By Cheryl Schreter
Special To Ropers Sports News
Fortuna was beautiful. The annual event in Fortuna was two days filled with fun, camaraderie, cool weather, and great team roping events with buckles, stirrups and a saddle.
On Friday night, Marv and Donna Barton chose to spend their 38th wedding anniversary there amongst family and friends. There was a big potluck BBQ on Saturday where several chipped in delicious dishes, finishing with a bonfire, s’mores and ice cream.
The team ropers came out in hopes of winning a part of more than $11,000 in prizes and money that was given away for the two-day event. On Saturday there were five ropers in contention for the “Taco Bell” saddle. They were David Fonsen, Ben McWhorter, Lane Christiansen, Lonnie Manning and David Walters, as they were the top dollar winners of the day.
Sunday rolled in and so did the money for Fonsen, McWhorter, Christiansen and Manning. At the end of the day there was only one dollar, that is correct, just $1 separating Fonsen and McWhorter when Saturday and Sunday’s monies were combined. David came out with $707 and Ben won $706.
The first set of buckles to be won on Saturday were donated by David Walters of Pacific Timber and the recipients were Chad Lake and Ben McWhorter in the #5.5 with a #4 Incentive.
The second pot of the day was the Members Only Handicap Pick & Draw, and winners were Danny Goddard receiving the buckle sponsored by Shur-Loc Mini Storage and Adam Fitze won the heeling buckle sponsored by the Prior family.
The last pot of the day was the #10.5 Handicap Pick, where Lane Christiansen and Adam Fitze received beautiful wood carved stirrups sponsored by Randy Vann.
Sunday’s first pot was #5.5 with #4 Incentive. The Bushnell family (Donna Vann Bushnell is Bud’s daughter) donated the buckles for this event and the winners were Lonnie Manning and David Fonsen. The last pot of the weekend was the Members Only Pick & Draw. Les Schwab Tire of Fortuna generously sponsored the buckles won by Lonnie Manning and Adam Fitze.
Thank you everyone one who helped to make this a wonderful fifth year in Fortuna. We are truly blessed to have all prizes sponsored by such wonderful people who jumped in there and picked up the slack. David Walters of Pacific Timber, the Prior family, Christiansen Ranches, the Bushnell family, the Fitze family for Shur-Loc Mini Storage, Lon at Les Schwab Tires of Fortuna, Randy Vann and Les Shank of Taco Bell for sponsoring the Vaquero handcrafted saddle. It is our hope that you realize how appreciative we are of your support of this event. Our family just loves coming to Fortuna.
