2015 USTRC Cruel Girl Year End Champion Jessy Remsburg

2015 Cruel Girl Year End Champion

Jessy Remsburg

2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

By Melinda Clements

         Jessy Remsburg is kind of quiet and reserved.  She doesn’t talk much but there is no denying the lady loves team roping. It is very obvious roping is her passion. 

         “I’ve been roping all my life,” Remsburg said. “I turned my first steer when I was probably ten years old.”

         Originally a header, Remsburg has spent the last three years or so making heeling her focus.

         “Heeling is the biggest challenge for me,” she said. “I used to head in the past but now I work at and focus on heeling.”

         Remsburg is the USTRC 2015 Cruel Girl Year End Champion.  She won $56,461. 50 during the year as a competitor at USTRC events and takes home a beautiful custom made Martin Championship Trophy Saddle for her efforts.        

         Remsburg didn’t really know she was in contention for the award.

         “It all kind of comes down to who does what and how well at the Finals. I came in leading last year but I didn’t do well and didn’t place during the Finals.  I had never won at the USTRC National Finals but I won my first check here at the Finals this year.”

         She roped well and placed with partner, Jackie Crawford, in the # 12 Gold Plus and did well with partner, Jaxson Tucker, in the # 11 Shoot Out which helped boost her earnings and helped her secure the award.

         “I rope with different partners but now Beverly Robbins is my regular partner.  I recently moved closer to where she lives so we can rope together.  We can practice together and will probably haul together.”

         Remsburg feels the practice pen and horsemanship are crucial in a sport like team roping.  She has seven-year-old horse she bought as a two year old for $600 and has, in essence, made the horse herself except for a short stint with Steve Orth.

         “I started Cajun but could never quiet get over the hump to finish him so I sent him to Steve Orth for thirty days and when he came back he was absolutely awesome.  The horse means absolutely everything to me and I owe everything to him.  I take one main horse everywhere I go and that is Cajun.”

         Because Remsburg has the luxury to be able to practice everyday she uses the practice to build her confidence.

         “The practice pen for me is where I work on building my confidence,” she explained. “I rope behind some good people so if I get frustrated or am having a bad day I can back off and start fresh the next day. Fighting it never helps me so I just stop for a minute and start over fresh.  I guess I struggle with the corner so in the practice pen I slow everything down. You have to keep at it everyday and not give up.”

         Remsburg made it to the High School National Finals as a breakaway roper but not in the team roping. She commented she has not roped a breakaway calf since.

         “I want to try to make team roping my business,” Remsburg said when asked about her future plans.  “I’ll keep roping and possibly go to work for Beverly Robbins.  I really appreciate the support of the USTRC and Cruel Girl for giving this award.  It gives a girl something to look forward to and something to shoot at.”

         Our congratulations to Jessy Remsburg for her love and commitment to the sport of team roping.  Thank you for being an ambassador and congratulations on being the USTRC 2015 Cruel Girl Year End Champion.

          

2015 Pro View Open Tour Heeler Jake Long

2015 Pro View Open Tour Champion Heeler

2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Year End Heeler

Jake Long

        

         “The USTRC provides a lot of opportunity for team ropers,” commented heeler, Jake Long.  “Roping has always been a dream and now I’ve been able to make it my business.”

         Long is the 2015 Pro View Open Tour Heeler. 

         “This award is huge for me,” Long continued. “I probably did go to a few more ropings because of the tour.”

         Long received a bonus check for $10,000 and a beautiful Gist Championship Gold Buckle for his efforts.

         “I’ve always wanted to make a living roping and this award helps me do that,” Long elaborated. “I have a wife and kids and bills to pay so every little bit helps.”

         Long pointed out that coming to rope at the NFTR in Oklahoma City involves a transition with the way you rope and approach things.

         “You have to make a bit of a change over from rodeo to team roping when you come to the Finals here in Oklahoma City.  I’ve been coming here a long time but roping here is different than roping at a rodeo.  You have to be able to change and adjust in the way you rope.”  In short, Long may well be saying one has to adapt to each situation.

