It continues to be a messed up year with all of the COVID restrictions holding back businesses and travel. I’d say that the roping industry has fared quite well in spite of it all and barrel racing tends to be over the top in entries at jackpots as well as rodeos. Many PRCA rodeos in the central part of the U.S. have gone on with their rodeos as planned and have had great participation from contestants, sponsors and fans. I hope that all of them will have great outcomes with no repercussions after they are over.
At the rodeos the fans are getting to see the best in the business as there are no “Duck Off Rodeos” this year per se. When a rodeo decides to go on with their show it seems like everyone enters up. This also is making the money spread out amongst the top 20 leaders in each event and not too many big changes are happening. With the cutoff date less than six weeks away, everyone is scrambling to hold onto a top 15 slot to make the Finals IF and WHERE there will be a Finals.
In regards to the Wrangler National Finals, it is still up in the air if they will go on – and where. Las Vegas has its hands tied with folks outside of the rodeo industry making the call on what can be held within the guidelines. The Las Vegas Events puts up a great deal of money to make the event as lucrative as it is and that money comes from revenue generated by many aspects. They include fans, sponsors, contestants, trade show participants and travelers who converge on the Vegas area for this prestigious event. With restrictions on distancing applied to all connected, it makes it rough to pencil. The trade show people probably are getting hit the most as they usually start gearing up for the next year’s event as soon as the last year ended. Many have already spent millions in inventory for the upcoming trade shows which might not happen. Can you imagine going to one of the many gift shows in Las Vegas with all of the restrictions? I’m pretty certain there will be a Finals but where is another question. Seeing how the Thomas and Mack is located on university ground does not make things any less complicated. Many people have no idea the restrictions that have been placed on the establishments that cater to us while we are in Vegas proper. Their hands are tied, which makes it very hard to adjust and still make a decent profit. Many are trying to do the best they can for the sake of the loyal customers and employees. Las Vegas is a city that has always pretty much controlled its own destiny and it is hard for them to have to constantly change to do business in ways they have never seen. My Resistol’s off to all those who are trying to make it work the best they can to accommodate the WNFR. It is most likely that the rodeo will not have the huge payoffs that it has had in the past few years for the revenues just won’t be there to afford the usual purse. It could also be the roughstock and timed events would be held in a multitude of different places. We hear rumors of some of the events going to other states for this year but nothing has been set or released to that effect. An update was just received a presstime from PRCA with more information that you can see on page 26 of this issue.
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A lot of the leaders in PRCA standings are way out in front due to their big wins at The American. The qualifying rounds for next year’s American will also be in jeopardy if things don’t turn around soon.
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I want to wish Robert Lever of Wrangler a speedy recovery from a recent surgery. As of this writing he is home and recovering. Robert has been a great supporter of team roping for many years plus has been a strong competitor winning many major ropings over the years.
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World Champion Walt Arnold has passed away and I invite you to read his story in this issue. Another good friend of mine also passed on August 19 and that was Bob Torres of Santa Maria, California. Bob was very active for many years with the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and also produced some fine wines from his home vineyard. Years ago he was assigned to make sure Bob Tallman and I had a good time while in Santa Maria announcing their rodeo. He, along with Clarence Minetti, would almost kill us with kindness and their hospitality. Bob also owned the famed Pappy’s Restaurants in California. RIP Bobby Torres.
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Important Announcement from the Ropers Sports News office: Bob Feist turns 80 years old on September 10. Send any birthday cards to him at 24060 N. Ray Rd, Lodi, CA 95242.