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.
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26 The WRANGLER, Horse and Rodeo News • December 5-19, 2021 SCHEDULE SCHEDULE January 1-2, 2022 – Rapid City, SD, Central States Fairgrounds January 1-2, 2022 - Miller's Horse Palace. Laurel, MT PHOENIX, Ariz., — Organizers of the Bob Feist Invita onal (BFI) – the world's richest one-day roping for pros – will celebrate its 45 th anniversary next spring in the 440-foot arena designed for long scores and hard- running steers. The event that was pushed to Guthrie, Oklahoma's Lazy E Arena during the past two years of pandemic- protocol uncertainty in Nevada will now call the Lazy E home. Its scheduled date of April 2, 2022, means a Saturday BFI for the first me, three weeks a er the Lazy E hosts its annual Timed-Event Championships of the World. "I actually think the BFI fits the Lazy E Arena be er than it did Reno," said former NFR heeler Billie Jack Saebens, whose horses have been honored at past BFIs. "I like the ground in Guthrie way more; horses do be er in there. It's just an amazing facility. You can't hardly beat the Lazy E, I don't think." "King of the Cowboys" Trevor Brazile, the 26- me world champion and 2013 BFI champ, likes the roping in Oklahoma for more reasons than proximity to his north Texas home. "Having the BFI at the Lazy E is a marriage of two of the industry's most historic ins tu ons," said Brazile. "Both have helped define the sport of team roping and the Western industry as a whole, fueled by owners and producers who understand the value of this great way of life. The BFI's loca on in Guthrie for the 45 th anniversary will allow more ropers and fans to experience the event – con nuing to help the sport thrive." The BFI is to team roping what the Masters is to golf and Wimbledon to tennis. And the move makes more secure the BFI's legacy as roping's longest-running major, considering Reliance Ranches – and the Lazy E Arena – are owned by father-and-son team ropers. "I'm sure very pleased about this," said Gary McKinney, Chairman and CEO of Reliance Energy, Inc., and owner of Reliance Ranches with his son Micah McKinney since 2013. "I just couldn't be happier about it. Fans packed the seats so much that first year in the 2022 Bob Feist Invitational set for Lazy E Arena midst of Covid. We can't hardly stand much growth from there, so I think it might become a tough cket to get. It's fun to have it." Fes vi es are expected to kick off Thursday, March 30, with the Hooey Jr. BFI events. On Friday, April 1, the brand-new BFI Legends roping will be a great one to watch, followed that night by the tradi onal free dinner and Feist cowboy auc on at Edmond's Hilton Garden Inn Hotel. The 45 th BFI on Saturday will again anchor the customary $2.5 million week of amateur ropings including various numbered and age- or gender- restricted jackpots. Last March, a married couple cashed a $134,000 check in the #12.5 roping, while Lari Dee Guy took home $28,375 from the Charlie 1 Horse All-Girl Challenge and two teenaged teams of winners earned $55,000 collec vely in the Hooey Jr. BFI. But most memorable was when the sold- out BFI crowd in Guthrie watched Manny Egusquiza and crowd-favorite Kory Koontz split $154,000 cash. "Reno was good, but we didn't know any be er," said Cactus Ropes' Mike Piland. "The Lazy E makes perfect sense, because it's centrally located right in the middle of cowboy country and easy to get to from five or six states. Another plus is never having to worry about it being shut down at the drop of a hat. Oklahoma will say, 'Nope, we're having a roping.'" Details are s ll being worked out on the final schedule of ropings, plus planned addi ons to BFI culture for non-ropers that include hat-shaping and wine-tas ng ac vi es. These are on tap in the popular can na that overlooks the Lazy E's climate- controlled three acres containing the world's largest indoor equestrian arena. Entries will open December 20 and close March 1, 2022. All ropings except the BFI – which will take the first 125 paid teams – can be entered on-site for a $100 late fee. For more informa on, visit www. BFIWeek.com and www.Facebook. com/BobFeistInvitational. Thank You! For your con nued support and business 307.851.9854 P.O. Box 6070 Riverton, WY 82501