WICKENBURG, ARIZ. – National Team Roping (NTR) hosted its sixth annual National Finals March 2-7, 2020, at Rancho Rio in Wickenburg, Arizona, continuing its tradition as one of the highest-paying divisional ropings in the industry. The six-day Finals consisted of 18 individual ropings over seven divisions plus a Rising Stars Dummy Roping Championship. Ropers from across the nation competed for more than half a million in cash and prizes including trophy Scott Thomas saddles, custom Gist Silversmith buckles and a new RAM truck.
The 2020 edition boasted #11.5, #10.5, #9.5 and #8.5 National Finale divisions along with #10.5 and #8.5 VIP Championships—for VIP members 21 and over—plus the #13.5, #12.5, #7, Legends Over 50 and All-Girl Championships and an Open to the World #8.5 Truck Roping. Winners in the four National Finales took home fully tooled trophy saddles and extra fancy trophy buckles in addition to large cash payouts. First through fifth place in the #7 Championships also took home custom trophy saddles.
The highest paying division of Finale VI was the National 10.5 Finale which paid $20,640 to average winners Lynn Proctor, Caldwell, Idaho, and Dick Churchill, Queen Creek, Arizona. Churchill topped the National 11.5 Finale in 2019 heading for rising talent, Michael Calmelat. For his 2020 Finale Championship Churchill switched ends and was heeling behind Proctor. The draw team of Lisa Garnhart, Casper, Wyoming, and Brent Coon, Sheridan, Wyoming, picked up $20,300 in the National 9.5 Finale—the second highest paying division of the week.
“We were picking up kids from school here in Wickenburg and got here late,” explained Garnhart. “We just threw our names in the draw and I was lucky enough to get this guy.”
In the RAM #8.5 Open to the World Truck Roping it came down to a rope-off between average champions Jorge Martinez, Laveen, Arizona, and Beau Beard, Tuba City, Arizona. After four additional steers, roped in a unique blind match, Martinez—who just started roping three years ago—was the winner of the RAM 3500. With a new son born on Valentine’s Day, Beard was thrilled with the big payout. Together they split $10,000 cash and took home fancy trophy buckles.
“I’ll sleep good tonight,” Martinez laughed during his post-win interview. “I’ve never won anything like this before.”
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. The sixth annual event saw record sales of more than $1.3 million. Lot #8, Palo Duro Playboy, was the high seller at a record setting $150,000. “Gunslinger” is sired by Palo Duro Cat by High Brow Cat out of the Freckles Playboy mare Tasmanian Playgirl.  The 2012 buckskin gelding was consigned to the sale by Mozaun McKibben, Whitesboro, Texas, and purchased by Steve Gilbert, Toquerville, Utah. The overall sale average was $30,965 with the top 10 average coming in at $64,700. For additional sale results visit ranchorioaz.com.
About the NTR: With low entry fees and big payouts National Team Roping has more than 6,000 members who compete in NTR-sanctioned events nationwide. The NTR is presented by Ariat and sponsored by Classic Ropes, Priefert Rodeo & Ranch Equipment, RAM Trucks, and Clark & Associates Land Brokers, LLC. For more information on the NTR or to become a member visit nationalteamroping.com. Follow us on facebook at facebook.com/nationalteamroping and @nationalteamroping on Instagram.
Results are as follows; results are per team:
March 2
#8.5 Legends CHAMP.
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: Jim Anderson and Terry Boydstun, 10.83, $600.
Average: 1. Bruce Bolen and Earl Higgins, 42.34, $7,400 + buckles. 2. Miles Panasuk and Allan Probst, 47.39, $5,540. 3. Bart Ballard and Gary Johnson, 49.04, $3,700. 4. Lynn Stadheim and Steve Klein, 50.71, $1,840.
#10.5 Qualifier
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: DJ Martin and Joaquin Huntington, 13.41, $600.
Average: 1. Tyler Gibbs and Wyatt L. Adams, 39.81, $5,640. 2. Willy Hicks and Coby LittleSoldier, 41.43, $3,380. 3. Travis Vezina and Paul Smith, 44.94, $2,260.
#9.5 Qualifier
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: Grant Gomez and Jake Squires, 17.40, $600.
Average: 1. Billy L. LaMere and Blake Nelson, 43.09, $6,480. 2. Brittney McNaney and Blake Nelson, 45.56, $4,860. 3. Jerry Hicks and Paul Smith, 45.92, $3,240. 4. Steve McDaniel and Johnnie Phillips, 49.84, $1,620.
#8.5 Qualifier
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: Malik Hegge and Johnnie Phillips, 11.23, $600.
Average: 1. Elvis Lebaron and Alex Dominguez, 51.33, $5,880. 2. Brad Horner and Michael J. Brockett, 55.99, $3,520. 3. Pizz Peart and Michael J. Brockett, 56.82, $2,360.
March 2
#13.5 Championships
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: Bryton D. Scheller and Ketch Kelton, 6.69, $600.
