# 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.

           

# 11 Shoot Out Friday Oct 30 2015 John and Sterlin English

#11 Shoot Out

2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Friday October 30 2015

John English and Sterlin English

 

          Sometimes we do not appreciate how blessed we are.  We all have team roping as a common thread but we forget sometimes the struggles others may face.  As a team roping family we can all appreciate the hard work, discipline and commitment needed to make this sport work in our lives.

          John and Sterlin English are a father/son roping duo.  They rope a lot together. It is a 24/7 kind of commitment and the family has a history in the sport that goes all the way back to 1995.  That is a twenty year spread.  It’s a family history of hard work, discipline and dreams.

          “That kid can rope,” someone in the crowd muttered. “My gosh, he has nerves of steel.” It’s true! Sterlin English can rope.  But he comes by it honest.  It is in his genes, so to speak.  He doesn’t even know about twenty years ago. He’s thirteen years old.

          In 1995 Jerome English won the # 7 Shoot Out at the Finals. In 2015 John and Sterlin English won the #11 Shoot Out at the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping. There is some kind of history in that revelation.

          “My dad won the Shoot Out in 1995,” John English commented.

          However, set history aside for a minute and talk family.  John and Connie English have two boys.  Sterlin is the oldest.  Dad and Sterlin go to work each day and Sterlin does his school work while dad does his job.  Mom is at home, a stroke victim six years ago, has limited some of her activities but not so much that she couldn’t be in Oklahoma City to watch John and Sterlin rope.

          “We rope every morning and every night,” Connie English said, “We are all in this together.  I’m just overwhelmed at this win. I just cannot get it into my head.”

          But let’s stop for a minute. Let’s just back up.

          John and Sterlin English was the high call back team going into the short go round of the #11 Shoot Out.  John Kirbow and Josh Hudspeth held the lead in the average with a time of 31.76 on four head of steers.  The pressure was on for the English boys.  The average would pay a whopping $115,200 to win the roping.  Add to the cash Martin Championship Trophy Saddles, Gist Championship Gold Buckles, Tony Lama Full Quill Ostrich Skinned Boots and Western Horseman Collector’s Prints.  It was unfathomable. Who can, indeed, put their minds around all that?

          “I knew if I could catch we had a chance,” Sterlin English said with a huge grin. “I just wanted to go catch.”

          “We have practiced this run, the short go round run in the #11 Shoot Out at the Finals a million times,” John English said.  The pair needed a time of 8.41 to take the lead in the average away from Kirbow and Hudspeth.  “I knew we were very close. I just didn’t realize how close.”

          When John English nodded for the short round steer he was careful, methodical and yet he never wasted a second.  He roped both horns and turned off.  Sterlin made the corner and connected catching both heels.  A hush fell over the coliseum as everyone held their breath.  The announcer said, “How about a time of 8.04? Ladies and Gentlemen, there are your 2015 #11 Shoot Out Champions.  John and Sterlin English will pocket $115,200.”

          How is it a team roping can pay out like that? You bet it is for real.

          This family knows about hard work.  This family knows about struggle and discipline and commitment.  This family knows about sticking together to make things work out and come together.  This family knows that despite pain and challenge there is good and there is God.

          Sterlin is a wise young man.  He is appreciative of his family.  He is appreciative of his sponsors that include Heelamatic, Chute Help, Best Ever Saddle Pads and Matthew Land and Cattle out of Las Vegas, New Mexico.  Sterlin also appreciates a heel horse called Hollywood that he’s roped on for about five years.  Sterlin is also appreciative of a history of team roping in his family that includes his grandfather, Jerome, and his dad, John. Sterlin’s grandmother passed away recently but he’s is pretty sure there is some rejoicing and dancing in heaven over his win today.

          It is the first USTRC National Finals Saddle for John and Sterlin English.  The pair will finish out the week at the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping.  The #11 Shoot Out is in the history books. John and Sterlin English have left their mark on the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds as the winners of this roping.  $115,200 is a chunk of change.  Needless to say, it will make a huge difference in the lives of the English family.  It will change their lives in ways one cannot even grasp.

# 11 Preliminary Thurs Oct 29 2015 Baker and Brown

#11 Preliminary

2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Thursday October 29 2015

Jace Baker and Jeff Brown

 

          “I was so nervous,” Mt. Pleasant Texas heeler, Jeff Brown said. “I was just really nervous and to say I might have been a little nervous would be a gross understatement. I was NERVOUS!”

