6 The Wrangler, Annual Spring Horse Sale Edition • April 5-19, 2018
WICKENBURG, Ariz. - The fourth annual
National Team Roping Tour (NTR) National Finals
was held March 5-10, 2018, at Rancho Rio Arena
in Wickenburg, Ariz. The 6-day event consisted
of 18 individual ropings over seven divisions.
Nearly 4,000 teams roped in cash and prizes to the
tune of $959,590. Prizes included trophy Cactus
Saddlery saddles, custom Gist Silversmith buckles
and a new Ford truck. Held each year in the Team
Roping Capital of the World the NTR National
Finals continues to be one of the highest-paying
divisional ropings in the industry.
The 2018 edition introduced the all-new
#10 and #8 VIP Championships, a #10 All-Girl
Championship, #9 Legends Only and a #8 Truck
Roping, while still featuring the highly sought
after NTR Finale ropings. Winners in the National
Finales (#11, #10, #9 and #8) took home extra-fancy
trophy saddles and buckles in addition to large
cash payouts. Topping the average in the National
9—the highest-paying division of the Finals—were
siblings Kenzie and Ketch Kelton of Mayer, Ariz.,
who pocketed $30,000 after coming tight on four
steers in 35.48 seconds. Arizona cowboys John
Kuban & Michael Brockett teamed up to rope four
steers in 45.71 seconds and take home $30,300 in
the National 8 Finale. For additional Finale winners
visit nationalteamroping.com.
Tuscon, Ariz., team roper Santos Martinez, 15,
skipped his driver's education class on March 10,
National Team Roping Tour hosts 4th Annual National Finals
to rope at the inaugural NTR National Finals #8
Truck Roping. After topping the average heeling
for Trey Nez and finishing second with Marty
Schlumberger he'll have a new Ford dually truck
ready and waiting for him when he turns 16 next
year. Martinez and Nez out roped 1,165 teams to
top the average and earn their $11,600 paycheck
along with trophy buckles.
The NTR National Finals is also home to The
Horse Sale at Rancho Rio, which draws spectators
and buyers from all over the U.S. and Canada.
Lot #27, Im Brad to the Bone, was the top seller
at a whopping $79,000. The 2013 model sired by
Roo Star was purchased by Dale Little Soldier
of Mandan, N.D. A finished head horse, he was
consigned to the sale by Melissa Miller, Belton,
Texas, and ridden by La Cygne, Kan., horseman
Brad Lund.
The NTR National Finale V will take place in
Wickenburg, Ariz., in March 2019. For complete
results visit nationalteamroping.com.
#9 QUAlIfIER
Rhianon Lieberwirth- Arye Espenscheid
#11 Jordan Olsen -Jace Thorstenson
#11 AVERAGE fINAls
James Hutton - Lynn Campbell
#10 QUAlIfIER
Blue Ray Gutierrez - TJ Mercer
#10 Tony Holden -Joe Stricklin
#12 ChAmpIoNshIps
Barrie Smith- Brady Black
#9 Jeff Robb -Jeff Blass
#10 VIp
Larae Branham - Joey Martin
#13 Jace Johnson- Trent Tunke
#8 Dave Yost - Todd Panasuk
#9 lEGENds
Daymond Lloyd - Blake Nelson
#10 fINAls AVERAGE
Johnathan Lipps - TJ Mercer
team
roping
