Ariat World Series of Team Roping Shatters Event Record with $18,025,500 Cash Payout at 17th Finale in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – The Ariat World Series of Team Roping concluded nine record-breaking days of competition, running December 9-17 at the South Point Hotel, Arena, Equestrian Center and Exhibit Hall, paying team ropers from all walks of life an unprecedented $18 million.
  This, the 17th rendition of The Finale, began with the Riata Buckle Open to the World and worked its way down to the novice ropers in the #7 Yeti Finale.
  For the past decade, catering to the recreational team roper, the Ariat WSTR Finale cash payout has grown steadily by a $1 million per year, at $14 million in the 14th year, $15 million in the 15th and last year $16 million during the 16th Finale. In 2023, the payout shot past all predictions and expectations, increasing $2 million and setting the new bar at more than $18 million.
  “Qualification events have been very strong all year so I felt confident that the Finale would surpass $17M but when I totaled up the final numbers on the final day, my hands were literally shaking” said Connie Gentry, President of the Western Sports Group division of Equine Network. “I added and re-added; but I guess since the 2020 event was cancelled because of COVID, it fits that 18 years later we hit $18M.”
  The 2023 Ariat WSTR Finale set more records than ever before. The roper attendance was a monumental 4400 ropers making up 5894 teams, and this high roper participation was reflected in the individual division payouts with five ropings paying out over $1 million and three divisions paying out over $2 million apiece.
  The highpoint of the week was the incredible $2,651,800 payout in the #9.5 Ariat Finale, which paid the winning team $400,000 plus H Holden Custom Bronzes, Cactus Saddles, Yeti Coolers, Gist Buckles, Mule Deer Foundation Rifles, Ariat apparel, and many more prizes. The son and father duo of Lorenzo and Antonio Carbajal (respectively) from Arizona captured the title by roping four steers in 31.31 seconds. Lorenzo is one of only two ropers in 17 years to win two Finale ropings, but the first in history to win the same roping twice. He won this same division in 2018, and while he was heading for his father this time around, Lorenzo was heeling during the prior win. Adding to the emotion of the story, Antonio was heeling on the same horse that Lorenzo rode in 2018. Although no horse’s earnings records have been officially kept until recently, it is safe to say the Carbajals’ heel horse is in contention for the winningest heel horse in WSTR history.
  To put on an event of this magnitude, quality roping cattle are of highest priority, and it took nearly 1,000 head of horned cattle running in three arenas simultaneously to accommodate all of the Finale contestants and an additional 1000 head for the outdoor events. Even with these large turnouts, most ropers were done in time to enjoy the nightly NFR performances or have an early dinner at one of the South Point restaurants.
  The partnership between the South Point and the Ariat World Series of Team Roping evolved over the years to include what is now one of the top Western trade shows and shopping experiences in town. From the main concourse of the arena through the entire exhibit hall space, the South Point hosts thousands of vendors ranging from Western boutiques, art, toys, gifts and furniture, to roping dummies, Cactus and Fast Back Ropes, and custom-shaped Resistol Hats.
  “Attendance was incredible this year,” said Steve Stallworth, General Manager of the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center. “230,000 people went up the escalators into the arena and trade show this year. Compared to the same days last year, we were sometimes up 10,000 people. Whatever everyone is doing in the roping and Western world is dang sure working!”
  The 2022-2023 CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Cody Johnson not only graced the Finale crowds by singing the National Anthem twice, but he also took home a check in the Yeti #10.5 and #7 Finales.
Thousands of amateur team ropers were handed checks over the nine days of competition, lives were changed, champagne was poured, and lasting memories were made by recreational ropers from many walks of life who filled their pockets—already looking forward to once again qualifying for the Ariat WSTR Finale XVIII in Las Vegas, Dec 7-15, 2024.