          “I didn’t even watch the short go round,” Header, Jace Baker said. “Why put that kind of pressure on myself?”

          Baker and Brown just happened to be the high call back team going into the short go round of the #11 Preliminary.  The pair have been partners for about five years and this roping was a big one for them.

          “Absolutely, I was nervous,” Baker fidgeted. “If you aren’t nervous in a roping like this you are crazy!”

          The pair would be the final team to rope in the short go round of the #11 Preliminary. JaLynn Harmon and Dillion D. Ogorman held the lead in the average with a time of 33.27 on four steers.  Bake and Brown needed a time of 10.66 to make the change in the leader board.

          The winning team in the average would take home $17,900 and Martin Championship Trophy Saddles.  The roping was quick, fast paced and extremely competitive.  Every team would get flex earnings and every team would get a shootout.

          “We started out real aggressive,” Baker said. “We backed off a little and kind of slowed the pace toward the end.”

          “This is my first time to make the short round,” Brown said. “I wanted to kick over and rope.  We got a really good start so I wanted to take my first good shot.  I kept thinking about position.”

          When Baker and Brown broke from the box they were aggressive and on a mission.  It didn’t appear they had slowed any.  Despite being nervous they were able to focus and keep their priorities straight.  A time of 9.04 cinched the deal.  The pair won the average of the # 11 Preliminary with a time of 31.64 on four head of steers.  $17,900 would fit well into their bank accounts.

          “I’ve been coming here about six years,” Brown said. “This is the first year to make the short go round.  I didn’t know for sure that we were the high team back but I knew I would keep roping the same. I would take my best shot.”

          The pair was elated with their win.  Suddenly, a five year partnership was paying off big time.  Both men believe in practice and perhaps “keep on keeping on” should be their new motto.  Despite nerves all the pair had accomplished would be with them for a long time.  They were proud and excited about their win.  The win in the #11 Preliminary would set the stage for more roping to come as the week at the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping progressed.

 

# 10 Invitational Thurs Oct 29 2015 Guevara and Quinonez

#10 Invitational

2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Thursday October 29 2015

Eric Guevara and Rey David Quinonez

 

          There was $45,200 on the line.  It was a lot of money.  It was enough to put butterflies in your stomach and make your palms sweat.  The top ten teams were coming back for the short go round steer in the #10 Invitational at the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping in Oklahoma City. Not only would the winner of the average receive money in the bank but they would receive Martin Championship Trophy Saddles and Gist Championship Gold Buckles. 

          The top eight teams in the average would receive a paycheck.  The roping would be fast paced, competitive and highly energetic.  Roping for that kind of pay back tends to make everyone a little nervous and perhaps a tad bit apprehensive.

          When Kyle Dailey and Philip Charlton took the lead in the average with a time of 9.75 everyone took notice.  There were four more teams to rope and each team was focused on making their run count.  Eight monies would be paid in the average and everyone wanted a piece of the action.  Catching and making a solid run was important and highly relevant.

          Eric Guevara and Rey David Quinonez was the third high team back coming into the short go round.  The pair needed a time of 11.76 to move Dailey and Charlton.  A solid clean every day practice run would get it done.

          “Team Roping is such a mental game,” Guevara said. “Our game plan was to just go rope.  Everything about team roping is mental.”

          When Guevara and Quinonez rode into the box there were two teams left to rope. “I wanted to stay calm and make everything work,” Guevara added.

          When Guevara nodded the mental game came together and he roped the horns and turned off. Quinonez connected and roped both heels.  The pair stopped the clock with a time of 9.72 to take the lead in the average.  There were two teams left to rope.  The last two failed to be fast enough to move Guevara and Quinonez.  The pair would take the win of the average in the #10 Invitational.  Not only would they pocket the money but the rest of the prize line as well.

          “I was very, very nervous,” Quinonez said. “I was waiting for our turn and it was really hard to stay calm.”

          This just so happens to be the first time Guevara and Quinonez have roped together.

          “We had seen each other rope,” Guevara said. “But we had never actually roped together.  This is our first time.” It is also the first USTRC National Finals saddle the pair has ever won.

