WICKENBURG, ARIZONA. – December 2-13, ropers from across the country made their way to Arizona to compete for some of the largest divisional payouts in the industry. Yost Events, Inc., hosted its annual “Las Vegas Week” which consisted of nine days of roping at Rancho Rio in Wickenburg, Arizona (Ty Yost’s Las Vegas in Wickenburg and the Legends Las Vegas Warm-up), seven days of roping at the Everett Bowman Rodeo Grounds in Wickenburg (Ty Yost’s High Rollers Legends), and two days of roping at the iconic Dynamite Arena in Cave Creek (Las Vegas at Dynamite). Combined these events boasted 56 individual divisional ropings, saw 8,718 teams, and paid out a combined $3.69 million in cash to amateur team ropers. Ty Yost’s Las Vegas in Wickenburg at Rancho Rio alone, is consistently one of the top five team roping events in the nation, for both payout and total teams offering every division from the Open down to the #7.5. Jason Freeman, Jacksonville, Florida, and Kelby Frizzell, Sterling City, Texas, picked up the single largest paycheck of the week in one of two #12.5 Big Gamble ropings on Tuesday, December 5. The duo roped four steers in 31.06 seconds to pocket $34,180. These events are slated to once again take place in early December 2024. For more information on Rancho Rio and Dynamite Arena, as well as a complete schedule of events, visit RanchoRioAZ.com and DynamiteArena.com. ROPERS SPORTS NEWS JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 VOL. 56, NO. 1 $2.50 “The Original Team Roping Publication” Postage Pre-Paid TIME DATED MATERIAL – DO NOT DELAY 24060 N. Ray Rd., Lodi, CA 95242 • 209-333-2924 • info@roperssportsnews.com • www.roperssportsnews.com Gold Buckles For Wade & Thorp; Average Crowns For Begay & Todd By Lane Karney At the conclusion of the 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge, it was Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp who stood highest on the professional team roping mountain as the world champions. With $308,057 and $325,284 won respectively on the season, TWade fulfilled a dream he never really placed all his emphasis on, and Thorp strapped on his second gold buckle. “It hasn’t sunk in at all. I never thought I’d win it (the world title). I never even dreamed of winning it. I’ve always just wanted to rope for a living, whether that consisted of training horses, showing horses, anything roping. That’s what I’ve always wanted to do,” said TWade, 31, who lives in Terrell, Texas, with his barrel-horse-trainer wife, Jessi, and 5-year-old son, Weston. The Wades are expecting a baby girl in April. “Obviously I think that world championship deal is badass, but I just never dreamt of it, because I didn’t want that lone buckle to define my roping. So much stuff has to fall your way, and there are some guys that deserved one over the years that never got one.” In 2019, Thorp was the NFR average champ roping with Cody Snow, and the world champion heeler in a split world-title year, when Clay Smith won the heading championship. Getting to stand on that stage at the end with his partner made this one a little sweeter for Wesley. “This time was different, and more exciting to get to win it with my partner that I roped with at the Finals and See WNFR TEAM ROPING on Page 12 YOST EVENTS LAS VEGAS WEEK On Page 4 Official Publication Of ACTRA PACIFIC COAST SHOOTOUTS Brayden Grashuis, Wickenburg, Arizona, and Blake VanStavern, Lincoln, California, celebrate their $25,240 victory in the #11.5 Big Gamble at Rancho Rio on Saturday, Dec. 9. – Andersen CBarC photo Yost Events Hosts Record-Setting $3.69 Million Las Vegas Week Wesley Thorp and Tyler Wade receiving their world championship saddles and gold buckles. – PRCA ProRodeo Photo by Click Thompson
PAGE 2 ROPERS SPORTS NEWS JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 FEBRUARY 13-15: Find JH Sanders in Booth U53 at the World Ag Expo in Tulare, CA. CHEVROLET, DODGE, FORD, GMC and RAM Diesel, 4x4, crew and mega cabs. Great financing and lease options available. Madera, CA 559-822-4500 www.jhsanders.com FINANCING AVAILABLE! Apply online today! All Makes & Models available! 2024 Trails West Sierra 15x19 with slide out sofa, bunk beds, dinette. Sleeps 6 easy! Pass through door, full rear tack with side load. Tons of options and even more space. Great price, over $10,000 below MSRP with up to 240 month financing. Riata Buckle Second Full Season Doubles In Size In 1 Year GUTHRIE, OKLA. – The Riata Buckle’s second full season came to a close the first week of November at the Lazy E, with the event doubling its size in just one year—paying out over $2.6 million to ropers, stallion owners and breeders. It sustained its position as the fourth-richest team roping in the world. All indicators suggest the grand experiment of utilizing a stallion incentive to unite recreational ropers with traditional show horse/futurity operations is gaining momentum. The event saw the largest gathering of quality team roping horses ever assembled. Riata Buckle made a lot of noise last year as a “timeonly” stallion incentive program with multiple divisions for ropers of all abilities, riding horse of all ages. But after the second successful event, it is obvious Riata Buckle has its sights on much loftier goals. What Riata is doing is not like anything that exists in any side of the Western performance industry at present. Riata Buckle is navigating these uncharted waters alongside the ropers, but with a vision dedicated to growth and expansion. Riata’s advertised goal is to promote the best bloodlines for rope horses across the entirety of the roping industry, and build a network to track earnings for the entirety of a rope horses’ career. In the process, Riata wants to continue to make it profitable to make a living breeding, raising and training rope horses in a way that has never been done before. Riata is approaching this by ensur- #12.5 champions were Tyler Singleton and Jesse Jolly, winning $91,432 for the team. Tyler was riding Lone Jonez, sired by Travelin Jonez and Jesse rode Jj Fire In The Hole, sired by PG Dry Fire. ing the people who spend their nights and weekends in the roping pen have the quality of horse flesh necessary to maximize their enjoyment of their hobby. Riata Buckle is greasing the wheels of its lofty goals with money. This year, it had three divisions paying $650,000 each, with the announced goal of producing at least one $1 million division in the next three years. Organizers are already predicting over a $3 million purse for 2024. Last year, Hickory Holly Time progeny ran away from the field winning over $200,000, but this season the money was spread around evenly through at least a dozen stallions. The Waggoner Ranch’s Cat Man Do progeny captured the top slot this year bagging $138,000. Progeny out of Bet Hesa Cat nearly matched those earnings with $130,370 combining 11 different checks from ROPERS SPORTS NEWS www.roperssportsnews.com Ropers Sports News (USPS 701920) is published monthly for $25 per year by Ropers Sports News, 24060 N. Ray Road, Lodi, CA 95242. Periodical postage paid at King City, CA 93930. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Ropers Sports News, 24060 N. Ray Road, Lodi, CA 95242. Advertising rates may be obtained by writing to Ropers Sports News, 24060 N. Ray Road, Lodi, CA 95242, or by phoning (209) 333-2924. Fax (209) 368-9512. E-mail: info@roperssportsnews.com. Ads, News Copy and Photos must be received by the 10th of each month to make the next month’s issue. Owner/Publisher BOB FEIST • General Manager STEPHANIE REYNOLDS ANDERSON ROPERS SPORTS NEWS www.roperssportsnews.com Ropers Sports News (USPS 701920) is published monthly for $25 per year by Ropers Sports News, 24060 N. Ray Road, Lodi, CA 95242. Periodical postage paid at King City, CA 93930. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Ropers Sports News, 24060 N. Ray Road, Lodi, CA 95242. Advertising rates may be obtained by writing to Ropers Sports News, 24060 N. Ray Road, Lodi, CA 95242, or by phoning (209) 333-2924. Fax (209) 368-9512. E-mail: info@roperssportsnews.com. Ads, News Copy and Photos must be received by the 10th of each month to make the next month’s issue. Owner/Publisher BOB FEIST • General Manager STEPHANIE REYNOLDS ANDERSON seven different horses. In fact the progeny from five different stallions earned over $100,000 each and five more over $90,000. In 2024 this event will move up a full month from the first week of November to the last week of September.
