LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – The World Series of Team Roping (WSTR) converged in Las Vegas for the Ariat WSTR Finale XV, Dec. 4-11, 2021. For eight days ropers from around the world competed at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center for more than $14 million in cash and prizes.
After the 2020 cancellation due to COVID-19, ropers returned with the same enthusiasm as they have for the last 15 years. Champions were crowned in eight major Finale divisions from the Open down to the #8.5. Friday, Dec. 10, marked the richest divisional roping in history when the #9.5 Ariat WSTR Finale XV paid out $2.26 million dollars plus prizes. Bud Swagel, from Dewey, Arizona, and Mike Foster, of San Tan Valley, Arizona, roped four steers in 35.65 seconds to finish first in the average, worth $352,000 cash payout.
“I’m not a guy who goes and makes 6- or 7-second runs,” Swagel said. “I told myself, ‘Just go out and go to your spot.’ Once we made the short round, I decided I wasn’t going to let any of this bother me—not the money, nothing. I’m going to go out there and rope every steer, look at my spot and handle my cattle. I had turned three steers in the #10.5 [Finale], so I was confident in that.
“The money is great,” Swagel added. “But winning this with Mike, the memories, that’s what this is all about.”
This year’s Ariat WSTR Finale added three more qualifying divisions for ropers to nab 2022 Finale spots and bank more money than ever while in Las Vegas. The additional lineup included a $192,000 #13.5 Ariat Heartland and a $223,200 #11.5 Ariat Heartland. Lastly, the #14.5 Bloomer Qualifier Series division was the first of its kind—designed to pair a higher-fees event with the high caliber of the Bloomer brand—and it paid out some $123,000, including a first-place check of $28,000 to Montana’s Miles Kobold and Texas’s John Folmer for their time of 28.54 seconds on four head.
“We kicked the Bloomer Roping series off in Las Vegas to highlight the quality of the roping we aspire to create,” Ty Yost, WSTR president, said. “Going forward, any producer can have one Bloomer Roping per event, and that producer can designate which division that is. It’s a high-quality product for ropers in every division, with higher fees and a higher reward.
Over the course of the last two years, team roping has remained a constant—a sport that can thrive and adapt even in the toughest of times. Thousands of amateur team ropers once again vied for incredible payouts and recreational ropers from many walks of life filled their pockets—already looking forward to converging once again for the Ariat WSTR Finale XVI in Las Vegas, Dec 3-11, 2022.
About the WSTR: For the past 15 seasons World Series of Team Roping has strived to provide personal service to a small but influential group of ropers who share our philosophy of easier, smaller and richer ropings. For more information on the WSTR or to become a member visit wstroping.com Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/WorldSeriesOfTeamRoping and @wstroping on Instagram. Complete results at wstroping.com.
Riley Minor and Cory Petska won the Gold Buckle Beer Open roping and $77,000 in cash. – Andersen C Bar C Photography
Open To The World Finale: 5 for $2,000; Payout $267,000
Average: 1. Riley S. Minor and Cory Petska, 31.76, $77,000. 2. James Arviso and Cooper Freeman, 33.92, $55,000. 3. Garrett Rogers and Chris Young, 34.27, $42,000. 4. Cutter Machado and John Chaves, 36.14, $31,000. 5. Cash Fretwell and Jesse Hines, 37.66, $16,000.
#15.5 Finale: Payout $66,800
Average: 1. Chase Massengill and Aaron Shelley, 27.28, $21,500. 2. Colton Mize and Cole Carpenter, 28.6, $15,000. 3. Devon Johnson and Brayden Schmidt, 29.17, $11,200. 4. Justin Fowden and Hagen Peterson, 29.23, $7,900. 5. Blake Bowler and Jory M. Levy, 29.32, $6,000. 6. Kyle Roberts and James Gililland, 29.63, $4,000.
#14.5 Qualifier: Payout $123,300
Average: 1. Miles Kobold and John Folmer, 28.54, $28,000. 2. Megan E. Gunter and Clay Elkington, 29.78, $21,000. 3. Davin Booty and Wayne Folmer, 30.38, $15,000. 4. Joel Colgrove and Dave Daube, 30.59, $12,000. 5. Kyle Roberts and Wade Masters, 30.78, $11,000. 6. Dixon Winn and Dean Salyer, 30.8, $9,700. 7. Coda Myers and Gabe Williams, 30.9, $7,300. 8. Darrel Norcutt and Clint Felton, 32.07, $6,100. 9. John English and Sterlin English, 32.19, $4,800. 10. Rod Doggett and Gralyn Elkins, 32.44, $3,600. 11. Cash Fretwell and Samson Jackson, 32.55, $3,600.