          “I’ve been here several times,” Quinonez pointed out. “I’ve won a little here and a little there and I wanted to come and win at least $1000.  This win is unbelievable. I guess I’ll use the money to keep roping and maybe pay off my house and some bills.”

          Guevara continued to emphasize the importance of horsemanship and the mental game of team roping.

          “If your mind is not right on any given day,” Guevara said. “You won’t rope well.  I have a good horse that helps take the pressure off.  I’ve had him about a month or so.”

          “We are entered the rest of the week,” Quinonez said. “I’m sure we will keep roping together.”

          Money aside there is now a new set of team roping partners.  A new team, a new friendship and a new beginning.  Connections established through Team Roping tend to last a long time. One thing for sure Guevara and Quinonez have established a new relationship.  They united on an afternoon at the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping and their lives changed.  Team Roping changes lives, opens doors and establishes relationships.  New things are yet to come for this pair of ropers.  They now have a connection they will never forget.

 

Century Roping Thurs. Oct 29 2015

Century Roping

2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Thursday Oct 29 2015

Brother Campbell and Glenn Davis

 

          “Team roping needs to be fun,” Tennessee Team Roper, Brother Campbell, said. “If it gets to be a job you better quit.” He grinned and his enthusiasm was almost contagious.

          It is very obvious Campbell and his partner, Glen Davis, have a good time roping.  Their love for the sport is unmissable and they have been at it a long time.

          “My job is to stop the clock,” Davis explained about being a heeler. “I go make a run, try not to get too excited or nervous and don’t let the pressure take control.”

          There is a certain wisdom and knowledge coupled with flair that exudes from the Century Ropers.  You want to listen and pay attention. You want to learn from what they have to say and how they perceive things. They have paid their dues, so to speak, in ways we can never imagine.  They are humble, appreciative, honest and easy to talk to.  They are committed to a sport that has impacted their lives over the course of several years.

          “My job is to score, get out of that box and set things up for my heeler,” Campbell pointed out. He grinned, “My job is to have a good time. You have to keep this team roping fun.”

          Campbell and Davis was the high team coming back in the short go round of the Century Roping.  Paul Walker and Gene McCall took the lead in the average with a time of 35.60.  It was Campbell and Davis’ goal to move them out of first place.

          “I wanted to get the steer down,” Davis said about the short go round steer.  “I knew Brother would rope him and set it all up.  He’s methodical.  Heck, Ray Charles could heel behind this guy.”

          The pair had a good steer.  They needed to be 10.88 to take the lead in the average. 

          “Once I get in the box it mostly becomes what I call muscle memory,” Campbell explained. “I stay aggressive and I have an awesome head horse.  He knows me, he knows his job and likes what he does.  He’s small for a head horse but he has plenty of speed.  We make a good pair and that makes my roping really easy.”

          When Campbell nodded for the steer he scored well and was on a mission.  He roped the horns and Davis scooped up the heels.  It was a done deal and with a time of 7.61 the pair took the lead to win the average of the Century Roping with a total time of 32.32.

          “I’ve loved team roping my entire life,” Davis stated emphatically. “My horse is probably the best I’ve ever had and he gets better and better.  I guess there was some pressure involved but I just like the challenge of the steer, if that makes sense.”  Davis smiled. “This win is nice.”

          The pair would pocket $26, 100 and take home Martin Championship Trophy Saddles.

          “I try to rope every steer the same,” Campbell pointed out. He reemphasized what Davis had already stated. “If I’m consistent my heeler will get his shot.” Horsemanship is 90% of the deal both men agreed. “At home I practice for my horse. If I need to practice for me I rope the dummy.”

          “We are keeping our roping fun,” Davis said in conclusion. “This is my first USTRC National Finals saddle. “It been fun and so exciting.”

          The wisdom and insight one takes away from the Century ropers is that if team roping isn’t anything else it should be fun and exciting.  It should be challenging and rewarding.  If it turns out to be tedious and a chore then maybe one needs to regroup and start over. 

The Century ropers have the right idea.  Slow it down, accept the challenge and make things happen.  It is a good philosophy not only for team roping but for life as well.

 

 

 

 

#10 Gold Plus Shoot Out Wed Oct 28 2015 Rueter and Schindler

#10 Gold Plus Shoot Out

2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Wednesday October 28 2015

Jay Rueter and Tony Schindler

 

 

          $80,600 is a lot of money. Couple that with a prize line that includes a 2015 Ram Truck and a Case IH Tractor and it all just makes your mouth water.  Some ropers have been chasing the dream for a long time.  One day you just start chasing cows and the next thing you know you are a team roper and the addiction is a sport you cannot walk away from.

