By Mike Sweeney
ACTRA Business Manager
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – ACTRA members made their way to Horseman’s Park in Las Vegas Sept. 26-27 to qualify for the Wrangler/Professional’s Choice ACTRA National Finals in Reno in October.
The prizeline was outstanding, with 10 Cactus championship saddles, Skyline buckles and trophy stirrups, Professional’s Choice saddle pads, as well as Wrangler and Weaver Leather products. The total in cash and awards was well over $85,000, which pencils out to over 167% payback! Where else do ropers see that kind of return on their money?? Although it was prety hot, everyone did their part to make this roping a lot of fun.
A big thank you to Habib Cattle Co. for their great steers. Kal Jepson handled the flagging duties with a great deal of professionalism. Announcers Vicki Benedict and Shelly Win kept the teams rolling. ACTRA National Secretary Heidi Fetic, Shelly and Vicki took care of the office duties – great job, ladies! National President Bob Blair, Vice President Garry Rogers, directors Steve Kevorkian, George Porter, Dale Woodard and Brian Roundy made sure everything else that needed to be done was taken care of.
A big tip of the Resistol to the Horseman’s Park staff, who did an outstanding job keeping the arena in perfect condition. A special thank you to Jim Pfeffer of Ropes Galore for showing up to take care of any of the ropers’ needs – thanks, Jimmy Time! Another key player in the success of the Southwest Championships is Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino, our host hotel and a great place to cool off, relax, have a great meal and a lot of fun.
As you can see it takes a lot of dedicated people to make an event like the Southwest Championships a success, and we thank all those who make ACTRA ropings the best of the best!
Average results follow; payoffs are per roper.
#10.5 Hdcp Slide
1st go: 1. Clint White and Kelly Barker, 5.55, $140.
Average: 1. Kyle Hash and Casey Felton, 26.25, $395. 2. Brian Winn and Nels Bowen, 27.25, $240. 3. Brian Winn and Taylor Winn, 34.17, $160.
#8.5 Hdcp Down
1st go: 1. Kyle Hash and Tony Steele, 5.84, $110. 2. Tallen Bennett and Matt Liston, 7.05, $73.
Average: 1. Tallen Bennett and Matt Liston, 31.70, $420. 2. Bradee Hughes and Ramzi S. Hughes, 31.97, $315. 3. Cade Liston and Brian Roundy, 32.16, $175. 4. Cade Liston and Matt Liston, 32.79, $140.
#7 Hdcp Down
1st go: 1. Tallen Bennett and Taylor Winn, 6.35, $152. 2. Kelson Robinson and Aiden Wilson, 6.52, $91. 3. Doug Webber and Jimmy Conley, 6.66, $61.
Average: 1. Dude McCarty and Tony Steele, 30.46, $780. 2. Deston Dishion and Tony Steele, 35.03, $557. 3. Jon Scolari and Dale Woodard, 42.35, $424. 4. Bob Bowler and Matt Liston, 43.05, $312. 5. David Brough and Tony Steele, 44.41, $156.
#5.5 PICK
1st go: 1. Riley Robinson and Taylor Winn, 7.20, $185. 2. Tyson Porter and Jerermy Kelton, 7.64, $90. 3. Shay Bankhead and Tallen Bennett, 7.72, $60.
Average: 1. Riley Robinson and Taylor Winn, 32.98, $890. 2. Tara Snider and Bo Hash, 43.94, $693. 3. Steve Kevorkian and Dale Woodard, 44.50, $470. 4. Harry Bernhardt and Dale Woodard, 44.51, $334. 5. Tara Snider and Kylee Hash, 49.84, $250. 6. Vicki Tanner and Garry Rogers, 52.11, $150.
#8 Mixed Slide
1st go: 1. Lisa Carter and Caleb Twisselman, 7.42, $100. 2. Shay Bankhead and Caleb Twisselman, 7.59, $70.
Average: 1. Kassie Cattoor and Kask Cattoor, 26.02, $525. 2. Lisa Carter and Caleb Twisselman, 39.69, $390. 3. Shay Bankhead and Caleb Twisselman, 40.50, $260. 4. Cailee Hall and Kycen Winn, 53.02, $150.
#6 Hdcp Down
1st go: 1/2 (tie). Shelly Winn and Taylor Winn; Shelly Winn and Kash Cattoor, 7.25, $150. 3. Doug Webber and Tex Carter, 7.46, $75.
Average: 1. Tallen Bennett and Kash Cattoor, 36.59, $900. 2. Ty Nelson and Derek Turley, 39.47, $625. 3. Clint Ryan and Tex Carter, 42.41, $465. 4. Shelly Winn and Kycen Winn, 44.54, $325. 5. Steve Kevorkian and Dale Woodard, 52.79, $245. 6. Ty Nelson and Michael Nelson, 54.44, $165.
#4 w/#3 Incentive
1st go: 1. Sam Larson and Kim Robinson, 9.37, $145. 2. Haley Bowen and Bryan Domina, 9.45, $85. 3. Sam Larson and Teresa Bowen, 9.59, $55.
Incentive: 1. Lance Ujiusa and Scotty Plehn, 55.85, $200. 2. Sam Larson and Kim Robinson, 9.37, $150. 3. Sam Larson and Teresa Bowen, 9.59, $100. 4. Dan Snyder and Ed Brett, 13.54, $50.
Average: 1. Kassie Cattoor and Riley Robinson, 46.59, $560. 2. Kassie Cattoor and Rex Frehner, 52.58, $400. 3. Larry Kennedy and Trevor Carter, 61.42, $305. 4. Robert McGalliard Jr. and Ed Brett, 29.73, $225. 5. Kycen Winn and Kim Robinson, 41.99, $110.
#5 average winners were Riley Robinson and Taylor Winn, presented by Mike Sweeney.
Brian Winn was the high money winner in the #10.5. Presenting his Cactus saddle are Mike Sweeney and Garry Rogers of ACTRA.