By Kari DeCastro
Special To Ropers Sports News
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – The Priefert World Series of Team Roping concluded their 10th annual record-breaking event on December 13. The World Series Grand Finale X, at the South Point Hotel and Casino Equestrian & Events Center in Las Vegas, paid out a whopping $10,535,000 in cash and another $250,000 in prizes. For the second consecutive year the Finale has surpassed the $10 million purse mark and preliminarily it appears that the event has become the second richest horse event in the world. In that last 10 years WSTR has awarded over $54 million to Finale contestants and during the 2015 season awarded $34 million in purses to contestants vying to attend the Vegas Finales. The #10 Ariat Finale once again broke the single division record paying $2,040,000.
Each season welcomes several firsts and this year introduced the first back-to-back champion in the same division, Eric Randle, Moody, Texas, won the #10 division last year heeling, after receiving a handicap change, returned to win the same division this year as a header. Ralph Carter, Calera, Okla., split $259,000 in the AIPC #9 Finale, to became the oldest WSTR Champion at 80 years young.
The Finale brings thousands of contestants, family members and spectators to the Las Vegas strip each December. RIDE-TV produced five, one-hour telecasts and will telecast the short rounds during the coming year on DISH TV.
Team roping boasts the largest economical component of the recreational horse world, producing over $65,000,000 in purses each year. Excluding horse racing, the combined purses of the various team roping associations surpass all other horse events combined. The World Series of Team Roping Finale is the richest, and most prestigious, showcase for the sport. The event will return to the South Point Hotel & Casino, Dec. 5, 2016.
Complete results can be found at www.wstroping.com.
#15 Brook Ledge WSTR Finale X
Total Purse: $920,000
Jacob Dagenhart, Statesville, North Carolina and Zack Mabry, Piedmont, Alabama
Jacob Dagenhart celebrated his 23rd birthday on December 7, the same day he won $132,000 with his college buddy and roping partner Zach Mabry. The duo recently graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin where they competed on the college rodeo team and qualified for the 2015 College National Finals Rodeo. This summer they roped together at PRCA and IPRA rodeos, most notably winning the Jackson, Miss., PRCA rodeo and rounded out the season winning the third round and finishing fourth in the average at the Southeastern Circuit Finals in Davie, Fla.
Zach Mabry was singing the praises of his 12 year old gelding “LC.” “Ever since I bought this horse it’s made a huge difference in my roping. He’s paid for himself time and time again.”
Average: 1. Jacob Dagenhart and Zack Mabry, 29.67, $132,000. 2. Jack Fischer and Colby Siddoway, 30.05, $100,000. 3. Kelly Barker and Tanner Luttrell, 30.14, $72,000. 4. Jake Brown and Monty Wood, 30.27, $60,000. 5. Casey Tew and Justin Viles, 30.99, $50,000. 6. Chad Havens and Tyler McKnight, 31.19, $36,000. 7. Chance Kiehne and Ethan Cory, 31.27, $32,000. 8. Delon Parker and Josh Hodge, 31.31, $26,000. 9. Kyle Honeyfield and Brian Sullivan, 31.41, $24,000. 10. Jackie Crawford and Joseph Harrison, 31.52, $22,000. 11. Edward Hawley and Brady Ramone, 31.67, $20,000. 12. Aaron Moyers and Harley Martin, 32.17, $18,000. 13. Lari Dee Guy and Blaine Vick, 32.55, $16,000. 14. Garrison Goebe and Billy Adamson, 32.59, $14,000. 15. Sam Livingston and Shawn Howell, 32.61, $12,000. 16. Tom Bornhoft and Clayton VanAken, 32.7, $11,800. 17. Kirby Hill and Tyler McKnight, 32.88, $11,600. 18. Cody Wheeler and Wesley Moss, 33.94, $11,400. 19. Austin Robertson and Kent Shankles, 34.5, $11,200. 20. Alex Schuman and Cole Cooper, 34.72, $11,000.