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 ROPERS SPORTS NEWS PAGE 3 www.actra.org Brothers Trell and Trey McFarlane were the Super 7 Champions at the 2023 ACTRA National Finals. They each won Charmac 3-Horse trailers, Skyline buckles and $8,745. – Anderson CBarC Photo ACTRA National President Bill Horner (right) and Business Manager Mike Sweeney welcome back to the ACTRA family of sponsors for 2024, Dr. Harry Anderson of Total Feeds. TITLE SPONSOR Significant Sponsor TITLE SPONSOR “Scholarship Sponsor” Host Hotel Official Publication NATIONAL PRESIDENT: Bill Horner (209) 535-1130 E-mail: bhorner@actra.org Business Manager: Mike Sweeney (559) 816-9932 21098 Avenue 328, Woodlake, CA 93286 National Secretary: Heidi Fettic (775) 304-5433 P.O. Box 190540, Boise, ID 83719 Official Ropes Official Ropes Official Saddlemaker Official Roping Dummy Thank y to r 2023 Sp s s: Wh e Families C e To R e and Champi s Are Made Come Join Us October 19th - 26th in Reno, NV for the 42nd Annual ACTRA National Finals
PAGE 4 ROPERS SPORTS NEWS JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 1st. 31.17 on 4, Jarett Warner & Brock Borkman $30,440. 2nd. 32.08 on 4, Casper Ringelstein & Zane Starns $23,520. 3rd. 32.37 on 4, Sergio Gonzalez & Marcelo Martinez $16,600. 4th. 32.55 on 4, Garrett Golden & Sean Kirk Thomas $12,460. 5th. 33.12 on 4, Trey Nez & Birch Eiguren $11,080. #10.5 BIG GAMBLE 1 1st. 28.97 on 4, Blake VanStavern & Trey White $29,220. 2nd. 31.42 on 4, Rafe Winn & Lyvan Gonzalez $22,580. 3rd. 31.43 on 4, Rhyder Rosipal & Zane Starns $15,940. 4th. 32.84 on 4, 3 x 6" , Jan/Feb2024 FAX to 909-606-0593 14185 S. Euclid Ave. Ontario, CA 91762 (909) 597-4818 Presents The 29th Annual ROPING CATTLE SALE WED., MARCH 13 Sale Starts At 1pm • (Regular Sale To Follow) Cattle Ready To Rope Potentials, Cows, Pairs For Information, Call: JEREMY GORHAM • (909) 282-2198 Ace Ashford and Marcus Beccerra roped their four steers in 30.50 seconds to win the Las Vegas #11.5 Big Gamble. – Andersen CBarC photo Yost Events Las Vegas Week... From Page 1 Cooper Brittain and Ryhder Rosipal, #9.5 Las Vegas winners. Gabe Williams and Cutter Thomison, #15.5 High Roller winners at Dynamite Arena. Jarett Warner and Brock Borkman, Las Vegas #11.5 Big Gamble winners. Devon McDaniel and Sammy Saunders, #13.5 High Roller winners at Dynamite Arena. See YOST EVENTS LAS VEGAS WEEK On Page 5 Results show up to Top 5 only. Payoff is per team. For complete results visit RanchoRioAZ.com and DynamiteArena.com. Ty Yost’s Las Vegas in Wickenburg, December 4-13, (no roping Sunday, Dec. 10) Rancho Rio, Wickenburg, AZ, Yost Events, Inc. MON., DEC. 4 OPEN BIG GAMBLE 1st. 25.15 on 4, Brye Crites & Tyler Worley $17,780. 2nd. 26.28 on 4, Korbin Rice & Josh Patton $12,400. 3rd. 26.96 on 4, Dawson Graham & Dillon Graham $9,160. 4th. 27.07 on 4, Cody Snow & Nicky Northcott $6,460. 5th. 27.88 on 4, Billy Bob Brown & Kaden Profili $4,840. #15.5 BIG GAMBLE 1st. 25.09 on 4, Corey Ross & Reno Stoebner $27,140. 2nd. 26.09 on 4, Slade Wood & Zane Pratt $20,040. 3rd. 26.64 on 4, Clay B Tryan & Tyler Tryan $14,160. 4th. 26.93 on 4, Casey Thomas & Hagen Peterson $11,800. 5th. 27.18 on 4, Chase Mitchell & Matt Williams $10,620. #14.5 BIG GAMBLE 1st. 27.02 on 4, Corben Culley & Jeff Carney $33,920. 2nd. 27.47 on 4, Nick Kalivas & Garrett Thurston $26,200. 3rd. 27.49 on 4, Tyler Tryan & Will Smith $18,500. 4th. 27.60 on 4, Stephen Kinchen & Tanner Luttrell $13,860. 5th. 27.84 on 4, Clay Bauer & Levi Pettigrew $12,340. TUESDAY, DEC. 5 #13.5 BIG GAMBLE 1st. 28.80 on 4, Rendon Powledge & Jeff Kanady $30,440. 2nd. 29.21 on 4, Blair Lammers & Jaydon Warner $23,520. 3rd. 29.65 on 4, Braxton Hughes & Brock Corman $16,600. 4th. 29.88 on 4, Mattox Moyer & Dace Morris $12,440. 5th. 29.95 on 4, Kaden Gray & Cason Hatley $11,060. #12.5 BIG GAMBLE 1 1st. 31.06 on 4, Jason Freeman & Kelby Frizzell $34,180. 2nd. 31.35 on 4, Rusty Rich & Colter Bradshaw $26,400. 3rd. 31.82 on 4, Nathan Kirtley & Colton Scott $18,640. 4th. 31.85 on 4, Colt Capurro & James Watson $13,960. 5th. 32.02 on 4, Owen Gillespie & Colton Allen $12,420. #12.5 BIG GAMBLE 2 1st. 30.62 on 4, Cody Harris & Britt Williams $28,340. 2nd. 31.04 on 4, Kolt Watson & Austin Rains $20,960. 3rd. 32.51 on 4, Tristin Barton & Haze Bruce $14,800. 4th. 33.13 on 4, Walker Smith & Ryder Davis $12,320. 5th. 33.17 on 4, Guy Howell & Mason Okke $11,080. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 6 #11.5 BIG GAMBLE 1st. 30.50 on 4, Ace Ashford & Marcus Becerra $29,400. 2nd. 31.10 on 4, Brayden Grashuis & Blake VanStavern $21,720. 3rd. 32.14 on 4, HP Evetts & Trey Camarillo $15,340. 4th. 32.44 on 4, Brooke Howell & Chance Kiehne $12,780 . 5th. 32.96 on 4, Kelly Barker & Trey White $11,500. #10.5 BIG GAMBLE 1st. 29.79 on 4, Ace Peterson & Cade Hubbell $23,940. 2nd. 32.03 on 4, Dan Petersheim & Chase Massengill $16,560. 3rd. 32.24 on 4, Jeff Farmer & Jack Hollinsworth $12,880. 4th. 32.36 on 4, Jace Davis & Jade Philipp $10,120. 5th. 32.51 on 4, Aaron Shahan & Brett Davis $8,280. THURSDAY DEC. 7 #11.5 BIG GAMBLE
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 ROPERS SPORTS NEWS PAGE 5 vey $13,600 . 4th. 35.23 on 4, Benny Murrieta & Uriel Murrieta $10,680 .5th. 35.52 on 4, Rainen Virden & Kelby Frizzell $8,740. #10.5 BIG GAMBLE 1st. 35.94 on 4, Nora Carrasco & Mando Salazar $24,360 . 2nd. 37.40 on 4, Ace Peterson & Cade Hubbell $16,880. 3rd. 37.41 on 4, Pollo Garza & JC Yeahquo $13,120. 4th. 37.80 on 4, Pierce Wold & Billy J Aviles $10,300. 5th. 37.92 on 4, Porter Sherwood & Joey Cosper $8,440. MONDAY, DEC. 11 #10.5 BIG GAMBLE 1st. 34.43 on 4, Cooper Walker & Cole Gunter $16,880. 2nd. 37.87 on 4, Cameron Miller & Gaylon Riddels $11,820. 3rd. 38.35 on 4, Cooper Brittain & Ryder Davis $9,000. 4th. 38.38 on 4, Justin Hamilton & Bryson Chamberlain $6,760. 