Cruel Girl Championships
2013 Cinch USTRC National
Finals of Team Roping
Thursday October 31 2013
By Melinda Clements
Do
not ever underestimate their ability to rope.
More than that do not ever underestimate their ability to win. The ladies of the USTRC are a group that is
highly competitive and extremely focused on what they want and why. They rope with a serious edge that will
surprise you. As the Cruel Girl Championships
came to a close it quickly became evident there was a pretty tough bunch coming
back in the short go round.
Twenty
teams would give their best shot in the average of the Cruel Girl
Championships. All of the ladies
involved were proven winners in the sport of team roping and it would be some
fast paced action to determine who would take home the cash, the Martin
Championship Trophy Saddles and the Cruel Girl Wardrobe.
As
the short go round unfolded it was the sixth high team back that latched on to
the lead in the average with a time of 38.60 on four head of steers. Emily and Katie Nolan were focused and honed
in on taking the win. As the top five
teams prepared to rope pressure smoldered and nerves were on edge. The win was still up for grabs as the top
five teams beaded in on the action. No
one knew or could predict how things would unfold.
As
the last five teams scrambled the Nolan girls tried to remain calm. When the second high team back rode into the
box it was very evident this team was in tune with the action. Even their demeanor
illustrated win!
Mary
Stubblefield and Tammy White knew they needed a time of 14.92 to take the win
in the average. They had roped well all
day. Anything under fourteen would be a
promise.
“I
wanted to catch all my steers today,” Stubblefield said. “I didn’t change anything
with the short go round run. I wanted
things to turn around with this roping.”
When
the pair posted a time of 7.36 on their short go round steer the whole
complexion of the roping changed. There
was one team to go. Stubblefield and
White were at least assured of second.
It was a good place to be. When
they rode out the back gate they were confident they had done the very best
they could.
Surprisingly,
the high call back team failed to make a qualified run and it suddenly dawned
on White and Stubblefield the win in the Cruel Girl Championships was theirs for
the taking. What a sweet revelation it
was!
“I’m
glad we won,” Stubblefield said confidently. “It has been a long trip here and
I just felt good thinking about catching all my steers.”
“I
just wanted to catch,” White commented. “It was a tough roping and I just
focused on the feet. I just wanted to be
sure I caught everything. This is
actually our first time to rope together. Mary actually ropes with my husband
most of the time. I just wanted to focus on catching everything. I’m glad it worked out for us.”
There
is a lot to be said for the ladies of the USTRC. They are as committed and focused as any
ropers in the business. They work hard,
rope hard and win with a focus and intensity that defies description.
The
Cruel Girl Championships at the 2013 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping
is a good example of the diversity of the sport. Be it men or women you will find a discipline
and focus that defies description. One
thing is evident it is team roping at its best.
