Rain, Hail, And Mud Add To Excitement Of Pasture Roping

DeKalb, TX -- Pasture roping is certainly not for the faint of heart. Rather than the tightly controlled conditions of an arena, the Mike White Pasture Roping is held in a 35-acre pasture with a 100’ head start for the steer. It can, and usually does, get a little “western.”

“I always wanted to have a pasture roping,” explains retired PBR bull rider, Mike White. “It levels the playing field and gives guys a chance to be competitive against open ropers. You really have to be able to ride your horse and handle a cow in the field. In the pasture a steer can really duck and dive. It’s very entertaining to watch.”

 Each year, on Easter weekend, Mike and Hannah White have friends and family who come from as far as North Carolina and Lake Charles, LA, to help out with this growing event. Every dollar of the proceeds is donated to benefit children in need. This year proceeds were donated to Ropin’ Dreams, a non-profit organization that helps make dreams come true for seriously ill children.

The inspiration for this event occurred in 2004. There was a child in St. Judes Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, who wanted to meet the famous bull rider, Mike White. The PBR asked Mike if he would go visit, so Mike and Hannah planned the trip and envisioned visiting for less than an hour.

“I didn’t really plan on staying long, it’s hard to spend a lot of time with someone you don’t know,” says White. “I left after three and a half hours. We played bucking bulls on his bed all afternoon. I left there a changed person. It totally changed the way I looked at life. I’ve always said ‘If you think you’re a man who won’t cry, visit a children’s hospital’.

“I’ve been very blessed. My kids are healthy and I’ve had a great career. This benefit is something that needs to be done. We raise money for the kids who don’t have our opportunities in life.”

The Mike White Pasture Roping is a family event where folks camp out, swap stories and enjoy the many food vendors. There’s goat roping for the kids, and an Easter egg hunt with prizes that include two four-wheelers and two battery operated cars for the little tykes.

Friday morning started with the All-Girl pasture roping where the steers have a 50-foot head start. Forty-three teams competed with Amy Fathruckner and Jayme Marcrum emerging the winners with a time of 43.42 seconds on two-head, earning $761 ea., Roper buckles and Fast Back jackets. Second place was Hannah White and Whitney Desalvo with a time of 19.12 on one head and earning $456 ea. Third place was Robin Benson and Jayme Marcrum, 21.49 on one head, earning $304 ea.

Friday evening the action moved to Texarkana for the Mike White Invitational PBR Bull Riding followed by a concert by Bart Crow.

On Saturday morning, the Open to the World Pasture Roping was postponed for close to an hour due to rain. 290 teams competed in the three-head progressive roping for $150 per team entry fees. Halfway through the first round, ropers and spectators took cover due to a severe weather alert. Soon after, rain, straight-line winds, and hail prevailed for over 15 minutes. As soon as the sky cleared the roping resumed. The cowboys thought it was awesome and the soupy conditions made for some good watching.

Todd Trammell and Dustin Morgan were the 2013 champions with a time of 43.26 on three head. The pair each earned $5,041 and a Coats saddle. The remaining average winners were as follows: 2. Kipp Harrell/Spencer Mitchell, 44.11, $3,361 ea; 3. Jeff Hilton/Tommy Zuniga 44.18, $2,598; 4. Joel Bach/Tommy Zuniga 44.19, $1,833; 5. Waylon Davis/Dakota Kirchenschlager 44.44, $1,375; 6. Tee Luttrell/Jody Padilla 45.86, $1,069.

Tyler Wade earned the top “hard luck” prize of a rifle from Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Dakota Kirchenschlager was second in the hard luck division and won a pair of spurs.

“Our whole family, plus many friends, helps out. Without such a giving family and great friends this event would not be what it is today. We have come a long way in the last four years,” says Wendy LaVergne, Mike’s sister and Director of the event. “Giving back is what God has called each and every one of us to do. We are very blessed to be a part of all these children’s lives.”

 The Mike White Roping team would like to thank the following sponsors: Fast Back Ropes, Wrangler, Bloomer Trailers, Johnny On the Spot, State Bank of DeKalb, USTRC, Reliance Ranches, Lone Star Ag Credit, DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, Priefert Ranch, Bates Funeral Home, Tucker Feed, Golden Oil, Front Street Junction, Southwest Arkansas Equipment, United Country, Livestock Nutrition Center, Wilcox Water, Elliott Dodge Ford, Texar FCU, Double K Farm Equipment, Backus – B Ranch, DeKalb Physicians Clinic, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, DeKalb Industrial Foundation, Bowie County Equipment, Flat Creek Timberland Logging.

For more information visit www.mwroping.com or facebook.com/mwroping. 

By Ben Clements

Special To Ropers Sports News

Paso Robles, California and the California Mid-State Fairgrounds were the host of the USTRC’s Northern California Classic. The two-day event took place March 23-24, 2013 and greeted ropers with a great place to load up on USTRC Flex Earnings. 

