GUTHRIE, OKLAHOMA (April 3-4, 2023) – Wrangler BFI Week paid out a record $3.88 million to ropers and drew more than 2,000 teams. The event ran March 29 through April 4, and was comprised of 13 separate ropings over seven days in Guthrie, Oklahoma’s Lazy E Arena.
On April 3, former top professional steer wrestler-turned construction foreman Tooter Silver of Quitman, Arkansas, hit pay dirt in the #10.5-Over-40 event with electrician Cole Mott of Kansas, Oklahoma, to split $108,000. The pair edged reserve champs Tammy Ellerman and Jim Matlack of Colorado by a whopping five seconds over four rounds to get the win.
On the final day of BFI Week in the #9.5-Over-40, longtime friends Steven Hinson and Tom Bridges of Arkansas said they drew good cattle and, from second callback, made a clean run to edge 165 other teams for the win – and a split of $100,000 cash.
“You don’t get to rope for that kind of money very often,” said Hinson of Jonesboro. “We had to take it one steer at a time and it just worked out for us today. It’s always fun to turn around and see your heeler smiling. This win feels great!”
BFI #10.5 Over 40 Average (on four head): 1. Cole Mott and Tooter Silver, 30.85, $108,000. 2. Tammy Ellerman and Jim Matlack, 35.88, $71,000. 3. Randy Barnes and Richard Hughes, 37.48, $50,000. 4. Barry Berg and Brock Middleton, 38.39, $40,000. 5. John Wiggins and Eddie Cole, 39.87, $30,000. 6. Dave Wingo and Bobby Pugh, 39.91, $22,000. 7. Cole Mott and Justin Nowlin, 40.03, $18,000. 8. Jimmy Garcia and Perri Sanchez, 40.18, $14,000. 9. James Whitlow and Gilbert Porras, 42.33, $12,000. 10. Randy Barnes and David Miller, 42.89, $9,000. 11. Cliff Emmons and Jim Baker, 43.62, $7,500. 12. Kent Latta and Rob Lauer, 43.95, $6,000. 13. Mike Chandler and Tom Bridges, 44.13, $5,500. 14. Lynn Easterwood and Don Bay, 45.04, $5,000.
Round One Fast Time: 1. Kent Nixon and Cory Lloyd, 6.13, $4,000. 2. Mel Smith and Michael Angell, 6.31, $3,500. 3. Jason Cagle and Trenton Tucker, 6.97, $3,000. 4. Tyler Thompson and John Robert Anderson, 7.66, $2,500. Round Two Fast Time: 1. Lance Mudd and Glen Terrell, 6.34, $4,000. 2. Tarrant Stewart and Travis C Beck, 6.39, $3,500. 3. Kevin Pierce and Clint Sorrell, 6.74, $3,000. 4. Cole Mott and Tooter Silver, 6.81, $2,500. Fast Time Short Go. 1. Nicky Delgado and Earl Purcella, 14.18, $4,000. 2. James Whitlow and Gilberto Porras, 7.77, $3,000. 3. Jimmy Garcia and Perri Sanchez, 8.07, $2,500.
BFI #9.5 Over 40 Average (on four head): 1. Steve Hinson and Tom Bridges, 34.24, $100,000. 2. Josh Johnson and Ricky Bolin, 34.74, $57,000. 3. John J Thompson and Chan Peters, 35.07, $37,000. 4. Mike Carrell and Robin Bland, 35.36, $28,000. 5. Mel Coleman and Robert Lever, 36.63, $22,000. 6. Kirby Hill and Doug Holt, 37.42, $15,000. 7. Shawn Sullivan and Tommy Payne, 39.00, $13,000. 8. Brandy Lloyd and Cory Lloyd, 40.27, $10,000. 9. Billy Hines and Ronnie Atchley, 40.72, $7,500. 10. Jerry Herring and Tommy Payne, 41.25, $4,000. 11. Kelly Cheatham and Jason Mouton, 41.32, $4,000. 12. Gabe Volf and John P Fowler, 41.50, $4,000. 13. Ryan Benton and Kelly Tuley, 42.01, $4,000.
Rotation One Fast Time: 1. Jerry Herring and Tommy Payne, 7.18, $4,000. 2. Clay Armstrong and Aaron Harrell, 7.26, $3,500. 3. Steve Taylor and Michael Angell, 7.33, $3,000. 4. Mike Booth and Brock Middleton, 7.40, $2,500. Rotation Two Fast Time: 1. Lance Mudd and Scottie Primeaux, 7.22, $4,000. 2. Craig Moore and Tony Lang, 7.36, $3,500. 3. Mel Coleman and Robert Lever, 7.46, $3,000. 4. Josh Johnson and Ricky Bolin, 7.55, $2,500. Fast Time Short Go: 1. Jerry Chandler and Tooter Silver, 8.21, $3,500. 2. Ricky Schultz and Mike Booth, 8.93, $3,000. 3. Bruce Nitschke and Chan Peters, 11.02, $2,500.
Winners of the BFI #10.5 Over 40 roping were Cole Mott and Tooter Silver. – Andersen CBarC Photo
Steve Hinson and Tom Bridges were the winners of the BFI #9.5 Over 40 roping. – Andersen CBarC Photo