5th. 40.81 on 4, TG Sandifeer & Tanner Crone $5,060. #9.5 BIG GAMBLE 1st. 33.54 on 4, Cooper Brit4 STRAND FOR HEELERS LEVEL UP 5 STRAND FOR HEADERS This was in March 2023? Yost Events Las Vegas Week... From Page 4 Jason Freeman, Jacksonville, Florida, and Kelby Frizzell, Sterling City, Texas, took home the largest single-paycheck of the week at $34,180, roping four steers in 31.06 seconds in the first of two #12.5 Big Gamble ropings on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at Rancho Rio. – Andersen CBarC photo See YOST EVENTS LAS VEGAS WEEK On Page 8 Pierce Wold & Tucker Donlon $11,960. 5th. 33.98 on 4, Kawohi Schutte & Blake VanStavern $10,620 #10.5 BIG GAMBLE 2 1st. 31.64 on 4, Ryder Volf & Brayden Morris $26,300. 2nd. 32.62 on 4, Reed Volf & B J Palmer $19,720. 3rd. 32.98 on 4, Lucas Hogue & B J Palmer $14,240. 4th. 34.00 on 4, Rhyder Rosipal & Hunter Wells $12,060. 5th. 34.01 on 4, JJ Goodson & Matt Leavitt $9,860 FRIDAY, DEC. 8 #15.5 BIG GAMBLE 1st. 26.54 on 4, Tyler Tryan & Braylon Tryan $15,520. 2nd. 28.54 on 4, Cole Davis & Catcher Gasperson $10,820. 3rd. 28.70 on 4, Devon McDaniel & Derrick Jantzen $8,000. 4th. 28.97 on 4, Riley Rieken & Colton Johnson $5,640. 5th. 30.62 on 4, Brenten Hall & Jaydon Warner $4,240. #14.5 BIG GAMBLE 1st. 27.90 on 4, Jerome Hutchison & Colby Smith $23,420. 2nd. 28.04 on 4, Garrett Golden & Dane Reed $15,900. 3rd. 28.14 on 4, Joel Lopez & Francisco Arias $12,540. 4th. 28.84 on 4, Westley Benally & Kesley Phillips $9,200. 5th. 29.28 on 4, Devon McDaniel & Dace Morris $7,520. #13.5 BIG GAMBLE 1st. 29.14 on 4, Joel Lopez & Jose Gutierrez $23,800. 2nd. 29.49 on 4, Riley Curuchet & Britt Williams $16,480. 3rd. 30.37 on 4, Quentin Anseth & Logan Anseth $12,820. 4th. 31.05 on 4, Ryan Willberg & Jett Stephens $10,080. 5th. 31.94 on 4, Ryan Richardson & Colton Johnson $8,240. SATURDAY, DEC. 9 #12.5 BIG GAMBLE 1st. 31.99 on 4, Kyle Sing & Jett Stephens $22,300. 2nd. 32.38 on 4, Chad L. Smith & Brock Grashuis $15,440. 3rd. 33.29 on 4, John Morrow & Clayton Shiflett $12,020. 4th. 33.76 on 4, Dennis Moore & Curtis Evans $9,440. 5th. 34.84 on 4, McCrae Fillmore & Tucker Donlon $7,720. #11.5 BIG GAMBLE 1st. 33.58 on 4, Brayden Grashuis & Blake VanStavern $25,240. 2nd. 33.98 on 4, Dawson Lewis & Rodney Teichert $17,480. 3rd. 35.19 on 4, Conley Kleinhans & Sid Har-
PAGE 6 ROPERS SPORTS NEWS JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 NTR Finals Page 1
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PAGE 8 ROPERS SPORTS NEWS JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 ACTRA Members Only Memberships Available at the Ropings 3 x 4.3” Jan-Feb2024/rsn TUESDAY N AUGUST 2, 9, Sign Up 7pm, R #8 Hdcp. Pick & Draw Pick 3 or Draw 6 • 35% __________________ SATURDAYS Sig AUGUST 6 #8 Hdcp. Pick & Draw #5.5 Pick Or Draw Enter Pick 3 or Draw 6 • 35% __________________ For more information on all ropings, contact Willie Worley (530) 520-5053 SAME POTS EACH DAY — SU 9am, Rope 10am #7 Hdcp. Up & Down, Pick & Draw ..............3 for $40 #5.5 Pick or Draw (Enter Up) .................................3 for $40 #4.5 Pick or Draw (Enter Up) .................................3 for $40 Pick 3 or Draw 6 • 35% Cattle Charge • 5 Teams Out For Awards 825 Wildwood Rd, Arbuckle, CA 95912 3033 Gladding Rd. Lincoln, CA RS AO DP IDNLGE, JANUARY 27 & 28 ELE R C OT PR I I NC GB , IKE MARCH 2 & 3 TWO TROPHY SADDLES!! Saddle To High Point #2-#3.5 Roper Saddle To High Point #1.5 & Under Points accumulated over Both Days! 4 ELEC. BIKES AWARDED!! 1 Bike to High Point #2-#3.5 Daily! 1 Bike To High Point #1.5 & Under Daily! CARD ENTRY PROCESS! Know your partners! Both ends must be PAID in FULL to be in draw! NEW! High Roller Legends #9.5 winners were Jeanne Gieck and Harry Larson. #7.5 Legends winners were Laura Pikop and Ricky Oliver. Yost Events Las Vegas Week... From Page 5 tain & Keagan Lester $18,260. 2nd. 35.44 on 4, Heath Armstrong & Josh Longwell $12,780. 3rd. 37.44 on 4, Tierney Washburn & Cade Hubbell $9,740. 4th. 37.49 on 4, Cody Stahly & Steve Murdock $7,300. 5th. 37.90 on 4, Kenny Stanley & Ryder Davis $5,460. #9.5 LAS VEGAS 1st. 33.27 on 4, Cooper Brittain & Rhyder Rosipal $13,300. 2nd. 37.05 on 4, Casey Sterkel & Tee Cee Wills $9,980. 3rd. 38.27 on 4, Nathan Carreon & Eli Green $7,200 . 4th. 38.41 on 4, Dylan Perez & Ale Rivera $6,100. 5th. 38.70 on 4, Rudy Gutierrez & Larry Burlin $4,980 TUESDAY, DEC. 12 #9.5 BIG GAMBLE 1st. 36.06 on 4, Collin Palmer & Chaise Robbins $18,820. 2nd. 38.93 on 4, Nolan Andersen & Sterling Fowlie $13,180. 3rd. 40.76 on 4, Jerry Christensen & Ale Rivera $10,040. 4th. 40.81 on 4, Tee Cross & Dane Trumbull $7,540. 5th. 40.96 on 4, Colby Dickerson & Steven Bomar $5,640. #8.5 BIG GAMBLE 1st. 38.07 on 4, Kenny Mantor & Jayson Carl $18,100. 2nd. 39.90 on 4, Remington Peck & Stash Cornforth $12,680. 3rd. 47.70 on 4, Bryanna Morrow & Mark McAlister $9,660. 4th. 47.75 on 4, Bryanna Morrow & Tony Sandoval $7,240. 5th. 48.78 on 4, Josh Burley & Justin Hamilton $5,440. #8.5 LAS VEGAS 1st. 41.80 on 4, Josh Longwell & Austin Pixley $11,660. 2nd. 45.93 on 4, Blayden Pollitt & Nate Hengelfelt $8,060. 3rd. 48.77 on 4, Mike Wadsworth & Ben Walling $6,280. 4th. 49.13 on 4, Kenny Mantor & Cole Erickson $4,940. 5th. 50.23 on 4, Jack Curtis & Paul Lovejoy $4,040. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 13 #8.5 BIG GAMBLE 1st. 50.32 on 4, Reyes Chavez & Justin Hamilton $11,000. 2nd. 36.18 on 3, Wade Erickson & Cole Erickson $8,240.3rd. 52.06 on 3, Daniel Dick & Bob Schaefer $5,500. 4th. 15.89 on 2, Chance Carlton & Weston Sandmann $2,740 #7.5 BIG GAMBLE 1st. 43.23 on 4, Tye Baker & Steven Bomar $7,620. 2nd. 55.59 on 4, Laura Pikop & Donn Paulson $4,580. 3rd. 57.69 on 4, Miguel Corral & Devan Kelly $3,040 #7.5 LAS VEGAS 1st. 45.95 on 4, Neal Wanless & Devan Kelly $5,080. 2nd. 47.83 on 4, Wade Erickson & Weston Sandmann $3,620. 3rd. 51.70 on 4, Wade Erickson & Ace Lowrance $2,760. 4th. 57.02 on 4, Chris Gronlund & Cody Moore $2,040. 5th. 64.84 on 4, Jered Sikes & Shawn Browning $1,020 Ty Yost’s High Rollers for Legends, December 5-11, 2023 (no Roping Sunday, Dec. 10). Everett Bowman Rodeo Arena, Wickenburg, AZ, Yost Events, Inc. TUESDAY, DEC. 5 #10.5 LEGENDS 1st. 37.73 on 4, Derek Reeves & Clay Keller $19,760. 2nd. 39.93 on 4, Tod Slone & William Evans $13,840. 3rd. 40.45 on 4, Will Ratliff & Harry Larson $10,540. 4th. 41.82 on 4, Rene Garcia & Tom McClure $7,900. 