#12 Preliminary Monday Oct 26 2015 Smith and Payne

#12 Preliminary

2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Monday October 26 2015

Britt Smith and Dylan Payne

 

          Britt Smith and Dylan Payne rope well together.  They live about thirty minutes from each other so they get in the practice pen on a regular basis.  They are an unlikely pair.  Smith is fourteen years old and Payne is eighteen.  Yet, despite the four year difference they can almost finish each other’s sentences. Smith fills in when Payne can’t think of anything else to say.  They complement each other and it works both inside and outside the roping pen.

          “We’ve been partners for a while,” Smith explained with a certain wisdom that belies his age. “You anticipate the atmosphere, work hard and practice to get here and it is a whole different roping experience.”

          “I just wanted to knock out a smooth run from beginning to end,” Payne added. 

          Smith and Payne was the third high team coming back for the average in the #12 Preliminary.  Twenty teams were coming back in the short go round and every team would qualify for a Shoot Out.  It would pay twelve money’s in the average.  Every team wanted a part of the action.

          Nerves were never really an issue for Smith or Payne.  The pair knew exactly what they needed to do to make the short go round count. 

          “It’s just another cow,” Payne said a bit nonchalantly.  “It’s bright lights, loud music and I like the music and I like the roping.” Needless to say, the pair was pumped for the short round.

          When Smith and Payne rode into the box they knew they needed to be an 8.85 to take the lead in the average.  Briar Teague and Dan James were the thirteenth high call back team and they held the lead in the average with a time of 31.37.  Smith and Payne hoped to make a big change.

          The music was loud, the roping was quick paced and competitive and Smith and Payne were wired.  There was nothing Smith liked better than to win.

          “You work hard to get to this point,” Smith commented with more wisdom than you could embrace.  He seemed older and more versed than your average fourteen year old.  Team roping was definitely his forte and he knew what he was talking about and he knew how to make things happen.

          With the nod of his head Smith broke from the header’s box caught the steer and set the corner perfectly.  Payne followed up and roped both heels.  The clock read 7.49 and the pair took the lead of the average in the #12 Preliminary with two teams left to rope.  Smith and Payne rode out the back gate of the arena knowing full well they had secured third place for sure.

          When Jose Grajeda and Lucas Falconer failed to make a qualified run the bid for the average in the #12 Preliminary fell to the high team back, Cayl Sieber and Colton Brittian.  A slipped leg proved costly and the win in the average went to Smith and Payne.  They were the winners of the average of the #12 Preliminary and they would pocket $14,300 and each would take home a Martin Championship Trophy Saddle.

          “We practice a lot,” Smith pointed out.  “And our horses make a world of difference.”  Both men credit their horses with making all the difference in their roping.

          “Horsemanship is all of it,” Payne pointed out. “I’ve got a great heel horse.  He’s been crippled for a while but he is okay now.”

          “Being able to ride is the most important part,” Smith concurred.

          Smith has a unique history with OKC and the Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping. In 2005 Smith won his first USTRC National Finals saddle in the Jr. Looper Roping when he was only four years old. Ironically, some things are meant to be.

          Both Smith and Payne plan to finish out the week at this year’s NFTR.  Payne plans to bank some of his winnings and keep roping.

          “We roped again tomorrow,” Payne said. “Hopefully, we will continue to do well. Hopefully, our practice will continue to pay off.”

# 13 Shoot Out Monday Oct 26 2015 Payne and Thorp

#13 Shoot Out

2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Monday October 26 2015

Justin Payne and Wesley Thorp

 

          Suddenly, he was a hero of sorts.  In a short amount of time he had a huge following. Texas team roper, Wesley Thorp, had become a super star in a mere matter of days.  If you spoke his name others nodded and thought, “I’ve seen him rope.” His partner in the #13 Shoot Out was matching him step for step and their story unfolded in a unique and special way.

          “We have never roped together before coming here,” Payne said after the pair won the #13 Preliminary. “This is our first time.” Obviously, the electricity between the two was hotwired and full of fire.