         Long pointed out he probably did go to a few more ropings because of the Pro View Open Tour.

         “It’s a special award and it is a great opportunity,” Long said. “I’m very honored to get this award.  It is just another example of how the USTRC provides opportunity and support for ropers.”

         The Pro View Open Tour provides not only opportunity for Open Ropers but it is also a good motivator for Open Ropers to make more ropings and to be involved with the Tour. By making these ropings it adds to the year end results and makes the year-end bonus achievable.

         Our congratulations to Jake Long, the 2015 Pro View Open Tour Champion Heeler.

2015 Pro View Open Tour Header Cale Markham

2015 Pro View Open Tour Champion Header

2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Year End Header

Cale Markham

         For USTRC Header, Cale Markham, roping is about 90% mental and 10% skill. 

         “For me, it is mental,” he explained. “I analyze and work on a game plan constantly. I guess I think it through, so to speak. I try to see it happen. ”

         Markham is the 2015 Pro View Open Tour Champion Header.

         “I didn’t really know all that much about the Open Tour,” Markham explained. “I guess I didn’t even realize I was even in contention until about half way through the tour, close to the end. I’m really glad it worked out and I really appreciate all the USTRC does to make this happen.”

         Markham received a check of $10,000 and a beautiful Gist Championship Gold Buckle.

         “You have to constantly work hard to get better,” Markham advised. “As a header I start the run and I’m the quarterback, so to speak.  This check is such a blessing and I’ll use it to cover my fees.”

         Markham continued to point out how important mind set is for him.

         “I work hard to keep things positive,” he explained. “I set the stage for my heeler and that takes some thought and preparation.  You have to set it up to give your heeler a good shot. I’m very proud of this bonus and the buckle. I’m so appreciative it worked out for me to take this award.”

         Markham was very complimentary and proud of his award.  He commented that he didn’t really think he would have done anything different had he known he was contention for the award.  It appears he always tries to get to all the ropings he can and he makes it a point to rope competitively.  Congratulations to Cale Markham, the 2015 Pro View Open Tour Champion Header.

# 8 Shoot Out Sunday Nov 1 2015 Stansbury and Mouton

# 8 Shoot Out

2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Sunday November 1 2015

Rodney Stansbury and Jason Mouton

         You know team roping is important when you are willing to travel some four plus hours to practice.  Those practice sessions have to mean something.  They have to have purpose.  You don’t travel that far if they don’t count or have a reason.

         “I travel to my partner’s house to practice,” Texas header, Rodney Stansbury said. “We never practice rodeo runs or jackpot runs.  We always slow everything down to get it right and make it a habit. It is a pretty good haul to Scott, Louisiana from my house.”

         Stansbury and Louisiana partner, Jason Mouton, have been roping together for about seven years.

         “We practice together when we have a big roping to go to,” Mouton elaborated. “Rodney comes to my house from where he lives in Santa Fe, Texas.  We make a point to have good solid practice runs.”

         Stansbury and Mouton was the high call back team going into the short go round of the #8 Shoot Out.  Nineteen teams came back in the short go in hopes of putting $44,000 in their pockets.  Add to the money each team member would also take home Martin Championship Trophy Saddles, Gist Championship Gold Buckles, Tony Lama Full Quill Ostrich Boots and Western Horseman Collector’s Prints.  How do you wrap your mind around that? It was unbelievable. No wonder pressure going into the short round was mind-boggling.  It is no wonder nerves were an issue.

         When the third high team back in the short go round, Carlos Estrada and Jessey Osborn, took the lead in the average with a time of 46.62 there were two teams left to rope.  The second high team failed to make a qualified run and suddenly pressure shifted gears.  Stansbury and Mouton had to be solid and go do what they had practiced so many hours to do. 