  About the WSTR: For the past 18 seasons World Series of Team Roping has strived to provide personal service to a small but influential group of ropers who share our philosophy of easier, smaller and richer ropings. It is our goal to continue improving our service to this elite group. For more information on the WSTR or to become a member visit WSTRoping.com. Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/WorldSeriesOfTeamRoping and @wstroping on Instagram.

  Ariat WSTR Finale XVII
  Las Vegas, Nevada, Dec. 9-17, 2023, South Point Arena & Equestrian Center, top 10 average winners Finale divisions; for complete results visit WSTRoping.com


Riata Buckle Open
1. Bubba Buckaloo and Nicky Northcott, 43.06, $106,000. 2. Brenten Hall and Cooper Freeman, 43.39, $75,000. 3. Cutter Machado and Dalton Pearce, 43.88, $57,000. 4. Garrett Tonozzi and Clay Futrell, 45.06, $42,000. 5. Cody Snow and Jade Corkill, 45.17, $21,000.
#14.5 Ariat Finale
1. Casey Lambert and Twister Smith, 28.73, $175,000. 2. Cole Eiguren and Matt Funk, 29.02, $135,000. 3. Kyle Esparza and Bruce Reidhead, 29.78, $95,000. 4/5. Wyatt Christensen and Jade Willis; Brian Gregg and Eric Williams, 29.81, $67,000. 6. Jason Handy and Ryan Powell, 29.84, $52,000. 7. Koby Ziemmer and Rocky Dallyn, 30.39, $44,000. 8. Swade Olsen and Jared Fillmore, 31.32, $40,000. 9. Bode Baize and Corban Livingston, 31.66, $35,000. 10. Jody Stubbs an Wayne D. Folmer, 32.11, $32,000.
#13.5 Fay Ranches Finale
1. Daylan Frost and Brendon Frost, 28.86, $222,000. 2. Murray G. Linthicum and Rocky Dallyn 31.12, $170,000. 3. Oliver Oliveros and Ryan Mayfield, 31.72, $120. 4. Cole Surls and Tyler Strickland, 31.97, $90,000. 5. Allen Riney and Matt Amerman, 32.21, $80.000. 6. Matt Owens and Kyle Lawrence, 32.33. $65,000. 7. Taylor Rossenbach and Tucker White, 32.75, $55,000. 8. Wyatt Kent and Jacob Auza, 32.84, $50,000. 9. Travis R. Bard and Rube Woolsey, 32.88, $45,000. 10. Chris Fleet and John Terrell, 33.01, $40,000.
#12.5 Ariat Finale
1. Trevor Nowlin and Trey Nowlin, 28.79, $272,000. 2/3 Cole Surls and Tucker Muskrat; Katlin Copp and Jake Cripps, 31.62, $179,000. 4. David Windon and Chance Clipper, 31.86, $110,000. 5. Kyle Dalgliesh and Clint Hiebert, 32.01, $99,000. 6. Twister Smith and Cort Smith, 32.78, $84,000. 7. Joel Lopez and Cruz Valenzuela, 32.93, $72,000. 8. Coleman Simmons and Travis Brown, 32.98, $61,000. 9. Ace Peterson and Tayrell Todd, 33.37, $54,000. 10. Ryan Bettencourt and Layton Oswald, 33.39, $48,000.

#11.5 Equine Hemp Solutions Finale
1. Kirby Hill and Bradley Ball, 30.82, $303,000. 2/3. Buddy Bledsoe and Michael Delaney; Buddy Darnell and Tee Cee Wills, 32.24, $199,500. 4. Joel Fuchs and Seth Fuchs, 32.29, $123,000. 5. Mike McLean and Mark Carlisle, 32.7, $110,000. 6. Cody Graham and Sean Kirk Thomas, 32.94, $95,000. 7. Josh Johnson and Dustin W. Noblitt, 33.31, $82,000. 8/9. Rusty Shaw and Zack Summerall; Afton Vititow and Todd Jaggers, 33.34, $64,500. 10. Shayne Sampson and Will Mitchell, 33.5, $55,000.