5th. 42.79 on 4, Mike McLean & Kip Hunter $5,920. #9.5 LEGENDS 1st. 41.25 on 4, Jeanne Gieck & Harry Larson $17,540. 2nd. 42.19 on 4, Clay Ryon McKinney & Alonso Rodriguez $12,240. 3rd. 44.72 on 4, Todd Rothleutner & Steve McDaniel $9,040. 4th. 50.12 on 4, Mike Baker & Preston Tatum $6,380. 5th. 51.08 on 4, Jim Bosworth & Carmine Nastri $4,780. #8.5 LEGENDS 1st. 43.51 on 4, Gordon Graham & Jeremy Ross $9,660. 2nd. 44.10 on 4, Jerry D. Gregory & Jerry Terrell $7,240. 3rd. 45.91 on 4, Charlie Quinn & Jim Allred $4,820. 4th. 49.28 on 4, Donna Nelson & Rob McLean $2,400. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 6 #13.5 LEGENDS 1st. 30.92 on 4, Jeff Todd & Phil Treadwell $16,760. 2nd. 31.24 on 4, Jaime Macias & Jason Hershberger $11,680. 3rd. 31.60 on 4, Boogie Ray & Wade Kreutzer $8,620. 4th. 31.63 on 4, Chris Bradford & Chase Gauger $6,10. 5th. 31.71 on 4, Chance Tynes & Dave Daube $4,560. #12.5 LEGENDS 1st. 33.88 on 4, Boogie Ray & Larry Cox $19,040. 2nd. 34.23 on 4, Allen Riney & Scott Adrian $13,340. 3rd. 34.32 on 4, Mitch Copps & Joe Rion $10,160. 4th. 35.29 on 4, Dale Shiflett & Phil Treadwell $7,600. 5th. 35.64 on 4, Cayle Lazor & Nick Pullara $5,720. THURSDAY, DEC. #13.5 LEGENDS 1st. 30.57 on 4, Casey Gattis & Sterling Price $20,420. 2nd. 30.65 on 4, Russ Treadwell & Phil Treadwell $14,300. 3rd. 31.43 on 4, John Samsill & Chad L. Smith $10,880. 4th. 31.58 on 4, Colt Braden & Doyle Scrivner $8,160. 5th. 31.70 on 4, Boogie Ray & Wade Kreutzer $6,120 #12.5 HIGH ROLLER 1st. 29.91 on 4, Shane Paschal & Justin Hughes $32,240. 2nd. 30.89 on 4, Kylie McLean & Jake Barnes $22,560. 3rd. 31.13 on 4, Jeff Kanady & Randy Lewis $17,180. 4th. 31.36 on 4, John Morrow & Kyle Pratz $12,880. 5th. 32.16 on 4, Russell Cunningham & Phil Treadwell $9,660. FRIDAY, DEC. 8 #11.5 LEGENDS 1st. 33.68 on 4, Joe Burk Higgins & Joel Wengert $16,120. 2nd. 34.97 on 4, Caleb Davis & Steen Schumacher $11,240. 3rd. 35.16 on 4, Cutter Holt & Dale Lackey $8,300. 4th. 36.64 on 4, Mark Bohac & Lynn Thornton $5,860. 5th. 36.70 on 4, Roy Wasson & Shawn Belknap $4,400 #10.5 LEGENDS 1st. 34.45 on 4, Jordan Kircher & John H Bassett $16,960. 2nd. 37.73 on 4, Scott Smith & Justen Nokes $11,880. 3rd. 40.69 on 4, Ken Winn & Radar Shepherd $9,040. 4th. 41.39 on 4, Lucas Hogue & Dale Lackey $6,780. 5th. 42.62 on 4, Brad Thrash & Mark Keimig $5,080. #9.5 LEGENDS 1st. 38.50 on 4, Paul Crowe & William Evans $17,460. 2nd. 39.02 on 4, Josh Smart & Troy Pickett $12,160. 3rd. 42.50 on 4, Dave Moss & Nicholas Baldwin $9,000. 4th. 43.12 on 4, Coby LittleSoldier & Bob Stellflug $6,360. 5th. 43.85 on 4, Shane Chesson & Jeff Lognion $4,760 SATURDAY, DEC. 9 #9.5 HIGH ROLLER 1st. 36.57 on 4, Willy Hicks & Bailey Burress $24,560. 2nd. 38.15 on 4, Hardy McMillan & Pat Cullen $17,560. 3rd. 44.23 on 4, Joe Gallegos & Dan Dalton $13,340. 4th. 45.83 on 4, Ray Garcia & Preston Tatum $9,820. 5th. 48.03 on 4, Coby LittleSoldier & Troy Pickett $4,920 #8.5 LEGENDS 1st. 41.89 on 4, Rene Garcia & Billy Ray Williams $13,740. 2nd. 42.52 on 4, Jay Lovitt & Bailey Burress $9,800. 3rd. 42.59 on 4, Raz Ramon & Steve Murdock $7,460. 4th. 46.93 on 4, Smokey Staal & Earl Higgins $5,500. 5th. 59.29 on 4, Gabe Volf & Clay McKinney $2,740 #7.5 LEGENDS 1st. 56.54 on 4, Gene Small & David Culbreth $7,260. 2nd. 57.37 on 4, Linn Churchill & Eddie Willrich $4,360. 3rd. 40.75 on 3, Jerry D. Gregory & Alex Phillips $2,900 MONDAY, DEC. 11 #9.5 LEGENDS 1st. 41.11 on 4, Brandy Lloyd & Robin Bland $13,980. 2nd. 44.88 on 4, Travis Rice & Jim Allred $9,980. 3rd. 45.31 on 4, Dave Browder & Tee Cee Wills $7,600. 4th. 47.00 on 4, Brad Thrash & Cory Lloyd $5,600. 5th. 51.54 on 4, David Carrillo & Leon Mounyo $2,800 #8.5 LEGENDS 1st. 50.45 on 4, Mike Hannon & Terry Boydstun $13,740. 2nd. 51.39 on 4, Sid Savage & Tony Sandoval $9,800. 3rd. 51.43 on 4, Craig Calkins & Ricky Oliver $7,460. 4th. 51.75 on 4, Rick Gravell & Ross Sims $5,500. 5th. 52.78 on 4, Mike Hannon & Daryl Medeiros $2,740 #7.5 LEGENDS 1st. 46.92 on 4, Laura Pikop & Ricky Oliver $7,720. 2nd. 48.26 on 4, Jim Anderson & Russell Holden $5,800. 3rd. 49.67 on 4, Cory Lloyd & David Culbreth $3,860. 4th. 54.40 on 4, Brandon Luce & John Copeland $1,940. Las Vegas at Dynamite, December 2, 2023, Cave Creek, AZ, Yost Events, Inc. (no #12.5 due to high team counts) #16.5 HIGH ROLLER 1st. 27.43 on 4, Garett Chick & Lane Siggins $18,600. 2nd. 27.63 on 4, James Arviso & Tucker White $13,040. 3rd. 27.72 on 4, Tyler Tryan & Michael Eugenio Calmelat $9,940. 4th. 27.80 on 4, Trevor Hale & LJ Yeahquo $7,440. 5th. 28.37 on 4, Peyton Walters & Reno Stoebner $5,580. #15.5 HIGH ROLLER 1st. 27.60 4, Gabe Williams & Cutter Thomison $25,680. 2nd. 27.83 4, Michael CalmelSee YOST EVENTS LAS VEGAS WEEK On Page 32
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 ROPERS SPORTS NEWS PAGE 9
PAGE 10 ROPERS SPORTS NEWS JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 PURCHASE ONLINE AT WSTROPING.COM OR USTRC.COM FOR SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS! All the benefits of the Key Card bundled with Free Video Streaming of the CINCH USTRC NFTR and the Ariat WSTR Finale, Double WSTR Finale Accumulated Earnings, plus annual memberships to both USRoper Roadside Service and Roping.com’s Training Platform. VISIT WSTRoping.com, USTRC.com, USRoper.com & Roping.com FOR DETAILS! For More Information: WSTRoping.com OR Call 505-898-1755 Or USTRC.com OR Call 505-899-1870 KEY CARD MAX MAXIMIZE YOUR BENEFITS! DOUBLE DOWN IN 2024 KEY CARD & DUAL MEMBERSHIP CARD THE PREMIER MEMBERSHIP ACCEPTED AT WSTR, USTRC, NFTR EARNINGS EVENTS & MOST ARENAS IN THE COUNTRY ADVANTAGE + ADVANTAGE ROPING DISCOUNTS