          The pair was the second high team back coming into the short go round of the #13 Shoot Out.  Many times things just come together and work out.  Experience and history had already proven the pair was an exception and fit together like a pair of well-worn gloves.

          There was money on the line.  A lot of money. $100,700 to be exact. $100,700 would be paid to the first place team in the average of the #13 Shoot Out at the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping.

          Payne and Thorp had already proved they were a force to contend with.  Jake Smith and Dylan Jay Payne had taken the lead in the short go round with a time of 30.43 with four teams to rope.  Smith and Payne were paying attention.  Two teams went out of the average when they failed to make qualified runs.  Smith was coming back again as the high team with partner, Blayne Horne.  Lying smack dab in the middle, blocking the way was Justin Payne and Wesley Thorp and this pair was smoking hot.

          Payne and Thorp needed a time of 8.12 to take the lead from Smith and Dylan Payne. Everyone knew they could make it happen. The pair had already proved themselves. There was no gray area.  It was pretty much black or white. It would happen or it wouldn’t.

          When Payne rode into the box there was no doubt in his mind that all he had to do was focus, catch and Thorp would wrap it all up with a promised heel shot.  It was a lot of money but that really never was an issue at that point in time.  Both men were focused on doing what they had been doing the last couple of days.

          “I knew we had a chance,” Payne said. “I just wanted to catch and make sure Wesley had a shot.” Payne nodded for the steer.  With intensity and focus Payne connected, roped the horns and Thorp finished the run.  The pair posted a time of 7.13 to move Smith and Dylan Payne into the second place position.  They had just shoved the ball into Smith and Horne’s court.

          Smith and Horne needed a time of 7.52 to win the average.  A hush fell over the coliseum when Smith nodded for the steer.  Smith connected but a leg proved to be fatal and the pair posted a time of 12.04.  Payne and Thorp would take the win in the average of the #13 Shoot Out.

          “It’s awesome,” Payne said. “Roping with Wesley has proved to be a really good thing.”

          Both young men plan to leave the Finals and put some focus on school.  Payne, a senior in High School, plans to finish up his week in OKC, go home, maybe buy a new truck, focus on school and keep roping.

          “I’m going to spend some money,” Payne said with a grin. “A new truck would be nice.”

          Thorp also plans to look at school. He played down his sudden notoriety.

          “I’m finished here for now,” Thorp elaborated. “I’m going home, give my horses a week off and think about school. Today was my last roping for the week and there is a lot to think about.”

          With a little less than $106,000 to put in his bank account there is, no doubt, a lot to think about.  He will probably regroup and reevaluate.

          The 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping is a roping neither Payne nor Thorp will forget any time soon.  It has been a life altering experience for both young men.  It has been a once in a life time occurrence.

          First time roping partners, probably life time ties, all things have a strange and unique way of coming together to bless us.  Payne and Thorp will remember their week in OKC for a long, long time.

Pro View US Open Championships Sunday Oct 25 2015

Pro View US Open Championships

2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Sunday October 25 2015

Chad Master and Travis Graves

 

          Can you freeze a mindset? Can you capture the momentum and pull it out to use later when you need it the most?

          “I missed a lot of cattle this past week,” Open roper, Chad Masters, said. “I’d had a rough week and it just wasn’t working.  I had to make some kind of change.”

          Masters did exactly that.  He regrouped and he and partner, Travis Graves, emerged with a different game plan.

          “Our game plan was to win,” Graves commented about the pair’s win in the Open Preliminary at the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping. Undoubtedly, it came together for the pair and they made good their win in the Preliminary.  Now to capture that momentum and preserve that mindset.

          “From the start we knew the Open Roping was going to be tough,” Masters elaborated. “We needed to maintain our momentum.  I didn’t really have a plan. I just knew I had to catch.  I guess in some aspects I was just going to catch and then put it all on Travis.”