David McCallister and Pedro Maestas won the #14.5 Priefert Finale and a payout of $150,000. – Andersen C Bar C Photography
#14.5 Finale: Payout $836,000
Average: 1. David McCallister and Pedro Maestas, 28.41, $150,000. 2. Tyler Tryan and Denton Parish, 29.21, $114,000. 3. Jaxon Booth and Colton, Brittain, 29.47, $80,000. 4. Radley Day and Britt Williams, 30.35, $58,000. 5. Bobby Baize and Kevin Lozares, 30.88, $54,000. 6. Micah Smith and Levi Garcia, 30.9, $48,000. 7. Kaden Profili and Jayse Tettenhorst, 31.42, $40,000. 8. John English and James Gililland, 31.64, $34,000. 9. Mason Johnson and Billy Lam, 32.01, $28,000. 10. Caroline Taylor and Bode Baize, 32.03, $28,000. 11. Rook Rawls and Jory M. Levy, 32.28, $20,000. 12. Lee Griggs and Kory Bramwell, 32.39, $20,000. 13. Jimmy Ruiz and Quisto Lopez, 32.69, $10,000. 14. Michael Snooks and Clancey Kreutzer, 34.06, $10,000. 15. Isaac Gholson and Daniel Reed, 35.19, $6,000. 16. Ricky Gonzalez and Romeo Moreno, 35.91, $6,000. 17. Ken Matheson and Daylan Frost, 21.11 on 3, $6,000. 18. Carson Brown and Jordan Allyn, 22.35, $6,000. 19. Calvin H. Taylor and Calvin Taylor, 23.67, $6,000. 20. Bobby Marsh and Jake South, 23.8, $6,000. 21. Luis A. Azua and JD Holland, 24.68, $6,000. 22. Chick Wilfong and boogie Ray, 24.71, $6,000. 23. Juan Gonzalez and JR Gonzales, 25.09, $6,000. 24. Tico Aguilera and Lightning Aguilera, 25.24, $6,000.
#13.5 Heartland: Payout $192,000
Average: 1. Clayton Johnson and Justin Price, 29.27, $41,000. 2. Richard Newton and Josh Patton, 30.6, $28,000. 3. Shad Beebe and Travis Ericsson, 32.36, $21,800. 4. Coby LittleSoldier and Tanner Baldwin, 32.83, $17,200. 5. Shaysea Alba and Levi Gallego, 33.14, $14,000. 6. Ray Siggins and Cesar Ochoa, 33.18, $11,000. 7. Junior Cervantes and Walker Harris, 33.24, $9,300. 8. Joe Beaver and Rusty Barnett, 33.53, $7,800. 9. Bobby Marsh and Charles Tenorio Jr., 33.62, $6,200. 10. Justin Reininger and Dean Salyer, 34.85, $5,200.
#13.5 Yeti Finale winners Clay Acuna and Johnny Salvo. – Andersen C Bar C Photography
#13.5 Finale: Payout $1,168,000
Average: 1. Clay Acuna and Johnny Salvo 29.72, $206,000. 2. Travis Nickolson and Guy Chomistek, 30.34, $160,000. 3. Teddy Kreger and Wesley Barlow, 30.37, $112,000. 4. B Rad Lands and Boogie Ray, 30.41, $86,000. 5. Chance Cherry and Sam Garside, 31.39, $74,000. 6. Richard Newton and Josh Patton, 31.57, $66,000. 7. Granger Insco and Tanner Nall, 31.78, $56,000. 8. Erik Jackson and Timothy Rutar, 32.37, $47,000. 9. Daren Sims and Jessy Remsburg, 32.43, $38,000. 10. Caroline Taylor and Calvin Taylor, 32.78, $38,000. 11. Cody Graham and Chantz Banks, 33.12, $29,000. 12. Ray Siggins and Cesar Ochoa, 33.26, $29,000. 13. Francisco Cruz and Dugan Kelly, 33.49, $10,000. 14. Cassidy Boggs and Cody Tew, 36.29, $10,000. (Payout for 15th-28th place was $6,000) 15. Richard Nolen and Ernie D. Bacon, 36.32 16. Clay Deen and Cooper Robertson, 36.81. 17. Kyle Roberts and Ellis Yates, 36.82. 18. Tyler Riggan and Chase Massengill, 37.27. 19. Bailey Kretschmer and Casey Cummins, 37.78. 20. Jim Estill and Bill Finks, 38.42. 21. Zach Crofoot and Boby Roberts, 39.69. 22. Garett Smith and Jeff Wadman, 21.67. 23. Dustin Garcia and Jake Cobb, 22.2. 24. Ryan Readmond and Zalin Arritola, 22.27. 25. Lou Stuart and Cody H. Christensen, 22.45. 26. Robert W. Murphy and Rob Black, 24.9. 27. Bob Herrington and Reno Gonzales, 26.16. 28. Colby Simmons and James Hicks, 26.19.
