By Ben Clements
Special to Ropers Sports News
The USTRC moved in to Clovis, N.M. and the Curry County Special Events Center for the Southwest Regional Finals. The team roping began on August 1, 2013 and ran through the 4th. Team ropers from all over the Southwest came to enjoy the event.
The Open Division was first on the agenda. The team of Chris Francis from Las Vegas, N.M. and Cade Passig from Capitan, N.M. were the high team back. They qualified to the short round with a time of 30.08 seconds on four steers and needed to be 8.21 seconds on their last steer for the win. After the flag dropped they had posted a time of 7.69 seconds and finished the roping in first place.
“We don’t really have a lot of really good Open ropings to go to in New Mexico,” said Francis. “This is the best one around and I wouldn’t miss this roping.”
The team took home $5,000, trophy Gist bits and points for the Priefert US Open Tour.
“I was really fortunate to have some good partners and roped really consistent today,” said Passig. “This was a good win for us and I am excited.”
Second place in the roping went to Josh Morris from Lazbuddie, Texas and Wesley Thorp from Throckmorton, Texas with a time of 38.30 seconds on five steers. Third place was Kyle Roberts from Durango, Colo. and Bode Baize from Anthony, N.M. Brady Payne from Gilbert, Ariz. and Trevor Kirchenschlager from Yuma, Colo. won the incentive average.
Monroe Timberlake and Blain Bradley both from Hereford, Texas were the third high team back in the short round of the #15 Preliminary. They finished the roping in first place with a time of 33.43 seconds on four steers. The win gave them $3,132, trophy Gist bits and $8,000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the roping was Chase Massengill from Santa Fe, N.M. and Jessie Haynie from Fairacres, N.M. with a time of 34.56 seconds on four steers. Third place in the average was Bode Baize and Corban Livingston, while fourth went to Jarrett Rogers and Livingston.
The team roping action inside the arena really heated up in the #15 Shoot Out. Chase Massengill and Eddie Nieto qualified to the short round in the number one position.
“This was a really big win for me and came at a good time,” said Massengill. “This is a good event and one I try to make each year.”
They finished the roping with a time of 29.40 seconds on four steers and won first place. They received $5,866, trophy Martin saddles and $6,000 in USTRC Flex Earnings.
“I was excited about the win. I just wanted to be consistent and stay focused,” said Nieto. “I knew if we could just catch we could do good and it worked out for us.”
Second place in the roping was Michael Bell from Clovis, N.M. and Bubba Garcia from Portales, N.M. Third place went to Adam Esquibell and Brandon Baca with a time of 31.53 seconds on four steers. The fourth place finishers were Clay Sieber and Wesley Thorp.
In the #13 Preliminary the husband/wife team of Barrie and Brad Smith from Stephenville, Texas came from the third high back position to win first place in the average. They were 33.02 seconds on four steers and won $4,562, trophy Gist bits, and $8,000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the average was Darin Williams from Amarillo, Texas and Clayton Ward from Dalhart, Texas. Third place in the aveage was Wallace Townsend from Cache, Okla. and Kent Thiessen from Elk City, Okla.
The final roping of the first day of the Southwest Regional Finals was the #13 Shoot Out. A team from the Petroplex of Texas took the top honors. Caleb Matott and Kenny Beaty from Midland, Texas were high team back and ultimately the champions of the roping with a time of 32.25 seconds on four steers. They won $10,000, trophy Martin saddles and $6,000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second pace was Kyle Letzelter and Billy Ivy with a time of 34.20 seconds. Third place went to the husband/wife team of Kenna and Chris Francis.
The second day of team roping began with the #12 Gold Plus Division. Jeff Davis from La Plata, N.M. teamed up with Joaquin Huntington from Hesperus, Colo. They qualified to the short round in the third call back position and caught their final steer in 8.29 seconds, thus finishing the roping with a time of 34.31 seconds on four steers. That time held on for first place in the average. Davis and Huntington won $10,270, trophy Gist buckles, Resistol Straw Hats, Tony Lama Boots, Cinch Jeans and $6,000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the roping went to Tina Godfrey and Scott Morlan both from Colorado. Third place in the average was Walt Arnold from Silverton, Texas and Michael Fish from Capitan, N.M. Shannon Snyder and Leon Mounyo won the incentive average.
R.T. McElreath from Cimarron, Kan. and partner Joe Matile from Satanta, Kan. were the high team back of the #12 Preliminary and ultimately the champions of the roping with a time of 38.97 seconds on four steers. They earned $4,748, trophy Martin saddles and $8,000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place went to Ab Hendley and Randy Sanchez with a time of 41.59 seconds on four steers. Third place in the average was Doug Huhman and Warren Horner. The team of Tina Godfrey and Cavin Jacobs claimed the incentive win.