Winners of the #15 Brook Ledge WSTR Finale X were Jacob Dagenhart and Zack Mabry. – Jennings Photography
#13 WSTR Finale X
Total Purse: $1,560,000
Michael Goodman, Canton, Texas and Scott Adrian, Kaufman, Texas
Michael Goodman and Scott Adrian roped four steers in 29.98 seconds to earn $248,000 in the #13 WSTR Finale X. The top 10 in the short round of the #13 were separated by less than one second. The 12th high team back of Jason Foegelle. Belton, Texas, and Josh Debord, Yoakum, Texas, turned in the fast time of the short go with a 6.33 to put the heat on the remaining 11 teams. Third-high team back, Goodman and Adrian’s short round time of 7 seconds flat held when the top two teams couldn’t make a clean run.
Average: 1. Michael Goodman and Scott Adrian, 29.98, $248,000. 2. Jason Foegelle and Josh Debord, 30.11, $186,000. 3. Markie Battaglia and Bronc Boehlein, 30.4, $134,000. 4. Tom Epperson and Taylor Ray Puckett, 30.42, $114,000. 5. Terry Gibbs and Jake Cripps, 30.46, $93,000. 6. Clark Holder and Hunter Titsworth, 30.47, $72,000. 7. JoDan Mirabal and Sid L. Cervantes, 30.79, $62,000. 8. Matt Bell and Aaron Navarrete, 31.21, $52,000. 9. Philip Schuman and Garrett Busby, 31.24, $42,000. 10. Jim Larson and James Tarver, 31.66, $31,000. 11. Andy Hoffman and Anthony Barnes, 31.75, $20,000. 12. Kirby Hill and Brendan Hopkins, 32.21, $18,000. 13. Ray Siggins and Henry Benally, 32.32, $16,000. 14. David Temple and Tio Simmons, 32.33, $14,000. 15. Eric Buell and Corey Bader, 32.33, $12,000. 16. Cade Liston Matt Liston, 32.4, $11,800. 17. Philip Fleming and Rory Brown, 32.57, $11,600. 18. Tibba Smith and Shaun Berry, 32.87, $11,400. 19. Chris Anderson and Lance Allen, 32.89, $11,200. 20. Johnny Garcia and Colton Niemann, 33.23, $11,000.
#13 WSTR Finale X winners Michael Goodman and Scott Adrian. – Jennings Photography
#12 WSTR Finale X
Total Purse: $1,864,000
Will O’Quinn, San Antonio, Texas and Latigo Petersen, Lipan, Texas
Will O’Quinn had entered his partner, Latigo Petersen, in the #12 WSTR Finale X for halves. So rather than taking his split of their $320,000, O’Quinn headed home from Las Vegas with three-quarters of the payout, minus what he paid in mount money for the borrowed horse he was riding. Petersen will take his share of the proceeds and buy a horse or two. O’Quinn plans to buy some cows to fill up a feedyard he just purchased in South Texas.
Average: 1. Will O’Quinn and Latigo Peterson, 31.24, $320,000. 2. Joe Bassett and Rube Woolsey, 32.38, $240,000. 3. Greg Roshay and Tanner Luttrell, 32.61, $174,000. 4. Rusty Stuart and Roger Lowrie, 32.66, $148,000. 5. Steve Edwards and Colby Siddoway, 32.97, $120,000. 6. Willie Reid and Ky O’Berg, 33.07, $94,000. 7. Keith Hudson and Danny Zuniga, 33.22, $80,000. 8. Tyler Kunz and Brady Pitchford, 33.24, $67,000. 9. Jake Grubbs and Richard Albisu, 33.67, $54,000. 10. Kyle Lincoln and Shawn Hastings, 33.83, $41,000. 11. Jared Udy and Klay Mangis, 33.86, $20,000. 12. Josh Snapp and Jake Griffith, 33.89, $18,000. 13. Regina Blain and Hunter Titsworth, 33.94, $16,000. 14. Tom Bornhoft and Clem McNaney, 34.04, $14,000. 15. Brooke Wilson and Tray Paul, 34.27, $12,000. 16. Brandin Hackfeld and Quisto Lopez, 34.56, $11,800. 17. Eric Buell and Wade Blake, 34.58, $11,600. 18. Cody Thompson and Reilly Wilson, 34.97, $11,400. 19. Nikkie Miller and Rob Black, 35.06, $11,200. 20. Todd Hughes and Kent Haley, 35.12, $11,000.
