Neil Forgues & Tom Hayes Win At Annual Rope For MS
By Tara Maxeiner
Rope For MS Chairperson
The 17th Annual Rope for MS had a good turnout with 561 teams participating. This was less than last year, but sill not bad. Based on input from many ropers, I will be moving next year’s Rope for MS back to its original date of Saturday on Memorial Day weekend. Without the great support of all my sponsors, volunteers and the attending ropers, the annual Rope for MS could have been just a jump rope contest, ha ha. Everyone’s support means the world to me.
I can’t believe I’ve been putting on Rope for MS for 17 years. Then again, I really can’t believe I will be 53 in December. I have had MS for 27 years and I can still walk, albeit a little slower.
It has been an interesting year. On Dec. 11, I got rear-ended by an off duty California Highway Patrolman. We had to stop as a car was flying down the boulevard in the oncoming lanes and it was obvious he was not stopping. We had to stop or I wouldn’t be here today writing this article. The off-duty CHP officer barreled into the rear and side of our SUV. Not good. Luckily, I only had whiplash and muscle spasms. For weeks I felt like someone orsomething was squeezing my neck, abdomen, hips and back. Physical therapy, here I come.
In May “Dolly Do Right” (me) was going to take out my neighbor’s garbage container for pick up. Holding onto the gate with my right hand, and holding the latch open with my left, I kept bumping the gate with my hip when suddenly it popped open and took me with it, slamming me down onto the concrete. Oh no, this isn’t good! My left hand took the brunt of the slamming fall. I looked at my left hand and saw my ring finger; the last knuckle which would normally point north/south was headed east. The site of it made me sick to my stomach. What do I do now? No problem, I grabbed my finger holding it tightly and jerked it back to its original north/south position!
Well, it was more than a bent, askew finger. Two days later I went to Dr. Goodnews: “It’s good that you straightened your finger, but you also have a spiral fracture – the worst kind of fracture. You’ll need surgery.” Are you kidding me?
Four days later – surgery. When it came time to get a cast, I was offered all kinds of crazy colors but I asked if they carried taupe. The nurses busted up laughing. Taupe? We don’t have taupe. I suggested they start carrying it, as taupe goes with everything! It’s three weeks after surgery and guess what? I’m back to physical therapy. It’s a darn shame this faux pas didn’t happen close to the car accident time. I could have taken care of both issues at once.
Enough about me, let’s get back to what’s important, the roping. I want to make the annual Rope For MS bigger and better. What would really help is having an individual or business join my MS mission and help cover the ever-increasing cost of the cattle. If (when) this does happen, not only will I be eternally grateful, I’m sure there will be more than a few tears.
I want to start by thanking my husband, John, for the countless hours that he puts in to help make this event happen. Many thanks go to my son, Michael, Mark and Robert Wagnon for running a tight ship. They made the raffle and auction run smoothly and effectively. Thank you also to Colette Schwartz, Julia and Grace Hitter for their outstanding raffle ticket sales. Thanks to Dan Bergstrom for taking phenomenal pictures.
Devin Owen, you helped out so much especially with the auction. The 20 bales of hay you donated for the cattle helped a lot. Thank you for the entertainment, I just would have liked to have had a video camera. When you put on the Resistol black felt hat with the pink brim and then began dancing and acting silly. Now that was priceless and pure enjoyment.
Thank you to Bailey Coats and Kelli Coats, Dillon Ishman and the entire George Ishman family, Travis and Jeremy Gorham and to all those who helped with the auction.
A special thank you to all of the office staff: Sue Gorham, Toni Mossier, Jessica Long (announcer), Brianna Moran and Kassidy Long for without them there would be no roping.
A big thank you with love to my mom Donna Upson for doing all she did. From picking up donations to calling everyday and asking “what else can I do?” My mom is a pillar of strength and I know my dearly departed dad is so proud of her. However, I can hear him saying: “Donna, watch the miles you’re putting on the truck!”