          Thirty teams came back in the short go round of the #10 Gold Plus Shoot Out at the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping.  Every single team would get a paycheck with the high money winner taking the keys to the Ram truck and the runner up the Case IH Tractor. The teams were hungry, aggressive and driven toward the end result.  The short round would be exciting, competitive, and energetic and bit zealous.  Each team was vigorously involved.

          Kyle Dailey and Philip Charlton was the tenth high team coming back in the short go round. The pair posted a time of 8.56 to take the lead in the average.  The competition stepped up a notch and nerves entered the scenario.  There were some legs and some teams failed to make qualified runs.  Some teams were scrambling.

          Jay Rueter and Tony Schindler was the high team coming back into the short go round.  The pair was two full seconds ahead coming into the short go round to rope.  They had ample time to spare.

          The pair needed a 15.34 to move Dailey and Charlton out of first place.  It involved a good solid practice run.  Even if they legged they had a chance.

          “I about choked on the last steer,” Schindler commented. “I wanted it so bad but mouth was so dry.  The whole thing was unbelievable.”

          When Rueter rode into the box he was nervous but he knew without a doubt they had a chance to get this done. 

          “On our last steer I was a little late but we had fifteen seconds,” Rueter said. “I just couldn’t get the rope out of my hand.  It was the only steer Tony legged all day but it worked out for us.”

          The pair posted a time of 14.42 in the short go round to win the average of the #10 Gold Plus Shoot Out with a time of 38.42.

          “We’ve been trailing this for a lot of years,” Rueter said. “We’ve been coming here since 1996.  We both went to a roping one time and no one would rope with us so we roped together and we have been together ever since.  It has been a dream for both of us.  I won my first buckle in 2005 and have been wearing it ever since.  Now, look at this one!”

          “I entered three ropings here at the NFTR,” Schindler said. “I entered with one person and that is Jay. We have been together a long time.”

          As it turned out there was a tie with Rueter and Schindler so a rope off was needed to determine who would take the truck and who would win the tractor.  When the rope off was complete it was determined Rueter would win the 2015 Ram Truck and Schindler would win the Case IH Tractor.

          “The money and the prizes is what attracts ropers to the USTRC,” Rueter said. “I’m tickled to death to win this roping. I’m so appreciative of what the USTRC does for our sport and the support of Ram Rodeo.”

          “Jay and I have been friends for a long, long time,” Schindler said. “It is the best roping. The payouts are tremendous.  The good people at all the ropings that run everything are awesome. To win here with Jay is unbelievable.”

          Bombarded with interviews, cameras, phone calls and well-wishers it was all a bit overwhelming and certainly an emotional moment.  Perhaps the lesson here is to never ever give up on your dreams.  You can chase them for a long time and then one day it all falls into place.  The puzzle is suddenly complete and it all makes sense as to why you do what you do.  If the dream has to do with team roping don’t ever give it up.  In due time it’s your time.

 

 

 

# 12 Invitational Wed Oct 28 2015 Drake and Roden

#12 Invitational

2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Wednesday October 28 2015

Kenny Drake and Kevin Roden

 

 

          “It is very obvious we have some pretty good chemistry,” Kenny Drake said with a mischievous grin.  “Kevin, my partner, knew the game plan from the get go. The game plan was to win. But you have to realize we had a lot of help.”

          Kenny Drake and Kevin Roden was the third high team back going into the short round of the #12 Invitational at the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping.  It certainly had proved to be an interesting day.

          “This is the absolute best place to rope for the high dollars,” Drake continued. “The USTRC is a great family deal.  I raised my kids in this organization and now Kevin is doing the same thing.”

          Roden smiled. “It’s all about family, great headers and good horses.”

          The pair needed a 10.20 in the short go round to take the lead in the average.  There were fifteen teams coming back in the short go round. $54,600 would go to the winners in the average plus Martin Championship Trophy Saddles and Gist Championship Gold Buckles.

          “All the steers were big and strong,” Drake said. “It was a good bunch of steers. But I think we had a little favor from above especially when the particular steer we wanted moved to the front as we rode into the box.”

