#15 Preliminary Saturday Oct 25 2014 National Finals

#15 Preliminary 

2014   Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

  Saturday October 25, 2014

  By Melinda Clements

                “I have a good coach,” Cody Wheeler said with a shy smile.  To think he might be a little overwhelmed was a gross understatement.  Winning $17,800 had just lifted the financial burden involved and now the pair could go rope and actually have a good time without money being an issue.

                “We sent a lot of money in,” Clay Smith explained.  “It was one tough roping.”
When the short go round of the #15 Preliminary kicked off less than three seconds separated the first team in the short go round from the eighteenth team in the short go round.  These guys were very serious about the job at hand.

                Wheeler and Smith were the fourteenth call back team going into the short go round of the #15 Preliminary at the 2014 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping.  The pair posted a time of 5.67 on their final steer to take the lead in the average.  In reality, they probably never actually expected their lead to hold with thirteen teams to go.  It was a tough group of competitors and everyone had a card to deal.  Wheeler and Smith knew they were a little far down the list to actually win the roping.  They were just glad to have a shot at the short go round.

                Roping together for going on two years Wheeler and Smith spend a lot of time together.  Wheeler lives with Smith and the pair focus on being a compatible pair anywhere they go.

                “I was definitely nervous,” Wheeler commented. “Clay told me to go for it because someone always comes from the back or bottom to make a difference.

                “This time it was us,” Smith laughingly said.

                The pair nervously watched the next thirteen teams.  As the short go unfolded it quickly became evident that some teams were having issues.  Several no times and some teams legging made a difference in what happened with Wheeler and Smith.

                “I changed my game plan after I broke the barrier earlier in the day,” Wheeler said. “I wanted to rope so there wasn’t so much pressure on Clay.”  It was a change that seemed to work for the pair.

                “I guess it was meant to be,” Smith said. “Cody got out really well and we came from the bottom all the way to the top.  I knew he would catch.  I guess it was just meant to happen with us winning this roping.”

                Wheeler moving into Smith’s house appears to have been a positive move for the roping duo. 

                “This was a tough roping but it worked for us,” Smith elaborated. “You do not usually move into first from the bottom like we did. Cody moved to my house and it has made a big difference in us roping together.”

                Wheeler and Smith were able to add a little over seventeen thousand dollars to their bank accounts in addition to taking home Martin Championship Trophy Saddles.  It was something to be proud of and the way it had happened seemed proof enough to the pair that it was one of those things that was meant to happen.

                Wheeler and Smith were both humble and excited about their win.  They are planning on roping for several more days at the 2014 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping.  They seemed to be taking a bit of solace in their victory. It had padded their back accounts so now they could relax a little and have some fun.

                As adrenaline flowed the excitement and pressure of a roping like the #15 Preliminary seems to have set the stage for some additional exciting action to follow at the 2014 Cinch USTRC Finals. 

                “When you have only about three seconds separating the top fifteen teams in a roping you know the competition is fierce,” Smith said. “That says something for the intensity of the roping.”

                The competitive nature of the roping coupled with the intensity of the teams wanting to take home a part of the action seems to be a pretty good indicator of just how the week and the USTRC NFTR is shaping up.  The action and intensity involved makes it a good event for ropers and spectators alike. The win for Wheeler and Smith is certainly one they will not forget for awhile.

Priefert US Open Roping Sunday Oct 26 2014 National Finals

Priefert US Open Roping

2014 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Sunday October 26, 2014

By Melinda Clements

                The moment the coliseum began to fill with people you could feel the electricity.  Fans had come from all over to watch and be a part of the action.  There is just something about the pros of any professional sport that draws an intense and devoted crowd. This roping was the best doing what we love most of all and that is roping. 

                As the building filled there was a hum and intense conversation and speculation as to who would be the Priefert U.S. Open Champions at the 2014 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping.  The U.S. Roping is always a big deal at the Finals.  One of at least four of the biggest ropings of the year for Open Ropers, it is an attention getter.  With $252,000 in total payout the event was a draw for the best in the team roping business.

Every team would have a shot at four steers and the top twenty would qualify for a fifth.  Ideally, winning the average was the goal but each go round wasn’t something to scoff at.  First place in the average would pay $81,840 plus Martin Championship Trophy Saddles, Gist Championship Gold Buckles, Tony Lama Ostrich Skinned Boots and Western Horseman Collector’s Prints.

