#13
Preliminary
2015
Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping
Sunday
October 25 2015
Justin
Payne and Wesley Thorp
What do you say? What questions do you
ask? What is left to discuss and explain? It suddenly seemed that way with
Wesley Thorp. We had discussed all the
avenues, replayed all the events and he had explained all the
philosophies. Yet, I stood a bit in
awe. Without any doubt the young man
could rope. He had paid his dues. Put him on the head side and he handled the
inception. Put him on the heeling side and he could clean it all up in a
hurry. In short, he made roping look
easy.
Thorp won the #15 Shoot Out the day
before with partner, Douglas Rich. Yet
here again, he stood in the prize area over another Martin Championship Trophy
Saddle and smiled shyly. He was quiet,
reserved and a bit reflective.
Thorp and partner, Justin Payne, had
just won the #13 Preliminary at the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team
Roping. The day before he had been a
header. Today, his role was heeler.
“This is the first time Justin and I
have roped together,” Thorp said.
With a total payout of $73,730 first
place in the average of the #13 Preliminary would take home $14,900 plus Martin
Championship Trophy Saddles.
As the sixth high call back team the
pair needed a time of 7.53 to take the lead in the #13 Preliminary.
“We had a chance,” Payne elaborated.
“Even being the sixth high call back team we had a chance. We have never roped
together but I know how Wesley ropes. I knew he would catch.”
“I guess I really prefer to heel,”
Thorp commented. “Heading is harder with more pressure. I like the heeling.”
When the pair took their turn in the
short go round they posted a time of 7.06 to take the lead in the roping. For some reason the short go round got a bit erratic
and unpredictable and several teams went out of the average after failing to
make qualified runs.
“I wasn’t really nervous,” Payne
explained. “I wanted to rope right and give him his shot and it worked out that
way.”
With four “no” times in a row things
looked really good and it was becoming a reality that perhaps, just perhaps,
Payne and Thorp’s time would hold. Casey
and Cody Tew needed a 9.08 to move Payne and Thorp out of the lead. The pair posted a time of 12.90 and that run failed
to move Payne and Thorp.
“This is my first USTRC National
Finals saddle,” Payne said. “It is pretty cool to win this roping. The pair split $14,900. “I think I will spend
this money.” Payne grinned.
Both ropers will continue to rope
through the week. Though not coupled
together Payne has a Shoot Out later in the week and Thorp is paired with
Speedy Williams in the Pro View US Open Championships.
“The Open Ropers are good motivators
and the best of the best,” Payne said. “I’m glad I got to rope with Wesley. I’m excited about this win.”
Thorp is excited about the upcoming
Open Roping.
“Speedy and I have been
practicing. We kind of know what the
other is going to do,” Thorp explained. “I’ve got a good partner.”
Perhaps the stage is set. Wesley Thorp
has already left his mark on the 2015 Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team
Roping. His demeanor is humble, reserved
and thoughtful. Team Roping is his
forte. He is very good at it and perhaps, just perhaps, the best is yet to
come.