The pair had plenty of time.  They needed an 18.93 to take the lead and win the average.  There was no hurry, no rush. It was, indeed, just another solid good practice run.  However, pressure filled the air in the coliseum like a heavy curtain.

         “I wanted a good solid practice run,” Mouton said. “You practice, you haul, and you work hard and hope it all comes together.  We had roped aggressive. We had practiced this run for months.  I didn’t want to lose that edge.”

         “We practice for all the big ropings,” Stansbury repeated. “We are good partners and we rope well together.  We know where we are going and what we are thinking, so to speak.”

         As the pair rode into the box the championship was theirs to take.  Stansbury nodded and caught the horns.  Mouton rode to position and carefully tracked the steer to set up a good throw.  The crowd roared with approval even before the announcer stated the time.  The clock read 9.62. It was an awesome run.  It was more than enough to give Stansbury and Mouton the win in the average of the #8 Shoot Out.  What an awesome way to wrap up ten days at the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping.  It was phenomenal.

         “Jason was a draw partner for me one time,” Stansbury said. “It has worked to be a great partnership for both of us and we have been roping ever since.”

         “I wanted to stay upbeat and aggressive,” Mouton said. “We practice hard for each big roping and this is about as big as it gets.  We practice to win and we try to rope to win.”  A 9.62 on their short go round steer speaks for itself.

         “I have a great mare that I head on and we have learned to rope together,” Stansbury said. “Our practice has certainly made a big difference. It is worth traveling to his house to get in the practice pen.”

         “I’ll just tell you,” Mouton said. “Right now I’m on top of the world.  It just does not get any better than winning this roping right now.”

         “Rodney and Jason won a saddle together about three years ago,” said Melissa Mouton, Jason’s wife. “They have been roping ever since. Everyday he’s in the roping pen and Rodney comes to practice.  It is a good haul to our house and they both take it all very seriously.”

         There is no doubt that Stansbury and Mouton take all they do very seriously.  $44,000 and an awesome prize line is proof enough and it certainly speaks for itself.

         Both men will continue to rope together.  They will continue to practice and work hard.  Neither of them will ever forget the last day in Oklahoma City when they put it all on the line and took the win of the #8 Shoot Out. As Mouton said, “It doesn’t get any better than this!”

        

# 9 Shoot Out Sunday Nov 1 2015 Lopez and Salmon

# 9 Shoot Out

2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Sunday November 1 2015

Dean Lopez and Wesley Salmon

         Dean Lopez and Wesley Salmon have some history.  They are more than partners. They are more than friends or family.  They are team ropers with a matching passion that cannot be defined or explained.

         The pair have been a team roping duo since the summer of their eighth grade year in school.  Six years to be exact.  These young men have roped through the junior high ranks, through high school and now they rodeo and represent Texas Tech in college rodeo. 

         Team roping is their passion.  Team roping is every day in the practice pen.  Team roping is slowing everything down in order to visualize and avoid overthinking.  Team roping is your very first USTRC saddle and team roping is $120,400 in your pocket.  Yes, it’s true team roping is your passion and knowing all things are possible.

         Lopez and Salmon was the fourth high team back going into the short go round of the #9 Shoot Out at the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping.  The prize line for first place in the average was unbelievable.  Not only would the winners pocket $120,400, but each would take home Martin Championship Trophy Saddles, Gist Championship Gold Buckles, Tony Lama Full Quill Ostrich Boots, and Western Horseman Collector’s Prints. 

         “I don’t know that I was that nervous,” Lopez said. “It was more that I wanted to visualize it and see it happen.  I didn’t want to question myself.  I just wanted to go rope and make another run.  I wanted a run like we do in practice.”

         The pair needed a time of 10.13 to take the lead away from Brody Rankin and Hayden Cape who was leading the average with a time of 36.27 on four head of steers.

         “I wanted to stay aggressive,” Salmon said. “Sometimes I second guess myself.”