          “I think the fourth steer in the Open was the turning point,” Graves explained. “The fourth steer was a good steer and it was the breaking point. The fourth steer was the pinnacle.  We both knew we had a shot that we could make it happen.”

          Twenty teams, the best in the business, came back to rope in the short go round of the Pro Vue US Open Championships at the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping. 

          Masters and Graves was the high team back in the short go round and needed at time of 6.93 to move Charly Crawford and Will Woodfin out of the first place position.

          “I looked at that steer and from my perspective he had really wide big horns,” Masters said. “I had to slow down, do my job, make a point to catch and not beat myself. I was putting all the hard work on Travis.”

          When the pair rode into the box a hush fell over the crowded OKC Fair Park Coliseum. It all boiled down to one final steer and with this kind of roping it could go either way. 

          Masters got out of the box good, stayed true to his plan and roped the horns.  Sometimes slower is faster if that makes sense. Graves moved in and roped his best. In his words, “I didn’t do anything stupid.” As the ropers grew tight, the flag dropped and the clock stopped.  You could cut the silence in the coliseum with a knife.  Even the announcer didn’t have anything to say.

          “I honestly thought when the announcer paused and didn’t say anything that we had not made it,” Masters said very seriously. “Then he said our time was 6.90.  It was so close.”

          Both Masters and Graves realized they probably were not breathing.

          “There they are, ladies and gentlemen,” the announcer finally spoke. “With a time of 31.99 in a five steer average, Chad Masters and Travis Graves, your 2015 Pro View US Open Champions.”

           “It is such an honor to win this roping,” Graves said. “I’ve been coming here a long time and it is an honor.  You practice hard for this kind of roping.  Chad had a good start and we had a good steer.  The fourth steer was the turning point for both of us and the last steer brought it all together.”

          The pair pocketed $76,500 and Martin Championship Trophy Saddles.  They also received Gist Championship Gold Buckles, Tony Lama Ostrich Full Quill Boots and Western Horseman Collectors Prints. 

          Masters and Graves also are the Reserve Champion Header and Heeler in the 2015 Pro View US Open Tour Championship race qualifying them for an additional $5000.

          “A win like this is always good,” Graves added. “It is a good momentum for going to the National Finals in Las Vegas.”

          “I’d like to freeze this mindset,” Masters elaborated. “It is a good momentum.  I changed horses, changed my focus on just roping right and catching my cattle.  I’m lucky to have a good heeler and it made all the difference.  I want to keep this mindset for Las Vegas.”

          In some respects slower is faster.  It doesn’t matter how fast you are if you miss.  Bottom line, you have to catch. Focus and concentration on the mental mind game of team roping can make or break you.  Consistency is an issue and one has to maintain a level of conformity. Masters and Graves regrouped and made it work.  There isn’t a lot of room for error when you need a time of 6.93 and you make it happen with a 6.90.  There is a fine line between first and focus.  In the words of Travis Graves, “Consistency is the difference in good and great.  It is knowing you can wait if you need to. It is knowing when to attack and when to slow down and let it happen.”

         

# 13 Preliminary Sunday Oct 25 2015

#13 Preliminary

2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Sunday October 25 2015

Justin Payne and Wesley Thorp

 

          What do you say? What questions do you ask? What is left to discuss and explain? It suddenly seemed that way with Wesley Thorp.  We had discussed all the avenues, replayed all the events and he had explained all the philosophies.  Yet, I stood a bit in awe.  Without any doubt the young man could rope.  He had paid his dues.  Put him on the head side and he handled the inception. Put him on the heeling side and he could clean it all up in a hurry.  In short, he made roping look easy.

          Thorp won the #15 Shoot Out the day before with partner, Douglas Rich.  Yet here again, he stood in the prize area over another Martin Championship Trophy Saddle and smiled shyly.  He was quiet, reserved and a bit reflective.

          Thorp and partner, Justin Payne, had just won the #13 Preliminary at the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping.  The day before he had been a header.  Today, his role was heeler.