The first roping of the weekend was the #15 Division.  Cody Snow from Los Olivos, California and Dillon Wingereid from San Miguel, Calif. teamed up to win first place in the average. The pair roped four steers in 29.74 seconds and won $1,256, trophy Gist buckles and $6,000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Ryan Browder from San Luis Obispo, California and Carl Wilken from Templeton, California. Third place was John Machado and Dillon Wingereid.

Derek Hee from Pismo Beach, California and Wyatt Cox from Arroyo Grande, Calif. finished first place in the #13 Division. They were 30.24 seconds on four steers and won $2,692, trophy Gist buckles and $6,000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Cody Snow and Jason Johe. Ali Bil-key and Dillon Wingereid won third place.

Wyatt Cox again finished on top in the #12 Division. He and header Lane Lowry caught four steers in 33.57 seconds. They won $3,312, trophy Gist buckles and $6,000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Dustin Noblitt from Solvang, Calif. and John Machado from Santa Maria, Calif. Ryan Browder and Scott Hutchins won third place. Cathie Twisselman and Jorge Martinez both from Santa Margarita, Calif. won the incentive average.

In the #12 Gold Plus the win of the roping went to Alison Grantham from Creston, Calif. and Carl Wilken from Templeton, Calif. They won $1,916, trophy Gist buckles and $6,000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was John Machado and Tony Domingos. Third place was the team of Dustin Noblitt and John Machado.  Chuck Tarbell and Kevin Pascoe won the incentive average.  Buster Berna and Gary Gist finished first place in the Century Bonus.

The final roping of the first day of competition at the Northern California Classic was the #11 Division. Cash Parrott from Acton, Calif. and Tyler Forsberg from Fillmore, Calif. won first place. They were 36.75 seconds and earned $3,722, trophy Gist buckles and $6,000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Mary Stubblefield from Taft, Calif. and Jim Pratt from Acton, Calif. Third place in the average was Brian Anderson from Kamuela, Hawaii and Frank Mello from Avila Beach, Calif. Danielle Craig and Ali Bilkey won the incentive average.

Mary Stubblefield carried her success from the #11 Division into the #10 Gold Plus Division. She and heeler Kevin Pascoe from Bakersfield, Calif. won first place with a time of 39.90 seconds on four steers.  Second place was Stubblefield and Ron Hognestad. Third was Keith Thornton and Ron Hognestad. Chuck Tarbell and Kevin Pascoe won the incentive average and the century bonus.

Wyatt Cox was back for more in the #10 Division. He and header Zach Varian won the average and the incentive average of the #10 Division.  They received $4,996, four trophy Gist buckles and $8,000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place was Danny Fleming and Chance Ruffoni. Third place in the average went to Buster Berna and Kevin Pascoe. 

The win of the #9 Division went to the team of Lane Luis from Los Alamos, Calif. and Cayden Cox. The team earned $4,608, trophy Gist buckles and $6,000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the average was Ryan Southwick and Kenny Rolston with a time of 44.04 seconds on four steers.  Third place in the average was Chance Machado and Tony Domingos. Zach Varian and Cody Golding won the incentive ave-rage.

The last roping of the Northern California Classic was the #8 Pick/Draw. Robbie Litton from Gilroy, Calif. and Bill Arnold from Santa Margarita, Calif. finished in first place.  They roped three steers in 36.33 seconds and won $1,612, trophy Gist buckles and, $6,000 in USTRC Flex Earnings. Second place in the average was Brian Mendonza from Sunol, Calif. and Gerald Coffey from Salinas, Calif. Third place in the average went to the team of Alan Lewis from Templeton, Calif. and Six Puentes from Visalia, Calif.

Zach Varian and Wyatt Cox, winners of the #10 Roping.

Winners of the #9 were Lane Luis and Cayden Cox.

Winners of the #8 Roping, Robbie Litton and Bill Arnold.

Results are as follows:

#15 HANDICAP

Average: 1st. Cody Snow and Dillon Wingereid, 29.74, $1,256 + 3,000 Flex. 2nd. Ryan Browder and Carl Wilken, 33.29, $836 + 1,000 Flex. 

Overall FT: 1st. Corey Fitze and Adam Fitze, 6.35, $110.

#12 ROPING

Average: 1st. Lane Lowry  and Wyatt Cox, 33.5, $3,312 + 3,000 Flex. 2nd. Dustin Noblitt and John Machado, 35.58, $2,484 + 1,000 Flex. 3rd. Ryan Browder and Scott Hutchins, 36.08, $1,656 + 1,000 Flex. 4th. Brian Anderson and Justin Farr, 42.2, $828, + 1,000 Flex.

Incentive: 1st. Cathie Twis-selman and Jorge Martinez, 37.03, $400 + 1,000 Flex.

Overall FT: 1st, Kullen Burk and Scott Hutchins, 5.57, $458.

#12 GOLD PLUS

Average: 1st. Alison Grantham and Carl Wilken, 35.31, $1,916 + 3,000 Flex. 2nd. John Machado and Tony Domingos, 35.42, $1,438 + 3,000 Flex. 3rd. Dustin Noblitt and John Machado, 39.15, $958 + 3,000 Flex. 4th. Ryan Browder and Scott Hutchins, 40.76, $480.

