The United States Team Roping Championships (USTRC), the national governing body for the sport of team roping, is set to host more than 7,000 teams as it stages the estimated $4.5 million Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping October 22-30 in Oklahoma City. All events are free to the public and include a free trade show featuring a variety of equine and western related products.
Produced by the United States Team Roping Championships (USTRC) the event begins October 22 with the Open Preliminary followed by the #15 Preliminary and the #15 Shoot-Out, where the first National Champion of 2011 will be crowned. The best ropers in the world will again take center stage on Sunday afternoon, October 23, for the Priefert U.S. Open Championships.
Among those expected to compete is a who’s who among team roping’s greats, including past Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association World Champions Allen Bach, Jake Barnes, Rich Skelton, Clay O. Cooper, Chad Masters and Speed Williams, along with 2010 World Champion Patrick Smith of Lipan, Texas, and eight-time PRCA All Around Champion Trevor Brazile of Decatur, Texas.
More than $3.7 million in cash and $625,000 in prizes were awarded in 2010. Included in the bounty for 2011 will be a total of 11 United States Championship titles, which not only come with the cash prize, but custom Martin Trophy championship saddles, Gist Silversmiths belt buckles, full-quill ostrich Tony Lama boots and Western Horseman commemorative prints.
Cruel Girl will provide a saddle and cash prize to the high-money ladies roper, as well as prizes to the champions of the All Girl roping.
Furthermore, two RAM Cummins Diesel 4 X 4 trucks will be awarded to the high money-earning Gold Plus champions in two divisions, along with two Case IH tractors being awarded to the reserve high money-earning Gold Plus champions in those divisions.
Ropers will also be able to earn cash in the Challenge arena, which is a series of jackpot ropings held throughout the Finals, and youngsters will find lots of fun prizes and competition during Junior Looper roping events to be held October 26 and 29. Junior Looper is sponsored by Clinton Anderson’s Down Under Horsemanship and is open to youth 12 and under with no entry fee.
Fans of team roping will be able to follow the action through a live Webcast at www.ustrc.com, as well as through the USTRC Facebook page and YouTube Channel.
Team roping is a timed event that requires a team effort. A team is made up of a “header” and a “heeler”. The header’s job is to catch the steer around the horns, and then set it up by turning it across the arena. The heeler then rides in and ropes the steer around both hind legs. The clock is stopped when the steer is secured between both ropers and their horses are facing each other.
Much like the sport of golf, ropers are handicapped or receive a classification rating based on their skill level and competitive ability. Ropers can be classified from a #1 to a #10,depending on their roping position and ability. The added total of both roping partners handicaps determines their division eligibility. For example, if the division is a #11, the total rating for both ropers cannot equal more than 11, with some divisions requiring a handicap floor.
More than $20 million was paid in prize money in 2010 during USTRC sanctioned competition, making it one of the richest “pay-for-play” sports in the industry.