superlooper-may 2012

SUPERLO

OPER MAGAZINE TH

E MAGAZIN

E FOR TEA

M RO

PERSMAY 2012

SUPERLO

OPER MAGAZINE TH

E MAGAZIN

E FOR TEA

M RO

PERSMAY 2012

May 2012 Cover_Cover 4/25/12 11:04 AM Page 1

May 2012 Cover_Cover 4/25/12 11:04 AM Page 1

DISCOUNTS OFFERED TO EQUINE ORGANIZATIONS. ASK FOR DETAILS.

603 SW Georgia AvenueSweetwater, TX 79556

New Cars: 1-888-344-4162

Used Cars: 1-888-366-9060

Service: 1-888-699-1179

Parts: 1-888-822-8114

S05DF_StnlyFrd_P_Layout 1 4/5/12 1:41 PM Page 1

S05DF_RckyMntn_P_Layout 1 4/10/12 11:25 AM Page 1

DUB GRANTROPES

QUANTITY DISCOUNTSQty. Price1-11 $19.9912-23 $18.9924+ $17.99

BUY MORE AND SAVE AT NRSWORLD.COM

COOLWRAP35-8012

QUANTITY DISCOUNTSQty. Price1-6 $19.997-23 $17.9924-49 $15.9950+ $14.99


RS015300

ROPE QUANTITY DISCOUNTSBuy 3 or more Take $1 OFF each

Buy 6 or more Take $1 OFF each & FREE Shipping

Only at NRSworld.com or call 800-GO-ROPIN

NRSWORLD.COM


NRS-XHW

S05DF_NtnlRprS_P_Layout 1 4/2/12 2:34 PM Page 1

ARENA & PARTNERArena and roping partner required for practice

HEELOMATIC.com888.HEELING SCAN THIS QR CODE

TO SEE REAL RESULTS

AND RECEIVE PRO TIPS

[888-433-5464]

Success is a direct result of quality practice. I use the most REALISTIC, DURABLE and MANEUVERABLE machine on the market. My Heel-O-Matic gets the most done for my horses and me in half the time.

-RICH SKELTON, 8X WORLD CHAMPION

PURCHASE COSTSPurchase cost or lease fees, sell at a potential loss

GROUND-DRIVEN TRAINER

the heel-o-matic value

VETERINARY EXPENSESVeterinary expenses and time of treatment

TIMETime spent moving, breaking in, wrapping, feeding and watering

FEED COSTSFeed costs and steer upkeep

THE COST OF CATTLE

DO THE MATHinvest for success

S03DF_HeelOMat_P_Layout 1 1/26/12 10:31 AM Page 1

THE MAGAZINE FOR TEAM ROPERS

USTRCChampionship Results62 Oklahoma Winter Classic

68 Louisiana Championships

74 East Nebraska Championships

82 Colorado River Championships

86 Tennessee Championships

92 Northern California Championships

96 Northeast Kansas Championships

102 New Mexico Championships

108 Bluegrass Championships

36FEATURE

COVER PHOTO BY LONE WOLF PHOTOGRAPHY

North Country Classic

FEATURES8 Just the Way It Is by Ben Clements

10 USTRC Announcements

12 By the Numbers by John Findlay

16 Gold Plus Report by Ty Hillman

20 InsiderWhat Twisselman Stands For!

22 Top Tips with Rickey Green

24 Champions Profile Sloan Kuehl & Stuart Lenoir

28 Horse HealthDont Skip the Purchase Exam

32 Tryan and Smith rope record-setting

paydays at the GSTRC

46 USTRC On Tap

48 US Open Tour Standings

50 Cruel Girl Standings

07 MAY TOC_TOC 4/12/12 12:40 PM Page 7

Team roping tests our abilities, our nerves, our discipline,our perseverance and our commitment. I have seen ropers, myself included, miss a heel or head loop and throwtheir rope high into the air in frustration. Can you imaginehow that looks to the average observer? We have to laugh atourselves in order to keep the world sane around us.

One of the most popular articles in SuperLooper isThe Other Half - Thoughts of a Team Roping Spouse. Most people smile when they read it because it rings true toall of us. Poor Gracie has a terrible time with her ropingfamily and sometimes when she feels like crying she ismaking us smile and laugh because we have all been thereand done that.

A good deep belly laugh is healing, healthy and has morepositive ramifications than even a hug. You dont want tolaugh at the expense of someones well being but it is okay tolaugh and smile when things are joyful, fun and healthy.Sometimes you just have to laugh to keep from crying andyou know when you look back it will have been a comedy of errors.

I remember a story my parents told to me about being onthe rodeo trail. In the middle of the night during a long rodeorun my mom left my dad on the side of the road in themiddle of nowhere. She didnt mean to. She thought he got inand closed the camper door, but really the wind just blew thedoor shut. Thinking all was well she drove off into the nightleaving my dad standing in the bar ditch. It was not funny tosay the least at the time, but you should have heard theteasing and ribbing my dad got when his roping buddiesfound out. He wasnt laughing but in looking back, it is one of their favorite stories.

All of us have similar stories and incidents that bring asweet smile to our faces. We dont like to admit our mess upsor failures but some things in life are just funny. We treasureall those things that makes us laugh and they are thememories life is made of.

Laughing is just good for the soul and if you can laugh it iseasier to work, love, live and just get through each trying day.Smile and the whole world smiles with you and that is justthe way it is.

MAY 2012JUST theWAY IT IS

ou just sometimes cannot help laughing. I mean wehave all been in that situation where someone gets in a mess or is the brunt of a joke and you just have

to laugh. Did you know it takes less facial muscles to smilethan it does to frown?

None of us like to be made fun of. It is much better tohave a good time at someone elses expense but you have toadmit having a sense of humor makes it better for everyoneinvolved. All of us do stupid stuff and when I look back onsome of my worst messes I cannot help but smile.

There are many times when, if it wasnt for a sense ofhumor and the ability to laugh, we couldnt make it.Sometimes laughing at ourselves is the only thing that keeps us sane.

We have all been in those precarious positions where wecannot help but snicker under our breath. Goodness knowsour buddies, friends and family have done their share ofsnickering at us when we screw up.

Did you know the things we fuss over, worry over andstress over wont matter next week or even tomorrow? Wehave to learn to smile and see the bright side. I am so gladmy wife doesnt tape our practice roping sessions. Theywould be enough to make even the most serious roper falloff his horse in a deep belly laugh.

I remember a story related to me one time about this highschool band director who, more than anything, wanted hisband to win the state performance band award. He hadpushed the kids unmercifully in practice after practice to thepoint the kids were maxed out. They had one more practiceand were all seated in the auditorium. In frustration over thepractice the director threw his baton in the air andsurprisingly the baton stuck in a light fixture above the stageand dangled there. The kids stared. The director could nothave done it again if his life had depended on it. Suddenlythe kids burst into uncontrollable laughter. The wholeincident broke the tension and the practice turned out to beone of the best. The point being it takes laughter to show youthings are going to be okay. It takes a sense of humor to keepreality in check. It takes laughter to show you the world maybe crumbling but there is still hope.

YSmile and the Whole World Smiles with You

08 JTWii_Layout 1 4/11/12 3:24 PM Page 8

SUPERLOOPER MAGAZINE / 9

DEPARTMENTS120 On the Edge of Common Sense

by Baxter Black

122 Riding Herd by Lee Pitts

124 The Other Half by Gracie Mae

126 Sports Medicine Stable by Mark Duncan

128 Walt Woodard

130 BuckVentures

132 SuperLooper Events Calendar

133 MarketPlace

201 Advertisers Index

SUPERLOOPER MAGAZINE10601 Lomas Blvd. NE, Suite 106

Albuquerque, NM 87112

Advertising or Editorial:505/899-1870 fax: 505/792-5678

Produced and published by USTRC

EDITORIAL & ADVERTISINGUSTRC Editor: Ben ClementsAssociate Editor: Ryan Davis

Sales Manager & Event Advertising: John EnglishAdvertising Representatives:Monica Davis, Steve Miera

Customer Service Representative: Jules Price

CIRCULATION & PRODUCTIONArt Director: Marcia Rackstraw

Production Coordinator: Violet Sue AndersonGraphic Designer: Doug Purdy

OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHY BYAllens Rodeo Photos

P. O. Box 270428, Flower Mound, TX 750271-800-438-8659 www.allensrodeophotos.com

May 2012 / Vol. 21, No. 5SuperLooper Magazine (ISSN 1069-5508, USPS No. 009983)is pub lished monthly by

Western Sports Publishing, Inc., 10601 Lomas Blvd. NE, Suite 106

Albuquerque, NM 87112 Subscription price: 1 yr. - $20.

Periodicals Postage Paid at Albuquerque, New Mexico and additional mailing offices. Copyright 2000 by Super Looper Magazine. Material may not be used without permissionfrom the publisher. Deadline for editorial and

advertising is the 25th of the month,two months preceding issue date.

Advertising rates on request. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGE TO

SuperLooper Magazine c/o Western Sports Publishing, Inc.,10601 Lomas Blvd. NE, Suite 106

Albuquerque, NM 87112Advertising claims are the sole responsibility of the advertiser, not SuperLooper Magazine.

CR VSA IN HOUSE PROOF CRXD

09 MAY Masthead_Masthead 4/11/12 3:47 PM Page 9

10 / MAY 2012

To see all previous USTRC announcements made for the 2011 season visit www.ustrc.com and click on the Announcements link.

Announcements

Plan your next roping event by clicking on the USTRCCalendar at www.ustrc.com. The calendar is filled with

great team roping events and is the best way to keep track ofwhere to go. Also dont forget to put the Cinch USTRC NationalFinals of Team Roping on your agenda. The action startsOctober 20, 2012 and will run through October 28, 2012.

All USTRC members receive Flex Earnings uponparticipation at a USTRC Sanctioned or Affiliate event.

Gold Spur members receive $1,000 and Gold Plus membersreceive $3,000, which can be used at any Regional Finals or the Cinch National Finals of Team Roping.