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PAGE 12 ROPERS SPORTS NEWS JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 TWade taking one of two victory laps aboard his head horse Spur. . – PRCA ProRodeo Photo by Hailey Rae Thorp roped his way to his second heeling world title in 2023. – PRCA ProRodeo Photo by Click Thompson WNFR Team Roping... From Page 1 TWade and Thorp finished third in the average with 58.9 seconds on nine head. – PRCA ProRodeo Photo by Click Thompson throughout the year. When I won it in 2019, Cody and I had the same amount of money won. Mine and TWade’s money wasn’t even the same this year, but we got to win it together, which added to the excitement of this one,” said Thorp, 28, a Throckmorton, Texas native who now calls Stephenville home with his wife, Susanna, and sons, Matthew, 6, and Charlie, 4. “The other thing about this one compared to 2019 was I came into the NFR in the lead versus being a good bit further down. I hoped to win it in 2019, but I really didn’t even expect it. To go in with the lead isn’t like a huge advantage relative to how much can be won there, but it was kind of mine to lose. I didn’t put extra pressure on myself just because of that position, and just wanted to focus on doing the best I could on each steer. But I was a little curious about how it would hit me when I got there.” Another significant storyline outside of the world championships is, of course, Clint Summers and Jake Long’s dominant display over the 10 rounds, winning or splitting four gorounds, and placing in six total en route to finishing fifth in the average and being the winningest NFR team ropers with $182,517 (all NFR money totals include the $10,000 each contestant received upon arrival for qualifying). The other storyline, maybe the most raw and emotionally riveting, was Arizonans Derrick Begay and Colter Todd being the only team to catch 10 steers (in 69 seconds flat) to win the NFR average title. This one may have the most to unpack. Where to start, that the best friends cracked out on a whim? Or that Todd hadn’t rodeoed since making threestraight NFR appearances as a header from 2006 to 2008? I’d say it’s that this team making the NFR and capping it off with the average win was a truly authentic byproduct of two best friends doing what they love together. They won or placed in four rounds (split Round 7 three ways), won $131,010 in 10 rounds and finished fourth and third in the world standings, respectively. “I can’t put it into words in a few words. The only thing I can say is it was never planned. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t like we had no plan and just showed up and won the average. But some guys like to golf or hunt together. Some like to go to town at night and hang out together. We’re friends, and that’s where this all started, from a friendship,” said Begay, 40, who lives in Seba Dalkai, Arizona, with his wife, Justine, and 4-year-old daughter, Brindle Mae. “He (Todd) loves ranching, and I like living off the land and we like all that. When we talk, it’s easy to have a conversation about anything. When we’re driving along, we’re talking about ranches, wondering who built what corral when, how they gather off this place and stuff like that. All the rodeoing we did, and I never needed a break. This is the most fun I’ve ever had.” The pureness of this story is so organic, and far from scripted. “I’ve always been addicted to roping, and probably always will be. I don’t do it every day, because I like to do other things, too. But I love the atmosphere of being at the rodeo, and riding in the box for competition. Rodeo took a backseat five or seven years ago for me, but it’s always back there,” said Begay, who has roped at 10 NFRs. “I’m always going to go, so when I wanted to rope with Colter at the (Turquoise) circuit rodeos, I asked him and he said, ‘Alright.’ Colter has a lot of responsibilities—a wife, kids and a ranch. When I asked him to throw rodeo in the mix, that’s a lot. To pull Colter away from his house, I figured I better not waste his time. But we did good enough that it was worth it.” Colter, the family-man rancher and now NFR switchender, shares the sentiment of not knowing how to sum it all up as he reflects on what exactly he and Begay just accomplished. “The trouble is, I don’t know how to feel. I still don’t know. The whole deal isn’t a good, normal story. The whole point is that we didn’t set out working for this, or even dreaming of this. We never, not one time, game-planned for the Finals or talked about what we were going to do. Even at the Finals, we never talked about roping as far as a team making a plan. What we had wasn’t even like roping with a partner, but rather just like friends. It would be like going hunting with your best friend, and just seeing what happened,” said Todd, who ranches around Willcox with his wife, Carly; 18-year-old daughter, Madilyn; 15-year-old son, Colter Lee; and 14-year-old son, Traven. “I think we have the confidence that we know what the other is thinking. We were there to enjoy the moment, the whole thing from start to finish, more than you ever would, because it wasn’t ‘supposed to happen.’ We just went out there to purely rope for the love of the game. I still don’t know what to think about all of it, I’m still trying to live in that moment,” said Todd, who turned 40 on January 3. “Last year was so fun it was unreal, and compared to when I made it heading, I had no expectations this time. You obviously have expectations for what you want to do when you start your day, but there’s a difference in having that and the reality or knowledge to know— who knows? I hate saying the See WNFR TEAM ROPING on Page 14
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 ROPERS SPORTS NEWS PAGE 13