Average: 1. Jared Parke and Jack Graham, 30.70, $9,080 + buckles. 2. John C. Alps and Tel Schaack, 33.15, $6,800. 3. Riley Wilson and Greg Langen, 34.50, $4,540. 4. Lyndon Acord and Tel Schaac, 34.92, $2,260.
#12.5 Championships
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: Kohl Bowler and TJ Bowler, 7.48, $1,000.
Average: 1. Everett Reeves and Cashton Weidenbener, 33.05, $9,600 + buckles. 2. Raymond Kerr and Joe Burk Higgins, 34.86, $7,680. 3. James Arviso and Jace Helton, 36.01, $5,220. 4. Keegan Cumbie and Jason Stewart, 36.17, $3,840. 5. Loni Dowton and Casey Dunham, 37.03, $1,920.
#11.5 Qualifier
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: Andy Holt and TJ Bowler, 7.64, $1,000.
Average: 1. Mel Coleman and Jerry Cobb, 35.53, $8,340. 2. Quincy Reeves and Cashton Weidenbener, 36.65, $5,960. 3. Keegan Cumbie and Ketch Kelton, 37.31, $4,520. 4. Lonie Dowton and Joe Burk Higgins, $3,340. 5. Armando Flores and Carlos Aranda, 38.08, $1,680.
#10.5 Qualifier
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: Garrett Odle and Todd Corzine, 10.26, $600.
Average: 1. Bill Eckroth and Tracer Olson, 41.83, $8,740. 2. Raymond Kerr and Jeff Bowers, 44.27, $6,560. 3. Don Schmeling and Russ Schirado, 48.17, $4,360. 4. Wyatt Bourdet and Ali Bilkey, 48.28, $2,180.
March 4
#9.5 Legends Champs.
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: Allen Capurro and Mark Scheller, 8.64, $1,000.
Average: 1. Kip Gates and Paul Smith, 35.25, $10,840 + buckles. 2. Jacky Brown and Donny Davis, 36.88, $7,560. 3. Bud Fenster and Blake Nelson, 39.43, $5,580. 4. Carl Johnson and Coby LittleSoldier, 41.07, $3,940. 5. LaRae Branham and Earl Higgins, 41.11, $2,960. 6. Julie Ballek and Dan Ballek, 41.98, $1,960.
National #11.5 Finale
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: Everett Reeves and OT Edwards, 8.38, $600.
Average: 1. Jess Hall and Tommy Hall, 34.10, $16,580 + saddles & buckles. 2. Tony Holden and Clem McNaney, 34.79, $11,840 + buckles. 3. Owen Lepper and Troy Kitchener, 35.83, $9,000. 4. Steve Rieser and Jerry Brown, 37.89, $6,620. 5. Quincy Reeves and Cashton Weidenbener, 38.21, $3,320.
National #10.5 Finale
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: Everett Reeves and Jesse Hoover, 8.35, $600.
Average: 1. Lynn Proctor and Dick Churchill, 36.11, $20,640 + saddles & buckles. 2. Tyler Gibbs and Wyatt L. Adams, 37.41, $14,380 + buckles. 3. Everett Reeves and OT Edwards, 37.99, $10,620. 4. Steve Eckroth and Russ Schirado, 38.17, $7,500. 5. Ivan Varela and Erik Rodriguez, 39.17, $5,620. 6. Chris Gronlund and Harvey Jacobs, 39.54, $3,760.
#10.5 VIP CHAMPS.
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: JoAnn Merritt and Mike Hughes, 8.67, $600.
Average: 1. Ivan Varela and Erik Rodriguez, 33.96, $14,860. 2. Wade Musick and Dan Ballek, 35.19, $10,360. 3. Shayne Ohotto and Clay Keller, 37.86, $7,660. 4. David Hartness and Jeff Bowers, 37.98, $5,400. 5. Jose Luis Garcia and AJ Kevis, 39.03, $4,060. 6. John McCollum and Manuel Sandoval, 39.58, $2,700.
March 5
National #9.5 Finale
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: Ivan Varela and Alex Dominguez, 7.22, $600.
Average: 1. Lisa Garnhart and Brent Coon, 37.52, $20,300 + saddles & buckles. 2. Matt Thomas and Scott Salo, 38.19, $14,180 + buckles. 3. Raymond Kerr and Amanda Kooiker, 39.16, $10,800. 4. Julio Delgado and Erik Rodriguez, 41.30, $8,100. 5. Brad Santucci and Paul Smith, 43.82, $6,080. 6. John McCay and Spike McCay, 44.51, $4,720. 7. Garrett Odle and Stephen Harper, 48.27, $3,380.
National #8.5 Finale
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: Ray Jasper and Jimmy Costanzo, 8.97, $600.