         “We’ve been together six years or more,” Lopez said. “We know each other really well.  We practice every single day together.  I knew we would be okay. It was another practice pen run.”

         Neither roper gave a lot of thought to a payout. To dwell on winning first place was just added pressure.  It was one run.  They rode into the box with a common goal.  Go make a good solid practice run.  When the clock stopped they had done exactly that.  With a time of 9.85 the pair took the lead in the average with a time of 35.98.  As they rode out of the arena there was still four teams left to rope.  It was anybody’s game and Lopez and Salmon were key players.  They were prepared to wait it out.

         Pressure toys with the thought process and the last three teams had some issues.  Two teams failed to make qualified runs and one team legged their short round steer.  It took Lopez and Salmon a minute to come into the arena for their victory lap.  It was way too much to grasp.

         “We take care of each other,” Salmon said. “Dean takes care of my stuff.  He lives at our barn and we go to school at Texas Tech.”

         Both Lopez and Salmon are Ag Majors at Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas.  They also college rodeoed for the Red Raider Rodeo Team. It is the first USTRC Saddle for both young men.

         “My saddle is going to set in my RV for a while,” Lopez said. “That’s where I live.  I owe so much to Wesley.” Lopez continued, “I’m going to buy a horse. I was actually heading on a horse that Wesley owns.  I’ll also use some of the money to keep roping. I owe so much to Wesley and his family.”

         Salmon had strict orders from his mom that his saddle would go in the living room for a while.  It is Salmon’s first USTRC saddle as well.

         “Dean and I help each other,” Salmon said. “He helps take care of my stuff.” The pair are headed back to Lubbock today.

         “We have school tomorrow,” Lopez stated. “We’ve got to get back.”

         There is no doubt there will be some discussion, some reflection, some definite replay as Lopez and Salmon rehash today’s events.

         The pair have worked hard, practiced hard, and hauled hard for a lot of years to get to this point.  It is a reward they haven’t quiet grasped yet.  They haven’t quite wrapped their minds around all that has transpired at the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping.  In a few days it will all sink in.  The young men are humble, appreciate and focused.  They are well mannered, polite and exemplify what is important in young men today.  They are on track to great things.  Great things like family, friends, school, team roping and the western way of life.  Those are the things that matter.  Congratulations to two fantastic young men!

# 9 Preliminary Saturday Oct 31 2015 Davis and McLaughlin

# 9 Preliminary

2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Saturday October 31 2015

Cody Davis and Clayton McLaughlin

 

          For Texas team ropers, Cody Davis and Clayton McLaughlin, being the fifth place high team coming into the short go round of the #9 Preliminary was a good place to be.  At that point, it was almost a win/win situation.  The pair had roped well to get into the short go round and even if they ended up fifth place they were assured of a paycheck.

          Hamish Harley and Buddy Adkison was leading the average with a time of 40.19 on four steers.  Some teams struggled to make qualified runs in the short go but Davis and McLauglin knew one thing for certain.  A good solid run in the short go round would assure them of a paycheck and both men wanted to do well and make a good run.

          The pair needed a time of 10.06 on their steer to move Harley and Adkison. $20,200 would be awarded to first place in the average plus Martin Championship Trophy Saddles.

          “I wanted to take my best shot,” Davis said. “I wanted to have fun but I wanted to do well. I wanted Clayton to have his shot.  We have roped good all day.”

          “I struggle with horse position,” McLaughlin said. “I just wanted to catch. A lot of teams were having problems so I wanted to make a good run.”

          Davis and McLaughlin did exactly what they intended to do in the short go round.  The pair posted a time of 7.51 to move to first place in the average of the #9 Preliminary.

          As the last four teams roped there were a lot of problems.  Perhaps, it was nerves, lack of concentration and focus or just trying too hard but three teams failed to make qualified runs and one team legged their short round steer.  Suddenly, winning the average of the #9 Preliminary fell into place for Davis and McLaughlin.

