#15
Shoot Out
2014
Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping
Saturday
October 25, 2014
By
Melinda Clements
Team
Roping revolves around partnerships, relationships, and the ability to have a
good time and the ability to rise to the competition at hand. It involves
meeting diversity head on and still having the time of your life.
It was very obvious Cory Clark and Clay Sieber
were having a good time. Despite not
being regular partners the repore the pair shared was electric. They had a following that was contagious and
their dynamics was magnetic.
The
pair was the second high back team coming into the short go round of the #15
Shoot Out at the 2014 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping.
“Cory
sent me a text and ask about roping here, ‘Sieber said. “I told him I would get
back to him so he just entered us. So much for getting back to him.” Sieber
jabbed.
Clark,
transplanted from South Carolina to Texas by way of a college rodeo scholarship
to Ranger College, has only been heading since December of last year.
“I’ve
always been a heeler until here recently,” Clark said. “I always struggle to
get out right.”
The
pair watched the eleventh high call back team of Frank and Chase Graves set the
pace in the short go round of the #15 Shoot Out. They had posted a time of 6.19 in the short
go round to take the lead and the run had proved to hold solid through eight
runs.
When
Clark and Sieber rode into the box Clark had two things prevalent on his
mind. He wanted to get out of the
barrier and he wanted to catch so Sieber would have a shot at the heels.
When
6.70 came up on the clock Clark and Sieber took the lead in the average.
“I
was hyped when we caught,” Sieber said excitedly. “My goal is to always
win. I wanted to turn this over in our
direction and it worked.”
One
team remained and when that team failed to make a qualified run Clark and
Sieber became ecstatic. Realizing they
had just won the #15 Shoot Out was almost more than they could grasp.
“No
more college for me,” Clark muttered under his breath thinking about
$83,700. He couldn’t believe the prize
line. The pair were looking at Martin
Championship Trophy Saddles, Gist Championship Gold Buckles, Tony Lama Boots
and Western Horseman Collector’s Prints.
Add to that the money and it was overwhelming.
Both
young men college rodeo in Texas although they are in different regions. Despite not being regular partners their comradery
and repore is evident. They took nervous
jabs and digs at each other during the interviews, the photo-shoots and they
were dogged by hoard of followers that included family and friends.
“There
was some pressure to catch two feet,” Sieber said. “We both had the same goal
in mind. We both wanted to catch and
make this work. I’m just glad I caught two feet.”
Sieber
plans to save his money for a while.
Clark made the comment he’s probably going to buy a new horse and
several followers piped up they had several for sale. It is amazing just how quick money can change
your life.
There
is absolutely no doubt the lives of two college students in Texas changed the
evening of the #15 Shoot Out at the 2014 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team
Roping. With a total payout of $334,000
in the Shoot Out money was going to make a difference in ways these two young men
can never imagine. The payout would affect all the participants in some form or
fashion.
With
excitement, disbelief and bit of awe Clark and Sieber left the arena amid a
conglomeration of friends and followers.
Perhaps it was their first taste of paparazzi. The pair will not soon forget the #15 Shoot
Out that changed their lives. To come
out on top in a roping of this magnitude with this kind of competition just
proves how things can change in a heartbeat.
The #15 Shoot Out will be forever remembered by Clark and Sieber as the
day their roping made a difference.