                You don’t get a lot of chances to be a champion but the Priefert Open certainly provides an excellent opportunity for champions to be champions. Twenty teams came back in the short go round of the Open Roping.  It was certainly a group of contenders.  Some seventy three teams had spent a delightful Sunday afternoon vying for an attempt to be the best at the Cinch USTRC NFTR.

                The roping has had a lot of labels.  It had been called a jumping off point for the National Finals Rodeo held in December.  It had also been labeled a “reunion” roping because so many of the contenders have grown up participating and reaping the rewards in years’ past. Regardless, how or what you labeled it the 2014 Priefert US Open was an attention getter and the conglomeration building in the coliseum was the perfect indicator.

                As the short go kicked off it first seemed like nerves were an issue.  Several teams went out when they failed to make qualified runs.  A restlessness settled over the coliseum as spectators wondered if something was vexed.  What was brewing that no one could put a finger on.

                When the fifth call back team of Trevor Brazile and Travis Graves posted a time of 5.87 on their short go round steer all attention was on the arena floor with four teams left to go.  It was tight packed and competitive.  It was still almost anyone’s game.

                “This roping is a great showcase for all of us, the USTRC included,” Clay Tryan commented.  “It is just a good roping to put on your calendar.”

                Tryan and partner, Jade Corkill were the high team back in the short go round.  They were focused and disciplined in what they needed to do.  Jade is the best heeler and our nerves were good. The steers were good and when you’ve come this far you don’t take a chance and change things at the end.  You keep aggressive and rope the same.”

                As Tryan and Corkill rode into the box it was business at hand, another day at the office, so to speak.  The pair needed a 6.25 to win the average.  When the dirt cleared 5.65 lit up the clock.  The crowd was ecstatic.  The roping had held up its part of the bargain and given fans and spectators a good show.

                “This is always a good roping,” Corkill commented. “These were big strong steers and I wanted us to be far enough down the arena and I didn’t want to get ahead of myself.  I didn’t want to rope stupid on the last steer.  There was no point in taking chances.  We had done well and I didn’t want to blow it on one last steer.”

                “It is amazing the time and hours you spend with your team roping partner,” Tryan said. “We rope together a lot.  We rope the same whether it is a jackpot or a rodeo.  Jade and I have spent a lot of time growing up in the USTRC and it means a lot to win this on the 25^th Anniversary of the event. That makes it special.”

                The Priefert US Open Championships is in the history books.  It is always a special kind of high when you can see and be a part of the elite group labeled “Pro” or “Open” ropers.  They more or less set the stage for how we gauge and define ourselves as ropers.  Somewhere in the midst we all realize at some point we share the victories, struggle with the same defeats and work toward the same goals.  The Open Roping is always a good motivator, an eye opener and a teacher of sorts.  We find we rope for all the same reasons; for the glory, for the notoriety, for the challenge and with same goals and objectives. 

                Whether you are an open roper or a beginner team roping gives us all the same feeling.  It is what we love and work for.  It is what we hope to be successful at and it is what keeps us coming back.

As always, the Priefert U.S. Open was a great success at the 2014 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping.  No doubt we don’t always get a lot of chances to be champions but the Open Roping is the promise we all have a shot at being successful and that we all rope for the same reasons.  

               

               

               

#13 Preliminary Sunday Oct 26 2014 National Finals

#13 Preliminary

2014 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Sunday October 26, 2014

By Melinda Clements 

                                No matter what language you speak joy and exhilaration are the same.  The smiles are the same, the feelings are the same and the pressure is the same.

                Jorge Marrufo hails from El Paso, Texas.  In any language team roping is the same.  You work hard, you rope hard, you haul and you practice and you devise a game plan with the same hope and promise of winning at the sport you love best. His English may not be the best but his roping certainly is something to be proud of. Roping is one universal language no matter your culture.

                Jorge Marrufo loves to rope.  There is always lots of pressure in trying to rope well and win.  Marrufo and partner, Romeo Moreno live too far apart to practice or even rope much together.  Moreno is from McAllen, Texas so the logistics of the pair getting together on a regular basis is questionable and next to impossible.

                “This in only our second time to rope together,” Moreno explained. “We live too far apart.  We were both pretty nervous. I knew Jorge would catch but I just wanted to be sure I followed up for him.”

