The Wrangler Horse and Rodeo News

November 20 - December 4, 2017 • The Wrangler, Horse and rodeo news 5 roped solid, roping four head in 30.56 seconds to win the #11 Shoot-Out. They pocketed $75,000 for their efforts. "Winning the #11 Shoot-Out was very exciting," said Hali, the daughter of legendary Speed Williams. "I think helping my dad at his schools and on SpeedRoping.com, being able to break down a run and knowing what to do to fix things makes it really easy to get tuned up. Garret and I weren't going to rope at the Finals until about three weeks before the books closed and I'm happy it worked out." When we talked to Garret about winning the #11 Shoot-Out, he said, "It was exciting and fun to win it with Hali. Speed has helped me with my heading and asked if I'd heel for her a while back. I'm glad it all worked out. Like I said, it was fun to win it with her." #10 Shoot-Out $394,000 Matt Patterson – San Marcos, TX Buckshot Patterson – San Marcos, TX Resounded again over the arena floor in the #10 Shoot-Out was Buckshot Patterson who moved to the top of the leader-board to claim his second first place victory. This time heeling, Patterson roped with his father Matt Patterson and together they took the championship with a four head total of 29.39 seconds to win $70,000 in cash. Days after the event Matt was still excited about the win in Oklahoma City. "I'm still just totally excited – Now that were home it's great to reflect on what we did and to do it with my son was very special. I have three of my boys that rope and it has been a goal of mine ever since I started, to win something with one of my sons." "Winning that roping with my dad - That was awesome," said the younger Patterson. "I couldn't believe it when it happened and something I will never forget." After taking home around $75,000 from two different ropings, Buckshot bought a new truck invested a large part of his winnings and plans to spend the rest. #9 Shoot-Out $416,900 Ralston Runyon – Mill Creek, OK Brandon Taylor – Ada, OK The 2017 Finals began to see an end as the ropers of the #9 Shoot-Out gathered in the arena. When the dust settled it was the team from Oklahoma, Ralston Runyon and Brandon Taylor who collected the largest payout of the week, $82,000 in cash! "It was a great experience," said young Runyon who's only been roping for about four years. "It was my first year roping at the Finals and I was pretty happy with the win." Taylor, who has roped most of his life but took a 10-12 year break to focus on his career and family stated, "It was quite an experience for me. This is stuff I've dreamt about since Junior High. It is a long dream come true." #8 Shoot-Out $288,400 JW Allen, Goldthwaite, TX Wyatt Lloyd, San Angelo, TX The final roping of the week was a shocker as the #8 Finale more than doubled its payoff from $152,000 last year to $288,000 this year. The #8 opened the door for some of today's novice ropers to win big as well. The #8 Shoot-Out raised lots of eyebrows as it witnessed the team of J.W. Allen and Wyatt Lloyd post the fastest #8 win of the entire season. The Texas duo worked their way to the pay window to pick up checks that totaled $54,200 in cash. "I've only roped with Wyatt for a couple months at our High School rodeos," said J.W who is a senior in high school this year. "This was the first big roping we went to together and I have to say I had to beat my own mind before I could beat anyone else, but thanks to my partner and the mare I'm riding, it went really well." "Our game plan was to just go get four down and try to win some money," said the home-schooled sophomore, Lloyd. "It worked out really good for us." The USTRC Finals also included several special events throughout the week. The Gold Plus roping, US Invitational ropings, as well as the US Junior and All-Ladies ropings which were highlighted during the Finals. US Invitationals $169,760 and $181,000 The US Invitational events included both a #11 and #9 roping. Winning the #11 was the team of David Walker and Arthur Morgan. The friends roped well throughout the event and from the fourth call position collected the championship worth $50,000 after catching four steers in 35.46 seconds. Winning the #9 US Invitational was the team of Randy Gaydos and Doug Sowell. They roped their way to the top stopping the clock on four head in 35.61 seconds. Gaydos and Sowell took home $50,300 in cash for their efforts in the #9 Invitational. "Before the event I told Arthur I had entered us, sent a check and he owed me $1,500." Walker explained. "After he roped a leg on our second one, I told him that I was going to keep going at 'em like the first two. We drew good on our last two and it all worked out." Morgan's win at the Finals was a testament to true grit. "I've been roping since the 80's and it took me several days since then before I could really talk about the win without tearing up," he said. "I believe the Lord wasn't just sitting beside me he was riding with me. I also want to thank my wife and kids for all of their support throughout the years." The #9 Invitational Winners shared enthusiasm and excitement about their win in OKC. "It was the most I've ever won," said Gaydos. "The money is in the bank right now and there is no telling what I'm going to do with it." Sowell added to the conversation, saying, "I've been roping for 20 years but that was my first trip to the Finals and it turned out pretty good. Overall it was a great environment and I'm definitely going back next year." #12 Junior Championships $49,600 Mason Rust – Gordon, TX Whit Kitchens – Mullins, TX The youngsters were welcomed into the arena to compete in the #12 US Junior Championships where the young Texas team of Mason Rust and Whit Kitchens claimed the victory. Rust and Kitchens topped the roping and took home $16,500 in cash after roping four head in fast, 28.41 seconds. The put on a show and gave a glimpse of how the Open might look in a few years. "I liked the roping. You had to rope up, not safety up and go at it," said the 16-year-old Rust. "Whit and I never have roped together, he usually heads, but I thought I'd call to see if he wanted to and I'm glad I did." Kitchens, who placed twice in the event is planning on using the money to buy a new horse and make some large payments on his truck and trailer, added, "I just wanted to go up there and do some good. I wasn't going to rope in that roping until Mason called and asked me too. He ropes really well and handles cattle really good." Cinch #11 Ladies Championships $56,600 Rylea Rae Fabrizio – Weatherford, TX Lorraine Moreno – Mathis, TX The Cinch Ladies Championships has become one of the largest all- girl team ropings in the country and claiming the title of this roping is a goal for many of the sports toughest teams. This year's champions, Rylea Rae Fabrizio and Lorraine Moreno did it in style roping and had over 3-seconds to spare, roping four head in 32.37 seconds earned the ladies $18,040 in cash. "It was a great roping this year - cattle were good and there were quite a few girls, said Fabrizio who is a fixture at many of the top all- girl ropings. "This was actually the first US roping I have ever won in 22 years. I've placed a lot but I guess I finally broke the ice." The US Ladies Championships was a turning point for Moreno. "I wasn't doing too great at the Finals," she said. "I didn't rope too well in the #10 the day before and was frustrated. My parents told me to just go out and have fun and that's what I did. I was blessed and it all worked out." Gold Plus Ropings #12 GP - $276,720 Justin Reininger – Seguin, TX LB Pearson – Yoakum, TX #10 GP - $381,600 Jeff Hartfield Sr – Charlestown, IN Preston Bartow – Cromwell, IN The big Specialty ropings of the week included the #12 and #10 Gold Plus ropings. Each roping awarded large payouts, along with new Dodge Roping.... New Era for an Old Favorite!

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