Priefert #12 SPECIALTY ROPING
Average: 1. Steve Blain and Scott Adrian, 31.91, $50,000. 2. Tel Trammell and Jimmy Paul Hrbacek, 32.39, $38,000. 3. Jerry Hughes and Adam Hubler, 32.42, $28,000. 4. Marcos Bustamente and Jim Allred, 32.67, $23,000. 5. Mike Booth and Aaron Shelley, 33.19, $19,000. 6. J.P. Powell and Jered Hollaway, 33.23, $15,000. 7. Russ Lovejoy and Jay Waller, 33.35, $13,000. 8. Michael Figueroa and Annette Stahl, 33.79, $10,000. 9. Robert Avila and Tyler Friday, 34.33, $8,000. 10. Richard Nolen and Curtis Evans, 34.5, $6,500. 11. Coley Barner and Slick Robison, 34.73, $5,000. 12. Nick Ellsworth and Paul Freed, 34.78, $5,000. 13. Steve Edwards and Colby Siddoway, 36.02, $5,000. 14. Kyle W. Miller and Jahew Thorp, 36.63, $5,000. 15. Clay Deen and David Fletcher, 38.47, $5,000.
#11 Bloomer Trailers WSTR Finale X
Total Purse: $1,886,000
Wallace Greer, Pollock, Louisiana, Rance Gantt, Athens, Louisiana
The World Series of Team Roping encouraged its competitors to “Dream Big, Win Big,” at Finale X. Wallace Greer and heeler Rance Gantt took top honors and $325,000 in the Bloomer Trailers #11 Finale of the World Series of Team Roping.
Unlike teams in nearly every other division, the Louisiana team did not need lady luck in order to move up into the winning position. This team led from the start and came into the final round as the clear leaders and held on to the win with a smooth practice pen run of 8.25.
Average: 1. Wallace Greer and Rance Gantt, 32.78, $325,000. 2. Kent Latta and Chad Cherry, 33.46, $244,000. 3. Markie Battaglia and Bob Mackie, 33.77, $176,000. 4. Tony Holden and Clem McNaney, 33.99, $149,000. 5. Ben Bahti and Lee Knox, 35.14, $122,000. 6. Luis Lahoz and Jose Briseno Zermeno, 35.41, $95,000. 7. Dominic Casados and Miguel Ochoa, 35.44, $81,000. 8. Justin Dean Smith and Chris Hogan, 35.94, $68,000. 9. Brooke Trammell and Howard Conner, 36.16, $54,000. 10. Jim Bob Weil and Tim Brunelle, 36.19, $40,000. 11. Chad Scott and Chris Wheeler, 36.27, $20,000. 12. Walter Scott and Shane Barmby, 36.53, $18,000. 13. Casey Brown and Jimmy Ruiz, 36.56, $16,000. 14. Brad Logan and Kyle Chrisman, 36.68, $14,000. 15. Chris Marrow and Monte Anderson, 36.84, $12,000. 16. Dick Yates and Jim Brinkman, 36.9, $11,800. 17. Jerry Hughes and Samuel Luchsinger, 37.2, $11,600. 18. Nick Nehl and Travis Weinreis, 37.35, $11,400. 19. Chad Dashnaw and Dar Perez, 37.36, $11,200. 20. Danna Brodhead and Darrel Brodhead, 38.69, $11,000.
