#11 Shoot Out
2013 Cinch USTRC National
Finals of Team Roping
Friday Nov 1 2013
By Melinda Clements
There
is always a story waiting in the wings, a miracle waiting to happen; all you
have to do is find it. It finally
disclosed itself on a Friday afternoon in November at the 2013 Cinch USTRC
National Finals of Team Roping.
Lynn
Jarrell is a quiet man. For his seventy
one years he doesn’t have a lot to say.
Yet, the twinkle in his eye and the promise in his smile is enough to
melt your heart.
“I
been married for fifty-two years and raised seven girls,” he said with a sly
grin and misty eyes. “I’ve been outnumbered most of my life. I think sometimes
miracles do happen.”
A
miracle unfolded for Lynn Jarrell when he paired with partner, E J Thomas. They pair had only been roping together for
three weeks or so but it would be prove to be a partnership with life changing
ramifications.
“This
roping turned out to be a dream come true,” Thomas said. “It was a tough,
competitive roping. I just wanted a good run with a good check but I never even
once comtemplated first place. I didn’t
even plan on being the high call team. I
just figured we would rope well and just get some of our money back.”
Thirty
teams came back to rope in the short go round of the #11 Shoot Out at the Cinch
NFTR. It was a tough bunch of ropers and
they were looking at the money; $109,500 for first place plus Martin
Championship Trophy Saddles, Gist Championship Buckles, Tony Lama Ostrich Boots
and Western Horseman Collector’s Prints.
The prize line, alone, made your mouth water. Who wouldn’t hit another gear to make that
happen?
Jarrell
was thankful. He was just thankful to be
able to ride and rope. He had been seven
years recovering from hip surgery and had not ridden or roped during that
time. When he was able he made the
commitment to a nine year old horse to make him what he needed to be. His horse is sixteen years old now and took
Jarrell to the short go round in the #11 Shoot Out. He was solid and committed to the man in the
saddle. They are a great pair.
As
the high team back coming into the short go round Jarrell and Thomas knew they
needed to be a short nine to take the win in the average away from the
youngsters, Stran Morris and Clay Casper.
That pair had changed to whole complexion of the roping when they took
the lead in the average with a time of 33. 56 on four head of steers.
Jarrell
and Thomas had maintained their focus and knew exactly what they wanted to
do. They wanted to win this roping
bad.
“I
wanted to concentrate on catching two feet,” Thomas explained. “This was my
last roping of the week and I wanted to end on a high note. It takes hard work and commitment to get to
this point and I wanted to rope this last steer and make it all count.”
“I
think you just have to ride and rope and have fun,” Jarrell said almost shyly.
“When you can do that you tend to appreciate it a lot more. I guess all this
has made me a little bit numb. I don’t
know what to say or how to respond. I’m just glad to be here and participate.”
As
the pair rode into the box the music engulfed the coliseum. It was loud and the pressure was
building. It didn’t matter to Jarrell.
He was just glad to be able to ride and rope. He just felt thankful and
blessed.
“People
tend to forget when you get to be seventy one years old you don’t exactly ride,” he said. “You just
tend to hang on and flop around. I’m just glad to be a part of all this. I have
a great partner so I was not worried about how things were going to turn out.”
When
the dust cleared and the music slowed a 9.55 was visible on the timer. Jarrell and Thomas had done exactly what they
wanted to do and they had just pocketed $54750 each. The prize line was theirs.
Each
of them would take home their first USTRC National Finals Saddle.
“I’m
going to ride this one,” Thomas said with excitement in his voice. “It is one I want to show off.”
For
about three weeks this pair has been roping together. On the one hand Jarrell is just thankful to
be thankful. On the other hand Thomas is
proud of the way he could wrap up his week with a win in the #11 Shoot Out.
“Miracles
do happen,” Jarrell said. “I’m able to rope and ride. I have a very good partner who ropes well and
I have a good horse that gives me every opportunity to win.”
With
the 2013 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping as a backdrop to greatness
we find there are always little miracles hiding in the wings. There are stories to be shared and blessings
in disguise. The youngest roper in the #11
Shoot Out was nine years old and one of the oldest in his seventies.
If you
don’t think Team Roping touches lives you rope for the wrong reasons. If you
don’t think Team Roping changes lives you’ve yet to embrace the sport you call
yours. Team Roping makes a
difference. It offers a promise of hope
and a light dimly lit at the end of a dark tunnel to embrace some unbelievable
opportunities. No matter what happens you
keep trying and you keep moving forward.
Roping brings out the best in all of us and couples up with those who can
always make a difference.
