Tee Woolman & Zane Bruce Win Open At Lucky 777

By John Startt
Special To Ropers Sports News

The 16th Annual Lucky 777 was another success. The event is held at the Mojave Crossing Equestrian and Event Center in Bullhead City Arizona, right across the River from the host hotel, the Avi Resort and Casino.

This year an Open Roping was included in the event. There was a great deal of speculation as to how many would participate in the inaugural offering. As it turned out, 68 teams paid the $500 to rope. It was a 4-steer that was progressive after one. First in the average went to Tee Woolman and Zane Bruce with a time of 27.2 seconds, with a payoff of $10,400. Just a tenth of a second slower was second in the average, the team of Dustin Bird and Tyler McKinght, they collected $7,800.

The next event on the Friday night calendar was the #13 Handicap, and this year 135 teams registered to rope. The fee was $200 per team. This roping was a 3-steer progressive after one. First in the average went to Cade Bray and Kelly Barker with a time of 22.64 seconds. They collected $5,800 and the trophy buckles. Second in the average went to Chis Cummings and Tyler Larson, who collected $4,150. Fast time of 6.36 seconds went to Jessie Corbell and Trevor Kirchenschlager.

Saturday, Dec. 5 got the big roping started with the #15, $500 a roper. There were 202 teams ready to go. This roping was three full go rounds with the top 20 teams going to the short go round. First in the average went to Jake Brown and Blake Elms with a time of 29.65 seconds. They collected $36,244, and the Twister trophy saddles. Second in the average went to Kyle Letzelter and Wade Masters. They had a time of 30.42 seconds. They took home $24,594 and the Gist buckles. The team of Gary Clements and Travis Goad were third in the average with a time of 30.62 seconds. They earned $19,416, and a set of spurs.

Immediately following the #15 was the #10 Jim Hamilton Memorial Century Roping, $250 a roper. Jim was a good friend, and a trusted advisor – we truly miss him. The roping had 85 teams, a slight increase over last year. This roping was three full rounds with 20 teams advancing to the short round. It took Early Alford and Melvin Gentry 41.28 seconds to win first in the average. They collected $10,840, along with Gist trophy buckles. Second in the average went to Jesse Coon and Brian Arave with a time of 42.45 seconds. They received $8,130. Third in the average went to Jerry Elkins and Tato Savedra, with a time of 42.6 seconds. The prize money for third was $5,420.

The #11, $500 a roper, was held on Sunday, Dec. 6. There were 128 teams competing for the cash and the trophy saddles, buckles and spurs. This roping was three full rounds with 20 teams advancing to the short round. A unique event happened in the short go – the six high call back teams missed, giving first in the average to Clayton Fain and Justin Vallejo with a time of 35.94 seconds. They earned $27,114 and Twister saddles. Second in the average were Jody Reynolds and Billy Haley. Their time was 38.1 seconds. They cashed for $18,898, and the Gist buckles. Third in the average went to Justin Franks and Jake Howe, who received $13,966 and a set of spurs.

The 16th Annual Lucky 777 was a high quality roping. Reed Flake provided the cattle. There were 300 head on hand to ensure that every roper got a fair chance to compete. Flagging was done by Phillip Murrah. Phillip is a long-time official who knows the ins and outs of team roping. As part of the agreement with the Avi Resort and Casino, they broadcast the NFR on the television around the Casino. This allows all those interested to follow the Championship. We would like to thank all who attended the roping and the planning for next year’s event has already started.

Results follow; payoffs are per team.

#13 Handicap

Average:1. Cade Bray and Kelly Barker, 22.64 on three, $5,800. 2. Chris Cummings and Tyler Larson, 23.01, $4,150. 3. Fallon Avery and Murt Stewart, 23.16, $3,150. 4. Kurt Kiehne and Chance Kiehne, 23.36, $2,340. 5. James Grantham and Ward Fuhlendorf, 23.51, $1,160.

Short go: 1. Jessie Corbell and Trevor Kirchenschlager, 6.36, $600.

#15 Roping

Average:1. Jake Brown and Blake Elms, 29.65 on four, 29.65, $36,244. 2. Kyle Letzelter and Wade Masters, 30.42, $24,595. 3. Gary Clements and Travis Goad, 30.81, $19,416. 4. Kurt Kiehne and Tim Gonzales, 31.12, $12,944. 5. Delon Parker and Kory Mytty, 31.12, $12,944. 6. Andy Holcomb and Zanga Schutte, 31.5, $10,354. 7. Brent Ivy and John Paul Lucero, 32.31, $7,766. 8. James Winders and Bubba Garcia, 34.31, $5,178.

1st. go: 1. Casey Halderman and Tyson Thompson, 6.45, $3,000. 2. Nick Thompson and Mason Allen, 6.51, $2,000. 3. Craig Dane and Steve Purcella, 6.52, $1,000.

2nd. go: 1. Brendan Hermes and Jesse Jolly, 5.6, $3,000. 2. Cody Snow and Todd Thompson, 5.69, $2,000. 3. Billy Bob Brown and Pace Blanchard, 5.81, $1,000.

3rd. go: 1. Clay Lewis and Coy Burrel, 5.21, $3,000. 2. Michael Bell and Jake Cripps, 5.28, $2,000. 3. Matt Scogin and Trey Carter, 5.4, $1,000.

Short go: 1. Andy Holcomb and Zanga Schutte, 7.36, $1,000.

#10 Century

Average: 1. Early Alford and Melvin Gentry, 41.28 on four, $10,840. 2. Jesse Coon and Brian Arave, 42.45, $8,130. 3. Jerry Elkins and Tato Savedra, 42.6, $5,420. 4. Bob Burris and Dan Narramore, 45.31. $2,710.

1st. go: 1. Craig Moore and Joe B. Martin, 8.88, $1,000.

2nd. go: 1. Kent Winterton and Shorty Burrel, 7.21, $1,000.

3rd. go: 1. Lester Peralta and Tony Sandoval, 8.83, $1,000.

#11 Roping

Average: 1. Clayton Fain and Justin Vallejo, 35.94 on four, $27,114. 2. Jody Reynolds and Billy Haley, 38.1, $18,898. 3. Justin Franks and Jake Howe, 38.53, $13,966. 4. Walt Arnold and Mike Harriet, 38.84, $9,858. 5. Johnny Garcia and Manny Flores, 39.64, $7,394. 6. Jon Cannon and Paul Freed, 39.83, $4,930.

1st. go: 1. Justin Franks and Justin Hughes, 7.51, $2,000. 2. Joe Gallegos and Wayne Baize, 7.55, $1,000.

2nd. go: 1. Jason Jones and Steve Armstrong, 7.34, $2,000. 2. Sierra Spratt and Carl Sweazea, 7.37, $1,000.

3rd. go: 1. Joshn Harshbarger and Barndon Nunn, 6.39, $2,000. 2. Makayla Boisjoli and Reno Stoebner, 6.8, $1,000.

Short go: 1. Johnny Garcia and Manny Flores, 7.3, $1,000.

Open Roping

Average: 1. Tee Woolman and Zane Bruce, 27.2 on four, $10,400. 2. Dustin Bird and Tyler McKnight, 27.31, $7,800. 3. Arky Rogers and Brock Hanson, 28.31, $2,600.

Short go: 1. Monty Wood and Blaine Vick, 6.3, $1,200.

Winning the Lucky 777 Open roping (new this year) were Tee Woolman and Zane Bruce.