Winners of the #12.5 Ariat Finale roping were Copie Dickson and Shane McCall, who took home $228,000 and a host of great awards. – Andersen C Bar C Photography
#12.5 Finale: Payout $1,478,000
Average: 1. Copie Dickson and Shane McCall, 29.66, $228,000. 2. Lance Horner and Coy Thompson, 30.54, $176,000. 3. Josh Johnson and Kent Haley, 31.36, $125,000. 4. Matthew Sanchez and Tyson Charley, 31.54, $94,000. 5. Shaysea Alba and Jason Olson, 31.83, $84,000. 6. Kolton Sena and Mando Honne, 31.96, $72,000. 7. Cooper Bradshaw and Cache Burnside, 32.05, $62,000. 8. David Lee and Daniel Raynor, 32.4, $52,000. 9. Jay Guerrero and Gene Curtis, 32.74, $42,000. 10. Erik Becenti and Dennison Boone, 32.92, $42,000. 11. Scott Early and Jayson Jonovich, 33.03, $31,000. 12. Caroline Taylor and Barry Gentry, 33.04, $31,000. 13. Wade Woodbury and Cody Mirabal, 33.08, $20,000. 14. Matthew Barnes and Milton Aguilera, 33.65, $18,000. 15. Shoncey Charlie and Zane Dansie, 33.74, $16,000. 16. Caleb Woodard and Carter Taylor, 33.76, $14,000. 17. Cody Hodges and Eric Williams, 34.33, $13,000. 18. Zurick Labrier and Marty Nicholson, 34.46, $12,000. 19. John Hawks and Jason Devore, 34.48, $11,500. 20. JW Baucom and Clint Humphries, 36.23, $11,500. 21. B Rad Lands and Chad Williams, 36.96, $10,800. 22. Terry Kitchens and Ashton Walden, 37.0, $10,600. 23. Clark Holder and Jase Holder, 37.42, $10,400. 24. Chance Hanna and Brent Mays, 37.67, $10,200. 25. John English and Chance Kiehne, 38.17, $10,000. 26. Jason Foegelle and James Tettenhorse, 38.35, $9,800. 27. Jed Bohmbach and Bill Beard, 46.21, $9,600. 28. Zac Watson and Chantz Banks, 23.28 on 3, $9,400. 29. Justin Franks and Aaron Shelley, 24.04, $9,200. 30. Connor McNenny and Dakota Callicoat, 24.09, $9,000. (Payout for 31st-40th place was $6,000.)
#11.5 Heartland: Payout $223,200
Average: 1. Afton Vititow and Shane McCall, 29.76, $42,500 2. Garrett Watley and KiKi Navarrete, 32.84, $32,700. 3. Richard Nolen and Mark Vinson, 33.02, $23,000. 4. Shaun Ebert and Keith Jacobs, 33.41, $17,500. 5. Jamie Anthony and Cody Stewart, 33.54, $15,500. 6. Randy Taylor and Shayne Bishop, 33.96, $13,500. 7. Oscar Martinez and Gerardo Gonzalez, 34.0, $11,600. 8. Bobby Boyd and Shane Decker, 34.25, $9,600. 9. Brandon Cordova and Kyon Cluff, 34.26, $7,700. 10. Craig Moore and Tee Woolman, 34.37, $7,700. 11. Sam Stephens and Cleat Stephens, 34.4, $5,700. 12. Bobby Albertson and Cache Burnside, 34.5, $5,700.