PAGE 14 ROPERS SPORTS NEWS JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 to end.’ Going into 2024, I just want to continue to make a living roping. I don’t want to lose that perspective that we’re getting to do exactly what we want to be doing,” said Wade, who’s now a 6-time NFR veteran. So, how about those backto-back 3-second runs that ultimately set them up to catch in Round 10 for the world championship? “It was so cool to tie the record. I bought the steer, and I’m going to rope him until he slows down enough to let Weston rope him. In the moment, we didn’t enjoy it like we probably would have if we were out of the average, and just going for go-rounds, because we were so focused on the next steer,” said TWade, who rode his reserve AQHA/ PRCA Head Horse of the Year Espuelo Bro, better known as Spur. “The coolest run to me was the one we were 3.5 on. The 3.3 just came together, but we were last out in the ninth round, and we were watching the round shape up. Four flat was last hole, and we needed to win $20,000 more in the rounds than anybody else in contention and hold our spot in the average to secure the world title. I looked over at Wesley and said, ‘We have to get it tonight or tomorrow night, so we might as well try it on tonight.’ We had planned and prepared for it, and it worked out.” For Thorp, the record run was a huge morale boost heading into the final two nights. ESCALON LIVESTOCK MARKET Annual Recreational Roping Sale Sat., MARCH 9 12 noon Escalon Livestock Market • 25525 E. Lone Tree Rd., Escalon, CA 95320 Featuring Fresh & Ready To Rope Longhorn • Corriente • Steers • Heifers Also Selling Longhorn Pairs • Bred Cows • Breeding Stock - CONSIGNMENTS ARE APPRECIATED - If You Are A Buyer Of Roping Stock, You Don't Want To Miss This Event Please call for more information: Visit us on the web at: www.escalonlivestockmarket.com Michael Machado (209) 495-9208 Ben Martin (209) 329-1786 Val Mendes (209) 499-6606 Matt Morebeck (530) 615-8098 Joe Vieira (209) 531-4156 Offi ce (209) 838-7011 3 x 8 Jan/Feb2024 TWade spinning one to win Round 9 in 3.5 seconds. – PRCA ProRodeo Photo by Clay Guardipee WNFR Team Roping... From Page 12 Begay roped at his 10th NFR in 2023. – PRCA ProRodeo Photo by Hailey Rae word ‘blessed,’ because I feel like it’s a word that is thrown around when something good happens. But blessed is about the best word I can think of. It’s cool to have a trinket that says NFR average champion, too.” So, will the whirlwind of Begay and Todd continue? “We entered the winter rodeos. Will this story happen again? Probably not. We wanted this, but didn’t know if we could do it. These guys rope so good, it’s hard to win something. To win enough to make the Finals is something. It was never said between us that we could make the Finals. People would say it, and we’d laugh and kind of ignore it. You always wonder, but I’m not going to lie, I didn’t think we were good enough together. I don’t think our families even believe this happened,” laughed Begay. “We entered Denver, but didn’t get up right, so we’re not going. We’ll go to Fort Worth, San Antonio, Houston and after that who knows. If my career ended today, I’d be fine, but don’t know how you can top this roping with Colter.” Todd’s just soaking it all in as it comes. “I don’t really know. I haven’t gotten to heel at the winter rodeos before, so that’ll be fun to get to go to those this year. Begay hasn’t said anything, and I haven’t asked, so I don’t think anything has changed from last year to this year. We’ll see where God leads us and no harm, no foul if we don’t go again, if it’s not supposed to be.” The ride of 2023 is one the world champs, TWade and Thorp, don’t want to end, either. On their way to strapping on the gold buckles, the two tied the world and NFR record of 3.3 seconds to win Round 8. They followed that up with a 3.5-second, Round-9-winning run, and finished third in the average with 58.9 seconds on nine steers. They parlayed their efforts to $153,141 in NFR earnings alone. “After the Finals, we won the jackpot in Texarkana on the last day of 2023, and I told Thorp, ‘I don’t want this year See WNFR TEAM ROPING on Page 16
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 ROPERS SPORTS NEWS PAGE 15 Fri., March 1st 10:00am HISTORIC CATTLE DRIVE MARCH 1-2-3, 2024 Fairgrounds Indoor Arena • Chowchilla, CA For More Information On Chowchilla Stampede, Call Leon Ragsdale 209-604-3765 or Shane Barnes 559-341-4914 67th Annual $5,000 ADDED To 8-Steer Ropings ($2,500 Each 8 Steer) • BUCKLES TO 8 STEER AVERAGE WINNERS • BREAST COLLARS TO 4 STEER AVERAGE WINNERS SAT., MARCH 9 Chowchilla Western Stampede BARREL RACE $10,000 Added in Dan Branco Memorial Open $3,000 Added in Dean Flenniken Memorial Futurity $1,000 Added in Dean Flenniken Memorial Derby $15,000 Added in Tomorrow’s Legends Eligible SUN., MARCH 10 $1,500 Added in Open FRIDAY, MARCH 8th Time Only’s Noon - 5pm For More Info Contact: Kathy Branco (559) 250-9028 will be on site all weekend Co-Sanction WPRA, Triple 777, NSBRA, Outlaw SAT., MARCH 2nd SU 8am, Rope 9am Will start the first 4-Steer of #10, followed by 1st 4-steer of the #7 8 STEER ROPING #10½ Pick (No Hdcp.) ..........................8 for $200 #7 Hdcp. Down Pick ....................... 8 for $200 8-Steer with two inside 4-Steers • Everyone gets 1st & 5th steer Handicap after 3rd and 7th steer in the #7 Hdcp. ACTRA Members Only All Week Dress Code All Weekend: Cowboy Hat or No Hat Collared Shirt ★ ★ ★ All Ropings CASH ONLY! 1/3 Cattle FRIDAY, MARCH 1 SU 6:00, Rope 7pm $1,000 ADDED BUCKLES TO AVERAGE WINNERS #7½ Hdcp. Pick 1, Draw 1 Or Draw All ..3 for $50 15 Second Cut-Off On First Steer • Go Three Times GREAT PRIZELINE THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND SUNDAY, MARCH 10 Following Barrel Race; Not To Start Before 2pm Free GYMKHANA age 17 & under Helmets Required; We Have Helmets Available. Western Attire Dress Code SUNDAY, MARCH 3 SU 8am, Rope 9am $1,000 ADDED IN EACH ROPING BUCKLES TO AVERAGE WINNERS PLUS OTHER AWARDS #6 Hdcp. Up/Down.................. 3 for $40 #5½ Hdcp. Down ....................3 for $40 #4½ Roping............................. 3 for $40 ADDED MONEY FOR THE WEEKEND! Facebook page: Chowchilla Western Stampede Barrel Race 2024 Stalls Available All Weekend DUMMY ROPING SATURDAY, MARCH 2 Sign Up 12pm; Rope 1pm Age groups: 5 yrs. & under; 6-9 yrs. CHANCE CAUDLE BUCKLES TO AVERAGE WINNERS; PRIZES TO 2ND & 3RD Donated by V7 Roping Cattle • All Ropings Progressive After One • V7 Roping Cattle by Eric Cozzitorto Sunday Ropings Pick 1, Draw 1 Or Draw All Chowchilla Western Stampede
