September is a busy month and the last big month for those trying to make the top 15 in the PRCA. Many of the events are close and as of this writing Cody Snow of Los Olivos, Calif., is leading for the Resistol Rookie of the Year in the Heading by quite a margin. He is sitting 22nd in the standings heading for Dugan Kelly, who is in the 15th spot for the heeling. In the old days, Dugan could have invited Cody to rope at the NFR if he makes it, but Cody will have to move up at least seven notches to make it on his own. As I write this, he will have a good chance as he is entered in the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo where the payoff is huge and could give him the money he needs to do it.
There are some great ropings coming up this month including WCRA Finals as well as ACTRA Finals that take place all over the Western States, culminating with their huge National Finals in Reno in October. Speaking of ACTRA, our staff here at Ropers Sports News had the honor of producing the 2015 ACTRA program that went to all members as well as all Ropers Sports News subscribers, tht was inserted into the August issue of RSN. We thank ACTRA for the opportunity to work with their great staff.
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I want to congratulate Ty Yost on the latest issue of The Arena which is a publication covering his ropings and NTR association. There is a great story in the current issue about Judy and Ozzie Gillum which was very interesting reading. I remember back in 1968 when Ropers Sports News was the only team roping paper going and I always welcomed new publications, even though they are competition, it showed me the growth and popularity of our sport. Yost Productions has done a great job with all of their events over the years. I wish them many years of success. Pick up a copy of The Arena when you can and if you are planning on going to Arizona this winter it will be a helpful guide.
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Another reason September is a busy month for me is that this year is that I am turning 75 years young on the 10th and I am still trying to act 25. Thank goodness for Steph, Jenny, and Taryn for keeping things going in the office while I’m out on the road playing or announcing a few rodeos. Our office was even blessed with the presence of Julie Sell who had worked for us for years. Julie came back in to handle some extra things we had going on this month. One of those projects was getting photos ready to go back to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum where I will have the honor of being inducted on September 26th along with some great names in the rodeo business. Be sure and check out the list on page 42. I have emceed this event in years past and now can hardly believe that I will be on the receiving end. It is quite an honor and very humbling. Thanks to all who had anything to do with making this happen.
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As I get ready for Oklahoma City’s induction, I have had to go back through many old photos and stories about my past and have realized how blessed I have been to have good people around me guiding me and working for me over the years. Team Roping was not always very popular and in the old days was not a standard rodeo event. There were only about five big ropings in the early days and the states of Texas and Oklahoma rarely had a team roping anywhere. Hard to believe in today’s world. Team Roping has come a long ways and I hope we here at Ropers Sports News, along with the founding of the Bob Feist Invitational, have been just a small part of getting Team Roping where it is today. So many great people and new organizations over the years have made this a truly wonderful industry. I wish you all could someday read some of our first issues of RSN and laugh as we have over the old ropings, ads, and entry fees for the early years.
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Good luck to all of you this next month and may all your loops be on target.