                “I was very nervous,” Marrufo said. “There was a lot of pressure.”

                Marrufo and Moreno was the high team back coming into the short go round of the #13 Preliminary at the 2014 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping.  Garett Chick and Colton Lee had posted a 7.76 earlier to take the lead in the average.  Marrufo and Moreno needed a 9.83 to take the lead. 

                Marrufo was also the eighth call back team with his son, Orlando Enriquez.  When Marrufo missed the head loop for his son it almost blew his mind.  Talk about pressure.  He had one more shot with Moreno and more than anything he did not want the opportunity to slip from his fingers.

                “I was so nervous,” Marrufo kept saying.  “Very nervous! I felt really bad missing for my son. I just want to be sure and catch for Romeo.  Senti mucho presion! Yo estaba muy nervioso!” Marrufo kept muttering the same thing over and over again.

                When the pair rode into the box they spoke the same language.  They both wanted to take the win in the #13 Preliminary.  That is a universal goal.

                When Marrufo nodded he was focused on this steer, this run and making this one work.  He left little for error.  Moreno followed suit and grabbed up two heels.  The pair posted a time of 7.72 and the win was theirs.  What a feeling like no other, the pair were exuberant.

                “We just hope for good luck and that things would work out,” Moreno said amid family and friends. “This is my third saddle and I am very proud of this one.”

                The pair would split a payout of a little over $21,000. 

                “I plan to buy a horse and just keep roping,” Marrufo said. “I want us to keep roping and do well.”

                As Marrfo and Moreno shook hands for the camera the grins and thrill of winning needed no interpreter.  Both ropers knew they had been blessed with some good luck. 

                “Winning this roping is important because we live to far apart to practice or rope much together,” Moreno emphasized.   Apparently they are a compatible pair and it is obvious they work well together.

                As the crowds cleared out Moreno and his family hung around to get some additional pictures.

                “We will be here for several more days,” Moreno said. “Hopefully, we can do this again.”  Winning the #13 Preliminary at the 2014 Cinch NFTR proved a blessing and winning is the same no matter what language you speak.

               

               

#15 Shoot Out Saturday Oct 25 2014 National Finals

#15 Shoot Out

2014 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Saturday October 25, 2014

By Melinda Clements

                Team Roping revolves around partnerships, relationships, and the ability to have a good time and the ability to rise to the competition at hand. It involves meeting diversity head on and still having the time of your life.

 It was very obvious Cory Clark and Clay Sieber were having a good time.  Despite not being regular partners the repore the pair shared was electric.  They had a following that was contagious and their dynamics was magnetic.

                The pair was the second high back team coming into the short go round of the #15 Shoot Out at the 2014 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping. 

                “Cory sent me a text and ask about roping here, ‘Sieber said. “I told him I would get back to him so he just entered us. So much for getting back to him.” Sieber jabbed.

                Clark, transplanted from South Carolina to Texas by way of a college rodeo scholarship to Ranger College, has only been heading since December of last year.

                “I’ve always been a heeler until here recently,” Clark said. “I always struggle to get out right.”

                The pair watched the eleventh high call back team of Frank and Chase Graves set the pace in the short go round of the #15 Shoot Out.  They had posted a time of 6.19 in the short go round to take the lead and the run had proved to hold solid through eight runs. 

                When Clark and Sieber rode into the box Clark had two things prevalent on his mind.  He wanted to get out of the barrier and he wanted to catch so Sieber would have a shot at the heels.

                When 6.70 came up on the clock Clark and Sieber took the lead in the average.

                “I was hyped when we caught,” Sieber said excitedly. “My goal is to always win.  I wanted to turn this over in our direction and it worked.”

                One team remained and when that team failed to make a qualified run Clark and Sieber became ecstatic.  Realizing they had just won the #15 Shoot Out was almost more than they could grasp.

                “No more college for me,” Clark muttered under his breath thinking about $83,700.  He couldn’t believe the prize line.  The pair were looking at Martin Championship Trophy Saddles, Gist Championship Gold Buckles, Tony Lama Boots and Western Horseman Collector’s Prints.  Add to that the money and it was overwhelming.

                Both young men college rodeo in Texas although they are in different regions.  Despite not being regular partners their comradery and repore is evident.  They took nervous jabs and digs at each other during the interviews, the photo-shoots and they were dogged by hoard of followers that included family and friends.

