Jr. Looper Shoot Out
2013 Cinch USTRC National
Finals of Team Roping
Saturday Nov 2 2013
By Melinda Clements
The
arena floor at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds crawled with kids. Little ropers were everywhere. They came in all sizes and shapes. They are messengers from God. They are a bundle of joy, fun, mischievous,
cute and interesting characters. When we hold their hands, they take us to
heaven. They build us up and they break our hearts. They see magic because they look for it and
they never give up. Kids don’t think about the past or worry about the
future. They believe in right now.
As the Jr.
Looper Shoot Out got underway at the 2013 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team
Roping it was very evident the parents were the most nervous, unnecessarily
keyed up and stressed. The kids were not
worried. They were looking for magic.
When the six
and under age group got underway there were six cowboys ready to rope for the
prizes. Jaytin Harrell, Bryce Bentley,
Matton Mayu, Payden Evans, Denton Parish and Jayden Nez had their ropes ready
and each took their turn at the dummy.
As the competition narrowed down it was Jaytin Harrell and Payden Evans
holding their own in the competition.
Finally at fourteen feet Jaytin Harrell was declared the winner in the
six and under age group.
Harrell is five
years old and in kindergarten. He has a
horse named Showtime. He held in his
hands a brand new halter that would go on Showtime and he was awarded a new
saddle to ride as a result of his win.
“I like to rope,”
Harrell said. “I been roping a long time and I’m in kindergarten.” No doubt he has big plans when he gets home
to share his win with Showtime.
The next event
in the Jr Looper Shoot Out was the seven to nine age group. Tyler Tryan, Levi James, Chandler Ramone, Try
Nez, Myles Williams and Dave Morris would compete for the prizes. When the dust cleared Tyler Tryan was declared
the winner at fifteen feet. Tryan is
seven years old and has a horse named Ginger.
His favorite team roper is his dad Clay Tryan. The youngster is seven years old and home
schooled.
“I like to rope
because it is fun,” the youngster said. “I
think Ginger will like my new saddle.” I
think Ginger is going to be surprised.
As the arena
floor was being prepared for the next age group a very special award was issued
to youngster, Lucky Ward. Lucky loves
team roping. He received an honorary
buckle and saddle for his love of the sport.
The USTRC along with Martin Championship Trophy Saddles made sure Lucky
was able to fulfill his dream to be a team roper.
He loves to watch the ropings and
will flag with a flag given to him by professional flagger, Philip Murrah.
Lucky gave a thumbs up and you could read the excitement and grin on his
face as he clutched his new buckle.
When
the ten to twelve age group kicked off there were seven competitors including
Lucky. Cayden Arnold, Cactus Williams,
Chance Littleben, Tater Tate, Rance Nez, Brandon Ben rounded out the top
six. The roping in this age group was fast
paced and very competitive.
It
was finally narrowed down to two at nineteen feet. Tater Tate and Rance Nez put the roping to
the test. Someone said you cannot throw
the rope more than nineteen feet but Tate and Nez proved it could be done. The bar was moved to twenty feet and Tate
slick horned the dummy. He was declared the winner after changing ropes.
Announcer
Ben Clements asked if he could catch at twenty one feet.
“I
will try as long as it does not cost me the saddle,” Tate said very seriously. The
twelve year old built a loop and let the rope sail through the air. It went around the neck but was a catch nonetheless. Talk about some awesome roping from some very
talented kids. No wonder team roping is
such a tough competitive sport.
Tate
is home schooled and his dad and brother are his favorite ropers.
“I’ve
been roping since I was about five years old,” Tate commented. He was very
serious and focused on checking out his new saddle.
According
to Ritu Ghatourey, “Kids are born naturalist.
Their eyes are, by nature, open to the glories of the stars, the beauty
of the flowers, and the mystery of life.”
Kids make it all worth while. We
owe them the wonders of the world. It
doesn’t matter where they are, what they are doing, the world is about the hope
of our children. They are the promise of
better things to come.