And finally, thank you to all my great sponsors for their support: 3 Barrels Up Western Tack, A Cut Above Buckles, Al’s Kubota Tractor, All American Trailers, Austin Garrett Fine Western Furnishings, Ballard’s Saddle & Tack, Big Horse Feed & Mercantile, Bill and Ursula Koch, Bill Wilson State Farm Insurance, BJ’s Restaurant/Corona, Bob and Judy Leathers, Bob’s Pool Service, Boot Barn, Cactus Ropes, Callaway Ropes, Carlos Silver Buckles, Circle R Ranchwear, Colleen Billings, Colley Ford, Conant Rentals, Cowboy Way Café, Custom Equine Barns, Dally Up, Dennis Lazzari, Desert Sage Bead Art, Grant’s Leather, Heavenly Gardens Landscape Mgmt., Inland Vet Supply, Integrity Rebar Placers, JG Construction, Kay-Met Recycling, Linda’s Feed & Supplies, Mrs. And Mrs. Dan Bateman, Norco Ranch Outfitters, Outlaw Saddles & Silver, Pat and Mac McNemar, Professional’s Choice, R4R, Rodeo Boot Co., Rogers Cowboy Supply, Ropers Sports News, Ropes Galore, San Dimas Grain Co., Smokin Willie’s BBQ, Starbucks Coffee, Norco, State Farm Insurance, Jerrod Novodoczky, SUNY OnMark, Susan Wilson, Suzanne MacMillan, The Grapeline Wine Country Shuttle, Thrifty Horse Consignment Shop, Vince’s Spaghetti and Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyards.
Results are as follows:
Overall champions, saddle winners: Neil Forgues, header and Tom Hayes, heeler.
Reserve champions, breast collars: Mark Ferlisi and Tyler Ishman.
#4 Draw (2 for $21, 205 teams):
Rotation 1, round 1: 1st. Mark Ferlisi and John Treasure, 6.82, $125. 2nd. Steve McKinnon and Dusty Gravatt, 6.98, $75. 3rd. Steve McKinnon and Casey Eller, 7.02, $50.
Average: 1st. Mark Ferlisi and John Treasure, 15.19, $610. 2nd. Carlos Agundez and Kelly Slayton, 17.91, $500. 3rd. Bob Hill Jr. and Dusty Gravatt Sr., 18.40, $400. 4th. Steve McKinnon and Casey Eller, 18.85, $320. 5th. Mark Ferlisi and Leo Ringer, 19.08, $220. 6th. Veronica Chavez and Ruben Figueroa, 19.71, $140. 7th. Veronica Chavez and Barney Carnegay, 19.73, $70.
#5 Hdcp. (3 for $30, 207 teams):
Rotation 1, round 1: Eric Ashby and Ruben Figueroa, 6.69, $180. 2nd. Miguel Padilla and Ramon Padilla, 6.70, $110. 3rd. Joel Preston and Tom Moxley, 7.06, $75.
Average: 1st. Neil Forgues and Tom Hayes, 25.46, $885. 2nd. Deanna Castle and Shane Cardoza, 29.71, $720. 3rd. Jeff Kisow and Casey Eller, 31.27, $590. 4th. Neil Forgues and Micky Clawson, 32.24, $460. 5th. Walt Scott and Kenny Rolston, 32.60, $320. 6th. Neil Forgues and Robert Lara, 32.84, $200. 7th. Keith Smith and Tom Hayes, 34.05, $100.
#7 Hdcp. (3 for $30, 120 teams):
Rotation 1, round 1: 1st. Cash Parrott and Wade Hooker, 6.21, $120. 2nd. Johnny Sanders and Shawn Howell, 6.23, $80.
Average: 1st. Shelley Lunde and Tyler Ishman, 24.41, $535. 2nd. Johnny Sanders and Shawn Howell, 25.02, $440. 3rd. Mike Rusinko and Wade Hooker, 25.48, $350. 4th. Roger Coons and Scott Selland, 26.46, $250. 5th. John Smith and Bob Mackie, 26.93, $165. 6th. Lacy Songer and Manuel Gonzalez, 27.58, $100.
Open (4 for $75, 22 teams):
Rotation 1, round 1: 1st. Roy Songer and Nate Preuit, 5.96, $100.
Average: 1st. Ryan Dodds and Tyler Ishman, 30.90, $445. 2nd. Manuel Gonzalez and Nate Preuit, 32.21, $270. 3rd. Dar Perez and Scott Perez, 33.38, $175.
#7 winners Shelley Lunde and Tyler Ishman. (photo by Dan Bergstrom)
#4 winners Mark Ferlisi and John Treasure. (photo by Dan Bergstrom)
Open winners Ryan Dodds and Tyler Ishman. Buckles presented by
Tara Maxeiner. (photo by Dan Bergstrom)