                “There was some pressure to catch two feet,” Sieber said. “We both had the same goal in mind.  We both wanted to catch and make this work. I’m just glad I caught two feet.”

                Sieber plans to save his money for a while.  Clark made the comment he’s probably going to buy a new horse and several followers piped up they had several for sale.  It is amazing just how quick money can change your life.

                There is absolutely no doubt the lives of two college students in Texas changed the evening of the #15 Shoot Out at the 2014 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping.  With a total payout of $334,000 in the Shoot Out money was going to make a difference in ways these two young men can never imagine. The payout would affect all the participants in some form or fashion.

                With excitement, disbelief and bit of awe Clark and Sieber left the arena amid a conglomeration of friends and followers.  Perhaps it was their first taste of paparazzi.  The pair will not soon forget the #15 Shoot Out that changed their lives.  To come out on top in a roping of this magnitude with this kind of competition just proves how things can change in a heartbeat.  The #15 Shoot Out will be forever remembered by Clark and Sieber as the day their roping made a difference.

Open Preliminary Saturday Oct 25 2014 National Finals

Open Preliminary
2014 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping
Saturday October 25, 2014
By Melinda Clements 

          You know you are pretty much doing something right when the 2014 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping kicks off with its nine days of team roping with the professionals of the sport in attendance.  Such was the case when the Open Preliminary opened the week long schedule of festivities.

          The Open Preliminary proved to be a fast paced action packed roping that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.  All the contenders were present and they were serious about making winning their priority.  A little over $20,000 was on the line for first place in addition to Martin Championship Trophy Saddles.  Competition was fierce throughout the morning hours.

          When the short go round unfolded twenty top teams came back to rope their last and final steer.  It was anybody’s ballgame and only time would tell how the cards would stack up.

          When you examine twenty Open team ropers closely you realize they rope with a tenacity that rivals comprehension.  In short, it is just another day at the office.  First, they do it for a living.  And yet, $20,000 is $20,000.  That tends to change things a wee bit.  Money is money, making a living or not!

          Perhaps that is the appeal of the 2014 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping.  The money, the prize line, the notoriety and the production; it is, after all the best of the best packed into one locale for nine action packed days. It is, without a doubt, some good watching, some unbelievable talents and a sport like no other. 

          Trevor Brazile and Travis Graves have been roping together all year.  They seem to be on a clear cut, explicitly defined mission.  As the third high team coming into the short go round of the Open Preliminary they had laid the ground work for success throughout the morning.

          The short go round was competitive and extremely fast paced.  The lead in the average had switched periodically off and on throughout the short go round.  Brazile and Graves needed a 6.13 to take the lead in the average.  With a time of 26.83 on four head of steers a six was certainly doable considering this team’s pervasive action throughout the day.

          When Brazile nodded for the steer his confidence was felt by everyone in the building.  He’s that kind of competitor.  Graves never faltered.  He finished the run with two feet and the pair posted a time of 5.89 to take the lead with two top teams left to rope.  The last two teams were just as capable and certainly as intense and focused.

          When the top two teams legged their short go round steers Brazile and Graces cinched the win in the average of the Open Preliminary.

          “This is always a good roping,” Brazile commented. “We have kind of set the stage for things coming up.  We can ride our horses and do some things and that isn’t something we can often do on a daily basis before we have to climb the next fence.”

          “A roping like this helps you keep rolling,” Graves added.  “It is one of four of the very best to go to.  I’ve been coming here since I was a little kid and it always a good roping.”

          Brazile and Graves would split $20,100 and each take home a Martin Championship Trophy Saddle.  It proved to be a good way to wet one’s appetite as the pair prepared for the U. S. Open Championships coming up tomorrow afternoon.

          If the Open Preliminary is any indication the 2014 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping is off to a rip roaring start. No doubt, the best is yet to come.

           

USTRC Cruel Girl Year End Champion Jimmi Jo Montera 2013 National Finals

2013 Cruel Girl Year End Champion

Jimmi Jo Montera

2013 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

October 2013

By Melinda Clements

         Jimmi Jo Montera has been roping for a long time.  Growing up near Longmont, Colorado roping has always been her way of life.  She is competitive and strives to get better and better with each passing day.

         Therefore, it is no wonder Montera won the 2013 Cruel Girl Year End Champion award in the USTRC.  She will take home a Martin Championship Trophy Saddle for her efforts.   She won $43,907 during the year as a competitor. 