Incentive: 1st. Chuck Tarbell and Kevin Pascoe, 36.69, $1,232 + 3,000 Flex. 2nd. Walt Scott and Jim Pratt, 38.46, $820 + 3,000 Flex.

Overall FT: 1st. Elijah Soto and Shawn Parrott, 6.68, $360.

CENTURY BONUS

Average: 1st. Buster Berna and Gary Gist, 31.31, $1,200. 2nd. Chuck Tarbell and Kevin Pascoe, 36.69, $800.

#11 ROPING

Average: 1st. Cash Parrott and Tyler Forsberg, 36.75, $3,722 + 3,000 Flex. 2nd. Mary Stubblefield and Jim Pratt, 37.23, $2,792 + 1,000 Flex. 3rd. Brian Anderson and Frank Mello, 38.42, $1,862 + 1,000 Flex. 4th. Danielle Craig and Ali Bilkey, 39.28, $932 + 1,000 Flex.

Incentive: 1st. Danielle Craig and Ali Bilkey, 29.71, $800 + 1,000 Flex. 2nd. Chris Stafford and Shane Barmby, 35.69, $600.

Overall FT: 1st. Caden Clay and Jason Johe, 6.59, $564.

#10 ROPING

Average: 1st. Zach Varian and Wyatt Cox, 38.69, $4,196 + 3,000 Flex. 2nd. Danny Fleming and Chance Ruffoni, 39.12, $2,796 + 1,000 Flex. 3rd. Bus-ter Berna and Kevin Pascoe, 41.06, $2,214 + 1,000 Flex. 4th. Cody Golding and Chance Ruffoni, 43.64, $1,630 + 1,000 Flex. 5th. Scott Hutchins and Tony Domingos, 44.67, $816 + 1,000 Flex.

Incentive: 1st. Zach Varian and Wyatt Cox, 30.12, $800 + 1,000 Flex. 2nd. Alan Lewis and Don Lewis, 37.71,, $600.

Overall FT: 1st, Scott Hut-chins and Tony Domingos, 7.-31, $688.

#9 ROPING

Average: 1st. Lane Luis and Cayden Cox, 42.81, $4,608 + 3,000 Flex. 2nd. Ryan Southwick and Kenny Rolston, 44.04, $3,072 + 1,000 Flex. 3rd. Chance Machado and Tony Domingos, 45.28, $2,432 + 1,000 Flex. 4th. Scott Hutchins and Melody Hutchins, 45.93, $1,792 + 1,000 Flex. 5th. Chuck Tarbell and Kevin Pascoe, 46.08, $896 + 1,000 Flex. 6th. Caden Clay and Brian Varian, 47.05, $400. 7th. Whitney Hayhurst and Tony Domingos, 47.46, $400.

Incentive: 1st. Zach Varian and Cody Golding, 28.86, $800 + 3,000 Flex. 2nd. Lane Luis and Cayden Cox, 29.31, $600. 3rd. Doug Kaba and John Lundy, 39.59, $400.

Overall FT: 1st. Ryan Southwick and Caden Clay, 6.25, $484. 2nd. Wyatt Cox and Chance Ruffoni, 6.26, $324.

#8 PICK & DRAW

Average: 1st. Robbie Litton and Bill Arnold, 36.33, $1,612 + 3,000 Flex. 2nd. Brian Mendoza and Gerald Coffey, 41.59, $1,210 + 3,000 Flex. 3rd. Alan Lewis and Six Puentes, 48.25, $806 + 3,000 Flex. 4th. Oscar Vasquez and Bully Caddin, 53.19, $402 + 3,000 Flex.

Overall FT: 1st. Lane Luis and Caden Clay, 7.02, $212.

#13 HANDICAP

Average: 1st. Derrek Hee and Wyatt Cox, 30.24, $2,692 + 3,000 Flex. 2nd. Cody Snow and Jason Johe, 30.39, $1,616 + 1,000 Flex. 3rd. Ali Bilkey and Dillon Wingereid, 33.3, $1,078 + 1,000 Flex.

Overall FT: 1st. Sean Pascoe and Kelly Barker, 6.09, $284.

#10 GOLD PLUS

Average: 1st. Mary Stubblefield and Kevin Pascoe, 39.9, $1,816 + 3,000 Flex. 2nd. Mary Stubblefield and Ron Hognestad, 48.26, $1,092 + 3,000 Flex. 3rd. Keith Thornton and Ron Hognestad, 50.97, $726 + 3,000 Flex.

Incentive: 1st. Chuck Tarbell and Kevin Pascoe, 28.35, $780 + 3,000 Flex. 2nd. Mary Stubblefield and Kevin Pascoe, 30.49, $468 + 3,000 Flex. 3rd. Mary Stubblefield and Red St. Clair, 33.12, $312 + 3,000 Flex.

Overall FT: 1st. Steve Freed and Scott Ross, 841, $272.

10 GOLD PLUS 

CENTURY BONUS

Average: 1st. Chuck Tarbell and Kevin Pascoe, 28.35, $960. 2nd. Cathie Twisselmen and Glenn Teixeira, 38.93, $640.

Max MacDonell & Court Will Win WSTR Perfect 10