Renew your membership today for 2012. Gold PlusMemberships are $300 and Gold Spur Memberships are

$100. Call 254-968-0002 today or get online at www.ustrc.comand make your purchase.

The DVDs from the 2011 Cinch USTRC National Finalsof Team Roping are available online. The DVD will show

all five go rounds of the US Open plus the short go round. Itwill also include the short rounds of all Shoot-Outs, the CruelGirl and the Century Roping. This makes a great gift for theteam roper in your family. DVDs are available for purchase on line at www.ustrc.com.

As of November 1, 2011, Gold Plus members must be 25 years of age or older to be eligible to compete in the

Gold Plus division. Eligible members 18 to 24 years of age canstill purchase a Gold Plus membership and receive all of thebenefits other than competing in the Gold Plus division.

Remember, ropers and producers with the TRIADClassification agreement with the Word Series of Team

Roping, TRIAD Classification numbers will be used at WorldSeries Events.

Current USTRC memberships are accepted at any WSevent, but only a USTRC membership is accepted at a

USTRC Sanctioned, Affiliate or Grassroots event.

If you have purchased your USTRC Membership card,but have not received it, please contact USTRC and

make sure all of your information in the system is correct.Many times there are missing social security numbers, birthdates, or incorrect addresses. If you have a change of address(mailing or email) please contact the USTRC and update your profile.

If you are not receiving the SuperLooper Magazine pleasecheck with the USTRC National Office to make sure your

address on record is correct.

Check your Available (Flex) Earnings online at MemberServices. Make sure you are ready for the upcoming Regional

Finals - the first one West Coast Regional, June 22-24. 2012, PasoRobles CA. Get your Available Earnings account full and be ready to enter one of the premier events of the year.

Revised Rule12.1 All roping cattle shall consist of native Corriente, native

Longhorn or Mexico Corriente. Native roping heifers may be used ifthey are of same quality. (Note to Producers and Cattle Contractors:Native heifers used at roping events may only be comingled withother native Longhorn and/or native Corriente cattle. Due to theprobability that native heifers may be used in a breeding programprior to slaughter, they may NOT be comingled with MexicoCorriente roping stock.) Weight limits on all roping stock should be 350 lbs to 550 lbs.Please direct your questions or comments on this rule revision

to [email protected] or [email protected].

USTRC Regional Finals are just around the corner. Checkthis issues ads to find the Regional Finals you want to attend.

Ropers make sure you are eligible by participating in a 2012season Affiliate, Grassroots or Sanctioned event or a Regionalpreliminary division prior to the Shoot-Out division you want toenter. Also, go online www.ustrc.com/member services and checkyour Available Earnings you have to qualify for a Regional Shoot-Out division.

USTRC is excited to announce there will be a minimum of$105,000 added cash to the Regional Finals Gold Plus

Ropings this year. This means there will be at least $15,000 added to the ropers pot in the Gold Plus division at each of the sevenRegional Finals. Last year, USTRC added $12,800 in each Gold Plus Regional

Roping and the results were amazing as the Gold Plus division at all seven of the Regional Finals were the highest paying Gold Plusropings ever in the history of those seven events. If you have anyquestions, contact Gold Plus Representative Ty Hillman [email protected].

10 MAY Announce_10 ANNOUNCEMENTS 4/11/12 11:27 AM Page 10

Essential Tools to Aid in Training National Tour to Discover the Method Clinics to Learn the Method One on One

NO SECRET FORMULAS. NO MAGIC. NO FLUFF.CLINTON ANDERSONS METHOD CAN TEACH ANY HORSEMAN HOW TO DEVELOP SAFE, RESPONSIVE, AND WILLING HORSES.

VIS IT CLINTONANDERSON.COM OR DOWNUNDERHORSEMANSHIP.COM FOR MORE INFO

S04DF_ClnAndDwn_P_Layout 1 2/27/12 4:50 PM Page 1

f you were a winner at one of the USTRCs sanctioned ropingsthis season, you may have noticed that you headed home with a fatter paycheck than you may have been used to. There is a good

reason for that. Actually, there are two good reasons for that. The firstreason there are larger payouts at USTRC ropings this season hasbeen the elimination of ropers contributions to the USTRC Shoot-Out Fund. Because of USTRCs guaranteed pledge of a minimum ofone million dollars going to that fund annually, there is no furtherneed for additional contributions from ropers. As a consequence, themoney that had been going into the Shoot-Out Fund trust account asfunds set aside for the Cinch USTRC National Finals Shoot-Outs, isnow going home with winning ropers instead. Purses at USTRCropings have swelled by as much as 10% as a result.

The second reason I attribute primarily to an improvement in theU.S. economy. We are finally seeing some growth in what has been arather moribund state of financial affairs for the last few years. Theunemployment rate is down . . . slightly, consumer spending is up . . .slightly, real estate prices have bottomed out . . . maybe, andpersonal income and outlays are up . . . a little. Long story short,things are starting to look up . . . kinda. But be that as it may, I CANtell you, with no uncertainty, that attendance and purses at USTRCsanctioned ropings so far in this 2012 season, on the whole, aredefinitely up! No question, for sure, without a doubt, andindubitably. And how do I know? Just take a look at the table.

It lists all of the sanctioned ropings USTRC has had so far thisseason that have been recorded in our TRIAD database by the timeSuperLooper went to press. They are listed in chronological orderfrom the first roping of the season back in November 11 to the most recent. The first column of the table lists the roping with itslocation, the next column lists the dates of the roping this season and last season, next comes a comparison of entry fees, this seasonand last season. The next two columns compare the number ofteams, followed by a comparison of Ropers Pots. The last twocolumns compare the difference in Ropers Pots, first in dollars andthen by percent.

Out of the nineteen ropings that had counterparts from last year,all but three of them paid out a larger purse (one, the Duke CityClassic in Albuquerque, was a first this season.) Now lets review mytwo assumed reasons for this growth. The first was the elimination ofroper contributions to the Shoot-Out Fund. For a really goodexample of just how much eliminating those contributions impactedRopers Pots, look at the Oil Capital Stampede held back inDecember in Tulsa. Check out the number of teams that participatedin the last two years 1,104 in Season 11 and 1,110 in Season 12, adifference of six teams. But now look at the difference in Ropers Pots $120,404 in Season 11 but $130,100 in Season 12, a difference of

12 / MAY 2012

USTRC

BY JOHN FINDLAYby theNNUUMMBBEERRSS

ISo, How Are We Doing?

nearly $10,000 ($9,696). In the last column you see that amounted toa gain of 8.1%, with virtually the same number of teams and entryfees both years. That is a significant difference. Now look at theMississippi Classic in Jackson back in November. The differencebetween this season and last was only 21 teams to the good (922 in12 to 901 in 11), but the difference in Roping Pots was major.Jackson went from $96,076 in Season 11 to $110,495 in Season 12,an increase of $14,419 or 15%. This 15% increase was a little higherthan normal because of the complex way in which teams arecounted in the #8 Pick/Draw. Some day I might bore you with whythat is but for the moment you can figure that the elimination of theShoot-Out Fund at ropings this season is adding 8 to 10% back toeach ropings pot on average.

Now for the second reason pots are increasing teams are up. Itis this element that makes me suspect that economic conditions areimproving in the heartland of America. The more money circulatingaround team roper towns, the more team ropers are going to rope.They will go to more ropings and they will rope more often. This issimply a reflection of what all of you Im sure learned in Economics101, that being consumer choice theory. Consumer choice theory is away of analyzing how consumers (ropers) may achieve equilibriumbetween preferences and expenditures by maximizing utility assubject to consumer budget constraints. Did you get that? Let me,even with my meager understanding, try to explain. Preferences arethe desires by each consumer (roper) for the consumption of goodsand services (i.e. to pay to enter a roping) that translate into choicesbased on (a ropers) income or wealth for purchases of goods andservices (theres that roping thing again) to be combined with theconsumer's time (this weekend) to define consumption activities(rope!). See, its just simple economics. Roper with more money =more roping. Im glad weve got that cleared up.

Thirteen of the nineteen ropings through March 18 had moreteams this year than last year and two of those that didnt hadincreased their entry fees which usually results in fewer ropersregardless. The two that gained the most in Ropers Pot dollars werethe Will Rogers Classic in Ada, OK with a whopping $107,122 gainand Lasso Del Sol in Scottsdale, AZ with a $88,698 gain. The Adaroping more than doubled their pot from 11 to 12 going from$105,840 to $212,962. The Scottsdale roping was up by over 63%. Thenext two ropings with nice gains were the Muddy River Classic inMemphis, up nearly 60% and the Oklahoma Winter Classic inGuthrie with a nearly 38% increase. There were only two ropings that did not fare well. One was the Laughlin Team Roping Finals, that has been suffering for a few years now to the extent that theNovember proceeding was its last. The Laughlin Team Roping Finalsis no more. Another, the Maui Classic was down this year but not