          “This is the first time Justin and I have roped together,” Thorp said.

          With a total payout of $73,730 first place in the average of the #13 Preliminary would take home $14,900 plus Martin Championship Trophy Saddles.

          As the sixth high call back team the pair needed a time of 7.53 to take the lead in the #13 Preliminary. 

          “We had a chance,” Payne elaborated. “Even being the sixth high call back team we had a chance. We have never roped together but I know how Wesley ropes. I knew he would catch.”

          “I guess I really prefer to heel,” Thorp commented. “Heading is harder with more pressure. I like the heeling.”

          When the pair took their turn in the short go round they posted a time of 7.06 to take the lead in the roping.  For some reason the short go round got a bit erratic and unpredictable and several teams went out of the average after failing to make qualified runs.

          “I wasn’t really nervous,” Payne explained. “I wanted to rope right and give him his shot and it worked out that way.”

          With four “no” times in a row things looked really good and it was becoming a reality that perhaps, just perhaps, Payne and Thorp’s time would hold.  Casey and Cody Tew needed a 9.08 to move Payne and Thorp out of the lead.  The pair posted a time of 12.90 and that run failed to move Payne and Thorp.

          “This is my first USTRC National Finals saddle,” Payne said. “It is pretty cool to win this roping.  The pair split $14,900. “I think I will spend this money.” Payne grinned.

          Both ropers will continue to rope through the week.  Though not coupled together Payne has a Shoot Out later in the week and Thorp is paired with Speedy Williams in the Pro View US Open Championships.

          “The Open Ropers are good motivators and the best of the best,” Payne said. “I’m glad I got to rope with Wesley.  I’m excited about this win.”

          Thorp is excited about the upcoming Open Roping.

          “Speedy and I have been practicing.  We kind of know what the other is going to do,” Thorp explained. “I’ve got a good partner.”

          Perhaps the stage is set. Wesley Thorp has already left his mark on the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping.  His demeanor is humble, reserved and thoughtful.  Team Roping is his forte. He is very good at it and perhaps, just perhaps, the best is yet to come.

#15 Shoot Out Saturday Oct. 24 2015

#15 Shoot Out

2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Saturday October 24 2015

Wesley Thorp and Douglas Rich

 

          Mr. Webster defines aggressive as “assertive, forceful, pushy, dynamic and an all-out effort.  To say the ropers in the #15 Shoot Out were aggressive is a gross understatement.

          The roping from beginning to end was fast paced, competitive with high energy and a strong impact.  $96,200 might have been a good motivator.  An awesome prize line with Martin Championship Trophy Saddles, Gist Championship Gold Buckles, Tony Lama Full Quill Ostrich Boots and Western Horseman Collector’s Prints might have been a motivator as well.  But then again, this was the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping.  It naturally would be a competitive and high impact roping.  The best of the best were here.

          Thirty teams made their way into the short go round of the # 15 Shootout.  Every single team wanted a piece of the action and they were willing to fight hard and long to take the win.

          When the tenth high call back team of Dustin Egusquiza and Michael Bratton took the lead of the short go round with a time of 27.76 everyone subconsciously took notice.  Earlier in the day the fifteenth high call back team had taken the lead early on in the roping and maintained that lead so it was a proven fact anything does and will happen.

          The short go round proved to be very fast paced and each pursued their goals with intensity, determination and intestinal fortitude.  Wesley Thorp and Douglas Rich was the third high team back.  Thorp and Rich, both, are usually heelers by choice but Thorp slid into the header position and both men set their sights on a win.  They needed a 7.02 to move Egusquiza and Bratton out of first place.

          Thorp wanted a good start and both men hoped they had drawn well.

          “I wanted to get out right,” Thorp commented. “We needed a good start.”

          When Thorp and Rich rode into the box they knew they had to be solid and rope very aggressively.  It was just that kind of roping.  Thorp nodded and was committed.  Rich read his mind and the pair was on a mission that would and could not be denied.  There was no backing up or turning back.