          “I watched a couple of teams go after we roped and realized we really did have a chance,” Davis commented.

          “I actually thought we were done after we roped our steer in the short go round,” McLaughlin elaborated. “I cannot believe how it worked out for us.”

          With buddies and friends chiding them and giving the pair a hard time in the prize area it was a bit chaotic.  Buddies and friends were kidding and teasing about how they could help the pair spend a little over $20,000.

          “I’ll probably put my money in the bank,” McLaughlin said with a serious tone in his voice despite all the teasing.

          “I’m probably going to buy a new saddle,” Davis commented. “Evidently, his new trophy saddle was going to be a “trophy” saddle for a while.”

          The pair were a little hyper, understandably so.  They had roped together, perhaps, three or four times before their debut at the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the pair made a pact after their win in the #9 Preliminary to keep roping together.  It would be a wise decision.  They complement each other quite well.

 

Jr. Looper Shoot Out Saturday Oct 31 2015

Jr. Looper Shoot Out

2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Saturday October 31 2015

 

 

          They say kids are like butterflies in the wind.  Some can fly higher than others and others cannot fly at all.  However, each flies the best it can.  Each one is different and each one is special.  Each one leaves a mark on our hearts that we will never shake.

          As the arena floor at the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping filled with kids and anxious parents the message was huge.  Team Roping is well and good and our future is secure with the little gals and guys coming up the ranks.

          Team roping is a good place for family.  It is a good place to raise kids and, more importantly, kids are good for team roping. It all kind of blends together. It grows and a following of fans, participants and supporters come from raising kids around team roping.

          Each kid on the arena floor has purpose, a calling, a reason and an objective.  It short, God has a plan. God made the design and each kid will hit his/her mark at his/her own speed.  We look into those little faces and see hope, promise, objective and aspiration.

          We, too, must become as little children or we will miss the mark.  Therefore, as the crowd gathered to watch the Jr. Looper Shoot Out there was an air of excitement.  The Jr. Looper Shoot Out was about to take over the coliseum.

          The Six and Under event was the first event to get under way.  There were six contenders. They included: Dalton Dugan, Kayden Tsosie, Christopher Clark, William (Owen) Gillespie, Hunter Phillips, and Gregory Mitchell.  It was a very serious, competitive group of young ropers.  Perhaps they had been taking their cues from their elders.

          When the competition finished up, Kayden Tsosie was the winner of the six and under age group.  Kayden just emphasized you cannot ignore those roping girls.  She is six years old and in the first grade and calls Gallup, New Mexico home.

          “I have a horse named Cash,” Tsosie said. “I’m in first grade.  I think I don’t know who my favorite team roper is but it might be Derrick Begay.”  With a high five to announcer, Ben Clements, Tsosie took off, rope in hand to sit on her new saddle.  Her grin was from ear to ear and this roping event was just another activity in the course of the day for a six year old.

          The Seven to Nine Age group had five young ropers competing. They included Tyra Bitsie, Chandler Ramone, Hoss Tate, Lyric Phillips, and Rylan Luman.  Finally, at a distance of eighteen feet Chandler Ramone emerged as the winner.

          “My dad taught me to rope,” Ramone said. “I’m from Borrego Pass, New Mexico.” I thanked him for spelling it for me, by the way. “I’m nine years old and I’m in fourth grade,” he continued.  Ramone has a horse and he is pretty sure he will like the new saddle. 

          “Dustin Bird is my favorite roper,” Ramone said. When the distance for the roping increased Ramone went and changed ropes.  It was a long, long rope but Ramone coiled it up, built a new loop and roped the horns for the win.  It was exactly what he needed to win the seven to nine age group in the Jr. Looper Shoot Out.

          The Ten to Twelve Age Group had six participants. They were Jayse Tettenhorst, Dace Morris, Bryce Hart Reed Richison, Keith Gorman and Hailey Long.  After some fierce competition Keith Gorman took the win.