12 By the Numbers_Layout 1 4/5/12 10:58 AM Page 12


Laughlin T.R. FinalsFort Mohave, AZ

Colorado Fall Champ.Loveland, CO

Duke City ClassicAlbuquerque, NM

Maui ClassicMakawao, HI

Mississippi ClassicJackson, MS

Oil Capital StampedeTulsa, OK

Lasso Del SolScottsdale, AZ

South Georgia ClassicPerry, GA

Bayou Champ.Kinder, LA

Heart of Texas Champ.Waco, TX

Will Rogers ClassicAda, OK

Colorado Winter Champ.Denver, CO

East Texas Champ.Athens, TX

Hawaii Champ.Kamuela, HI

Muddy River ClassicMemphis, TN

South Texas Champ.Bryan, TX

Florida Champ.Green Cove Springs, FL

Louisiana Champ.West Monroe, LA

Oklahoma Winter ClassicGuthrie, OK

Colorado River ClassicFort Mohave, AZ

11/18/2011-11/19/2010

11/25/2011-11/12/2010

11/25/2011

11/25/2011-11/26/2010

11/26/2011-11/27/2010

12/2/2011-12/3/2010

12/29/2011-1/1/2011

12/30/2011-1/1/2011

1/6/2012-1/21/2011

1/13/2012-1/14/2011

2/3/2012-9/30/2011

2/10/2012-2/4/2011

2/17/2012-2/18/2011

2/17/2012-2/17/2011

2/17/2012-2/18/2011

3/2/2012-3/3/2011

3/3/2012-3/5/2011

3/9/2012-3/18/2011

3/9/2012-3/11/2011

3/16/2012-3/11/2011

$60,218

$118,364

$81,452

$31,293

$110,495

$130,100

$227,800

$125,617

$196,570

$306,335

$212,962

$129,885

$173,403

$61,931

$172,578

$206,408

$57,370

$139,272

$230,610

$80,228

$2,771,439

$200/$300

$200/$160

#N/A

$160/$120

$200/$200

$200/$200

$200/$200

$160/$160

$200/$200

$200/$200

$160/$160

$200/$200

$200/$300

$160/$160

$160/$160

$200/$200

$160/$160

$160/$160

$200/$200

$200/$200

*Total

Difference$ %

Entry Fee12 / 11

Roping NameRoping Location

Roping Pots at USTRC Sanctioned Ropings 2012 Season to Date Compared to 2011

Dates12 / 11

Ropers Pot12 11

567

1,116

#N/A

581

901

1,104

1,213

1,012

1,639

2,340

1,109

1,010

955

536

1,150

1,518

634

1,369

1,610

376

20,740

17.8%

$115,815

$105,939

#N/A

$43,455

$96,076

$120,404

$139,102

$90,770

$191,152

$266,105

$105,840

$112,315

$143,207

$52,935

$108,237

$168,003

$58,032

$133,622

$167,187

$46,053

$2,264,248

22.4%

$55,597

$12,425

#N/A

$12,162

$14,419

$9,696

$88,698

$34,847

$5,418

$40,230

$107,122

$17,570

$30,196

$8,996

$64,341

$38,405

$662

$5,651

$63,424

$34,175

-48.0%

11.7%

#N/A

-28.0%

15.0%

8.1%

63.8%

38.4%

2.8%

15.1%

101.2%

15.6%

21.1%

17.0%

59.4%

22.9%

-1.1%

4.2%

37.9%

74.2%

505

1,060

707

378

922

1,110

1,706

1,261

1,549

2,499

2,094

1,132

1,430

712

1,782

1,657

601

1,332

2,063

633

24,426

Increase

Teams12 11

*Less Duke City Classic

from a lack of support from the locals. A lot of Hawaiis ropings,while not dependent on mainland ropers, are impacted by howmany can make the long trip and this year, not as many were onhand as usual.

Overall, total team counts so far are up from 20,740 to 24,426,

a huge 17.8% increase and pots are even better. Last year by themiddle of March we were at $2,264,248 while this year we were at$2,771,439, a whopping 22.4% growth. So ropers, things are lookingup. If your ropes been getting a little dusty the last few years, hey . . .Get back in the game!

12 By the Numbers_Layout 1 4/5/12 10:58 AM Page 13

14 / MAY 2012

Southern Colorado Livestock

AUCTIONMonte Vista, Colorado5660 E. Hwy 160

Friday-SaturdayMay 18-19, 2012

Catalog fee $100Commission 8%No pass out feeHorses limited to 75 headHorses must be broke to leadCattle available for demonstrationCatalog Deadline - April 30, 2012

Friday, May 18Broke horse

Demonstration - 4:00 p.m.

Food and entertainment - 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 19Broke horse

Demonstration - 10:00 a.m.Tack Sells - 1:00 p.m.Horse Sell - 2:00 p.m.

Great Selection of Performance Horses, Ranch Horses and Pleasure Horses!

HORSE SALE IS LIMITED!

Cattle Available

For informationJohn Malouff (719) 580-1732Sabina Malouff (719) 580-1749

Office (719) 852-9500www.sclaauction.com

S04DF_SthrnCoL_K_Layout 1 4/4/12 2:43 PM Page 14

RR3212

RR3206

RR3210

S04DF_TnyLmBtC_P_Layout 1 2/28/12 11:56 AM Page 1

16 / MAY 2012

PHOT

O BY

3 L

AZY

J PHO

TOS

continued on page 18

n 2011, USTRC took a huge step topolish the shine on the Gold Plus

program by adding $12,800 to the GoldPlus division at each of the sevenRegional Finals. While I knew the ideawould be a big hit, I did not know towhat extent. Gold Plus members showedtremendous support by taking the GoldPlus division to a whole new level. Lastyear, the Gold Plus division at all sevenRegional Finals events had the highestpayout of any Regional Gold Plusdivision ever. West Coast Gold Plusmembers did not respond with quite asmuch enthusiasm as the Gold Plusdivision only had 85 teams but still paidout $28,000 which was 110% cashpayback. West Coast ropers still seemed

happy as they told me that it isnt veryoften they can rope for over 100% oftheir entry fees. The Northwest RegionalFinals had a similar story as 133 teamscompeted for $37,000 (93% payback). One of the aspects many people

overlooked in the Gold Plus ropings lastyear is how many checks were paid outand how much money ropers won in theIncentive. As the sport of team ropinghas gained popularity over the years andropings have started paying more andmore money, ropers have started to basethe success of the roping strictly by howmuch money first place in the Averagepays. This is great for the one team whowins first place, but not so good forevery other team entered. Last year, the

winning team of the Gold Plus Averagewon anywhere from $7,500 to $11,000not to mention the prizes, but whatmany ropers disregarded is how manyropers won checks. At the West CoastRegional Finals last year, eight out of 85teams won checks, including theIncentive Average winners who cashedin almost $4,000 with a time of 37.90 onthree steers. Not bad considering a 12.5second per steer average for a #10 team.On the opposite end of the spectrum, 25of the 296 teams that entered the GoldPlus division at the Lone Star RegionalFinals won a check, which included theIncentive Average winners cashing in$7,400 plus prizes. Any roping that pays$7,400 is considered a good roping by

$105,000 Added Cash in Gold Plus at 2012 USTRC Regionals!

I

Oklahoma ropers, Dustin Elmenhorst and Nick Lauer tookhome the Gold Plus Championships at the Oklahoma WinterClassic. They roped four head in 28.82 seconds to win $4,486 incash, trophy Gist buckles and $6,000 in USTRC Flex earnings.

The Texas team of Brandon Thornton and Justin Concilio rolled across the state lineto win the Gold Plus roping at the Louisiana Championships. The duo roped four headin 32.25 seconds and took home $3,832 in cash, trophy Gist buckles and $6,000 inUSTRC Flex earnings.

PHOT

O BY

LON

E W

OLF

PHOT

OGRA

PHY

16-18 Gold Plus_Layout 1 4/12/12 11:13 AM Page 16


Winning $3,140 in cash, trophy Gist buckles and $6,000 in USTRC Flex earnings, the teamof Danny Miller and Joe Matile were the champions of the Gold Plus roping at the EasternNebraska Championships. The duo won the roping with a time of 31.36 seconds.

The Colorado River Classic held in Fort Mohave,Arizona witnessed the team of Jeff Davis andJoaquin Huntington team up to win the Gold Plusroping, They roped four head in 39.28 seconds towin $2,182 in cash, trophy Gist buckles and $6,000in USTRC Flex earnings.

PHOT

O BY

3 LAZ

Y J P

HOTO

S

Pete Durden from Florida and Travis Polk from Tennessee teamed up at the TennesseeChampionships and won the Gold Plus roping. They put together four solid runs in 34.19seconds to win $3,420 in cash, trophy Gist buckles and $6,000 in USTRC Flex earnings.

PHOT

O BY

C BAR

C PHO

TOGR

APHY

Joseph Southern of Tennessee and Jimmy Kelly, Jr. of Pennsylvania teamed up at the BluegrassChampionships in Kentucky and won the Gold Plus roping. They roped four head in 32.25 seconds and won$1,830 in cash, trophy Gist buckles and $6,000 in USTRC Flex earnings.

PHOT

O BY

C BAR

C PHO

TOGR

APHY


18 / MAY 2012

Gold Pluscontinued from page 16

Clovis, New Mexico and the New Mexico Championships played out well for the Texas team of Ab Hendley and Joey Martin.They won the Gold Plus roping with a four-head total of 35.14 seconds. The win earned them $4,106 in cash, trophy Gistbuckles and $6,000 in USTRC Flex earnings.

A ways from home, the team of Kirk Kooiker from Minnesota and Terry Durbin from Illinois won theGold Plus roping at the Northeast Kansas Championships. They roped four head in 32.01 seconds towin $3,497 in cash, trophy Gist buckles and $6,000 in USTRC Flex earnings.

most ropers standards but for Incentiveropers to win that much and have achance for an additional $11,000 in themain Average is exceptional! Needless tosay, 2011 was a great year for Gold Plusmembers at the Regional Finals but Ithink 2012 is going to be even better.

With that said, I am excited to tell youthat USTRC is stepping up to add$105,000 to the Regional Finals Gold Plus

Ropings this year which means therewill be $15,000 added at each RegionalFinals. Like last year, the added moneywill be added to the ropers pot, as awhole, so whether you win a check inthe fast time, Incentive, or the mainAverage, you will reap the benefits of theadded money. The prize line will consistof Gist buckles, Resistol straw hats, TonyLama boots, and three pairs of Cinch orCruel Girl jeans for first place in theAverage while Gist buckles and ClassicEquine horse sheets, rope bags, andduffel bags will be awarded to theIncentive Average winners. The High

Point Gold Plus member of theweekend will win a NFTR packagewhich includes entry fees paid intotwo Shoot-Outs of choice, two stallsfor up to nine nights, a Gold Plus RVspot located behind barn 9, and apersonalized NFTR leather jacket.

