The staff at Ropers Sports News would like to thank Rich Casey and his staff at Casey Printing of King City, Calif. (printers of RSN), for their gracious hospitality by inviting us to a night out at the Stockton Ports baseball game. It is always fun to meet, laugh and exchange stories with Rich and the gang. And our own Steph Anderson got to throw out the first pitch and have her photo taken with “Splash,” the team mascot!
This last month made some differences in the 2017 Weather Guard PRCA standings in the top 15 with some big wins turned in by a few who needed to make a move this late in the year.
The all-around race is still being led by Tuf Cooper with $211,927 as of this writing which puts him more than $37,000 ahead of Trevor Brazile who is in second. Trevor is qualified in two events for the Wrangler National Finals presented by Polaris Ranger, as is Tuf. Both are qualified in the tie-down and steer roping events. It doesn’t look like Trevor will make the top 15 in the heading this year, but the fact that he is coming back in two events, means he can close the gap in the all-around race quickly. He is fifth in the Steer Roping and 6th in the tie down roping. This should be a good race come December.
Ryle Smith of Oakdale, Calif., is also in the running for the All-Around but will only be going to the WNFR in steer wrestling this year. Last year he went to the WNFR in the tie-down roping, but this year he has devoted much more time to steer wrestling. Ryle is sitting fourth in the all-around race.
Jordan Spears of Redding will be representing California in the bull riding this year and is currently setting fourth. Jordan will be joined at the Finals by his neighbor from Cottonwood, Nellie Miller, who is now third in the barrel racing world standings behind Stevi Hillman.
Many Californians have been following Kyle Lockett in the healing since his big win at Salt Lake City. He is setting 17th as of this writing being about $4,000 out of the top 15. He just could make it yet and he is no stranger to last minute pressure as he has competed his entire life. He is one of the top 20 who compete each year at the Lazy E Arena in the Timed Event Championship and is a past champion of this challenging event.
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Had a chance to stop by Corning, Calif. at the Rolling Hills Casino Equine complex and watch some of the World Series Ropings. This is a really nice facility with plenty of parking and many RV hook ups. The great weather lent itself to allowing the roping to be held in their outdoor arena which is very nice. Daren Petersen of Dynamite Productions was on hand to make sure all was running well. This facility has two covered arenas that are set up for about any kind of event. Great food is available at the casino which makes traveling a minimum when attending an event there.
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Coming with the fall weather is many finals in the rodeo and roping industry and many contestants will be traveling many miles to these finals. We wish you all the safest of travels and the best of luck at whatever competition you are going to.
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If you like cowboy stories and music, plan to attend the 23rd annual Cowpoke Fall Gathering which will be held in Loomis, Calif., November 9-12 at the Blue Goose Fruit Shed. For more information call 916-652-6290 or go online at cowpokefallgathering.com. This event has many Western traditions and is held to promote the Western Way of life and to give our youth a look at this heritage from our old and current western lifestyle.
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As I travel around the country I seem to be seeing more and more homeless people in about every town I visit. I often wonder why more communities don’t make some of the fairgrounds and horse stalls available to these folks versus under bridges and overpasses. They could be put to work cleaning up the grounds and painting in exchange for the roof over their heads. Many of these facilities remain vacant a great deal of the year. Of course, there would have to be rules as to no drugs or misconduct to remain, and they would have to vacate for any events on the grounds. Seems it would cost less than the policing that is involved around the country at present. Maybe a wild idea, but when I see folks around with no roof over their heads in the middle of winter, I look for some solutions.
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Have a great October gang and for those of you that have booths planned for the WNFR, consider placing an ad with us in November and December to let folks know where your booth will be located in Vegas.