#11 WSTR Finale X winners Wallace Greer and Rance Gantt. – Jennings Photography
#10 Ariat WSTR Finale X
Total Purse: $2,040,000
Eric Randle, Moody, Texas and Zane Edmondson, Cimarron, Kansas
For the second consecutive year the #10 Finale broke the single division record paying $2,040,000 and sequentially introduced the WSTR’s second back-to-back champion, Eric Randle of Moody, Texas. (The only prior back-to back winner was Jared Udy, Newton, Utah, who topped the Priefert #11 Finale in 2007 and the Cactus Ropes #13 Pro-Am Finale in 2008.)
In 2014, Randle won the Bloomer Trailers #10 heeling for Wesley Mucha. This year, he switched ends and headed for Zane Edmondson and together they won $350,000 in the #10 Ariat WSTR Finale X.
Normally, Randle heels for Edmondson, but this was the only way the numbers would work out. After three solid steers in the rotation, they came to the short go as the third high team back. Among the top 25 teams, only 11 had clean runs—and with dally bobbles from both ropers Randle and Edmonson’s almost wasn’t. Still, they managed to stop the clock in 10.46 seconds, bringing their total on four to 36.35.
Average: 1. Eric Randle and Zane Edmondson, 36.35, $350,000. 2. Megan White and Randy Lewis, 36.77, $263,000. 3. Marty Okamura and Jerry Cobb, 37.11, $190,000. 4. Brian Friar and Ever Castro, 38.11, $160,000. 5. Travis Fisher and Tyson Campidilli, 38.27, $132,000. 6. Danny Goddard and Ron Hognestad, 38.28, $102000. 7. Jett Sharp and Steve Shurbet, 38.34, $88,000. 8. Lucas Hogue and Clarence Platero, 38.39, $73,000. 9. John McCollum and Tyler Smith, 38.62, $58,000. 10. Steve Smith and Les Vogt, 38.69, $44,000. 11. Jarrod Wells and Owen Mortenson, 38.83, $20,000. 12. Jake Potter and Tyler Torgerson, 38.84, $18,000. 13. Cliff Dent and Ray Douglass, 39.5, $16,000. 14. Matt Church and Samuel Luchsinger, 40.27, $14,000. 15. Andy James and Merrill Bond, 40.44, $12,000. 16. Shelley Lunde and Jerry Lunde, 40.51, $11,800. 17. Maty Beth Koehn and Kendall Sandlin 40.55, $11,600. 18. Keith Hale and Eddie Horne, 40.67, $11,400. 19. Markie Battaglia and Arturo Chavez, 40.76, $11,200. 20. Tish Luke and Tobbie Schroeder, 40.99, $11,000.
#10 Ariat WSTR Finale average champions Eric Randle and Zane Edmondson split a purse of $350,000. – Jennings Photography
#9 AIPC Energy WSTR Finale X
Total Purse: $1,604,000
Ralph Carter, Calera, Oklahoma and Shawn Lyday, Calera, Oklahoma
After 10 years of Finales and more than $54 million in payouts, Ralph Carter, 80, is the oldest WSTR Finale champion, and he couldn’t be more proud.
The Oklahoma cowboys came back high call and needed to be an 11.59 to secure the win. Even with the big money on the line they were able to fall back on what they had practiced. Their 8.69-second run in the short round gave them a combined 35.85 on four and was enough to keep them in the lead.