USTRC is taking great strides tocontinue to improve the Gold PlusProgram and appreciates all of thecontinued support from itsmembers. If you have any questionsabout anything, please feel free tocontact me. I look forward to visitingwith you.

The team of Pam and Carl Wilken were theGold Plus winners at this years NorthernCalifornia Classic event. They roped four headin 38.71 seconds and won $1,952 in cash,trophy Gist buckles and $6,000 in USTRCFlex Earnings.

PHOT

O BY

3 LAZ

Y J P

HOTO

S


S05DF_TwstrTrl_P_Layout 1 3/28/12 2:00 PM Page 1

20 / MAY 2012

By Melinda Clements

f you look hard enough it willbe a subtle light, almost

invisible. However, the more youlook and the further west you goone suddenly realizes it is a faintglow, almost mesmerizing. Youcannot be from the West or evenfrom California and ignore it. Itis a beacon of sorts sending apath of light upward andoutward. The light touchesothers and changes them.Others interact with the lightand motivate the light to startanother project. The light is amover and shaker of sorts.

The cowboy world we live inis a very special world,comments Cathie Twisselman,USTRC header from SantaMargarita, California. It is a small world with a huge heart andwe are fortunate enough and blessed to be a contributing partof that world and lifestyle. So sets the stage to define the light in the West and come to understand how the name Twisselman fits in and makes a difference.

Cathie and Rowly Twisselman have been in the horse andcattle business all their lives. They were sort of bred into it, soto speak. I think the saying is, They came by it honestly. It isall a hands-on operation.

The Twisselmans have been team roping partners for years.They raise quarter horses and supply Corriente roping cattlefor ropings and rodeos all along the West Coast. The entirefamily takes part and participates.

Thirty-five years of breeding quarter horses has producedsome of the most athletic, trainable and versatile horses andbloodlines in the business. They are known for their breeding,their confirmation and good cow sense.

Producing livestock for team ropings and fairs and rodeoevents has become synonymous with the name Twisselman.

We dont take cattle to the roping that we dont want torope ourselves, Rowly Twisselman explained. We dont raiseand sell horses we wouldnt ride ourselves. No doubt his

philosophy and concept is working. One thing both Cathie andRowly agree on is that good horses are important, they arehard to come by and they make people better.

I want even consistent cattle and that is what we want toprovide, added Rowly. You come to understand ropers andtheir needs and wants from being a roper yourself and being inthe business for a lot of years.

Santa Margarita, California is located near San Luis Obispo.Madonna Inn Quarter Horses and Flying T Cattle Company arethe trendsetters for everything equine in the area. As it spreadsfar and wide suddenly the name Twisselman has relevance.The pair prides themselves in having only the best livestock atprofessional and amateur events in all the Western states.

It makes such a difference in that we all like what we do,Cathie pointed out with pride and joy in her voice. There is nodoubt her family is on the right page and doing what they lovemore than anything else. Our kids participate and will carryon a tradition. Cathie and Rowly are very proud of son, Caleb,and daughters, Tara and Teale. Not only does the family ropebut also the girls are a singing duo and lived for short time inNashville. The Twisselmans also have a new grandbaby. Theyare very proud of that because the tradition will continue.

Rowly and I see us in our kids, Cathie pointed out. We

I

A Soft Glow in the WestWhat Twisselman Stands For!

Insider

COURTESY OF BREND ALLEN ALLENS RODEO PHOTOS

20 May Insider_Layout 1 4/10/12 3:43 PM Page 20

have watched them grow up here, participating, learning toride and rope and now all of them are doing exactly what we did.

They are involved with family. It is a family that loves whatthey do and what they are. That love is the cowboy, ranchingand rodeo lifestyle. It is as much a part of them as is living andbreathing. It is, without a doubt, what gives living andbreathing relevance.

I met Rowly when I was seventeen years old and we willhave been married thirty-three years in May, Cathiecontinued. We dated six years before we married and duringthat time we roped, rodeoed and trained colts. We loved whatwe were doing and still do. We are still making memories andsharing experiences after thirty-three years of marriage. It ishard to believe isnt it?

Like all shakers and movers the Twisselmans have a lot ofprojects in the works that keep them busy and on the go. Notonly is caring for the ranching and horse operation a full timejob the pair are committed to their latest project.

The first annual Horsemans Re-Union kicked off the first ofApril. It was an international event that has brought togetherthe top twenty horsemen in the world to put on an event thatboggled the minds of horseman, ropers, rodeo enthusiasts andthe average everyday horse lover.

It isnt a contest, Cathie explained. It is all abouthorsemanship and how important it is in our business. If morepeople had more horsemanship to go with their skills it wouldmake roping and riding more fun. We are trying to givesomething back to the public. All the wonderful people thatare coming to this event came together to make it a successand more importantly they did it for free. It was somethingeveryone learned from and more importantly the tophorseman and every one involved donated their time. It alsobenefitted Western Wishes. That is what happens when peopleget involved. I like to get involved.

The event took place at the California Mid StateFairgrounds in Paso Robles and included the top twenty horsetrainers in the business. Committed to the event the horsetrainers list read like a list of celebrities. They included RonWall, Rob Leach, Bryan and Luke Neibert, Joe Wolter, MartinBlack, Chris Cox, Pat Parelli, Sid Cook, Wade Black, ClintonAnderson, Ed Robertson, Mike Sears, Ken May, Antoine Cloux,Thomas Sanders, Jim Neubert, Ty Van Norman, CraigCameron, and Blake Schlosser. There were also appearances by Larry Mahan, Baxter Black and Red Steagall. Talk about alist of elite.

We have a great facility at Paso, Cathie explained. It isroper friendly. It is any kind of equine event friendly. There is alot of support here for ropers and horse people. Paso Roblesalways welcomes horsemen and their events.

With the success of the first annual Horsemans Re-Unionboth Rowly and Cathie hope the event will become an annualcelebration of horsemen and equine fans.

We had the sale, the food, the booths, all the things comingtogether that would help us start a tradition, Cathie continued.We have put a lot into this as has everyone involved.

It quickly becomes very clear the name Twisselman involvesfamily, fellowship, camaraderie and growth toward making thehorse and cattle business a hand-in-hand business that helpsothers grow and learn. It involves sharing, growing and lovingwhat you do. It is an integral part of the cowboy culture.

We are out here trying to promote and encourage thecowboy and roping lifestyle, Cathie elaborated. Everything wedo is to try and help others. We want to get involved and wewant to give back. It is all about family. At the ropings everyoneis happy, we see everyone even down to the chute and cattlecrews. From the heading box to the catch pen, the flaggers, theoffice help everyone does a great job and they help andpromote each other. We all work very hard to ensure everyoneis happy, everything is fair and you can tell it is aboutcamaraderie and having a good time. It is about youngstersgrowing up and learning to ride and rope. It is aboutcontinuing the lifestyle we love so much.

It is about being in for the long haul, Rowly said. Today ismore competitive than it has ever been. There are a lot betterhorses out there but a good one is still hard to come by. Wehave less and less people riding horses like they did years ago.The ATV has slowly taken over the jobs of cowboys and horses.Wet saddle blankets and what horses are exposed to is whatmakes a good horse. We wanted people to walk away from theHorsemans Re-union saying they had learned something newand I believe everyone did. We have spent our lives working topromote and encourage our lifestyle and that is how we makea difference.

We always try to look at the positive, Cathie continued.We look for the good, the blessing. We have been blessed andwe want others blessed as well.

There is a glow in the west. The closer you get the more itshines and lights up all that is good in the cowboy, ranching,rodeo and roping world. That glow is growing and it is deeplyembedded in the family known as Twisselman. The family hasworked hard to be trendsetters, to make their lifestyleimportant and to share everything that means with others whohave something to give. They have given their lives andcommitment to the camaraderie, family and fellowship thatcomes with being a roping and ranching family.

We have traveled all over the world and there is no placewe have ever been that we could not have found a friend if weneeded help, she so aptly summed it up. Roping and rodeo isa small world with a huge heart and we are so lucky andblessed to have been born into that world. More importantlyto be able to share it and use it with an event like HorsemansRe-union and to know that roping is a thriving sport and moreand more people want to become a part of it. Horses make usbetter people if we will let them.

It is our job to love and fellowship unconditionally. We arebetter people because we are involved with horses and cattleand we want to give and share what we have with others. Wewant others to be blessed like we have been blessed. We wantothers to love the cowboy experience like we love it.

And that, my friends, is what Twisselman means. It is alsowhy there is a soft gentle glow in the West.


20 May Insider_Layout 1 4/10/12 3:43 PM Page 21

he pioneers who tamed this great country had willpower and true grit. Can you imagine how difficultthe trek west must have been for them? Every day theyfaced seemingly insurmountable obstacles and

hardships, yet through it all, they refused to be deniedtheir goals.

I have a lot of students come to my Power Team Ropingschools and put the techniques to work, then call or emailme with great success stories. Then I have students whocome and, like one student said, Ive been roping thisdummy for three hours, when do you think Ill get it down?I said, Well, Ive been roping it for 45 years and I dont haveit down yet. Its amazing how many people live in their ownlittle world. They spend so much money and time in thissport and dont enjoy it as much as they could if they woulddig down a little deeper and give themselves a chance.

22 / MAY 2012

with

GRIT

Rickey Green

Now, I know you can say, Its my hobby, and I just do itfor fun. Thats why I try to keep my number lower - so I cango to a lot of ropings. Thats a bunch of nonsense. Thereason you want your number lower is so you can have achance to win. Now if the reason you like to rope is that youlike to compete and be competitive, I believe you and I havesomething in common. If we like to compete, we must digdown and find that grit that says, Im going to get theknowledge, and Im going to put in the time in the practicepen, and I will not be denied.

