#12
Invitational
2014
Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping
Wednesday
October 29, 2014
By
Melinda Clements
It is growing in popularity and more
and more ropers like it. It is fun,
action packed and is consistently drawing a crowd and a following. The #12 Invitational is gaining popularity
and more and more ropers are adding it to their agenda. The roping is a four
steer average and three full go rounds.
Fifteen teams came back for the short
go round of the #12 Invitational at the 2014 Cinch USTRC National Finals of
Team Roping. They were a wired group of
ropers and the electricity was hot in the coliseum as the group prepared for
their final steer.
The prize line absolutely took your
breath away. Martin Championship Trophy
Saddles, Gist Championship Gold Buckles and $71,200 for first place in the #12
Invitational. The total payout was
$280,400. It was nothing to snuff at.
Every team was on track, focused and in tune. Each team through eighth place would receive
a check. Talk about fun! This kind of roping was what made your skin
prickle. It would be fun, competitive
and if you blinked you missed it because the ropers were wired. They were ready to “get it on!”
Steve Taylor and James Tettenhorst
were ready to rope. They were the eighth
call back and if they could just maintain that spot they would take home a
check for at least $9500. Not too bad
for an afternoon of fun and fellowship.
The pair knew they needed a time of
9.18 to take the lead in the average.
The pair have been roping together for about three or four years so they
pretty much know what to expect. When
they roped their steer in 8.48 they took the lead in the average. Hopefully, it would hold and even if they
didn’t maintain the lead they were pretty satisfied with the eighth spot. $9500 wasn’t too bad.
It was sort of interesting how things
unfolded. Obviously, nerves were an issue
for some teams as the runs seemed to get a bit haphazard the further it went. Taylor and Tettenhorst weren’t worried. They had done what they needed to do.
Sometimes things just happen that make
you shake your head. When the short go
round wrapped up Taylor and Tettenhorst had maintained their lead. Suddenly, they realized they would take home
$71,200, Martin Championship Trophy Saddles and Gist Championship Buckles. Wow! What a haul!
As the roping came down to the wire it
was unbelievable. Only 18/100’s of a second separated Taylor and Tettenhorst
from the second place team or Bobby Felkins and Paul Freed. Now, that is tight!
“I broke the barrier yesterday,”
Taylor said. “I’m riding my backup horse and, yes, you could say I was seeking
redemption. There isn’t a lot I struggle
with. I’ve been at this a long time and
I love this Invitational Roping. I love
the addition to the Finals. This is the
way I am, this is the way I rope, hopefully no better and hopefully no
worse. Without a doubt it is fun.”
“We try to have a good time,”
Tettenhorst said. “You just zone out all the noise, the music and go rope. We both love this format. They have an age cap on it so the kids can’t
rope and it gives us a better chance.
Those young kids have no fear.
They are roping on mom and dad’s money and they have nothing to
lose. I really like the way the USTRC
has brought this together for this group of ropers.”
Tettenhorst commented his biggest
struggle is catching the first steer.
He’s okay after that. He and
Taylor rope to have a good time. There
is just something fun about winning a little over $71,000. You sure can’t argue
that point.
“I guess I will use my money to invest
in more roping,” Taylor laughed. “My saddle is going in the living room floor
so I can look at it for a while. I want
to remember what a good time we’ve had today.”
The #12 Invitational is a growing and
a popular addition to the Finals. It is
gaining a following. Tettenhorst is
giving his money to his wife. What do
you bet he doesn’t see much of it!
Regardless, the pair are geared to rope again. Isn’t it funny how time flies when you are
having fun? What do you bet Taylor and
Tettenhorst give it another shot next year?