         “I’ve come close a few times but never won it before,” she commented. “I guess you always have it in the back of your mind and you always try to do well at the big ropings like the Finals. The USTRC always puts on a good Finals.  With the number of entries, the money, the chances to rope they just do such a great job.  They are so organized and you know exactly what is going on and when you rope.  It is just a great roping to go to.  I’m very proud to have won the Cruel Girl Year End Award. I think I’ll probably ride this saddle because it is a beautiful saddle.”

         Overall, Montera and her husband had a good Finals this year.  Between the two of them they probably pocketed about $39,000 to $40,000 for their efforts. 

         “I’m pretty happy to do the best I can,” she continued. “It is a pretty fun few days to spend at the Finals and the roping is such a good one. The weather turned out great and it was fun to be there.”

         When asked if she had any advice for a little girl coming up and wanting to rope she commented that being a girl should never keep them from trying.

         “Don’t put any limitations on what you are capable of just because you are a girl,” she elaborated. “Just because you are a girl does not mean you cannot do it if that is what you want to do.  With all the mechanical roping dummies these days you can learn to rope safely and correctly.  There is so much more information out there to get better at a younger age.  There were not any little kids roping when I was younger and roping.  There are lots of little boys carrying ropes around.  The opportunity is there for girls as well.  It starts at the Jr. Looper stage and I wish there were more girls participating.  I think we should go ahead and offer them the opportunity to rope.  Girls should just get in the middle of it and participate.”

         Montera is a good example for anyone to follow. She has a strong competitive edge, never limits herself and ropes with extreme intensity.  In the practice pen she sets up a lot of different scenarios to improve her competitive edge.  In her opinion horsemanship makes the roping easier.

         “We rope and mix it up in the practice pen,” she elaborated. “We create different little scenarios that give us something to work at.  We practice a lot. We might do a pretend four-steer average or a short go round run.  Horsemanship is such a huge aspect of roping.”  In essence it is one thing to practice and or practice productively.

         Using her horse Rango at the USTRC National Finals, Montera was very pleased with how well he responded and worked.

         “I was a little worried about how he would react with all the music and activity,” she explained, “but he did really well and worked great.  I was proud at how well he did.”

         When you visit with Montera you realize she has a great love and devotion to her sport.  She spends a great deal of time working to be better and improve on a day-to-day basis.  She sees team roping as a continually growing sport and it is obvious she wants to be a part of that growth.

         Montera is a good example to follow and a strong competitor.  With the 2013 Cruel Girl Championship Award tucked under her belt I think you will find she will continue to grow and get better.  Roping will always be a major part of what she does.

         “You work to be the best you can be,” she commented. “Don’t ever put limitations on what you can do.”

         It is good solid advice for anyone in any walk of life.  Perhaps that is why Jimmi Jo Montera is an excellent representative of what a Cruel Girl Champions should be. The fact she just loves to rope is very evident and you never have to work when you are doing the things you love.  Good Luck, Jimmi Jo Montera, and thank you for all you do for our sport!

        

           

# 8 Shoot Out Sunday Nov 3 2013 National Finals

# 8 Shoot Out

2013 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping

Sunday Nov 3, 2013

By Melinda Clements

            The air was laced with excitement.  The tension hung like a ribbon of hot metal in the rafters and beams of the Oklahoma State Fair grounds arena.  People were restless and paced the walkways as if waiting for some kind of explosion or happening.  They couldn’t put their fingers on it but it infiltrated their being and it was like the quiet before the storm.

         Something was brewing and it gripped you and put butterflies in your stomach and you wondered why you felt a bit nauseous and exhilarated at the same time.

         What was simmering on the horizon was the #8 Shoot Out at the 2013 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping.  It was the last roping that culminated nine days of the best team roping you have ever experienced.  It had been awesome and what a better way to wind it up than with the #8 Shoot Out. $40,800 would be paid out to first place in the average along with Martin Championship Trophy Saddles, beautiful Gist Championship Buckles, Tony Lama Ostrich Print Boots and Western Horseman Collector’s Prints.

         Thirty teams would come back in the short go round and every team roper in the roping was looking to create an opportunity for greatness.  Every roper would venture out of his comfort zone and put all he had on the line in hopes of making things happen.