#10.5 Yeti Finale
1. Witt Crowser and Rio Nutter, 34.74, $342,000. 2. Karson Stephens and Gatz Michael, 35.72, $265,000. 3/4. Chad James Smith and Mark Collins; Cora Ann Borman and Jake Howe, 35.94, $163,000. 5. Jared Cox and Cass Gebbers, 36.28, $124,000. 6. Randy Holcomb and Wesley Holcomb, 36.54, $108. 7. Juan Gerardo Martinez and Colton  iller, 36.61, $93,000. 8. Brock Herman and Todd Snodgrass, 36.65, $77,000. 9. Jerry Short and Mark Keimig, 36.75, $64,000. 10. Shannon Matheson and Ken Matheson, 36.85, $60,000.
#9.5 Ariat Finale
1. Lorenzo Carbajal and Antonio Carbajal, 31.31, $400,000. 2. Wyatt Reid and Will Rector, 36.71, $308,000. 3. Jeremy Wachs and Jasper Winn, 37.55, $217,000. 4. Rhylan Roundy and Hayden Roundy, 38.18, $162,000. 5. Jay Rueter and Tom Bridges, 39.08, $145,000. 6. Connor Hanna and Brad Booth, 39.9, $118,000. 7. Tyler Brooks and Matt Watt, 40.25, $100,000. 8. David Carrillo and Leon Mounyo, 40.43, $90,000. 9. Saula Delgado and Beto Lechuga, 41.3, $82,000. 10. Lelan Fountain and Tristan Wright, 41.33, $72,000.
#8.5 Apex Finale
1. Charlie Robbins and Billy Resor, 35.27, $320,000. 2. John Kuban and Casey Wood, 35.4, $247,000. 3. Nick McClelland and Tony Sandoval, 36.33, $174,000. 4. Bob Richardson and David Rose, 37.4, $130,000. 5. Cody McNaney and Dillon McNaney, 39.46, $116,000. 6. Brenda Cropper and Riley Wanlass, 39.48, $94,000. 7. Tony McDaniel and Roy Haught, 40.51, $80,000. 8. Alejandro Munoz and Javier Delgado, 40.83, $72,000. 9. Wayne Herron and Dan Powell, 41.89, $65,000. 10. Jose Cuellar and Jose Hernandez, 42.06, $58,000.

#7 Yeti Finale
1. Laurie Blickenstaff and Michael Bounds, 37.61, $174,000. 2. JT Tsosie and Charleston Claw, 44.25, $135,000. 3. Ron Voss and Mark Crawford, 46.75, $95,000. 4. Laura Pikop and Johnnie Phillips, 48.09, $71,000. 5. Jarrett Webb DC and Lynne Faust, 50.44, $63,000. 6. Carollann Romo and Ben Scott, 52.83, $51,000. 7. Miguel Corral and Ivan Quezada, 53.89, $43,000. 8. Dillon Crumpler and Shawn Browning, 57.4, $40,000. 9. Marqus Fisher and Donald Richard, 64.46, $36,000. 10. Justin Ince and Dustin Maness, 35.68 on 3, $32,000.
#15.5 Priefert
1. Devon McDaniel and Tyler Whitlow, 26.25, $33,790. 2. Clay McNichol and Denim Ross, 28.07, $25,340. 3. Kyon Kreutzer and Kory Bramwell, 28.42, $18,300. 4. Hagen Paterson and TJ Bowler, 28.71, $15,490. 5. Clay Elkington and Cody Burnside, 28.85, $12,670. 6. Roan Oldfield and Belden Cox, 28.95, $9,860. 7. Thomas Braman and Brock Hanson, 29.11, $8,450. 8. Damian Padilla Jr. and Michael Eugenio Calmelat, 29.15, $7,040. 9. Jaxon Hill and Tripp Johnson, 29.59, $5,630. 10. Jake Brown and Kyle R. Crick, 29.77, $4,230.
