2 The WRANGLER, Horse and Rodeo News • November 5-19, 2021
Ring with Het Ring with Het
Wri en by Hope Raley
Two sisters from New Town, North Dakota
proved that in the face of adversity, you have two
choices: you can either let it make you, or you can
let it knock you down. Maelee and Eskie Heart
were taught from a young age that even when
life tries to knock you down, never let it keep you
down. A couple weeks before the 2021Wrangler
Na onal Team Roping Finals in Billings, Montana,
Maelee and Eskie's father Royce Heart was
involved in a horrible accident where he was part
of a hit and run and has been hospitalized ever
since. With their biggest fan and mentor figh ng
for his life, both girls were very torn on whether
they should go to the finals or not. A er a quick
reminder from their dad on not le ng adversity
win the good fight, the two sisters loaded up and
headed to Billings with one goal in mind: make
their dad proud.
"It was definitely a hard decision to make, but
our dad was adamant about us going and doing
our best," explained Maelee. "Our dad has been
the biggest supporter of our roping, so not having
him in Billings with us was indescribable. But
instead of it keeping us down, we (Eskie and I)
went out there to try and make the best of it and
make him proud."
Proud indeed. The two sisters harnessed their
anger and adrenaline from their horrific father's
accident and used it in their favor, winning the All
Girl Open with #8.5 Incen ve at the 26
th
Annual
Wrangler Na onal Team Roping Finals. The girls,
who have been roping alongside one another for
several years, didn't leave a dry eye inside the
MetraPark Arena a er their stellar performances.
Royce, who was in surgery during their runs in
the All Girl Open, watched his girls runs on video
a er he came out of surgery. "He called us and
told us how proud of us he was," said Maelee.
"Hearing those words, both Eskie and I knew that
we were right where we were supposed to be."
Maelee and Eskie have been a part of the
Wrangler family for several years and consider all
those affiliated with WTRC, family.
"Dennis and his crew have been with us in our
roping journey every step of the way. Along with
our parents, everyone at WTRC, especially Dennis,
has always given us the best opportuni es to be
the very best ropers that we can be. For that, we
are forever grateful."
The next stop on the sister's journey is the
WCRA Women's Rodeo World Championship
held in Las Vegas, Nevada where the girls will be
compe ng in team roping. For complete results
from the 2021 Wrangler Na onal Team Roping
Finals, visit www.wranglerteamroping.com.
