The WRANGLER Horse and Rodeo News is an equine and rodeo publication with circulation in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, Utah and Idaho.
Issue link: http://thewrangler.uberflip.com/i/1182060
4 The WRANGLER, Horse and Rodeo News • November 5-19, 2019 Wri en by Hope Raley 31-year-old Jake Foulger from Miles City, Montana never really considered himself a 'lucky' person. We all know the type; the one who wins those random drawings on Facebook, the person who calls in on the radio and wins ckets to the Superbowl, or the guy that gets caught speeding but only gets a warning. Yea, we all know the type. But luck had nothing to do with what happened on the last day of the Wrangler TeamRoping Championships Finals held at the MetraPark in Billings, Montana. What happened was years of hard work, dedica on and the will to never give up. When the announcer called out Jake Foulger's name as the 2019 WTRC High Point Truck Winner, he was anything but convinced. "When they were tallying up the points, I didn't think I had a chance at winning the truck," explained Foulger. "But when they announced my name, I couldn't hardly believe it. It didn't even really sink in un l the following week. It definitely was my most memorable win and one that I will never forget." Foulger has been roping his whole life, along with his two younger brothers. "We grew up roping and my youngest brother and I s ll travel to roping's together. My mom even ropes every now and then." An avid fan of the Wrangler Roping's, Foulger has been a ending them since they started. There Foulger Sitting Pretty after WTRC Finals are several facets that Foulger enjoys about the WTRC, one of them being able to find one close to wherever he may be that weekend in Montana or neighboring states. "I love how easy it is to find a Wrangler Roping and how efficient they are. We want to rope as much as we possibly can and the WTRC gives us that opportunity." Foulger credits his win in Billings to his head horse, Peanut, who has es to his family. "Peanut was raised by my grandpa and then my brother took him through the 4-H program and started roping on him. My brother is a project manager in California, so he has graciously allowed me to borrow his horse and it just so happens that we get along really well," chuckled Foulger. Consistent as the day is long, Foulger never has to worry about what he might get from "Peanut" when it comes to doing his job. "He is very consistent in any scenario and he gives me the same run every me." At the Wrangler Finals, Foulger had two calls in the #9 short round, 12th and 39th. Thinking there was no way he could win the truck, Foulger's game plan was to go make two clean runs and win some money since they were paying 15-deep in the short round. "We drew two good steers, and it all just worked out," said Foulger. Foulger finished second in the average with partner Dennis Barta, as well as 11th in the average with Chase Moran, both in the #9 roping. Those two runs gave him just enough points to finish top of the pack for the truck. "I am so grateful and owe a lot to the people who have helped me along the way, especially Dennis Denson "Buckshot", who taught me everything I know about roping, horsemanship, mindset, overcoming challenges-pre y much all of the above," Foulger said. "I am also very grateful for my mother, Karen Foulger. She always made sure that we had what we needed and drove around all those years going to the youth rodeos, high school rodeos and jackpots." As far as what's next for "Peanut" and Foulger, they are headed to the World Series Finale in a few weeks in Las Vegas and will spend some me down in Cowboy Country in Wickenburg, Arizona to get sharp before heading to Sin City. Being a perfec onist and someone who is always striving to be be er, Foulger is always willing to learn and improve whether it be in his horsemanship or roping. With a mindset like that, we are sure that this won't be Foulger's last big win! WTRC Schedule November 23-24 Ericson, NE Thanksgiving Extravaganza November 30 - Dec - 01 Laurel, MT - Miller's Horse Palace Thanksgiving Extravaganza December 27-29 Rapid City, SD New Years Celebra on December 28 Kalispell, MT New Years Celebra on January 4 - 5 Laurel, MT – Miller's Horse Palace New Years Celebra on PITZER SUNDAY SATURDAY