          “We don’t get to practice because we live too far apart,” Roden explained. “We’ve roped together a couple of times. I had missed two steers in the Gold Plus and I wasn’t going to let it happen again.  I had one job and that was to catch.  Two feet was all I was thinking about.”

          Drake and Roden rode into the box with one thing on their minds.  They wanted to move Derek Reeves and Jeff Smith out of first place in the average.  Drake and Roden wanted to take the lead.

          Things happened quickly when Drake nodded for the short round steer.  His rope connected and Drake turned off with the steer in tow.  Roden was true to his word and connected on the corner to wrap up the run with a time of 8.34.  There were two teams left to rope.  Drake and Roden rode out the back gate knowing they had done their best.

          When the last two teams failed to make qualified runs Drake and Roden were a bit awe struck.  They had just won the #12 Invitational at the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping.

          “We had a really good steer,” Drake said. “However, the roping kind of fell into our lap.  We made a good run, we had a good steer and we just rope really well together.  As I said we have some chemistry.  We might have played it little safe but it worked for us.”

          “I just wanted to do my job,” Roden elaborated. “My job is two feet.  I have a good horse and a great support system.” Roden gives all the credit to his family and the Justus Hyatt Family for his success.

          “I borrowed a horse from Justus Hyatt and there is no way I can tell them how much I appreciate all they have done and all their support,” Roden elaborated.

          Drake appreciates his support system as well. “My wife, Jill, rides my horse and keeps him legged up and in good shape.  All I have to do is go rope.” He finished with a grin.

          Drake and Roden would pocket $54,600 plus Martin Championship Trophy Saddles and Gist Gold Buckles. The pair still have a full week ahead of them.

          “I’m coming back and roping with my son,” Roden said. “It is so special to win here. I cannot express what all it means.”

Cruel Girl Championships Wed. Oct 28 2015 Rodenberger and Bilkey

Cruel Girl Championships

2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Wednesday October 28 2015

Shawn Tee Rodenberger and Ali Bilkey

 

          Do not ever underestimate or overlook the lady team ropers. They kind of stay in the background, riding and working their horse, honing their skills and then suddenly they erupt with the intensity and tenacity of a cornered bear cat.

          They are aggressive, disciplined, focused and committed. They know what they want and how to go about getting it. One should never underestimate what the Cruel Girls can do.

          Eighteen teams were coming back for the short go round in the Cruel Girl Championships.   The ladies were looking at a first place purse of $16,200 in cash, Martin Championship Trophy Saddles, a $1000 Cash Bonus and a one year Cruel Girl wardrobe.  The top eight teams in the average would receive a paycheck.  It was a total payout of $62,160 spread across the board.

          The short go round would be competitive.  It was anyone’s ball game but one thing was certain; they all came to rope and they all come to win.

          Ashley Odonnell and Courtney Small was the third high call back team.  When they took the lead in the average with a time of 39.75 there were two teams left to rope.  Shawn Tee Rodenberger and Ali Bilkey was the second high team back.  The pair needed a time of 11.66 to move Odonnell and Small out of the driver’s seat.  There was one team left to rope.

          “I already knew what I needed to do and what I needed to see,” Rodenberger said, “I know what I need to see when I ride into the box.  I had seen Ali rope and there was no doubt in my mind she could rope.  I was not worried about her.”

          “I try not to let the pressure get to me,” Bilkey added. “I try not to let it bother me.”

          Bilkey, a student at West Texas A&M in Canyon, Texas is a transplanted Californian.  “I go to school in Canyon and we have never roped together. This was our first time.”

          When Rodenberger rode into the box she appeared confident and on track.  She nodded and everything connected.  Bilkey wrapped up the run and the pair posted a time of 8.88 to take the lead in the average with a time of 36.96.  With one team left to rope. Both ladies wondered silently if their lead would hold.

          Cheyenne Jinks and Whitney Desalvo would wrap up the short go round.  The pair roped their steer in fine form with a time of 9.30 but it would not be enough to move Rodenberger and Bilkey.  The pair would take the win in the average of the Cruel Girl Championships with a time of 36.96 on a four steer average.

          “This is my second year here,” Bilkey said. “But this is my first USTRC National Finals Saddle.  I think it will be a trophy saddle for a while.”