#11.5 Priefert Finale winners were Joshua Comeaux and Rickey DeCuir, taking home $260,000 plus awards. – Andersen C Bar C Photography
#11.5 Finale: Payout $1,689,000
Average: 1. Joshua Comeaux and Rickey DeCuir, 31.52, $260,000. 2. Kyle Dalgliesh and Brenda Fisk, 32.87, $200,000. 3. Jim Randle and Teddy Nobles, 33.71, $142,000. 4. Shawn Felton and Dean Martin, 33.88, $106,000. 5. Clarence Sanchez and Milnor Lucero, 34.42, $95,000. 6. Chantz Banks and Sean Kirk Thomas, 34.69, $83,000. 7. JR Shafer and Cody Taton, 34.93, $71,000. 8. LaRae Branham and Ken Matheson, 35.09, $59,000. 9. Kyle Carlson and Shay Walters, 35.56, $47,000. 10. Victor Garcia and Luis Guerra Jr., 36.13, $47,000. 11. Shaneece Coffman and Jim Coffman, 36.48, $35,000. 12. Kevin Huddleston and Waide Jewell, 36.54, $35,000. 13. Chuck Thomson and Chase Runge, 36.58, $20,000. 14. Scott Burleson and James Tettenhorse, 37.05, $18,000. 15. Erica Krantz and Seth Jordan, 37.24, $16,000. 16. GR Carter Jr. and Clint Humphries, 37.56, $14,000. 17. Kawohi Schutte and Zanga Schutte, 37.63, $13,000. 18. Matt McMurtrey and Travis Brown, 37.95, $12,000. 19. Randy Weaver and Christopher Lopez, 38.09, $11,000. 20. Kevin Pierce and James Watson, 39.37, $11,000. 21. Steve Hinson and Luke Hinson, 38.77, $10,800. 22. Pollo Idrogo and Aldo Serna, 38.81, $10,600. 23. Shawn Darnall and Jeff Busby, 38.91, $10,400. 24. Kelton Hill and Cayce Lewis, 39.08, $10,200. 25. Dee Oles and Robert Reynoso, 39.83, $10,000. 26. Ryan Kucera and Russ Kucera, 41.24, $9,800. 27. Dalton Grimes and Ricky Mellman, 42.75, $9,600. 28. Octavio Espinoa and Gilberto Porras, 44.64, $9,400. 29. Dick Yates and Guy Chomistek, 49.12, $9,200. 30. Clay Elkington and Cooper Bradshaw, 24.36 on 3, $9,000. (Payout for 31st-45th place was $6,000.)
Winners of the #10.5 Yeti Finale were Ty Crouch and Clay D. Alexander, who were awarded $326,000 plus prizes. – Andersen C Bar C Photography
#10.5 Finale: Payout $2,087,000
Average: 1. Ty Crouch and Clay D. Alexander, 32.72, $326,000. 2. Casey Lambert and Cooper Bradshaw, 35.07, $252,000. 3. Vale Robles and Pablo Robles, 37.26, $178,000. 4. Tracey Cearley and Trey Shivers, 37.76, $134,000. 5. John Harshbarger and Evan Leiber, 37.8, $134,000. 6. Jace Austin and Alan Hall, 37.92, $104,000. 7. Madison Haley and Kelly Jackson, 38.0, $90,000. 8. Dave Windsor and Lance Chism, 38.25, $74,000. 9/10. Chad Cliburn and Nathan Smith, 38.26; Lynn Hruby and Buddy Darnell, 38.26, $59,000. 11. Courtney M. Jackson and Clayton Jackson, 38.83, $44,000. 12. Heavy Sursa and Andy King, 38.85, $44,000. 13. Mitch Self and Cody Malone, 38.9, $20,000. 14. Bob Spillers and Wes McKee, 38.92, $18,000. 15. Robert Perez and Kyle Carlson, 38.95, $16,000. 16. Joshua Turner and James Turner, 39.58, $14,000. 17. Steve Freed and Michael Fuller, 39.61, $13,000. 18. Teddy Kreger and Michael Angell, 39.69, $12,000. 19. Chad Peterson and Derick Porter, 39.96, $11,000. 20. Joe Harris and Tim Boyd, 40.16, $11,000. 21. Kip Hunter and Tyrell Schofield, 40.35, $10,800. 22. Clay Worden and Jesse Mayhew, 40.79, $10,600. 23. Scott Burleson and Larry Cox, 41.28, $10,400. 24. Joe Bob Nunez and Delbert Platero, 41.71, $10,200. 25. Jose Cuellar and JS Cuellar, 41.89, $10,000. 26. Alfonso Macias and Jose Ordonez, 42.46, $9,800. 27. Shryl Cooper and Jimmie B. Cooper, 43.21, $9,600. 28. Robert Valdez and Jeremy L. Mallette, 43.95, $9,400. 29. John Hawks and David McCallister, 44.1, $9,200. 30. Jorge Hawkins and Kerry Leany, 44.25, $9,000. (31st through 54th place payout was $6,000 per team.)