Walt Woodard simply amazes me. He is trying to retire,and every time some world champion header changespartners, they call Walt and try to get him to come out androdeo with them. The reason Walt is so esteemed by his peersis his ability to motivate himself and perform at a high levelunder pressure, in any situation that is possible in the rodeo

22 Rickey Green_Project1 4/11/12 3:40 PM Page 22


world. How does Walt do it? He has looked inside himselfand decided that whatever he does, he will not be denied.He will not quit until he reaches his goal. Now, most peopledont remember when he was writing articles about how hewas going to make a comeback and didnt make the top 30for 3 years. I was getting kind of embarrassed for him, buthe was not afraid to say what he had planned to do. He kepton and made a comeback like Mohammed Ali! Walt has gritand he will not be denied.

There is always a time and place that seems todetermine the makeup of an athlete. Have you had yoursyet? Sometimes its a win under high pressure, andsometimes its a loss that pushes you over the hump. MartyBecker told me a story the other day about he and FredWhitfield rodeoing. Marty said, I told Fred I better notenter anymore rodeos because Im out of money, and Fredresponded with well go rope this calf and we will talk aboutit later. Marty got on his calf horse and went out and set

the arena record of 6.8. Thats grit right there! Then he came back and won the average and had a great summer.

We all have this ability if we will really give it our all.Now, I know its team roping and we cant do it alone, but at least we can give ourselves a chance. Not many peopleknow that Clay Cooper almost denied us the privilege ofknowing such a great champion. His first year he wasntroping too well, and he told himself, If I dont win atAustin, that would be the final straw and that will meanthat I shouldnt go pro. So he put all the pressure on this one rodeo and he won the rodeo and the rest is rodeo history!

I know this is not for everybody, but if youre tired ofdonating, lets get busy preparing ourselves for the nextbattle and we wont be denied our victories.

Your Friend,Rickey Green

Habakkuk 2:2&3

Whos the most EXPERIENCED teacher of all time?

Who do you think of when you want HELP with your roping?

Where can you go for $20 per month to get PERSONAL CRITIQUES and QUESTIONS ANSWEREDabout your roping 24 hours a day?

At Rickey Greens Powerteamroping.com you will nd the equipment, the products and the knowledge you need to become the roper youve always dreamed of being.

Available To Members Only: Exclusive monthly Video Lessons, Power Flick videos featuring special tips from Rickey as well

as knowledge from experts in every eld from horseshoers and veterinarians to pro ropers. Access to Rickey personally through his newly designed Blog page. New online store featuring all of Rickeys Favorites - saddles, ropes, bits, videos, etc. Extensive Video LibraryAll site visitors will be able to access his school schedule and see examples of what theentire site has to o er.

Now accepting Visa & Mastercard

SCHOOL INFORMATION

)) Now Booking Private Lessons and Schools for 2012 Call 254-965-7525 ))Rental Horses & Bunkhouse Accomodations for Private Lesson Students Available.

May 10 Beginners School May 19 & 20 May 26 & 27 June 2 & 311 & 12 Tatum, TX Valley Springs, CA Andrews, TX

Garden City, KS Ed Pride Andy & Terry Bonham Andrews County ExpoBrock Baker 620/271-4415 903/754-0734 209/772-2762 Pete BellewJason Pate 620/260-8759 432/556-2443

22 Rickey Green_Project1 4/11/12 3:40 PM Page 23

R24 / MAY 2012

And Then There Was OneChampions Profileby Melinda Clements

There is a certain amount of pressure in being the highteam back going into a short go round. It is a waiting game. Itis time on your hands as you watch it all wind down. Youcannot help but think about how things are happening andwhat is unfolding before your eyes.

Less than one second separated the top four teams andonly three seconds separated the top ten teams. It was a verytight close-knit group of ropers. Kuehl and Lenoir knew theywere in good shape and both knew what they needed to do tocinch the win. The pressure came from knowing they had tomake it happen. No one could do it for them.

I wanted to make a clean run, Kuehl said. I wanted to dowhat we had been doing all day. I wanted to get a good startand get the steer roped. We had a really good steer and it wasour job to make things happen. I knew Stuart would be there. Ijust had to do my job.

It seemed like everything I had was riding on this run inthe short go round, Lenoir commented. This was all I had

eality has a strange way of taking the fun out of dreams. Sometimes reality takes a bite out of our dreams and makes us question and doubt our

reasons for doing things. There are times dreams seem unrealand figments of our imagination. However, in some casesdreams come true in the most unexpected way and wewonder how it happens and why.

Sloan Kuehl and Stuart Lenoir had a dream. It might ormight not have been a possibility at one time or another.However, like all ropers who make the trek to Oklahoma Cityto the Cinch National Finals of Team Roping they came toOKC to seek their fortune. Roping was important to them andmore than anything they wanted to beat the odds and attemptto make their dreams a reality. Team roping at best makes alldreams possible.

Kuehl and Lenoir were the high team coming back into theshort go round of the #11 Shoot-Out at the Cinch NFTR. Inactuality that is much more than either of them ever dreamedpossible. The pair had roped awesome all day and it justseemed everything had come together in a strange twist offate. The numbers were certainly beginning to add up and gotheir direction.

Thirty teams came back in the short go round. The prizeline was certainly a dream come true. $84,800 coupled withMartin Championship Trophy saddles, Gist gold Trophybuckles, Tony Lama Full Quill Ostrich bBoots and WesternHorseman 75th Anniversary Commemorative buckles wasenough to make you think you were dreaming. It was nothingto scoff at. That was the reality.

2011 USTRC National Champions

Sloan Kuehl and Stuart Lenoir

Shoot-Out Roping#11

24-25 Champions Profile_Layout 1 4/12/12 12:43 PM Page 24


left to end the day. No pressure there!The pair had watched the top twenty-nine teams rope and

when they backed into the box every eye in the coliseum wasfocused on them. Ten thousand things echoed in their mindsand then all that gibberish was gone and Kuehl and Lenoir setout to make their dreams come true.

When Kuehl nodded for the steer you could feel the pulseof the music in your heart. Kuehl roped the horns and turnedoff and Lenoir was right where he needed to be and did exactlywhat he needed to do. The pair posted a time of 7.45 secondson their short go round steer to take the win in the Aaveragewith a time of 31.41seconds on four steers. Suddenly, the

dream was theirs and Kuehl threw his rope high into the airand embraced the exhilaration of victory. There was no way todescribe it. How do you put words to a dream come true?

This is the first saddle I have ever won, Kuehl commentedlater as pictures were being taken. When you consider theUSTRC National Finals, this many teams and this kind ofcompetition; I cannot even grasp it.

I just give all the glory to God, Lenoir said with deepemotion. Without God we wouldnt be here. Our family, mywife Amanda, everyone is so supportive. We are so blessed andthe fact we rope together means so much.

There is no doubt family is important in all we do, Kuehl concurred. My wifeCarrie, my mom and dadand Stuart is just the bestpartner. We have so muchgoing for us. It isunbelievable.

Sloan Kuehl and StuartLenoir believe dreamscome true. They alsobelieve God has a hand inevery dream. On oneOctober afternoon inOklahoma City two roperscaptured the 2011 #11Shoot-Out Championship.And Then There Was OneSloan Kuehl andStuart Lenoir theChampions of the #11Shoot-Out at the CinchUSTRC National Finals ofTeam Roping. It is whatdreams are made of. n

24-25 Champions Profile_Layout 1 4/12/12 12:43 PM Page 25

26 / MAY 2012

The Arviso clan from the Crownpiont, NewMexico area has a long and interesting history.For example, Jesus Arviso, whose family camefrom Spain and then settled in Sonora, Mexico, wasonce traded for a horse.

In the mid-1800s, young Jesuss family was raided by a band ofApaches; he was taken. Years later the Apache who had Jesustraded him to a Navajo man for a beautiful black stallion. Jesusfinished growing up as a Navajo and eventually married into thetribe. As a result of his unique experiences, he now spoke fluentSpanish, Apache and Navajo. Those talents came in handy, as hebecame a key translator, and important figure, in treatynegotiations between the U.S. Government and the Indiansduring the 1860s. Two generations later, his grandson, Paul W.Arviso Sr. was instrumental in popularizing the sport of rodeo onthe Navajo reservation.

Paul was born many miles west of Crownpoint during 1920into a family of stockmen. His grandfather Jesus had done wellserving as an interpreter and was rewarded with much livestock.Pauls dad was a great stockman and also had been a horseracingjockey. Out with the herd from his earliest memories, this waswhere young Paul learned about stock. Riding burros and muleswhile chasing cattle, goats and several thousand head of sheep,made him a superb stockman. Living out on the range as theydid, he also grew up tough. He and his brothers even used to rideBilly goats and rams around the corrals just for fun. Thosecorrals were the earliest arenas for what was to later become a legend of Native American Rodeo.

Paul was about fourteen when the family moved closer totown. He was then entered into a boarding school for the firsttime, making him quite old for a first grader. But even though hedid not spend many years in school, he was well educated inlivestock and the common sense department. In his later years,he continually speaks at meetings and community events toinspire and motivate young people. He emphasizes theimportance of education. I didnt have the opportunity for aformal education, but you do, so go after it. Education is valuableand will go a long way, he advises.

It was also 1934 when he discovered rodeo.The group commonly given credit as having the first

organized rodeos on the reservation was called the Rough Riders

Rodeo Club Association. Paul was one of its earliest members.Paul and other members of the club set up bucking chutes,holding corrals and a timed event chute. Then families wouldcome from miles around in wagons and cars, forming a semi-circle to be used as the arena fence. Those old-time rodeos weremore than just competitions; they were a celebration, bringingmembers of the Navajo nation (and eventually other tribes aswell) together. It was during this time Paul developed a life-longlove of rodeo.

Paul dedicated his life to rodeo at a young age and wasserious about it. He trained physically and mentally (before thatwas common) and practiced regularly to hone his already greatstockman skills into that of a rodeo cowboy.