#13.5 Bloomer Qual.
1. Jason Foegelle and Troy Luevanos, 28.41, $52,660. 2. Chad Cherry and Pake Stamper, 29.96, $40,690. 3. Carlos Flores and Edgar Villegas Jr., 30.14, $28,720. 4. Ken Winn and Clint Robinson, 30.16, $21,540. 5. Karson Stephens and Dane Reed, 30.68, $19,150. 6. Levi Silva and Barry Gentry, 30.82, $16,760. 7. Bobby Baize and Corban Livingston, 30.99, $14,360. 8. Jake D. Cooper and Guy Chomistek, 31.09, $11,970. 9. Steven Barnett and Cody Tew, 31.17, $9,570. 10. Buckshot Patterson and Romeo Moreno, 31.23, $9,570.
#12.5 Bloomer Qual.
1. Shane McCune and Clay Burnham, 27.38, $58,010. 2. Lance Horner and Britt Williams, 29.85, $44,830. 3/4. Morgan Holmes and Ty Chancey; Lance Mudd and Joe Rion, 30.69, $27,686. 5. Aaron Bond and Tyler Pearson, 31.16, $21,090. 6. Shane Paschal and Lance Broesche, 31.84, $18,460. 7. Martin Wall and Corban Livingston, 31.87, $15,820. 8. Omar Ruiz and Justin C. Vallejo, 31.92, $13,180. 9. Jerry Fonseca and Diego Ibarra, 31.98, $10,550. 10. Paul Bonnett and Rocky Dallyn, 32.26, $10,550.
#11.5 Gist Key Card
1. Joel Fuchs and Seth Fuchs, 30.87, $67,770. 2. Jordan Outlaw and Jace Outlaw, 32.66, $52,370. 3. Jayme Marcrum and Brice Stafford, 32.8, $36,960. 4. Clarence T. Sanchez and Milnor Lucro, 33.73, $27,720. 5. Phil Burris and Chase Massengill, 33.91, $24,540. 6. Ryan Bettencourt and Lane Wheeler, 33.94, $21,560. 7. Wesley Baird and Jimmie Stanzel, 33.99, $18,480. 8. Kevin Pierce and Justin Saulters, 34.04, $15,400. 9. Juan Barrera and Johnny East, 34.06, $12,320. 10. Rhett Jordan and Dylan Nelson, 35.27, $12,320.
#10.5 Roping.com Key Card
1. Jamie Mitchell and Ron C. Johnson, 31.69, $73,970. 2. Jake Rita and Robert Rita, 31.91, $57,160. 3. Kelvin Rion and Zachary McAlister, 32.23, $40,350. 4. Gabe Volf and Jose Cuevas, 32.9, $30,260. 5. Witt Crowser and Rio Nutter, 34.64, $26,900. 6. Jake Leach and Bryan Caldwell, 35.66, $23,540. 7. Jared Sikorski and Seth Morgan, 36.89, $20,170. 8. Blake Beck and Rhett Nebeker, 37.12, $16,810. 9. Derrick Romney and Rex Hawkins, 37.33, $13,450. 10. Byron Lenox and Shannon Rodell, 37.64, $10,090.
#8.5 US Roper Key Card
1. Alfonso Macias and Eric Guevara, 36.19, $53,540. 2. 2. Cody Kinard and Russell Holden, 37.24, $37,060. 3. Jubal Williamson and Billy Resor, 41.07, $28,830. 4. Jordan L. Muncy and Lucas Hogue, 41.94, $22,650. 5. Juan Pina and Jose Pepe Briseno Solorzano, 42.21, $18,530. 6. Pete Garza and Tony Bernard, 43.4, $14,410. 7. Jeff Strnadel and Bubba Fritsch, 43.78, $12,360. 8. Vince Baker and Billy Ray Williams, 44.8, $10,300. 9. Ethen Hager and Clay Applewhite, 46.29, $8,240.