Written by: Dee Yates
I thank Dee Yates for asking me to write a few notes for RSN. I had plenty to cover, as I was blessed to attend this year’s BFI Week at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, OK. I was especially proud of Ullman-Peterson Events’ production—setting records with the number of teams and the total payout across all the ropings. Driggers and Nogueira captured back-to-back wins at “The Feist,” taking home $154,000 plus a slew of awards. Their time on six head was 41.48 seconds, the second-fastest recorded at this event. The record still stands at 40.54, set by Trevor Brazile and Patrick Smith in 2013. After watching the talent at the Jr. BFI, I believe we’re going to see some incredible BFIs in the future—maybe even some records broken. I can’t wait for next year.
It’s always a pleasure to attend BFI Week and listen to Dru Stewart interview many of the contestants. It was especially great to see Reed Flake honored for his many years of announcing the BFI. Reed and Dru both bring a lot to the event. I can’t say enough about the efficiency of the ground crew and office staff behind the scenes. It’s a pleasure to watch them do an incredible job all week long. Raul and his ground crew ensure the arena and roping boxes are in perfect shape, and in the office, Vicky and Kelsey Munro and their crew make sure the money and entries are intact.
Kami Peterson did an outstanding job, as always, preserving and displaying the history of the BFI for fans to enjoy. She’s also responsible for many of the unique awards given to the winners. On top of that, she handles all the hospitality for sponsors and special guests. Thank you, Kami.
These past couple of months have been both exciting and bittersweet for the rodeo and team roping world. The loss of two legends has stirred up a lot of memories. I’m speaking of Mel Potter and Mike Cervi. Both will be remembered for years to come for their contributions to our industries.
George Aros informed me that the Mike Cervi Jr. Memorial Roping will be renamed the Potter-Cervi Memorial Pro Team Roping Classic. This roping originally started as the Tubac Pro Team Roping many years ago. Leon Cook, who had a place in Tubac, teamed up with George Aros to produce it. When the event moved to Tucson, AZ in conjunction with the Tucson Rodeo, it was retitled the Tucson Pro Rodeo Classic. After Mike Cervi Jr. was tragically killed in a plane crash, Mel Potter—his father-in-law—helped George Aros turn it into a memorial event in his honor. The roping has continued to benefit the Justin Sports Medicine Crisis Fund, contributing over $250,000 to date.
Mike Cervi Sr. was always a generous supporter of the event, as was Mel Potter. Over time, this roping has grown into one of the premier signature events of the year. In its early days, it was a winner-take-all format, which made for great payouts for one team—but nothing for the rest. Eventually, the payoff structure was revised to spread the money more conventionally. A Pro-Am element was also added, and the pros have always been gracious about roping with the amateurs.
This year’s event was the biggest ever, drawing 234 teams. The winners took home $20,000 per man. Tyler Tryan and Nicky Northcott topped the field with some impressive 5-second runs over the long score. The event continues to benefit the Justin Crisis Fund, and we’re already looking forward to another great roping next spring.
On a more somber note, there was a serious horse wreck involving Trey Blackmore. At last report, thanks to the prayers of many, Trey is steadily recovering from injuries that left him in a coma. The family is thankful for the outpouring of support and continued prayers. He remains hospitalized in Phoenix at the time of this writing.
My thoughts and prayers also go out to Clay Smith and the Richey families for the loss of their great horse, “Bet Hesa Ginnin.” That horse earned numerous accolades in his short but impactful nine years.
What a year Walt Woodard is having. At 69 years old, he’s still getting to the horn and taking a dally. He not only teaches roping—he lives it. A man with over 20 WNFR appearances and two world titles, years apart, he won the BFI in 2008 and came back this year to finish fifth, heeling for Manny Equsquiza. Walt has placed at many spring rodeos and might just be headed back to the WNFR. If he makes it, he’ll be 70 years old this summer—a true feat. Walt is a legend who proves you can enjoy team roping at any age.
Congratulations to the Minor boys for winning this year’s Red Bluff Round-Up in Red Bluff, CA. They also won Redmond, OR earlier this month, kicking off a strong spring run. This dynamic duo has each surpassed the $2 million mark in PRCA earnings alone. Their jackpots and wins in unsanctioned rodeos have made them a solid living. Their careers have included major wins at some of the top roping events in the sport.
There are many great ropings and rodeos on the calendar in the coming months, and we look forward to covering them right here in RSN.
The cattle market has been strong these past couple of years, but when it’s good, the price of roping cattle climbs too. I never thought I’d see today’s prices. Talking with George Aros earlier this month, he mentioned that steers with the “M” brand were going for as much as $1,800 a head, while domestic native cattle were bringing around $1,400. Ouch! I hate to admit it, but I remember paying $125 a head and still complaining. But then again—I’m old.