Paul competed at just about every rodeo you can name acrossthe Southwest and Four-corners region at one time or another.He was a regular All Around Cowboy winner as he competedsuccessfully in most every event including bareback, saddlebronc, bull riding, wild horse racing, wild cow milking, teamtying, steer wrestling, calf roping and even an event known as theoriginal chicken pull. For those who have never heard of theoriginal chicken pull, it involves uncanny horsemanship skillsand daring. To start with, a chicken was buried in the soft sand ofthe arena with just his head and neck exposed. Riders camedown the arena at a full gallop, leaned over and plucked thechicken out of the ground. The fastest time won, and, as you canimagine, it was a big hit with the crowd.

As another testament to his all around skills, Paul was bothheader and heeler in the team tying (later team roping) eventand both a dogger and hazer in steer wrestling. Sometimes healso worked in the capacity of judge, flagger and even rodeoclown! He did it all when it came to rodeo. Paul says, Rodeo ismore than just a sport, its a way of life.

In 1942, Paul was drafted into the U.S. Army and did his dutyduring World War II. While stationed in Burma, India, a group ofguys got together and staged a rodeo as a form of entertainment.Paul entered the bareback and saddle bronc ridingthey usedpack mules for the rodeo stock. He wound up winning first inboth events. His prize money was a box of cigars in one event

PAUL W. ARVISO SR.

He Paved tHe W

ay

26 TR Profile_Layout 1 4/10/12 4:28 PM Page 26

and a case of beer in the other. Paul laughs and says, After theshow, we really had a party.

Back home, over the next several years, rodeo gained inpopularity on the reservation. Then, in 1958, a group of guysdecided to form an official association - the All Indian RodeoCowboys Association (AIRCA). Paul served as the first vice-president.

He was actually asked to be the first President of the AIRCA,but declined in favor of letting someone with a little moreeducation take on those duties. He wanted only the best for theassociation and selflessly put any thoughts of personal gainaside. Pauls nephew Roy Spencer honorably served as President.

During those early years,men such as Paul and hislong-time friend, Sonny Jim,(another well-known name inNative American Rodeo) werethe ones who showed theworld that an Indian couldalso be a cowboyand a goodone at that. These were thegroup of men who paved theway for todays NativeAmerican Rodeo Cowboys tobecome what they have.

In a magazine interviewfor the 4th of July & PRCARodeo Celebration at WindowRock, Arizona, Paul once said,Im always praying for themto get somebody up there inLas Vegas some of these days. It was always his dream for theyounger generation to compete successfully in the Pro-Rodeocircuit and represent the Indian Nations.

Paul did not realize it at the time, but along the way, hebecame a hero to a whole new generation of guys. Many timeIndian National Finals Rodeo qualifier and champion, LuciusSells, once told the Navajo Times, Id like to mention my(grandfather) from Crownpoint, Paul Arviso Sr.. Being aroundhim when he was ropingits a talent I got. Its just a gift fromGod that he gave to me. I guess they would say its in the blood.

Just like most of those old-time rodeocowboys from that generation, Paul wastough. Back in the day, he hauled hishorse in the bed of his truck, then lateron, in a self-made one-horse trailer. Also,back then most of the roads across theReservation were not paved, so if it wasraining, you were likely to get stuck in themud on the way to rodeos, then spendseveral hours digging out. At the rodeo,Paul and his family often camped in tentsor outside on the ground, but they had aton of fun.

As he grew older, Paul moved on tocompeting in the old-timers rodeoassociation where he continued hiswinning ways, adding events like

breakaway, ribbon roping and his all-time favorite, steer riding,to his resume. He has fond memories of competing with manymen who have now gone home - Pauls words for what mostcall death.

Paul taught his own kids (eight of them) and many otheryouth the basics of horsemanship and how to care for a horse.One of his own favorite competition horses was named Rawley.That horse was an all-around champion as well, being used inmany different events during a rodeo. Paul said, Respect thehorse. Take care of your horses and they will take care of you.

In 2003, the Navajo Nation Fair and Rodeo honored Paul bybestowing the title of Legendary Cowboy on him. He received a

beautiful custom saddle and aplaque for that. Now in his 90s,Paul still enjoys the sport ofrodeo as a spectator and isconstantly amazed at thetalent of the youngergeneration. He is, in part,responsible for that talent ashe served as mentor,inspiration and role model tomany of todays rodeo cowboy.

On April 5, 2012, Paul turnsninety-two! Also, in 2012, hehas been nominated foracceptance into the Pro-RodeoHall of Fame. Many friendsand family are pushing for hisacceptance and anxiouslyawait the October results.

Along with his many memories of competing with some ofthe all-time great Native cowboys, Paul is especially proud of thefact that the younger generation is now stepping it up a bit andcompeting up there in Las Vegas.

Men like Derrick Begay, Erich Rogers and Spud Jones whonow qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo have the likesof Paul W. Arviso Sr. to thank for exciting the reservation aboutrodeo and paving the way by letting the world know that theIndian can also be one heck of a cowboy!

Jim Olson 2012

About the AuthorWestern Writers of America member

Jim Olson is a ranch-raised cowboy, author, promoter andentrepreneur. He grew up on the high plains of eastern NewMexico, learning to ride young colts, tend to cattle and driveheavy farm equipment at an early age.

Jim spent some years competing in the calf roping event atthe Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association level, qualifying

for the circuit finals a few times. Now he is a weekend roper. He lives on and operateshis own ranch near Stanfield, Arizona - once a part of John Waynes Red River Ranch.

These great life experiences Jim now uses in his writing career. He writes storiesabout interesting and extraordinary people of the west including short stories of bothfiction and nonfiction. He writes a monthly column titled My Cowboy Heroes,published by several Southwestern and national magazines. Jim has three publishedbooks and can be reached through his website at www.jimolsonauthor.com

26 TR Profile_Layout 1 4/10/12 4:29 PM Page 27

28 / MAY 2012

uses for the horse, including short- and long-termgoals(e.g., showing, then breeding). Ask your veterinarian to outline the proceduresthat he or she feels should be included in theexam and why. Establish the costs for these procedures. Be present during the purchase exam. The selleror agent should also be present.

Discuss with your veterinarian his or her findings in private. Dont be afraid to ask questions or request further information about your veterinarians findings in private.

The veterinarians job is neither to pass or fail an animal.Rather, it is to provide you with information regarding anyexisting medical problems and to discuss those problems withyou so that you can make an informed purchase decision.Your veterinarian can advise you about the horses currentphysical condition, but he or she cannot predict the future.The decision to buy is yours alone to make. But your equineveterinarian can be a valuable partner in the process ofproviding you with objective, health-related information.For more information about purchase exams, ask your

equine veterinarian for Purchase Exams: A Sound EconomicInvestment, a brochure provided by the AAEP in conjunctionwith Education Partner Bayer HealthCare Animal Health.Additional information can be found on the AAEPs Web site,www.aaep.org/horseowner.The American Association of Equine Practitioners,

headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as anon-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of

Dont Skip the

Purchase Exam

Courtesy of AAEP (American Association of Equine Practitioners)

Owning a horse can be a big investment in time, moneyand emotion. Unfortunately, horses seldom come witha money-back guarantee. Thats why it is so important

to investigate the horses overall health and condition througha purchase exam conducted by an equine veterinarian.Whether you want a horse as a family pet, a pleasure mount, abreeding animal, or a high performance athlete, you stand thebest chance of getting one that meets your needs by investingin a purchase exam.Purchase examinations may vary, depending on the

intended use of the horse and the veterinarian who is doingthe examination. Deciding exactly what should be included inthe purchase examination requires good communicationbetween you and your veterinarian. The following guidelinesfrom the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)will help ensure a custom-tailored exam: Choose a veterinarian who is familiar with the breed, sport oruse for which the horse is being purchased. Explain to your veterinarian your expectations and primary

28 Horse Health_Layout 1 4/5/12 11:05 AM Page 28


the horse. Currently, the AAEP reachesmore than 5 million horse ownersthrough its over 9,000 membersworldwide and is actively involved inethics issues, practice management,research and continuing education inthe equine veterinary profession andhorse industry.

continued on page 30




30 / MAY 2012

The Get A DVM is easy to use:Head to www. aaep.org, Click on Horse Owners and find the Get A

DVM link. From there all you have to do is fill in a few fields and hit search.Bam! Youve got a list of AAEP qualified vets at your service.

This service is brought to you through a partnership between theAmerican Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and Bayer HealthCareAnimal Health.

If you are traveling, have recentlypurchased a horse or are relocating, theAAEP Get A DVM locator service, inconjunction with Bayer HealthCareAnimal Health, offers thousands of ourequine veterinarian members to you at the click of a mouse.

Find a Vet!

Arena SpecialCALL TODAY!

Plan 500 Any size available

140' x 240' with return $5,795Prices subject to change without notice



S05DF_RnngPRps_P_Layout 1 4/2/12 3:43 PM Page 1

32 / MAY 2012

were broken down into50 team rotations (two-steer progressive) and thefive fastest times in eachrotation qualified forSaturdays finals and thechance to rope for aneye-popping amount of loot. The rotation format is popular, as it allows ropers tojust compete within their own rotation of 50 teams, and to know their standing fairlyquickly. This is opposed to the old format, where all 500+ teams roped against eachother and awaited an outcome that usually wasnt known until well after midnight. While Friday is a marathon, with few spectators lasting to the bitter end,