Average: 1. Ralph Carter and Shawn Lyday, 35.85, $259,000. 2. Clayton Graham and Ronnie Seever, 38.76, $194,000. 3. Del Mann and Doug Parker, 39.92, $140,000. 4. Kyle Klingler and Dave Sanderson, 42.39, $119,000. 5. Karen Little and Cody Little, 42.43, $97,000. 6. Walter Scott and Mark Warrack, 42.74, $75,000. 7. Cliff Stephens and Logan Allen, 43.24, $64,000. 8. Bobby Jean Colyer and Jeff M. Palmer, 43.65, $54,000. 9. Steve Hanson and Kurt Richardson, 44.47, $43,000. 10. Steve Greenberg and Brad Barkemeyer, 44.6, $33,000. 11. Clayton Fain and Ricky Hibbeler, 44.71, $20,000. 12. Raymond Holzmeister and Ted Howard, 44.82, $18,000. 13. Jim Estill and Fred Williams, 45.39, $16,000. 14. Hunter Geistweidt and Bob White, 45.39, $14,000. 15. Obed A. Cruz and Roberto V. Vasquez, 46.48, $12,000. 16. Wes Williams Sr. and Don Quintero, 46.74, $11,800. 17. David Moss and Gary Peterson, 47.77, $11,600. 18. Dennis Toussaint and Ron Schmidt, 49.07, $11,400. 19. Alex Micek and Steven Jobman, 49.12, $11,200. 20. Chris Gronlund and Jesse Driskill, 49.18, $11,000.
#9 AIPC Energy WSTR Finale X winners were 80-year-old Ralph Carter, and Shawn Lyday. – Jennings Photography
#8 WSTR Finale X
Total Purse: $395,000
Michael Nash, Marshall, Texas and Bobby Leflett, Bossier City, Louisiana
This year marked the introduction of the inaugural #8 WSTR Finale with a pick/draw format. In just two months the inaugural division had more than 300 entries and would pay $395,000.
The high team back in the #8 was the draw team of Morey Macklenburg and Ernie Willis and while they were smooth in the short round with a 10.7, their 39.3 seconds on four wasn’t fast enough to move the fourth high call team of Nash and Leflett. Their combined 38.5 seconds held to earn them $70,600.
In the 2016 season WSTR producers will have the option of hosting #8 WSTR ropings with the same pick/draw format.
Average: 1. Michael Nash and Bobby Leflett, 38.5, $70,600. 2. Morey Mecklenburg and Ernie Willis, 39.3, $54,600. 3. Dale Simmons and Chad Simmons, 42.08, $38,500. 4. Cindy Waters and Jackie Davis, 43.31, $28,900. 5. Laine Marcotte and J.D. Talbott, 47.18, $25,700. 6. Ricky Woolever and Tim Baxley, 48.03, $22,500. 7. Jake Bahem and Marco Rodriguez, 48.99, $19,300. 8. Joe Morrow and Jackie Davis, 49.15, $16,000. 9. Christie McClary and ShaDee Langston, 49.28, $12,800. 10. Stonie Brooke Riggan and Benton Cain, 51.61, $12,000. 11. Stephen Thames and Paul Rosson, 53.44, $10,500. 12. Morey Mecklenburg and A.J. Griffin, 29.39, $4,500. 14. David Moss and Ron Stuart, 30.73, $4,500. 15. Ricky Woolever and Mike Blair, 33.31, $4,500. 16. Charlotte Davis and Kevin Canterbury, 33.31, $4,500. 17. Mark Wright and Chuck Gieck, 34.27, $4,500. 18. Scott Dieringer and Jim Short, 35.94, $4,500. 19. Stephen Thames and Chris McCarthy, 37.33, $4,500. 20. Claude Straub and Lacy Songer, 37.38, $4,500.
#8 Consolation
Average: 1. Ralph Carter and Carra Outlaw, 30.31, $8,000. 2. Adler Seymour and Kevin Hartley, 30.35, $6,500. 3. Joe Morrow and Cody Shiflett, 31.66, $4,500. 4. Quinton Barnes and Lexington Ju, 32.22, $4,000. 5. Mark Anderson and Dan Powell, 32.81, $3,000.
Fast time: Rick Thomas and Sean Gallogly, 14.78, $8,000.