PAGE 16 ROPERS SPORTS NEWS JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 feeling. I was just going to rope, and hope it was good enough. I was genuinely not worried about anything other than my job, rather than worrying about what everybody else was doing. I didn’t want to run over myself; to just be in the barrier and rope the cow in the same spot as practicing,” said TWade. “It’s one thing at Cheyenne if you have to be 9 versus 19, but there is no changing anything there (at the Thomas & Mack). I told Wesley that even if we had to be 60 seconds, I was going to take two swings and head the steer. It’s better for me to not play it so safe at the barrier that you bounce them off the stripping chute or lose your rope or something.” Thorp was thrilled with their execution in that moment for all the chips. “It can be intimidating night to night, because you have a gameplan. But when 4 flat is winning last on any given night, and you’re four teams away, it’s easy for audibles to slip into your mind. Our plan in the 10th round was to not overthink it. TWade wanted to stay aggressive at the barrier, and keep the steer moving. I wanted to get around him, and take my first best shot when I saw the chance. Basically, be aggressive in how I rode, but not take a blind throw. It felt like the perfect mix of controlled, but not being too safe,” said Thorp, who has heeled at eight-consecutive NFRs. “We practiced that run so much all year, and when we were at home practiced having to catch in Round 10 to win the world. We told ourselves that a lot getting ready, so it was fun to see those runs we made work out there.” Begay and Todd caught all 10 steers to win the NFR team roping average. Resort World’s Luke Trusty, left, and Montana Silversmiths’ Judy Wagner presenting. . – PRCA ProRodeo Photo by Roseanna Sales WNFR Team Roping... From Page 14 Todd heeling their Round 7 steer to split the win three ways with Clint Summers and Jake Long, and Clay Smith and Paden Bray. – PRCA ProRodeo Photo by Hailey Rae “We had a gameplan of our run out there, and kept telling ourselves to stick with it. No matter what, we were committed to it. The night of Round 8, TWade texted me, ‘What’s the fastest you’ve ever been here?’ It made me laugh thinking he’s about to go fast, but it was huge momentum and took a load off. It makes you forget about anything that hadn’t gone great earlier in the week,” said Thorp, who rode his 15-yearold black horse, RayJay. “The first rounds were OK, and then we had some tough rounds and I missed one. But it seemed like every night when we went to run our steer, the ball was pretty well in our court. We didn’t get in a longshot position, so we knew if we just did what we could do, we’d be fine.” Knowing what you can or need to do is one thing. Executing in that moment is another. When Round 10 rolled around, and TWade and Thorp were last to rope, a catch would seal the deal. “Wesley knew all the numbers, but I just kind of had a 47th Annual BFI Set For Easter Weekend In Guthrie GUTHRIE, OKLA, – Wrangler BFI Week, which last year paid out a record $3.88 million, is scheduled for March 28 through April 3, 2024, in Guthrie, Oklahoma. It’s anchored by the 47th annual Bob Feist Invitational (BFI) on Saturday, March 30, which alone boasts a $650,000 purse. And this year, producers are adding lucrative barrel racing and steer roping jackpots inside the Lazy E just after BFI Week. The Hooey Junior 10.5 (capped at 6 heelers) and Hooey Junior Open ropings each get their own day to kick things off March 28-29. Last year, Levi James and Garrett Hughes out-roped nearly 400 teams in the Jr. 10.5 to split a cool $50,000 cash plus huge array of prizes. And on Friday morning, the toughest teenaged ropers in the country – future BFI contestants – will rope under similar conditions to the Open ropers. The Junior Open is followed by the annual four-head 15.5, which last year saw a pair of college boys edge gold-buckle greats like Trevor Brazile and Matt Sherwood to split $60,000 cash and the legendary BFI prizeline. On Friday night, March 29, Edmond’s Hilton Garden Inn will host the annual BFI Dinner and Calcutta at 6 p.m. Then the 47th BFI kicks off at 9 a.m. Saturday morning with its customary long head start and six go-rounds for roughly 125 of the best teams in the world. In 2023, Curry Kirchner and Tyson Thompson bested the NFR crowd from fourth callback to split $160,000 cash. The following morning, Easter Sunday, starts with a church service pastored by Trey Johnson complete with a cowboy breakfast and Easter egg hunt. The 12.5 roping starts at 9 a.m. with $10,000 added. It paid out nearly a million dollars last year, including a whopping $200,000 cash to Texans Treyton Peterson and Lance Sippy, who won it from seventh callback. On April 1, the long-established 11.5 Businessman’s roping offers a 10.5 Incentive that guarantees $7,500 to champs, plus a three-steer consolation round. It will be followed by the 10.5 Over 40 (capped at 6 heelers), with $10,000 added. Last year, Tooter Silver and Cole Mott of Kansas, Oklahoma came tight on that win to split $108,000. The 9.5Over-40 (capped at 5 heelers) is scheduled for April 2 (it paid the champs $100,000 cash last year), followed by the 8, which offers a 7 Incentive and is pickor-draw and capped at 4.5 heelers (the Incentive is capped at 4 heelers). The All-Girl ropings wrap things up on Wednesday, April 3 (last year, Whitney DeSalvo went home with $14,000 cash and Sarah Angelone with $16,000). The pick-and-draw, enter twice team roping is progressive after two steers with a 9.5 Incentive on three head that pays at least $7,500 to win. Finally, the All-Girl Breakaway contains an 18-and-Under Incentive and starts at 1 p.m. Producers of BFI Week (Ullman Peterson Events) planned at press time to also host a big barrel race on April 4-5, and on Heeler Whitney DeSalvo (right) won her fifth Charlie 1 Horse team roping championship in six years, this time with Kenzie Kelton of Mayer, Arizona, during 2023 BFI Week. – Andersen CBarC Photo April 6 they’ll put on the first stand-alone steer roping in over a decade at the Lazy E – with $10,000 added. Pre-entries for BFI Week need to be postmarked by March 1, 2024, but all ropings except The Feist can also be entered on-site with a $100 late fee per team. To download entries and find more details, visit BFI (bfiweek.com).
