke, the showers moved on and the Cervi stayed at the Casa Grande Rodeo Grounds. Diehard roping fans bundled in blankets in the grandstands. The deep sandy footing drained well and didn’t slow the action one bit. Aros commented, “The ground at this arena is amazing. Especially when it is wet. Despite a good soaking, it held up tight and solid. There’s a bottom to it, a firm surface to grip a hold of.” With that in mind, the score was set for the horses to run as fast as possible. Fresh, Mexican branded steers provided by Taner Baldwin and crew ran consistently strong. Aros added, “No one has to worry about running their horse in that arena, even when wet. These guys went full-on all day long.”
The Cervi short go never disappoints in delivering some stunning action. With a field peppered with roping legends chasing a guaranteed minimum 90% payback over 6 monies, plus a fast time bonus, every team pulled out all the stops. Despite the pressure and speed on display, the top 12 teams all caught.
Sitting in the 6th call back, Riley Minor and Levi Lord had 27.68 on 4 and needed a 6.42 to vault to the top of the leader board. They got the flag at 5.51 putting them briefly in the lead but they knew they were being chased by 5 great teams.
Paul Eaves and Erich Rogers were up next, and clocked a 5.94, but that wasn’t enough to get ahead. Levi Lord was back with Dustin Egusquiza carved a little more off that time with 5.85 to find themselves in the money with just a few teams left. Two time World Champion Matt Sherwood roping with Logan Spady was 4th high call. They needed 6.15 for no less than a 4th place finish. They stopped the clock at 5.64 for a 32.67 total, putting them at the top.
Pedro Egurrola and 14 year old sensation Little Michael Calmelat had a 26.41 on 4 and needed a 6.25 to take lead. A 6.24 head shot just barely got them there. Garrett Tonizzi and Kaden Profili sat comfortably in the second high call back with 26.03 and needed a 6.61 to stay there at the least. A 6.21 gave them a sliver of breathing room, but everyone knew the final team was a looming threat.
Riley Minor was already winning 4th with Levi Lord as he settled into the box. He had one shot left with Jake Long to secure another check. But Long had an additional challenge to overcome. His horse fell down with another partner in the fourth round, jamming his foot into the ground. It left him sore, a little crippled up and effectively only able to use one leg coming out of the box. At 25.6 on 4, they only needed a 6.63 but this team didn’t play it safe. Riley caught quick and set up Jake to close the deal in dominating fashion at 6.08, winning $34,140. Reflecting on the day, Riley Minor commented, “I don’t get to rope with Jake very often, but he’s one of the best there is. He throws fast, I love it.” Riley was on a new horse he bought from Kaleb Driggers and seems to be getting with him in quick fashion. Holding his big $17,070 check at the awards presentation he quipped, “Maybe this will start paying for him right here.”
Second went to Garrett Tonizzi and Kaden Profili splitting $28,250. Pedro Egurrola and Michael Calmelat held the third hole for $22,360. Matt Sherwood and Logan Spady landed in fourth for $16,480. Fifth money of $10,594 went to Riley Minor and Levi Lord, and Levi struck again with Dustin Egusquiza in 6th for $5,885. There was a tie for fast time in the short go with two teams posting a 5.68. Delon Parker and Sid Sporer, along with Clint Summers and Cory Petska won $1,500. In addition to money, the champions received Gist Buckles and Yeti Coolers. All six teams received Bex sunglasses and other prizes.
Another big winner of The Cervi is Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund. “We raised $18,000 for them this year,” said Aros. “Mel Potter started the fundraising aspect of this roping as soon as it became the Mike Cervi Jr. Memorial. Since then, we’ve raised over $300,000.”
The Cervi Pro-Am Roping started the day with amateur headers and heelers teaming up with Cervi Pro ropers for three full rounds. Header and heeler winners received a champion Gist buckle and go round buckles were also awarded. Header Chip Giles had Chris Young heeling for him for the overall win. Amateur heeler Steve Mikitish was well set up by Clint Summers to win the average. All the Amateurs also receive an embroidered Wrangler jacket and team photo. Aros always admires the enthusiasm of the amateurs and generosity of the pros, “Thank you to all the pros, and we sure appreciated the young pros who volunteered their time to rope in the Pro-Am this year. We saw some future NFR contenders out there, no doubt about it. Pedro Egurrola, Denton Dunning, Nicky Northcott all participated in the Pro Am. Then we had some veterans like Jake Long, Cory Petska, Matt Sherwood and Clay Smith
The Cervi has often been a place where young ropers shine. “We have guys who were watching this roping when they were little, thinking what would it be like to win. Then they’re walking away with a check. We saw Little Michael Calmelat make a spectactcular catch in the Pre-Roping the day before to land him in 4th,” said Aros. “He was third call back with all the pressure in the Cervi and just fired another great catch to put him in the lead. The final two teams moved him but he still got a third place check. It’s a phenomenon how this kid can win. You’ve got to watch those South Tucson boys. That’s where I came from. That’s where Cesar came from. There’s a whole bunch of guys who came from that little neighborhood who went on to become world class ropers.”
In addition to the roping superstars who make The Cervi a regular stop on their schedule, it takes a dedicated team behind the scenes to make this such a stand out roping each year. Aros is always quick to acknowledge their hard work. “I want to give a shout out to Tony Ybara and crew for outstanding job preparing the arena,” said Aros. “Also Joyce Sewell and our office crew who keep everything running efficiently and write all those checks. We are always honored to have Reed Flake in the announcer’s booth. And of course we couldn’t do this without the City of Casa Grande and all our wonderful sponsors. It all started in 1982 by having a jackpot for the pros when they came to town for the Tucson Rodeo. It has evolved from there and we’ll just keep going!”
Results follow, payout per team:
Cervi Memorial Pro Classic: $400/man
Fast time short go: 1/2. Delon Parker and Sid Sporer; Clint Summers and Cory Petska, 5.68, $1,500.
Average: 1. Riley Minor and Jake Long, 31.68, $34,140. 2. Garrett Tonozzi and Kaden Profili, 32.24, $28,250. 3. Pedro Egurrola and Michael Calmelat, $22,360. 4. Matt Sherwood and Logan Spady, 32.67, $16,480. 5. Riley Minor and Levi Lord, 33.19, $10,594. 6. Dustin Egusquiza and Levi Lord, 33.68, $5,885.
Cervi Pro-Am
Headers Average: 1. Chip Giles and Chris Young, 26.17.
1st go: 1. Jay Varela and Dakota Kirchenschlager, 7.16. 2nd go: 1. John Ludwig and Denton Dunning, 7.27. 3rd go: 1. John Teigen and Paul Eaves, 5.98.
Heelers Average: 1. Clint Summers and Steve Mikitish, 35.03.
1st go: 1. Clay Smith and Matthew Trainer, 7.99. 2nd go: 1. Levi Simpson and Craig Skubleny, 9.25. 3rd go: 1. Matt Sherwood and Hayden Vondrak, 7.25.