Saturdays action is akin to a one-horse town; blink, and youll miss it. Its a three-header non-progressive for all 50 teams. Aside from a chance at over $200,000 andnew rigs, other incentives abound like round money and red wrap steers.Sponsored once again by Wayne Wright Lawyers, any team that wins a round on asteer with red horn wraps also ropes an additional $10,000. If not, that amountdoubles each roundpotentially making a third round red wrap steer worth awhopping $40,000. With so much to shoot at, its no wonder the roping attracts thesports most elite and showcases some of the fastest times around. As Saturdays action drew closer to crowing the champs, less than one second

separated the top four remaining teams, one of which was header Clay Tryan fromBillings, Mont., and heeler Patrick Smith from Lipan, Texas. Neither is any strangerto pressure or success; Tryan has crossed the million-dollar mark in professionalteam roping earnings and was the 2005 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association(PRCA) world champion header, amidst numerous other titles. Smith is also amillion dollar man and two-time world champ. But theres something about theStrait thats always a little special, even to those that have claimed about every titlethere is. It was no different for Tryan and Smith, who stretched their first two in 5.26and 5.84 seconds respectively. As they rode into the box as the high-call team, thevoice of long-time announcer Arkie Kiehne calmly reminded them, and a silent,highly-anticipating crowd, that they needed to be 7.68 for first place, $203,800 bucksand the trucks and trailers. No pressure there. And, there in the chute stood a redwrap steer good for an extra $20,000 at that point, should they win the round onhimwhich would require roping him in 4.4 seconds or less. That didnt happen,but otherwise it was just another day at the office; consistencynot speedwas thegame plan, and they stretched steer three in 5.57 seconds. The celebration was on,hats flew in the air, as both men claimed their first GSTRC title. In so doing, Clayfollowed in big brother Travis boots; Travis Tryan won the event in 2008 with heelerMichael Jones. Awestruck, Tryan said, I just won the biggest team roping there is! It is

unbelievable.The way the competition is here today, I am so very grateful for the win, Smith

added. To God be the glory! Being the thirtieth anniversary, the new victors werent the only ones with

thoughts on the event; the GSTRC is known as a life changer. Winning it hasallowed past championships to build homes, buy land, pay off debt, and secure theirfutures. They are forever grateful to George and the Strait family for their dedication

by Doreen Shumpert

Its the only event in the world where, in the courseof one Saturday morning, nearly three-quarters of amillion dollars overall is up for grabs, the winners splitover $203,800 in cash ($101,900 per man) for 16.67seconds of work (thats roughly $6,112 per second), pluscustom Chevy dually trucks, Bruton X-Treme Easy Pulltrailers, jackets, rope bags and often round money andother possible prizes as well. In that same time frame,custom saddles and buckles are awarded to runners-upand round winners, Country Music Hall of Famer andhost George Strait shakes hands with fans all around thearena, thanking sponsors and honoring dear friendswho have passed, American Idol top 10 finalist JohnWayne Schultz sings the National Anthem, and $29,000in proceeds is given to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fundvia auctioning off the custom-painted Priefert Chuteused throughout the event. Its the George Strait Team Roping Classic (GSTRC),

held each March at the Rose Palace just outside of SanAntonio, Texas. In its 30-year history, it has become themost prestigious open roping in the world, with themost coveted crown in the sport, for obvious reasons.This year, the event celebrated its 30th anniversary onMarch 9th and 10th with 545 teams, record-settingpayout, the usual sellout crowd, and near record-lowtemperatures accompanied by a two-day long-awaiteddownpour mixed with a little hail. But while it was coldoutside, the action inside was sizzling hot to watch. As usual, Friday was elimination day, where teams

Tryan and Smith roperecord-setting paydays at the GSTRC

Heeler Patrick Smith (left) and header Clay Tryan (right)pose with their families, championship rigs, and producerGeorge Strait. The duo roped three head in 16.67 secondsduring Saturdays finals to pocket their share of nearly ahalf a million dollars in total cash and prizes.

Thanks to years of faithful sponsors, top-of-the line prizes,such as custom Twister saddles and rope bags, are part ofthe coveted cache.

PHOTOS

BY DO

REEN SHU

MPERT

32-35 George Strait_Layout 1 4/4/12 4:15 PM Page 32

to the sport and the ropers. Thirty years of the George Strait roping means to me lots of payouts, lots

of trucks, lots of trailers and lots of memories, said last years championheader David Key. Ive been going for 26 years now and finally won it last year(2011). That was the biggest win of my life. With what George gives away, notonly does it make a great pay, it makes a great year. His roping actuallychanges lives for ropers. George turned this roping into something thatprobably none of us dreamed of it being 20 years ago.

Rich Skelton, eight-time PRCA world champion heeler, and former GSTRCchampion (1990) also shared some thoughts.

I really enjoy the roping because for one, its Texas and and two, its thebest roping going. Its the roping where you can win the most money, Skeltonsaid. We have the greatest ropers in the world and the greatest singer in theworld. George is a great host and a good friend of ours. To me it doesnt get anybetter than that, he added.

Along with loyal participants, sponsors are an integral part of the success ofsuch a massive event, and most of Georges have been with him for the longhaul. The impressive list includes: Bruton Trailers; Wrangler; Frost Bank;Justin; Hill Country Tractor; Montana Silversmiths; Cavender Chevrolet;Capital Farm Credit; Resistol; Cactus; Bill Miller B-B-Q; Classic; Wayne WrightLawyers; Red Bluff Buckles; Lift Master; Brake Check; Bar G Feedyards; TractorSupply and Priefert.

At 30 impressive years and counting, it seems the skys the limit for theGSTRC and the impact it will continue to have on the contestants and thesport of team roping. As George walked horseback around the Rose Palacearena Saturday morning, introducing the top 50 teams and thanking sponsorsfor a supportive three decades, a long and prosperous future seemed to be onhis mind as well.

Its been a great 30 years, and I hope we have another 30 in us, he concluded.

Celebrating 30 Years of the GSTRCBehind the scenes with Denise Strait

Thirty years ago, brothers Buddy and GeorgeStrait decided to produce a local event with asimple goal: Have a good roping, have fun doingit, and try to give good prizes and payout.

Mission accomplished. Three decades later, over 500 teams compete for

a pot of gold that is closing in on three-quarters ofa million bucks grand total.

Im proud to be able to say we are the largestopen roping event out there and our sponsors areresponsible for a major part of that success,acknowledges George Strait.

And, in addition to sponsors, any event with thistype of success has a proven team of dedicatedpros working behind the scenes.

The core team is the same except for thepassing of my brother Buddy, notes George.

Needless to say, we miss him dearly. PeteWright and his incredible team also have workedthe roping for years. Collie Webb also has beenthere from the start and he has always made sureall of the ground work was done. We now haveArkie Kiehne announcing the roping along with hisgreat team of assistants. Reed Flake also helps himannounce, our chute help, flagger Johnny Garciaand the list goes on and on with many more whocontribute.

To this day, even after the gigantic growth spurt,the GSTRC remains a family affair. Georges sister-in-law, Denise Strait, has literally seen it all andshared a little extra insight on the past, presentand future of the sports most coveted event.

Thirty years ago, we know the GSTRC started as afamily roping. How/when did it progress intosuch a prestigious open roping?Actually the roping started out for Texas ropersonly. It never was an invitational, although Buddy and George did start an invitational

roping about the third year that was held theWednesday before the roping. It started as just a fewof them getting together on Wednesday nights torun the steers and make sure they were the qualitythey wanted. Then they began inviting friends fromthe area to join them and they eventually evenawarded buckles to the winners. Im not sure of theyear they opened it to the world, but records showthat the entries jumped from 179 in 1984 to 265 in1985, so I would guess it was around then.

What roles do the family members play in the roping each year?


Average1. Clay Tryan / Patrick Smith, 16.67, $203,800; 2. Casey Hicks / Jake Pianalto,18.79, $81,520; 3. Casey Mahoney / Joe Espy, 20.74, $56,046; 4. KastonPeavy / T Luttrell, 20.81, $50,950; 5. Cooper Wimberly / Bode Baize, 20.99,$40,760; 6. Derrick Begay / Cory Petska, 21.37, $30,570; 7. Garrett Tonozzi /Dugan Kelly, 22.55, $25,474; 8. Cody McMinn / JC Williams, 23.62, $20,380Go Rounds1st Go1. Matt Sherwood / Cory Petska, 4.87, $1,500; 2. Clay Tryan / Jade Corkill,4.87, $1,5002nd Go1. Luke Brown / MartinLucero, 4.31, $3,0003rd Go1. Colby Siddoway / CalebTwisselman, 3.83, $3,000Red Wrap Steer1st Go1. Matt Sherwood / CoryPetska, 4.87, $10,000Friday Overall Fast Time1. Tyler Waters / Wesley Moss, 4.04, BucklesFriday Fastest Time on 21. Brandon Beers / Ryan Motes, 9.12, Buckles

The championship rigsawait the winning header

and heeler of the 30thAnnual George Strait TeamRoping Classic, San AntonioRose Palace, Boerne, Texas.

GSTRC 2012 Results

Q.A.

Q.continued on page 34

32-35 George Strait_Layout 1 4/10/12 10:39 AM Page 33

34 / MAY 2012

In the Kingsville (Texas) years, Buddy (Georges older brother/Denises husband) and George collaborated overthe phone over all the details of the roping itself; Buddy

actually put them into play, as George had started touring a lotby then. Of course, George and his wife Norma wereresponsible for bringing the sponsors in and settling thedetails on that end. I started dealing with the sponsors as theygot to town and made sure everything was done per theagreement. I was also responsible for the ticket sales for theroping and concert, the advertising, security, concessions, andgenerally everything that took place at the event itself. I alsomade arrangements for everyones lodging. Erv and Dannyfrom Georges office took me by the hand and really walked methrough everything when we got started, especially theadvertising and ticket sales. I also had a lot of help from familyand friends starting in the beginning. I dont know how wewould have pulled everything off so successfully without them.My Uncle Butch would get into town on Wednesday and worknonstop from the time he got there until Sunday. Other friendshelped especially with the entertaining of sponsors and friendsfrom out of town. My friend,Penny Pillack, played a large partin overseeing the meals foreveryone from friends to sponsorsstarting from Wednesday andthrough the concert Saturdaynight. Of course, Collie Webb hasbeen with us from the beginning;he was president of the rodeo clubat Texas A&M when Buddy andGeorge asked him to oversee thearena crew. He has been fantasticthe whole time. Since the ropinghas moved to the Rose Palace,myrole now is more limited; partlydue to the fact that there is noconcert and partly that Normanow really has the active role inthe planning of everything and that Linda Scales is there fulltime to do all of the hands on things.