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 ROPERS SPORTS NEWS PAGE 17 ALL ROPINGS ARE 80% PAYBACK ON PAID TEAMS AND $350 PER MAN. ENTER 3X PICK OR DRAW 4 STEER PROGRESSIVE AFTER 1 unless stated otherwise. CASH OR CREDIT CARD ONLY NO PRE-ENTRIES. Will run two arenas when needed. Regular barrier on all ropings on the 27th, 28th, and 29th. WS barrier on all other ropings. Winners of each roping except open will be allowed to enter the 2024 BFI Week ropings in Guthrie with the late fee waived. Jr ropings are under 19 as of Jan 1, 2024. Global Handicaps only. A current WSTR, USTRC, KEY CARD or KEY CARD MAX membership is required. Memberships may be purchased on-site before you rope, online at wstroping.com, or by phone at 505.898.1755. Producer reserves the right to make any and all necessary changes. 3001 General Pershing Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73107 9.5 OVER 40 CAPPED AT 5HL 8.5 OVER 40 $350/MAN ENTER 3X PICK OR DRAW 4 STEER PA 1 CAPPED AT 4.5HL 7 $350/MAN ENTER 3X PICK OR DRAW 3 STEER PA 1 CAPPED AT 4HL ALL-GIRL BREAKAWAY $400 ENTER 2X PA 2 ALL-GIRL TEAM ROPING $400 P1/D1 ENTER 3X EACH END. TOTAL OF 6 RUNS MON. APRIL 1 TUES. APRIL 2 10.5 JR ROPING $250/MAN ENTER 3X PICK OR DRAW 4 STEER PA 1 CAPPED AT 6HL 12.5 JR ROPING $250/MAN ENTER 3X PICK OR DRAW 4 STEER PA 1 11.5 JR TRAILER ROPING $150 P1/D1 OR DRAW UP TO 10. 2/3 CASH AND PRIZE PAYBACK ENTER 5X 12.5 $350/MAN ENTER 3X PICK OR DRAW 4 STEER PA 1. BE DONE IN TIME TO WATCH THE LAST TWO ROUNDS OF THE FEIST FREE BFI TICKET TO ALL WHO ENTER 3X. 11.5 CAPPED AT 7HL 10.5 CAPPED AT 6HL 9.5 OPEN $5,000 ADDED $750/MAN ENTER 2X WED. MARCH 27 FRI. MARCH 29 $350/MAN ENTER 3X PICK OR DRAW 4 STEER PA 1 CAPPED AT 5HL SAT. MARCH 30 SUN. MARCH 31 OPEN JR ROPING 16.5 JR ROPING 16.5 15.5 THUR. MARCH 28 $350/MAN ENTER 3X PICK OR DRAW 4 STEER PA 1 MARCH 27 - APRIL 2 Oklahoma City Fairgrounds During BFI Week! Produced by Jeff Smith & 3 Point Productions, and Ullman Peterson Events FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT JEFF SMITH 620.921.5903 SCOTT GAGE 660.868.1021 DAREN PETERSON 602.721.5027
PAGE 18 ROPERS SPORTS NEWS JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 8th Annual Average Joe Finals Held At Madonna Inn By Elly Leslie Average Joe Productions SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIF. – Our 8th annual Average Joe Finals were held at beautiful Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo. Thank you to the Pearce family for being the most welcoming hosts. We lucked out and had beautiful weather for our original date for the breakaway. The short round of this breakaway is the best we have ever seen! In the top 15, 10 of the runs were in the 2’s! It was so fun to watch. We ended up with 82 entries. Round 1: 1. Kaitlyn Anderson, 2.2, $600. 2. Adrienne Steffen 2.30 $300. Round 2: 1, Adrienne Steffen, 2.07, Average Joe jacket Fast Time in Short Round: Alissa Erickson, $300 Average: 1. Adrienne Steffen, 6.84, $2,780, custom rope can by Emerson Periera, Average Joe Jacket, Charlie 1 Horse Felt and Ultra Cruz Supplement. 2. Cayden Holland, 7.39, $1,900, Average Joe jacket, Cactus protective boots and Ultra Cruz Supplement. 3. Whitley Burgess, 7.72, $1,500, Average Joe jacket and Ultra Cruz Supplement. 4. Whitley Burgess, 7.78, $1,200, Cactus Rope and Ultra Cruz Supplement. 5. Haleigh Grant, 7.80, $800. We had high hopes the rain would hold off right up until the bitter end. We so badly wanted to keep our date, we knew everyone had traveled so far and made plans, but God had other plans. Unfortunately, we had to postpone the remainder of the ropings til Sunday the November 26. We are so blessed by these ropers who support us. So many are our close friends and they drove back and came and roped! We can’t tell you how much we appreciate the understanding and gratitude everyone showed us. We are proud to put on an event for these kinds of people. The 26th ended up being a beautiful day! We had 149 teams in the #10.5; payoffs are per man: 1st go: 1. Jose Machado and Francisco Cruz, 4.36, $700. 2. Owen Redfeairn and Edgar Machado, 4.81, $400. 3. Sergio Silva and Adrian Macias Sr., 5.24, $300. Average: 1. Ross Rivera and Colton White, 23.34, $2,300 + Best Ever Custom saddles and Ultra Cruz Supplement. 2. Sergio Silva and Adrian Macias Sr., 24.54, $1,920 + Molly Custom Buckle and Ultra Cruz Supplement. 3. Vince Nino and Tanner Patino, 26.89, $1,520 + Best Ever Pads and Ultra Cruz Supplement. 4. Vince Nino and Caleb Carpenter, 29.43, $1,120. 5. Jimmy Gardner and Jeremy Pinhero, 29.99, $720. 6. Haleigh Grant and Ryan Wheatley, 30.75, $40. We can’t thank our sponsors enough. We were excited to offer them the opportunity to rope in this NFR setup and had 66 teams in our sponsor roping. 1st go: 1. Keith Johnson and Tucker Donlon, 4.88, $100 + Cactus Ropes Average: 1. Fidel Ramirez (West Coast Auto) and Andy Holcomb (Cactus), 19.98, $300 + Average Joe jackets, Molly Custom Buckles, Cactus Boots and Ultra Cruz Supplement. 2. Meghann Pearce (Madonna Inn) and Clint Pearce (Madonna Inn), 25.81, $100 + Average Joe jackets and Ultra Cruz Supplement. 3. Tucker Robinson (Wittstrom Hay) and Chad Wittstrom (Wittstrom Hay), 25.53, + Cactus Ropes and Ultra Cruz Supplement. The Average Joe Open roping had 77 teams: 1st go: 1. Blake Texiera and Spencer Mitchell, 4.39, $1,000 Lane Karney (r) and Jason Johe won the Average Joe Open roping for $1,000 plus Average Joe jackets, BullKelp bedrolls, Resistol hat certificates and Best Ever pads. + Average Joe jackets. 2. Lane Karney and Jason Johe, 4.62, $500. 2nd go: 1. Lane Karney and Dalton Pearce, 3.74, $1,000 + Average Joe jackets. 2. Lane Karney and Mark Scobie, 4.09, $500. 3rd go: 1. Lane Karney and Jason Johe, 4.25, $1,000 + Average Joe jackets. 2. Blake Texeira and Andy Holcomb, 4.64, $500. Average: 1. Lane Karney and Jason Johe, 19.10, $4,120 + BullKelp bedrolls, Resistol hats, Best Ever pads and Average Joe jackets. 2. Jose Machado and Edgar Machado, 20.44, $3,100 + Best Ever Pads. 3. Andy Holcomb and Jake Bourdet, 21.02, $2,060 + Cactus boots. 4. Cutter Machado an Jason Johe, 21.93, $1,030 + Yetis. Top Head Horse: “Jake” ridden by Jose Machado; Top Heel Horse: “Butters” ridden by Dalton Pearce, both receiving BullKelp bedrolls and BullKelp horse blankets. Dummy roping winners were: Sterling Machado, 5 & under; Cooper Higgins, 6-9; and Kelton Martinez, 10-13. Thank you again to everyone who came and roped, came and watched and stuck with us through the rain. Thank you again to all our sponsors, we couldn’t have this event without you. Mark your calendars for next year, November 15-17, at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo. Danny Leslie (r) presents saddles to Ross Rivera and Colton White, winning the #10 roping at the Average Joe Finals. Adrienne Steffen was the winner of the Breakaway roping. Fidel Ramirez and Andy Holcomb won the sponsor roping at the Average Joe Finals. Cooper Higgins won the 6-9 Dummy Roping. Elly Leslie presenting. Dummy roping winners were: Sterling Machado, 5 & under; Cooper Higgins, 6-9; and Kelton Martinez, 10-13. Sterling Machado, 5 & under Dummy Roping winner. Jose Machado with Pete Ganibi from BullKelp bedrolls presenting for Top Head Horse of the Open. Dalton Pearce with Pete Ganibi presenting for Top Heel Horse of the Open.
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