Hometown ropers Mike Lea-therwood and Randy Ragland were second high team back in the #12 Shoot Out. They caught their final steer in 9.20 seconds and finished the roping in first place with a time of 36.55 seconds on four steers. The duo won $10,000, trophy Martin saddles and $6.000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Josh Burns and Kent Thiessen. The third place team was Jeff Davis and Ty Toledo.
Kent Latta from Gage, Okla. and Kent Thiessen from Elk City, Okla. came from the third high back position to win the average of the #11 Preliminary. They were 36.89 seconds on four steers and won $4,756, trophy Martin saddles and $6,000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the average was Baltazar Gonzalez and Brett Smith. Third place went to Ferron Lucero from Clayton, N.M. and Steve Mauldin from Beggs, Okla. with a time of 39.54 seconds on four steers. Nicole and Carl Sweazea won the incentive average.
The Latta/Thiessen combination carried their winning ways into the #11 Shoot Out. The team was third high team back and caught their final steer in 8.71 seconds and finished the roping in first place with a time of 36.68 seconds on four steers.
“This was a good win and has been a good day,” said Kent Latta. “I am excited and have really enjoyed this event.”
The duo took home $10,000, trophy Martin saddles and $6,000 in USTRC Flex Earnings.
“I have been trying to win a USTRC saddle for 20 years and then today I have won two,” said Thiessen. “My son told me earlier today that third high team back was the perfect position to come back in. I guess he was right. What a great win.”
Second place in the average was Brent Boevers from Mustang, Okla. and Steve Mauldin. Third place in the roping was Riley Drury and Buster Record.
In the #10 Preliminary Jack Wilhite from Ropesville, Texas and Tracy Spencer came from the third high back position to win first place. They were 37.61 seconds on four steers and earned $5,960, trophy Martin saddles and $6,000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was the team of Kevin Sweazea and Matt Silva. John Hudgens and Jorge Hawkins Whetten finished in third place with a time of 40.03 seconds on four steers. Gerardo Perez and Russell Perez won the incentive average.
The #10 Shoot Out came right down to the wire, but when the dust settled, the winners of the roping were Roy Stone from Canyon, Texas and David Merrell from Hereford, Texas. They were the second call back and caught their last steer in 9.71 seconds to bring their total to 40.26 seconds on four steers. The win paid them $10,000, trophy Martin saddles and $6,000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Danny Watson and Troy Howard with a time of 40.95 seconds on four steers. Third place in the average went to Abby Medlin and Jace Davis.
The final day of the Southwest Regional Finals began with the #9 Preliminary. Glenn McReynolds and Pat Shelton won the incentive average and qualified to the short round in the second high back position. They caught their final steer in 10.39 seconds and finished the roping in first place with a time of 45.70 seconds on four steers. They took home $6,174, trophy Martin saddles, trophy Gist buckles and $8,000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the average went to John Hudgens and Joel Hernandez. Quade Hiatt and Jabin Rice won third place in the average.
The father/son team of Shawn and Gunnar Stapleton came from the sixth callback position to win first place in the #9 Shoot Out. They were 47.39 seconds on four steers and won $10,000, trophy Martin saddles and $6,000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the roping was Jim Rogers and Eric Strick with a time of 48.21 seconds on four steers. They earned $6,080 plus $6,000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Third place in the roping was Navor Levario and Gilbert Porras.
Tad Menefee from Lake Arthur, N.M. and Beau Bradley from Dimmitt, Texas partnered up to win first place in the #8 Pick/Draw. They were 33.48 seconds on three steers and won $4,164, trophy Gist buckles and $6,000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Tryston Miller and Jess Gossett and Miller and Cress Lujan finished in third place.
Kent Thiessen earned the high point Gold Plus Roper of the weekend award. For his efforts he won the USTRC National Finals of Team Roping Package including two paid Shoot Out Positions, two complimentary stalls, a complimentary Gold Plus RV spot and a 2012 NFTR Jacket. Abby Medlin was the Cruel Girl Champion over the weekend. She won a custom Gist buckle plus two pair of Cruel Girl jeans.
The Southwest Regional Finals came to a close and it was a great event. The weather was outstanding and the team roping camaraderie was second to none. If you missed out on the Southwest Regional Finals you will certainly want to put it on your calendar for next year.
#15 Shoot Out winners Eddie Nieto and Chase Massengill. Photo by Allen’s Rodeo Photos
#13 Shoot Out winners Kenny Beaty and Caleb Matott. Photo by Allen’s Rodeo Photos
#12 Shoot Out winners Randy Rangland and Mike Leatherwood. Photo by Allen’s Rodeo Photos
#11 Shoot Out winners Kent Thiessen and Kent Latta. Photo by Allen’s Rodeo Photos
#9 Shoot Out winners Shawn Stapleton and Gunnar Stapleton. Photo by Allen’s Rodeo Photos
