# 15 Shoot Out
Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping
Saturday October 20, 2012
Oklahoma State Fairgrounds
By Melinda Clements
There
just seems to be something special about team roping and family. They are
interlaced and intertwined in a connection that is almost mystical. Perhaps it is tradition or maybe it is
a fellowship, kinfolk or whatever label you want to attach. It incorporates moms and dads, dads and
daughters, moms and sons, cousins and nephews, nieces, brothers and
sisters. Regardless family makes
its mark in the sport of team roping.
It
quickly became a family affair when the #15 Shoot Out began on Saturday
afternoon in the Oklahoma State Fair Coliseum. Tension and excitement began to build even before the short
go round began. You could feel the anticipation, the excitement and the
eagerness for it all to begin. The
hour may have been late but the minutes or even hours made no difference. Everyone was focused and caught up in
the short go round of the #15 Shoot Out at the Cinch USTRC National Finals of
Team Roping.
Thirty
teams were coming back in the short go round. What an absolute phenomenal way to close out the first day
of the 2012 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping. Ropers were looking at a total payout
of $325,100. It was enough to take
one’s breath away.
First
place in the average of the #15 Shoot Out would take home Gist Championship
Gold Buckles, Tony Lama Ostrich Boots, Western Horseman Collectors Prints and a
beautiful Martin Championship Trophy Saddles. It was an unbelievable prize line.
Louisiana
team ropers, Bo Litton and Cody Hogan, were the high team back going into the
short go round. The pair was all
about family. Hogan was Litton’s
nephew. They had roped together
for a long time since Hogan was a little guy. That is what families do in this sport labeled team roping.
Hogan
isn’t a nervous sort of guy. He’s
roped a long time. He is not only
a team roper but a National Ribbon Roping Champion. Quiet and kind of shy Hogan held two short go round slots. He was the fourth high call back team
with partner, Natie Johnson, and he was the first high call back team with his
Uncle Bo. Louisiana was, indeed,
well represented.
When
the seventh call back team of Zayne Dishion and Seth Jones took the lead in the
average with a time of 37.36 the stakes went up. If pressure had not been an issue before it certainly was
now. Tyler Riggan and Michael
Trujillo upped the ante and quickly moved into second place in the average with
a time of 38.42. The short go round
suddenly became a hot bed of coals with everyone scrambling to grab that
$81,900 for first place.
When
the next team failed to make a qualified run Hogan and Johnson rode into the
box hoping to change the game.
However, the pair unexpectedly failed to make a qualified run.
Hogan
was suddenly very angry. He wasn’t
about to let this slide through his fingers. Suddenly, his maturity as a roper revealed itself. His
competitive nature quickly became a force to contend with.
“I
wasn’t really that nervous. Mostly, I was just mad,” he commented. “The miss
didn’t really change anything. I
just came back and roped again.”
As
Hogan and Litton rode into the box Litton felt a pressure he didn’t like. He wanted it all.
“This
is my nephew,” Litton said. “I didn’t want to miss. I wanted to go rope and I
knew Cody would do well. He always
does.”
The
pair needed a 9.89 to take the win in the #15 Shoot Out. Litton referred to it as a good solid
practice run. Setting pressure and
nerves aside the pair was in familiar territory. They knew about good practice runs.
The
announcer said, “And then there was one!” This one would, indeed, make all the
difference. When the clock stopped it read 8.0 and the Uncle/Nephew duo would
take the win in the #15 Shoot Out at the 2012 Cinch USTRC National Finals.
“I
don’t think this win has sunk in yet,” Litton commented. “The money is always
an incentive to come to Oklahoma City and this win is unbelievable. It is even better because it is with
family. I wasn’t worried about
roping a nine or even a five for that matter. The main thing was that I didn’t miss for Cody and it
worked.”
Roping
with family always makes the victory sweeter. It is just special and makes it a cherished memory. It isn’t likely Litton and Hogan will
forget this roping for a while. It
is something they will take home and share with other family members. It is that unique bond only families
have and roping is what ties that bond together.