What is the most challenging thing about producing thisroping, and, what is the most surprising thing to you as you look back over 30 years?Very hard to say, but for me, the most challenging thing(actually the word is scary) was simply getting started. Buddy and George just decided to do it and then it was

just figuring out how to make it happen. I had very little to dowith the planning part the first year. I remember after theroping we all set up tables for the show and then Norma and Itook over taking tickets at the door after we noticed the tickettakers letting their friends in for free. Couldnt afford that!!!After that it seemed to just grow on its own. There havedefinitely been some unwanted surprises that came up at thelast minute over the years, but, somehow, we managed to get itto turn out well. I guess the most surprising thing to me washow fast it grew; some of that was, no doubt, due to Georgesrising fame, but I also know that a large part of it also was theface that that we as amateurs!!! were determined and

learning how to produce a first class roping

What is your favorite memory, overall, of this roping over the past 30 years? In turn, what has been the HARDEST

thing over 30 years.Hard to pick one, but one of my favorites was the first year our boys roped in it, probably 1997 or 98. It reallywas satisfying to think we started when they were very

young and had lasted this long. Every year has produced somany fun memories with our family and friends; it would takehours to talk about them all. There really hasnt been anythingterribly hard about the production of the roping. Stressfulsometimes, yes, but there was so much help and good advicefrom so many that it made it almost easy. Right now thehardest thing for me is, during the actual event, the realizationof the ones who arent here anymore.

Did you, yourself, grow up in the horse or roping industry,or, did you become involved after marriage? Where are

you from?I grew up outside Agua Dulce, asmall town 10 miles from Alice, ona farm. My Dad was a farmer and

a rancher, so I grew up with horses,although I didnt rodeo. My Dadsphilosophy was that horses were forworking cattle, or for buying, training,and sellling, so we seldom had onelong enough for me to be comfortablewith. Buddy bought a few horses afterwe married and George gave the kidsone - Nugget. We all loved him andkept him until he died. I had veryseldom known a horse that long.

What are your thoughts on sponsors, contestants, future goals,

etc. Also, you have lost some dear

As we all know, to quote a line fromanother famous country hit, along with thesunshine, theres got to be a little rainsometimes.

Over its thirty-year history, the GSTRC haslost some dear friends along the trail, mostrecently Vina Bruton, of Bruton Easy PullTrailers (Nov. 2011), and the Voice of Rodeo,Pete Wright, who announced the GSTRCroping for 26 years (Feb. 2012). Theircontributions to the event were invaluable,and they will be greatly missed.

A.

Q.A.

Q.A.

Q.A.

Q.

This is where the cowboy rides away

George and son Bubba, always fan favorites, headback up the pen after one of their runs this year.

PHOTO CO

URTESY

FRO

NT PAG

E PU

BLICITY


TOP 50 OF 2012Header Heeler

Ty Blasingame Rich SkeltonJ.D. Yates Nick SarchettKaden Richard Rhen RichardKyle Roberts Dan WhitworthChris Francis Dakota KirchenschlagerKyle Roberts Cole JacksonDavid Motes Jaytin McCrightJeff Kanady Casey ChamberlainCaleb Mitchell Cuatro HindesBobby Baize Brandon GonzalesDerrick Begay Cesar de la CruzClay Tryan Travis GravesChad Masters Travis GravesLuke Brown Martin LuceroJoshua Torres John Paul LuceroEric Flurry Casey StipesJesse Stipes Casey StipesCaleb Schmidt Cole DavisonTate Kirchenschlager Will WoodfinCaleb Schmidt Jade CorkillCamish Jennings Wade ClaytonChance Kelton B.J. CampbellBrandon Beers Ryan MotesKolton Schmidt John RobertsonChace Thompson Tommy ZunigaNelson Linares Clint SummersColby Siddoway Caleb TwisselmanJ.D. Yates Bobby HarrisCharley Crawford Clay CooperJake Barnes Paul EavesClay Tryan Jade CorkillTy Blasingame Kollin Von AhnDavid Motes Larry HammonsTate Kirchenschlager Dakota KirchenschlagerLane Ivy Shain SproulCody McMinn J.C. WilliamsChris Lawson Dee RampyDustin Bird Bucky CampbellTee Woolman Wade ClaytonDerrick Begay Cory PetskaDavid Key Martin LuceroCasey Mahoney Joe EspyBrad Hamilton Mickey GomezCooper Wimberly Bode BaizeKaston Peavy T. LuttrellArky Rogers Clint SummersMatt Sherwood Cory PetskaCasey Hicks Jake PianaltoGarrett Tonozzi Dugan KellyClay Tryan Patrick Smith


people; anything you would like to say about their roles in the success of the roping?We were sad to have lost Mrs. Bruton and Pete Wright most recently. The Bruton family have been a huge support to this roping over the years. They are great people and I feel very fortunate to have known them. Mrs. Bruton was a

wonderful lady and was such fun to be around. Petes passing was a surprise, as hewas still very active. He and the ladies in his crew were a tremendous asset to us over the years. Pete was well known in this area (Robstown, Corpus Christi) for hisrodeo work; he devoted a lot of his time to benefit ropings - his absence will be very much noticed. About the contestants; its been a thrill to me to know the stars of the team roping world. I was new to this until we started our event, andreally grew to appreciate the skill and dedication involved in the sport. I really feelhonored that I have been able to play a part in the growth of our event, as well as the people I have come to know and appreciate.

I remember in the beginning George and Buddy were against having sponsors.Im sure it had something to do with an outside entity having an influence that hey wouldnt want. Somewhere along the way that changed and we have been sofortunate in the sponsors that have given their support; Ive thought over the yearsthat its such a credit to George that he has formed an association with such finepeople and to them for what they have helped us accomplish.

A.

Three Decades of Champions, and Counting...Year Header Heeler Payout 1983 Jack Stephenson Jackie Stephenson Saddles1984 Jim Fuller Pete Pierce Trailers1985 Popeye Boltinghouse Monty Petska Trailers1986 Paul Petska Pete Pierce Trailers1987 Trey Pope Bobby Harris Trailers1988 Tee Woolman Bobby Harris Trailers/split $9,4001989 Bebe Rivera Robert Murphy Trailers/split $10,6061990 Jack Stephenson Rich Skelton Trucks/trailers/split $18,5961991 Mark Arnold Allen Bach* Trucks/trailers/split $12,3481992 Denton Payne Jeff Medlin Trucks/trailers/split $10,4811993 Rube Woolsey Kory Koontz* Trucks/trailers/split $11,1801994 Steve Purcella* Kory Koontz Trucks/trailers/split $9,2001995 Tee Woolman Clay OBrien Cooper Trucks/trailers/split $16,3201996 Steve Purcella Allen Bach Trucks/trailers/split $15,1661997 Bobby Hurley Cody Cowden Trucks/trailers/split $13,3241998 Kevin Stewart Wayne Folmer Trucks/trailers/split $15,5041999 Jake Barnes John Paul Lucero Trucks/trailers/split $17,1202000 Steve Purcella Kory Koontz Trucks/trailers/split $35,6402001 Willie Guera Cucu Huerta Trucks/trailers/split $29,2702002 Speed Williams* Tyler Magnus Trucks/trailers/split $46,1422003 Turtle Powell Kirt Jones Trucks/trailers/split $49,9922004 Jake Barnes Allen Bach Trucks/trailers/split $64,7282005 Speed Williams Clay OBrien Cooper Trucks/trailers/split $72,7342006 Speed Williams Brad Culpepper Trucks/trailers/split $111,5802007 Nick Sartain Jhett Johnson Trucks/trailers/split $168,6742008 Travis Tryan Michael Jones Trucks/trailers/split $176,1202009 Chad Masters Jade Corkill Trucks/trailers/split $177,9902010 Coleman Proctor Jake Long Trucks/trailers/split $159,6302011 David Key Jade Corkill Trucks/trailers/split $174,6002012 Clay Tryan Patrick Smith Trucks/trailers/split $203,800

*Headers Speed Williams and Steve Purcella, and heelers Kory Koontz and Allen Bach,have each won the event three times. Purcella/Koontz have won it twice as a team.


36 / MAY 2012

THE RAM 3500 FORD F-350 SUPER DUTYCHEVY SILVERADO 3500

GMC SIERRA 3500HD

Team ropers, you may not realize it, but you need a

new truck. We know, yours is fully paid off, but we never

met a roper who doesnt think of upgrading his rig every

once in a while.

Right now is a great time to buy. That may seem like

a slogan for every dealership across the country, but it really

is. Not only does all of the big hitters have good prices in

their heavy-duty category, but their efforts to re-establish

themselves as the economy grows indeed makes now a

great time to buy a new truck!

As ropers use their trucks to get them to and from events,

pulling trailers full of precious mounts to help them to the

pay window; they need a serious tow vehicle. The all-star

lineup of trucks on the market today will do everything team

ropers need and more. Putting todays trucks through the

paces of an everyday team roper who often use them as their

everyday vehicle, as well as their towing rig may be an article,

so we decided to just give you the low-down on all of todays

leading truck manufacturers. The results will amaze you and

no doubt have you ready to try one out for yourself.

36 Hauling&Pulling_Layout 1 4/12/12 12:34 PM Page 36

pound Gross CombinedWeight Rating (GCWR) and16,450-pound tow capacity.The diesel comes standardwith an exhaust brake, whichhelps reduce brake fade when towing and keeps the brakes cool for whenyou really need them.

Configurations to Meet Your NeedsThe Ram 3500 is available in a variety of configurations and options. Theseinclude two or four-wheel drive; Regular, Mega or Crew Cabs; single or dualrear wheels; and up to six different trim packages, including the top-of-the-line Laramie Longhorn line that includes many features and materialsusually just seen in upscale sedans.

Heavy Duty ExteriorMany reviewers and truck enthusiasts love the wickedly aggressive looks ofthe Ram HD models. The

superlooper-may 2012

Documents

superlooper magazine

pm page 1s05df

team ropersmay

comquantity discountsqty

new cars

superlooper isthe

terrible time

time of treatmenttimetime