For the first time in its 52 years, Ropers Sports News will be combining the November and December issues due to COVID-19 and the cancellation of so many events. Thank you to all of our loyal advertisers and subscribers for your support during this unusual year. There is a strong possiblity that the January-February issues will also be combined before we get back to our monthly schedule starting with the March 2021 issue.
Be sure and check out all the ACTRA Finals results in this issue. They had a great turnout in Reno and did an excellent job hosting another successful Finals. The ACTRA committee’s dedication to producing this event and working with Nevada city and state officials as well as Livestock Events Center was a huge undertaking.
Congratulations to all the champions!
This year has been somewhat of a bad run in team roping talk and we aren’t finished yet. I applaud those ropings that have been able to still function and maintain during all this confusion of shutting down. Several ropings have had great numbers in spite of all the adverse restrictions placed on them in certain areas.
I think that everyone in our industry should be thankful that we enjoy the western lifestyle and have been able to continue to do what we love in spite of all the regulations. Many hobbies and lifestyles have been greatly interrupted by this strange year.
The Wrangler National Finals is making the big move to Texas because of all the regulations placed on Las Vegas. I’m sure the Texans will show some great hospitality in hosting the Finals however it won’t quite be VEGAS! The main difference is that Texas is not 24/7 like Vegas, and finding places to eat and after parties will be somewhat restricted. Plus Texas is changing every day with new COVID cases and may have stricter rules come December. Hopefully it will all work out for the best for fans and contestants. I am grateful to the PRCA and Texas for making this happen and have been told that Vegas has been more than helpful in offering a hand to make it work. There will be many different happenings connected with the NFR and it might take a little time to figure out just what one wants to see and do.
From what I have seen about the NFR arena layout, I really like it. I think it will be more of an advantage to the timed event contestants and expect to see some more consistent runs in all of the events with team roping being the number one event to watch. The rough stock may be different with the larger arena, however, many of our major rodeos are held in large arenas.
From a spectator’s point, well the view is going to be farther away than the Thomas and Mack setup in Vegas. There will be the big jumbo screen to catch all the action, however fans may find themselves watching the screen rather than the arena. I’m sure spectators will enjoy it and in some cases new folks are able to get tickets where they haven’t been able to in the past. Enjoy if you are planning on attending.
I love the team roping matchups for this year and look for a tight race on the heeling side for the championship. On the header’s side, Luke Brown has a much greater lead over Clay Smith. Clay and Cody Snow are sitting second and third by almost $20,000 behind Luke.
Lane Karney has a story on page 4 about the teams in this year’s race and gives some interesting stats as to the lineup of ropers to compete this year. Lane mentions that the score is supposed to be two feet longer than Thomas and Mack so that alone will change things in the team roping. As of this writing, I’m not able to pinpoint what the rounds will be paying in dollars or points as they have not been officially released.
December will once again see many team ropers converge in Las Vegas for the World Series Finale and I’m sure it will be as great as always being held at the South Point Equestrian Complex. South Point Hotel and Casino has been able to host some equestrian events throughout the year and they have been successful. They will also be hosting WNFR viewing every night in several locations on property.
The World Series Finale is always a first class event and I’m sure it will be again this year. Texas is hosting several ropings around the WNFR and possibly some of the ropers will be staying closer to home and rope there rather than make the trip to Vegas. Pretty sure that the money will not be as great as Vegas, but traveling will be easier for those who would come from Oklahoma/Texas areas.
Merry Christmas to everyone and best of luck to all the competitors throughout the holiday season.