          Thorp roped the horns and gave Rich his shot.  The pair rode out of the arena with a time of 6.55 on the clock.  They had taken the lead and there were two teams left to rope.  Regardless of what happened, Thorp and Rich would take home a check.

          The two remaining teams, Hedeman and Eddy and Udy and Willis, failed to move Thorp and Rich out of the lead.  Thorp and Rich would add winning the #15 Shoot Out at the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping to their resume.

          “I was pretty nervous,” Rich said. “But we drew a really good steer and I wanted to keep roping aggressive.  I knew Wesley would catch so I wanted to follow up and catch.”

          “We are both heelers most of the time,” Thorp interjected. “The short go round was really tough.  It was a tight competitive roping.  We have roped at some jackpots around but we really don’t rope together much because we both prefer to heel.”

          “This was a good roping,” Rich added. “I’ll probably put this money in the bank. I’m glad it worked out for us.  I knew Wesley would give me a shot.”

          Mr. Webster parallels aggressive with being assertive and making your wishes known.  It involves putting in an all-out effort.  Thorp and Rich proved to be some kind of dynamic.  Coupled together they are an awesome team.  They are also proof that if you can rope it doesn’t matter whether you choose to head or heel. It is just all about roping and roping your best.

          The #15 Shoot Out is only the beginning for this awesome duo.  One must pay attention when they pair up and decide to rope.  Their forceful pushy aggression opened up the door for their success in the #15 Shoot Out.  It also gave them the momentum and motivation to take home the win.

# 15 Preliminary 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals Saturday October 24 2015

#15 Preliminary

2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Saturday October 24 2015

Casey Tew and Garrett Jess

 

          Invariably, the first time is the best time and, by far, the most memorable.  The Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping has a history of changing lives.  It is known for making memories and creating relationships.  It starts fast, ends fast and lives inside you for a long time.

          When the #15 Preliminary kicked off on a Saturday afternoon in October there was a lot of things on the line.  It was going to be a history making event.

          It is a little off the wall for whatever reason for two team ropers, one from Texas and one from the state of Washington to pair up and rope at a National Finals event.  However, it may also be like an alignment of the stars or a full moon that things will come together and work like they do. Such was the case with Texas header, Casey Tew, and Washington heeler, Garrett Jess.

          “Just today!” Tew said. “Our first time to rope together.  I had watched the guy rope and thought I’d like to rope with him. Little did the pair realize how it would work out?

          Twenty teams were coming back for the short go round of the #15 Preliminary at the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping. It was a tough set of contenders and they were shooting at $16,600 and beautiful Martin Championship Trophy Saddles.  Undoubtedly, roping together for the first time can be a phenomenal thing but there is more to the story.  And, it just might drop your jaw and show you that with team roping the possibilities are endless.

          The short go round of the #15 Preliminary was a bit haphazard.  Make no mistake the talent and the competition was fierce.  However, perhaps nerves, tension or pressure played a part.  Contrary to what they say about it being “just another run” it is always more than that for any number of reasons. Don’t ever let anyone tell you a short go round for a little over $16,000 is just another run.

          When Casey Tew and Garrett Jess rode into the box they were ready to rope.  They were the fifteenth high call back team and they were committed to each other with a win on their minds.  It seemed out there because they were down on the list and just pleased to have ended up in the short go round. Little did they realize all that was involved. The pair needed a 6.55 to take the lead from Ric LeBlanc and Rudy Austin.

          It was a case of all or nothing.  Tew nodded for the steer and got out perfect.  When he turned off Jess roped the heels on the corner and the pair took the lead in the average.  Talk about aggressive.  They posted a time of 5.68 almost a full second faster than what was need for the lead. The only kicker was there were fourteen more teams to rope.  Talk about a waiting game.  Tew and Garrett gave it little thought.  They knew what kind of ropers the last fourteen teams were.  They had done the best they could do.  That is all anyone can do.  There was absolutely no way their 29.07 would hold with the quantity and quality of ropers left to rope in the short go round.