          “I don’t have any secret to winning,” Gorman told announcer, Ben Clements. “My dad taught me to rope.” His favorite team roper is Derrick Begay and Gorman just figures he might beat Begay in a rope off.

          Gorman is ten years old and is from St. Johns, Arizona.  He is in fifth grade and has a horse name Millions. Gorman won the Ten to Twelve Age Group at a distance of twenty-two feet and Gorman likes to head best of all.

          It is a fact that without your kids your house would be cleaner and you would have more money but, without a doubt, your heart would be empty. As the Jr. Looper Shoot Out ended all the participants posed for pictures.  How could you NOT love those little faces? They are the future of our sport.  They are being raised on arena dirt accompanied with hard work and purpose.

          I would say the world of team roping is in good hands in the years to come.  Our Jr. Looper ropers will be the contenders in the big arena before we know it.  They are our future and they make me proud.

 

 

#10 Shoot Out Saturday Oct 31 2015

#10 Shoot Out

2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Saturday October 31 2015

Mike Sibley and Jed Sibley

 

          Sometimes our emotions take hold of us and will not let go.  Being overwhelmed can leave us speechless and unable to grasp all that has transpired.  Sometimes our hearts are full and all we can do is smile, hold back the tears and try to breath.

          Mike Sibley is a header from Denham Springs, Louisiana.

          “It’s hard to rope with your kids,” Sibley said. “There is a lot of pressure there. You want to do well.  You want a good start and set everything up so they get a shot to do what you know they can do.”

          Well, with a doubt, Sibley got it all together to give his son, Jed, a shot at the heels.  The pair was the high team coming back in the short go round of the #10 Shoot Out at the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping.

          “There is just so much pressure,” Mike Sibley reiterated as he choked back tears. “This is such a good place for kids to grow up.  It’s a good family atmosphere. I wanted a good clean run so Jed could rope.”

          The winners in the average of the #10 Shoot Out would take $123,000 to the bank.  Add to that an awesome prize line including Martin Championship Trophy Saddles, Gist Championship Gold Buckles, Tony Lama Full Quill Ostrich Skinned Boots and Western Horseman Collector’s Prints.  It was mind boggling.  At that point in time one could not actually grasp what it all meant.

          The short go round was filled with pressure and nerves and each team was seeking some sort of competitive edge. Thirty teams were coming back in the short go round for a total payout of $465,580.

          Aaron Noel and Brock Hill was the second high team back. They roped their short go steer with a time of 9.73 to take the lead away from Walt Arnold and Danny Watson. Mike and Jeb Sibley knew they needed a ten second run or better to win the average and move Noel and Hill to second.

          “I kept thinking I’ve got to stay focused,” Jed Sibley said. “I kept saying this is a mental game and I’ve got to meet this challenge. I’ve got to adapt. You just never know how things are going to turn out.”

          When the father/son duo rode into the box they were on the same page.  A good solid clean mistake free run seemed to flash somewhere in the background.  Both knew they just had to keep it all together.

          When Mike Sibley nodded he put all his faith in a twelve year old head horse he’s had for about six years.  The horse would do his job and Sibley did his.  He connected and roped the horns.  Jed was at the corner when dad turned off and he scooped up both heels.  The clock read 8.08.  Perhaps Mike and Jed forgot to breathe. $123,000 is a lot of money.

          “I have no clue about the money,” Mike Sibley said fighting back tears. “I cannot even put my mind around this.”

          Jed collaborated, “This is my first USTRC saddle.  What has just happened has not even sunk in yet.  It is such a mental game.  It hasn’t registered yet what has happened.  We have a long drive home tomorrow so we will have some time to think this through.”

          “You just work hard to keep your kids involved,” Mike said. “You want them involved in team roping. This has such a good family atmosphere.  It is a good place for kids, for family.  To win this roping with my son means everything.  To say this is an emotional win is to say the very least.”

          Jed offered a bit of advice for anyone wanting to rope. 