Average: 1. Gail Allen and Vince Flynn, 38.96, $18,300 + saddles & buckles. 3. Jeff Cavey and Shannon Miller, 46.70, $9,440. 4. John Kuban and Dan Wheelr, 46.89, $6,660. 5. Brad Horner and Grant Gomez, 47.19, $5,000. 6. Steve Snider and Wade Hansen, 49.66, $3,320.
March 6
#8.5 VIP Champs.
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: Julie Ballek and Sean Wright, 16.18, $600.
Average: 1. Jose Luis Garcia and Ricardo Ruiz, 43.75, $15,140. 2. Layne Billadeau and Kaleb Asay, 46.65, $10,260. 3. Bruce Bolen and Terry Boydstun, 49.54, $8,100. 4. Jay Varela and Dan Wheelre, 50.19, $5,940. 5. Steve Driver and Bruce Bennett, 54.09, $4,860. 6. Zack Wright and Roger W. Chancellor, 54.69, $4,320. 7. Malik Hegge and Johnnie Phillips, 54.92, $3,240. 8. Chad Westbrook and Jim Walma, 55.06, $2,160.
#7 Championships
Average (1st through 5th received saddles; 6th through 10th received buckles): 1. Scott Schriner and Ken Pennington, 26.30, $7,400 + saddles. 2. Elvis Lebaron and Spike Eberspecher, 33.12, $4,620. 3. Norm Kreiss and Kenny Gesinger, 35.25, $3,700. 4. Marty Schlumberger and Taylor VanZyl, 35.30, $3,080. 5. Gerardo Romero Morales and Bruce Bennett, 35.67, $2,780. 6. Kip Gates and Ramiro Flores, 37.95, $2,460. 7. Norm Kreiss and Kalie Peterson, 39.51, $2,160. 8. Harlan Bellander and Tom Simpson, 39.53, $1,860. 9. Elvis Lebaron and Briget Berthiaume, 17.75 on 2, $1,540. 10. Kaden Lincoln and Garrett Silliman, 19.19, $1,250. 11. Lalo Rodriguez and Brad L. Erickson, 19.38, $1,250. 12. Scott Cunningham and Rex Bridgman, 19.92, $600 13. Harry Bernhardt and Corey Koenig, 21.47, $600. 14. Lyric Phillips and Gilberto Martinez, 21.52, $600. 15. Tammy Olk and Jimmy Costanzo, 21.94, $600.
March 7
#10.5 All-Girl
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: Justene Hirsig and Sammie Perkiins, 14.42, $200.
Average: 1. Samantha Shannon and Jimmi Jo Montera, 43.74, $4,880 + saddles & buckles. 2. Tammy Ellerman and Amanda Kooiker, 48.87, $2,940. 3. Antoinette Smith and Kirsty Gibbs, 56.68, $1,950.
#8.5 RAM Truck Roping: Truck winner: Jorge Martinez
Short go FT, 1st not placing in average: Justin Reno and Ramiro Flores, 21.78, $500.
Average (1st through 5th received buckles): 1. Jorge Martinez and Beau Beard, 23.63, $10,000. 2. Buster Hynes and Bobby Vaughan, 25.67, $5,970. 3. Efrain Cuevas and DJ Martin, 26.87, $4,700. 4. Tanse Herrmann and Walker Warkentin, 26.92, $3,900. 5. Quint Boe and Cody Joe, 27.18, $3,500. 6. Elvis Lebaron and Ryan Jones, 27.27, $3,100. 7. Donald J. Hope and Keegan Cumbie, 27.65, $2,700. 8. Ted Budd and Russel Werth, 27.91, $2,300. 9. Royce Heart and Milen Fisher, 28.41, $2,100. 10. Erik Cordova and Tyson Tsiniginie, 29.66, $1,600. 11. Haley Brown and Keegan Cumbie, 30.47, $1,000. 12. Dakotah Bitsui and Earl Merrill, 30.67, $1,000. 13. Bart Ballard and Tyson Tsiniginie, 30.73, $1,000. 14. Daniel Indas and Al Wartz, 31.51, $1,000. 15. Elmer Fernandez and Granillo Eddie Martinez, 31.76, $1,000. 16. Alberto Bojorquez and Edgar Antillon, 31.89, $1,000. 17. Gustavo Cazares and Heriberto Alire, 32.34, $1,000. 18. Erasmo Tapia and Wilmer Garcia, 32.46, $1,000. 19. Elvis Lebaron and Alfredo Varela, 34.53, $1,000.
Rising Stars
5 & under: 1. Klay Tohsonii, buckle. 2. Kayson Cumbie, Berkeley Eckroth, Stetson Gradney, Baine Martin.
6-8 division: 1. Vincent John, Jr., buckle. 2. Julio Delgado. 3. Jayden Varela, Diego Tena, Legend Real Bird, Cesar Castorena.
9-12 division: 1. Antonio Aranda, saddle. 2. Colston Atcitty. 3. Lyle Phillips. 4. Esteban Aranda. 5/6. Pake Roark, Caleb Anderson.