Bud Swagel and Mike Foster, both of Arizona, roped four steers in 35.65 seconds to finish first in the average of the #9.5 Finale, earning a $352,000 cash payout. – Andersen C Bar C Photography
#9.5 Finale: Payout $2,206,000
Average: 1. Bud Swagel and Mike Foster, 35.65, $352,000. 2. Greg Kesler and Nash Nelson, 37.84, $272,000. 3. Charlie Johnston and Ryan Marks, 38.27, $192,000. 4. Bo Thomas and Trey Vargas, 39.18, $144,000. 5. Nate Easterday and Doug Rutan, 39.63, $128. 6. Lewis Perry and Keith Heritage, 40.17, $112,000. 7. Marco Teran and Omar Fimbres, 40.97, $96,000. 8. Mike Nulisch and Chase Wardlaw, 41.08, $80,000. 9. Mike Manore and Jason Grimm, 41.18, $66,000. 10. Dale Detten and Mark Manning, 41.59, $64,000. 11. Kody Haas and Luke Kosorok, 41.67, $50,000. 12. Cody Kinard and Hayse Worthington, 42.04, $46,000. 13. Gary Kiehne and Mark G. Thomas, 42.2, $20,000. 14. Chris Meredith and Jamie Mitchell, 42.29, $18,000. 15. Kenny Kuykendall and Michael Angeli, 42.42, $16,000. 16. Harlan Bellander and Tristan Wright, 42.46, $14,000. 17. Scott Early and Mike McLean, 43.08, $13,000. 18. Deneice Tubbs and Tom Tanner, 43.2, $12,000. 19. Kenny Law and JD Johnson, 43.49, $11,000. 20. Brad McGilchrist and Maurice Howard, 43.91, $11,000. 21. Stuart Berend and Tyler Tugmon, 44.0, $10,800. 22. Aaron Lebaron and JoseOlivas, 44.29, $10,600. 23. Roy Wasson and Neal Wood, 44.72, $10,400. 24. Chick Wilfong and Cory Lloyd, 45.35, $10,200. 25. Brandi Hunter and Kip Hunter, 45.54, $10,000. 26. Alex Gutierrez and Cuatro Gutierrez, 46.45, $9,800. 27. Art Franklin and Jared Jewkes, 46.45, $9,600. 28. Dustin Witman and Steve Anderson, 46.84, $9,400. 29/30. Jack Fuller and Bob David; Mike Tinnin and Colby Sweeny, 47.27, $9,100. 31. Judy Parker and Doug Parker, 47.32, $6,000. (32nd through 54th place payout was $6,000 per team)
Mac Fairey and Tyrel Campbell, winners of the #8.5 Resistol Finale and $244,000.
#8.5 Finale: Payout $1,555,000
Average: 1. Mac Fairey and Tyrel Campbell, 37.04, $244,000. 2. Chase Hulme and Denton Hulme, 39.5, $189,000. 3. Gabe M. Volf and Chris Orr, 41.45, $133,000. 4. Tammy Lewis and Justin Darby, 42.81, $100,000. 5. Mary Beth Koehn and Randy Koehn, 44.19, $90,000. 6. Dennis Cook and Pecos Cook, 44.46, $78,000. 7. Steven Travis and Payton Wilson, 45.83, $67,000. 8. Beto Weber and Abel Villalobos, 46.59, $56,000. 9. Vince Baker and Billy Ray Williams, 47.94, $46,000. 10. Kristi Bunde and Larry Olson, 48.25, $41,000. 11. David LeBaron and Kerry Leany, 49.05, $35,000. 12. Kelsey Streeter and Cass Gebbers, 49.21, $32,000. 13. Tres Porter and George Porter, 50.16, $20,000. 14. Jon Huston and Jace Thompson, 50.92, $18,000. 15. Donna Nelson and Bill Raine, 51.08, $16,000. 16. Victor Quintana and Juan Gallegos, 51.23, $14,000. 17. Tom White and Greg D. Robertson, 52.16, $13,000. 18. Gordon Graham and Jeremy Ross, 52.68, $12,000. 19. Dean Garcia and Patrick Hinds, 53.68, $11,000. 20. Scott Norman and Chip Roberts, 53.69, $11,000. 21. Bobby Parrish and TJ Parrish, 55.51, $10,800. 22. Carlos Jacquez and Erasmo Ochoa, 56.13, $10,600. 23. Lewis Perry and John Schnebly, 56.57, $10,400. 24. Justin Munden and Spencer Perkins, 57.48, $10,200. 25. Rhett Jordan and Rodney Teichert, 28.9 on 3, $10,000. 26. Ryan Jones and Doug Johnson, 29.73, $9,800. 27. Al Tohtsonie and Andy Sells, 31.26, $9,600. 28. Bob Richardson and Allen Heugatter, 33.97, $9,400. 29. Antonio Siller and Clemente Sanchez, 34.32, $9,200. 30. Delton Cullins and Tyson Porter, 34.88, $9,000. (31st through 41st place payout was $6,000. See wstroping.com)