          Enter into the scenario the wonder and magic of team roping.  In some respects it is anyone’s game. In some respects it is called Lady Luck with spangles and bling or maybe magic stars with fairy dust. Call it what you will.

          Regardless, it is the sport of team roping.  As Tew and Jess watched and waited a phenomenal possibility loomed before them.

          “I guess I’m glad it fell apart for our sakes,” Tew said about the pair taking the win of the #15 Preliminary. “I wanted to treat it like just another run.” Undoubtedly, it was certainly more than that.  Who comes from fifteenth call back to win that caliber of roping?

          “I was just hoping for a good steer,” Jess said. “I wanted to rope aggressive.” If one watched it was the ultimate understatement.  Jess proved he was hungry and when he took his heel shot he panty hosed the steer on the corner.  He was like a cat, crouched and waiting to pounce and strike.  His strike proved deadly. To say it was all or nothing was to say the absolute very least.

          It was the first USTRC National Finals saddles for the pair.  They plan to pay off debt and, of course, keep roping.

          It is called the magic of team roping.  First time to rope together, a win from the fifteenth high call back and some say dreams don’t happen? I’m pretty sure those who speak such things know nothing about this sport called team roping.

 

Open Preliminary 2015 USTRC National Finals

Pro View Open Preliminary

2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Saturday October 24 2015

Chad Master and Travis Graves

 

          The air was filled with tension.  You could feel it. It was contagious and seemed to be spreading. There was no quiet before the storm. It was the storm.

      “I’ve really had a rough week,” Chad Masters said quietly with some reserve. “You have to get in the game. You have to catch.”

          As the short go round unfolded at the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping Masters and his partner, Travis Graves, were the second high call back team going into the short go round. It was a five steer average.  Perhaps Masters was looking for some rectification after a long hard rough week.

          Twenty teams were coming back in the short go round of the Pro View Open Preliminary.  It was a touch competitive bunch of Open Ropers.  Every team was shooting at $20,000, first place for the average win. It was a fast paced, quick and aggressive roping. The competition was fierce and everyone needed a win if for no other reason than some sort of confirmation.

          “There are lots of good ropers here,” Travis Graves said. “We needed to go rope our roping.”

          When Logan Olson and Walt Woodard, the eighth high team back going into the short round reached out and took the lead in the average there were seven teams left to rope.  Each heart rate quickened a bit because the Open Preliminary would pay through sixth place and every team craved a piece of the action.

          Perhaps nerves were an issue.  Perhaps money was on their minds or maybe, just maybe, it was the atmosphere or the tension.  Regardless, when Masters and Graves rode into the box for their short go round steer they had one philosophy “make it simple, get in the game and rope their roping.”

          The pair needed a 7.26 to take the lead in the average from Olson and Woodard.  It was doable, it was necessary and a rough week or previous struggles were irrelevant.  When Masters nodded the pair was on track and things unfolded quickly.  When the flag dropped a time of 7.59 illuminated the digital clock.  The pair was leading the average with one team to rope in the short go round.

          Erich Rogers and Paul Evans needed a time of 7.28 to move Masters and Graves.  That, too, was doable.  However, time is a finicky item and when the clock stopped the pair posted a time of 7.59.  Without a doubt a good run but not enough to move Masters and Graves.  They would hold on to the lead and take the win in the average.

          “I wanted to make it simple,” Masters said. “It has been a really rough week and I didn’t want to go too fast or make any mistakes. You have to catch and I just wanted to get in there and catch.”

          “It’s always good to win,” Graves commented. “I don’t think the money was an issue. We just needed to go rope. It sets the stage for the rest of the week.”

          Perhaps it is just about breaking the ice, getting your feet wet or just taking that first step on a new beginning.  Roping at the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping is always a good way to start your Saturday morning especially if you start with $20,000 in your pocket.