          “Don’t ever give up, don’t ever quit and don’t ever give up on your dreams,” he commented. “You have to learn to adapt.  As a heeler there are so many different shots to look at.  It’s a mental game. Always follow your dreams and don’t give up.” Perhaps learning to adapt is a life lesson as well.

          It is a pretty safe bet to say that Mike and Jed Sibley will never ever forget a Saturday afternoon in October at the 2015 Cinch USTRC NFTR.  It is a good haul to Denham Springs, Louisiana.  There will be some reflection, some deep thinking, and perhaps a bit of meditation and deliberation as to how the #10 Shoot Out came down on that particular Saturday afternoon in October in Oklahoma City.

          One thing is for certain the duo of Mike and Jed Sibley will rerun, rehash, rethink and replay the roping and the result will always be the same.  The pair won the #10 Shoot Out and they are still going home with $123,000 and new saddles.  What a terrific memory! Who says team roping doesn’t change lives? Who denies that roping and winning with your kids or family is just about as good as it gets!

# 10 Preliminary Friday Oct 30 2015 Stamper and Tittle

#10 Preliminary

2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Friday October 30 2015

Sam Stamper and Ryan Tittle

 

          It was the last roping of the day.  The day had been cool with drizzle.  However, inside the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds Coliseum the action was hot and fast paced.

          The #10 Preliminary had been competitive and ropers were looking at $21,000 to win the average.  They would also take home beautiful Martin Championship Trophy Saddles.  There would be fifteen money’s paid in the average.  Perhaps it was nerves or maybe the weather or just the competitive love of team roping but the short go round was shaping up to be on fire.

          As the short go round unfolded pressure reared its head and make its presence known.  Immediately, four teams went out of the average when they failed to make qualified runs. Twenty teams were vying for a paycheck and it was aggressive.  Every team wanted to fill the top fifteen positions.

          Wyatt and Sawyer Eirikson, two Canadian cowboys, was the twelfth high team coming into the short go.  The pair posted a time of 8.27 to take the lead in the average with a time of 34.69.  Suddenly, the pair had raised the bar in the roping.

          Sam Stamper and Ryan Tittle was the eighth high call team.  The pair needed a time of 9.35 to take the lead in the average.

          When Stamper rode into the box his horse suddenly became an issue.  The horse was restless and unsettled.  He may have been taking his cues from Stamper.  Nerves and pressure certainly played into the scenario. 

          Finally, the horse settled a little and Stamper nodded.  The horse and roper connected and Stamper made the head catch and turned off.  Tittle tapped in on the corner and roped both heels.  The pair took the lead in the average with a time of 6.71 on their short round steer.

          Suddenly, it all became a waiting game.  Seven teams were left to rope.

          “Because of the rain I was kind of boxed in at the back of the arena,” Tittle said. “I didn’t really know how it was going to come down and I couldn’t watch.”

          Third high team back, Ryan and Ty Springer, posted a time of 7.91 but it didn’t move Stamper and Tittle.  It did, however, move the Springer boys into second place in the average.  A couple of bobbles with the last two teams helped Stamper and Tittle and they maintained their lead. They would win the average of the #10 Preliminary with a time of 32.04 on four head of steers.

          “I try to just read and react,” Tittle said about his job as heeler.  “I try to focus on one thing at a time.”

          “I had some trouble with my horse in the box,” Stamper explained. “He recovered well and worked well.  He’s a five year old and I’m sure he was nervous because I was nervous.  We were able to set it up on the corner so my heeler could come in and do his job.”

          The pair pocketed $21,000 and the Martin Championship Trophy Saddles.  It was the pair’s first USTRC National Finals saddles.

          “I’ll probably put this saddle up for a while,” Tittle said. “I’ll probably pay off some college with the money.”

          “I’m probably going to buy a horse,” Stamper grinned. The pair live about a mile apart so they get to the practice pen on a regular basis.  Obviously, it is time well spent.