By Taryn Krantz
Special To Ropers Sports News
SALINAS, CALIF. – Salinas in July is emphasis for a long start and a great show. Jackie Crawford and Danielle Craig stuck true to Salinas’ roots and delivered a breakaway roping that only Salinas could host.
California’s Richest Breakaway Roping held July 11 at the Monterey County Sheriff’s Posse Arena in Salinas featured 41 top breakaway ropers from across the country. Ropers competed on great calves and a long score for an awesome prize line, large payouts, and $1,000 added money. Each roper received three calves, with the top 15 advancing to a short round. All those who entered received D-M Western Store t-shirts and all those who advanced to the short round received custom Ariat jackets.
Buckles were awarded to each round winner and prizes were given to second. Chelsey Bushnell clinched the first round win with a 3.37 on Holman’s strong calves. A big thank you to the Holman family for putting together the best set of breakaway calves the girls have seen all year. The tough competition continued long into the day with consistent threes until Ali Bilkey posted the only two second run of the day as the final girl in round three. For Bilkey’s 2.82 efforts, she received $658 and a gorgeous buckle.
The roping set up based on “Salinas style score” required girls to see them all the way out and go rope what they had drawn. The long score and great calves allowed ropers to make few mistakes. The short round brought back the fastest 15 girls on three head. The short go was nothing short of what was expected with no room for error. After the fourth calf was run Jackie Crawford bested the field with a 16.04, winning $2,462 and a beautiful Martin saddle sponsored by MY Cars. Other premier event sponsors were Ropers Sports News, Classic, Rattler, D-M Western Store, Martin Saddlery, Ariat, Best Ever, Gabilan Welding, Inc., Java Espresso, and Ram Property Management.
The event was truly a labor of love and a premier event for West Coast breakaway roping. Casey Vollin and Jeff Brazil did an excellent job of judging the “bell collar” only roping. The line judges and all chute help kept the event rolling as fast as possible. Of course, for such a premier event, the best chute help around was hired. Carlos Guajardo, as he always does, kept the calves standing and never missed a nod. The timers were spot on and kept the event running smoothly. Ropers and spectators had the privilege of listening to enthusiastic announcer Tony Branquinho throughout all four rounds. Also, a huge thank you to all those behind the scenes who were not mentioned.
Plans are already in the works for next year’s event, which looks to be even bigger. Crawford generously donated the saddle she won back to California High School Rodeo District 4 to raffle off. Half of the proceeds will go towards the district and the other half will be put back towards the roping for next year. To stay up to date on all the California Richest Breakaway Roping news or if you are interested in sponsoring, you can follow the event on Facebook.
OPEN BREAKAWAY: 4 for $300, 41 entries
1st. go: 1. Chelsey Bushnell, 3.37, $658. 2. Jennifer Casey, 3.66, $439.
2nd. go: 1. Taylor Wharton, 3.66, $658. 2. Julie Blach, 3.97, $439.
3rd. go: 1. Ali Bilkey, 2.82, $658. 2. Luana Harbert, 3.67, $439.
Short go FT: 1. Suzanne Williams, 3.37, $300. 2. Jackie Crawford, 3.44, $200.
Average: 1. Jackie Crawford, 16.04, $2,466. 2. Suzanne Williams, 16.24, $1,620. 3. Taryn Krantz, 17.83, $1,268. 4. Abigayle Hampton, 18.65, $986. 5. Tammy White, 19.37, $704.
WPRA SIDEPOT: Average: 1. Jackie Crawford, 16.04, $240. 2. Suzanne Williams, 16.24, $160.
