By Tara Maxeiner
Special To Ropers Sports News
RIVERSIDE, CALIF. – The 20th annual Rope For MS roping and fundraiser was held May 23 at Riverside Rancheros in Riverside. This year’s roping had a good turnout and everyone had a good time for a good cause. All proceeds from the roping, the auction and raffle go directly to Multiple Sclerosis research.
Multiple sclerosis, also known as MS, is a chronic disease that attacks the central nervous system, i.e. the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. In severe cases the patient becomes paralyzed and/or blind, while in milder cases there may be numbness in the limbs. Although the cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown, the disease tends to strike adults 18 to 40 years of age. MS is at least two to three times more common in women than in men. There is no known cure for multiple sclerosis.
Congratulations to King Davis, header and Brian Arave, heeler, winners and champions of the 2015 Rope for MS. Also congratulations to Dallas Owen, header and Art Belis, heeler, reserve champions. The champions won custom made HR Saddles and the reserve champions won custom made HR breast collars.
The cattle were provided by J.T. Cattle, and they donated $1 off per run. Great cattle, might I add. Thank you so much.
A HUGE THANK YOU to Jake Huserik, heeler and Lauren Herron, header, winners of the #4.5 roping, for donating back all of their winnings. When I was told, I had tears of joy and then some. It was incredibly wonderful and charitable. You two are very special. Thank you, thank you again from the bottom of my heart!
Wow! I can’t believe I’ve been doing this for 20 years, then again I can! My MS has been making things more difficult but still I manage to get ’er done! Since last year’s event I fell and broke my tibia and fibula in my right leg. After surgery, two custom metal plates, three months in a wheelchair and a giant boot worn 24 hours a day – I’m back, hopefully not like a bad dream!
I have so much gratitude to give to my family and all of the volunteers for their much needed help. John, my husband, you are and have always been the reason this event is able to be held, doing what I can’t and so much more. You are there from start to finish wholeheartedly.
Thank you ever so much to my mother, Donna Upson, for the tremendous help securing donations for the auction and raffle, being there for me and all around help. And to my grand nieces, Grace and Julia, who not only sold raffle tickets, they stayed up until 1 o’clock the night before baking cookies to sell at the roping, donating the money to Rope For MS. It was too cute and much appreciated. God, I love them. Thank you to Kip Hitter, the girls’ father, for driving up all the way from San Clemente to help. My nephews, Zac Gober, Nick and Jake Hinson, you all helped so much. I have the greatest nephews in the world. Thanks to my sisters: Colette, Lana and Royce Ann for always being there to support me and my cause. This truly is a family affair.
Thank you to Robert Wagnon for coming to help after just landing from a red-eye flight. And many thanks to my dear friend Zona, whom I’ve known since junior high, for securing donations and being there.
Thank you Linda Davis for announcing and of course your mom, for being there in support. Thank you to Sue Gorham, Jen Songer, Vada Carroll and Brianna Gorham for a job well done running the front office. Another year of great work. Many thanks to Deven Owen and Sean Maginnis for doing a great job running the auction. Thank you to Dan Bergstrom for continuing to donate your time to photograph the roping.
And to all the ropers, thank you and I hope you all come back next year and please bring some of your friends (ropers). If I’ve left out anyone I am truly sorry. My love and gratitude to you all!
And a last thank you to all of the monetary and product sponsors listed below, you are the lifeblood of this event:
Diamond Landscaping, Inc., Bob and Judy Leathers, Dennis Lazzari, Ken Negrete, Jerrod Novodoczky of State Farm Insurance, E T Physical Therapy, Dr. Mohsen Ali, Frances Mullane, Colleen Billings, Susan Wilson, Suzanne MacMillan, Pat and Mac McNemar, Kay-Met Recycling, All-American Trailers, Jake Huserik, Lauren Herron, Fatema Worthington, Brian Worthington, Janice Giardina, Churon Winery, Tanner Custom Leather, Big Horse, Tractor Supply Co. – Temecula, Bella Vista Winery, Michael Strong Leather Products, Colette Schwartz, Mark Wagnon, Jimmy Pfeffer with Ropes Galore, Vince’s Spaghetti, Hay Connection – Norco, Al’s Kubota, Ropers Sports News, Buck U Western Wear, Smokin’ Willie’s BBQ, Bill Koch, Ursula Koch, SUNY OnMark, Norco Ranch Outfitters, Thrifty Horse, Cactus Ropes, Starbucks Norco, A Cut Above Buckles, CowInTheBox.com, Bob’s Pool Service, San Dimas Hay, Bill Wilson – State Farm Insurance, BJ’s Restaurant – Corona, Rockin’ M Leathers, Big Rock Resort, Boot Barn, Linda’s Feed – Norco, Dally Up – Norco, Cowboy Way Café, Professional’s Choice, Callaway Ropes and Ropings 4 Ropers.
Results are as follows (payoffs are per roper).
#4.5 PICK & DRAW:
1st. go: 1. King Davis and Emily Smith, 8.6, $140. 2. John Kealey and Arturo Chavez, 8.79, $90. 3. Chris Sass and Ed Schaefer, 9.46, $50.
Average: 1. Lauren Heron and Jake Huserik, 33.82, $750 + A Cut Above custom buckles. 2. Deanna Castle and Robby Maxwell, 33.98, $625. 3. King Davis and Larry Kelly, 34.7, $500. 4. Bobby Stanley and Juan Lopez, 36.91, $375. 5. John Arbuckle and Jason Stanley, 38.2, $250.
#5.5 HDCP. DOWN PICK & DRAW:
1st. go: 1. Steve Clelland and Kelly Slayton, 7.41, $140. 2. Ernesto Chavez and Arturo Chavez, 8.39, $85. 3. Veronica Chavez and Robby Maxwell, 8.46, $50.
Average: 1. Dallas Owen and Ken Negrete, 31.02, $750 + A Cut Above custom buckles. 2. Sharon Tavaligone and Art Belis, 34.39, $620. 3. King Davis and Jose Torres, 36.31, $490. 4. Steve Clelland and Tom Hayes, 36.75, $370. 5. Dallas Owen and Art Belis, 37.77, $250.
#7 HDCP. PICK & DRAW:
1st. go: 1. Mike Rusinko and Travis Caron, 6.84, $145. 2. Arturo Chavez and Travis Caron, 6.86, $90. 3. Roy Songer and Nate Preuit, 7.07, $50.
Average: 1. Grant Reed and Dan Denmark, 23.73, $775 + A Cut Above custom buckles. 2. Roger Coons and Brian Arave, 25.49, $650. 3. Brent Ford and Brian Arave, 26.28, $515. 4. Dusty Gravatt Sr. and Tom Riley, 27.58, $390. 5. Lacy Songer and Brandon Bates, 27.71, $260.
OPEN 5 STEER:
Average: 1. Blaine Linaweaver and Nate Preuit, 40.79, $315 + A Cut Above custom buckles. 2. Roy Songer and Nate Preuit, 45.86, $210.
Open champions Nate Preuit and Blaine Linaweaver with Tara Maxeiner.
Champion header of the day, King Davis, and champion heeler Brian Arave, with their new HR saddles present by Tara Upson-Maxeiner.
#7 winners Grant Reed and Dan Denmark are congratulated by Tara Maxeiner.
Reserve champion header of the day Dallas Owen, and reserve heeler Art Belis receive HR breast collars from Tara Maxeiner.
#5.5 winners Dallas Owen and Ken Negrete, with Tara Maxeiner.