         The audience felt it, the ropers felt it, the horses felt it and it was a force to contend with.  Pressure danced like lightening strikes and it was anyone’s guess were it would light and do damage.  A lot was on the line and it was no wonder everyone was antsy and on edge.  It was a good feeling but it gnawed at you in hopes that things would be quickly underway.

         As the roping kicked off thirty teams began the count down that would change lives in some form or fashion.  The urgency to rope and win was undeniable and every roper felt it whether he admitted it or not.

         As the announcer’s voice boomed, “Get them tight, get the straight and let’s rope!” The gates banged, the music blared and horses shifted and danced and ropers wiped sweaty palms against dusty jeans.  It was time for the # 8 Shoot Out Short Round at the 2013 Cinch NFTR in Oklahoma City.

         You have to change gears here just a bit to grasp how far it is from Illinois to Oklahoma.  It is a pretty good haul to say the least.  Luke Maguire and Tyler Manion were from Illinois.  They had traveled to the Finals with family and friends with the hopes of having a good time, getting in some fun team roping and just hoping, in their wildest imagination to make things happen.  This would be their first year at the Finals to rope together.  They are both heelers but swap ends on occasion with no threat or struggle because they both rope well.  Like most kids, at fifteen years and thirteen years respectively, they are adaptable and fluctuate with whatever they are dealing with.  They are a good pair and bring out the best in each other when they rope.

         Maguire and Manion was the fourth high team back going into the short go round.  Pressure had taken it toil on the round and several teams had failed to make qualified runs.  The seventh high call team of Pena and Montemayor had taken the lead in the average with a time of 42.10 when they posted a time of 8.60 on their short round steer. 

         Maguire and Manion needed to be a short ten to take the lead from Eddie Pena and Gerardo Montemayor.  Manion tried to keep focused on what his dad had said about this being another day at practice and to just go have fun.

         In fact, his dad’s words kept echoing through his head, “The fourth steer is the easiest to rope because you’ve already roped three. If you get nervous, look at each other, smile and just have some fun.” It was sound advice. Easily said but a lot harder to implement.  As the pair rode into the box they were focused on one steer, one run and making it fun.  When the flagger dropped the flag a time of 8.03 lit up the digital clock.  The screams and sounds of celebration filled the coliseum as family and friends went nuts and clamored their delight at the successful run.  One thing for sure the boy’s support team was alive and well.

         Now, began the waiting game with three teams to rope.  Now, began the pressure with an urgency to have it over, to see how things would turn out.  When the top three teams struggled with quirks and bobbles it quickly became obvious there might actually be a chance at victory the support team in the stands struggled to contain their excitement.  Maguire and Manion, however, had everything in check. They were assured of at least $15,200 for fourth place. What kid can argue with that!

         When the last three teams failed in their efforts to move Maguire and Manion everyone wrestled to catch their breath at the Oklahoma State Fair Grounds. The 2013 NFTR had closed out with a bang.  What an awesome way to end the Finals! Maguire and Manion would take the win in the #8 Shoot Out.

         “This is our first year to rope together at the USTRC Finals,” Maguire said, “I’m usually a heeler but we swapped ends. I like heeling better but this is fun and we’ll probably do it again.”

         “This is my first year to come and rope,” Manion elaborated. “My dad has roped here before but this is the first for Luke and me. My dad helps me practice and hauls me every where we go.”  The pair jackpot at home and Maguire does some high school rodeos.

         As the pair posed for pictures and walked through interviews it was an unbelievable win.  Phones buzzed, tears flowed and emotions were high and exhilarated.

         Manion was ok, a little numb maybe, until his dad bear hugged him with tears flowing down his cheeks and then he couldn’t keep things in check in more.  He let the tears flow as well.

         “I think we will come back next year,” Maguire promised. “We roped really well today and it is fun.” 

         There were twenty-four belt buckles awarded in the # 8 Shoot Out.  The prize line was phenomenal and the win for Maguire and Manion was life changing.  As the 2013 NFTR shut the doors on another year it quickly became obvious this year had made some marked differences in some lives.  Team roping does that.  You can’t run from it.  You can quit for awhile but it always draws you back and captivates who and what you are.  You can’t help but love it and the addiction is hard to fight.

         Maguire and Manion are only beginning their journey.  They are on the road to a lifetime of roping if they so choose. One thing is for certain they will never ever forget the #8 Shoot Out at the 2013 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping.