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Nov 5, 2014

#8 Shoot Out Sunday Nov 2 2014 National Finals


# 8 Shoot Out
2014 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping
Sunday November 2, 2014
By Melinda Clements

         Cecil Keith came barreling through the door of the prize area.  He hung his rope on the saddle horn of the new Martin Championship Trophy Saddle but was so nervous he couldn’t get his roping glove off.  When his partner, Misa Hernandez, joined him he seemed to calm a bit, regrouped and the pair chatted with each other as they waited to see what happened next.  The conversation seemed to calm them both.
         They were quickly shuffled from place to place and then arrived back with their saddles for more pictures and interviews.  They both nervously held checks and beautiful Gist Championship Gold Buckles in their hands.
         “I called him to see if he had a shoot out,” Hernandez said.  “I asked him if he wanted to rope.  We did and look what happened.  It is our first time and I can’t believe it.”
         Keith and Hernandez were first time partners in the #8 Shoot Out at the 2014 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping.  Hernandez had asked, who he mistakenly thought was Keith’s grandson, about them roping together.  As it turned out it was neighbor boy and not a grandson but the pair ended up connecting and they headed to Oklahoma City for the NFTR.  It would prove to be a trip neither of them would forget.
         As they visited in the prize area they were suddenly new best friends and partners.  They now have each other’s phone numbers and it seems to be a new relationship and partnership they are hoping will last a long time.
         Keith and Hernandez was the high call back team coming into the short go round.  A lot was at stake and the prize line was a dream come true.  Martin Championship Trophy Saddles, Gist Championship Gold Buckles, Tony Lama Ostrich Boots and Western Horseman Collector’s Prints plus $38,300, all on the table for the winner of the average in the # 8 Shoot Out.
         The ropers needed a time of 11.22 to move the second high call team of Julie and Brendon Asch, who had posted a tie of 10.79 to take the lead in the average with a time of 43.57 on four head of steers.  Keith and Hernandez rode into the box on a mission.
         “I watched the roping,” Keith said. “I almost broke the barrier because the steer started then stalled and I had to pull up.  Fortunately, my horse is athletic and quick.” Keith made his head loop count and Hernandez was there for the heel shot.  It all came together like the pair had hoped and 10.77 was exactly what they needed.  The pair took the win in the #8 Shoot Out with time of 43.11 on four steers.  Wow!  What a feeling!
         “This is my first USTRC Finals roping ever,” Keith said emotionally.  “It’s our very first time to rope together.  I had watched Misa rope but we had never rope together.  He kept trying to contact me through my little neighbor boy, thinking he was my grandson.”
         “We were so lucky to have a good steers,” Hernandez said. “I have an awesome mare that my little boy rides.  I called Cecil about a shoot out run and we roped.  I plan for us to keep roping together.”                 
         “You know the Good Lord just blessed us,” Keith added. “We were supposed to rope together.”
         “I don’t know what to think,” Hernandez elaborated as he lifted his little boy upon the new saddle.
         There are some unique partnerships and unlikely pairings at the USTRC NFTR.  You cannot always predict how the match ups will function or come together.  However, there are a couple of ropers from Texas who are savoring their win in the #8 Shoot Out. It is a pair with some chemistry.  It is a pairing they hope will continue to flourish for a long time.