          “This is our first time to ever rope together,” Rodenberger reiterated. “I had seen her rope. I wasn’t worried. I knew what she could do. I knew she would do her job.”

          Both ladies feel work ethic and horsemanship are very important. 

          “Practice is so important,” both ladies agreed. Both have a lot of faith and commitment to the horses they ride.

          “My horse will do his job,” Bilkey emphasized. Both ladies were pleased with the roping. “It’s a good place to rope,” Rodenberger continued. “I won here in 2001 and my win here today will help me do something for my boys.”

          As the ladies paused for the awards one could sense the quiet humble demeanor that makes these ladies champions.  They know that horsemanship, work ethic and commitment count. The ladies of the USTRC—don’t ever overlook or underestimate them.

         

#12 Gold Plus Shoot Out Tuesday Oct 27 2015 / Inderman and Schaffner

#12 Gold Plus Shoot Out

2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Tuesday October 27 2015

Lance Inderman and Tyler Schaffner

 

          Sometimes you can judge the caliber of a friendship or relationship by the commitment the partners have for each other.  Team Ropers are a unique family.  They spend a lot of time together and work hard for the benefit and growth of the coupling.

          Lance Inderman and Tyler Schaffner have that kind of relationship.  They are good friends.  They have been partners for going on six years since Schaffner made a move to Texas.  When the pair decided to rope in the #12 Gold Plus Shoot Out at the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping in Oklahoma City the pair laid out a game plan to win.  They even went so far as to decide how their prizes might be distributed.  They covered all their bases.

          “We agreed on how we would rope and who would take what if we won,” they both concurred.

          The #12 Gold Plus Shoot Out has a lot of appeal. There is also a great deal of pressure.  After all, it isn’t every day or at every roping you can bank a wad of money and drive home a Ram Truck or Case IH Tractor.

          “It’s a fun roping to enter,” Inderman commented.  “Tyler and I know each other and we have a lot of fun roping together.”

          “Having Lance in the box helps keep me calm,” Schaffner added. “He is good for me.”

          Inderman and Schaffner were in a good spot going into the short go round.  They were the high team back coming in and both wanted to perform like they had been doing the whole day.

          “I guess my mindset was to be calm,” Inderman said. “I’d been here before.  I wasn’t going to let nerves bother me.  I just wanted to go rope and have a good time.”
          Thirty teams came back in the short go round of the #12 Gold Plus Shoot Out.  All of them had their sights set on either the Ram Truck or the Case IH Tractor. 

          Inderman and Schaffner waited patiently for their turn to rope.  Danny Miller and Jimmie Allen took the lead in the average with a time of 31.26.  Inderman and Schaffner needed a time of 9.10 to move Miller and Allen.

          “We had one more steer to go,” Schaffner said. “I just wanted the same shot I’d had all day.  Lance does the hard part.  He has to score, catch and drag the steer into my heel loop.  It isn’t an easy thing to do.  He has the hard work.  I just wanted to make it a point to do my part,” he smiled. “Lance has to set it all up for me to look good.”

          “I’m always worry about my partners,” Inderman said seriously. “I always want them to do well.”

          When Inderman and Schaffner rode into the box for their turn at their short round steer they were looking to move Miller and Allen out of first place. With an almost calm, focused demeanor the pair nodded and then stopped the clock with a time of 8.23.  They secured the average win with a time of 30.38 in a four steer average.

          As the Ram Truck and Case IH tractor inched their way onto the arena floor the question arose about a rope off since the pair were tied in their earnings.  Some decision had to be made as to who would take the truck and who would take the tractor.

          With a unanimous vote the pair agreed among themselves there would be no rope off.  Inderman wanted the tractor and relinquished any rights to the truck to let Schaffner take possession.

          “I’m still pretty much in shock about winning this roping,” Schaffner said. “It’s pretty cool to be able to drive home this truck. This is my biggest win and with the USTRC’s influence and involvement it is no wonder this is the fastest growing sport in the world.”

          “I’m roping later in the week with my son,” Inderman pointed out. “This is a great roping.  I was fortunate and got a good start and it worked out with actually a little time to spare.

          Partners, friends, prizes, family and they all fall under the umbrella labeled team roping. It’s all about friends and extended family. It’s about relationships, fellowships and team roping.  It is about have a good time and sharing.  It’s called TEAM roping.  It is no wonder we love it.