Sorry I haven’t had a column these past couple of months, with the main reason being that my ranch has been threatened by high water for the past 90 days and at one time it looked like we might have had to evacuate. Thank the good Lord that didn’t happen and hopefully with the His help, we will get by all of this snow melt and enjoy a nice summer. As many of you know, the main Ropers Sports News office is located on the ranch next to the Mokelumns River.
Spring is here on the West Coast and so are the usual Spring rodeos, ropings and barrel racing events. This year the state of California is beautiful with green grass and wildflowers everywhere, highlighted with thousands of head of cattle enjoying the lush spring feed.
Our over-wet winter got this state out of the long drought but not without some major damage to arenas and cropland. There is over 200% of snow melt yet to come from the Sierra Mountains and could cause some more damage in the next couple of months. In spite of all this, the Spring rodeos have mostly been blessed with decent weather and record breaking crowds.
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The Poly Royal Rodeo held at Cal Poly Campus in San Luis Obispo, Calif., made a major change this year and moved to the Spanos Football Stadium under the direction of rodeo coach Ben Londo. The event was moved to accommodate more spectators and so it did. The crowd was an all-time record breaker and the acceptance was overwhelming. Congratulations to all involved.
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The Broc Cresta Roping results are in this issue. This year’s roping had to be moved to the Red Bluff Rodeo grounds to get out of the weather. This roping was once again well attended and the times and skills there were to be admired. Be sure and read the results in this issue.
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The PRCA has named its class for the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. Those to be inducted are listed in this issue. It is a very worthy class and you can join the celebration in August this year in Colorado Springs. It is a really fun and rewarding time and if you have never been, you should make an effort to get there this year.
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Speaking about getting somewhere this year, I hope you have made your plans to attend the 40-year anniversary of the Bob Feist Invitational Roping on June 19th in Reno, Nevada. The BFI has grown and will again be held in conjunction with the Reno Rodeo. The BFI will be a whole week of different types of roping activity so be sure and check out the ads in this issue. Call the Silver Legacy and make your plans now to attend this year’s event which will feature some of the top ropers from around the world on Monday, June 19th .
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The James Pickens, Jr. Roping will be over and done with by the time this issue hits the mail but it is always one of my favorites held in conjunction with the Clovis Rodeo in California. It is another roping when some of the local people get a chance to see some of the best team ropers in the sport compete in a class event. James has done an outstanding job in promoting this roping for a good cause as his foundation has donated money to many great causes over the years.
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The PRCA standings have many new names again this year in all events as we reach the busy spring rodeo season. Many contestants placed well at the winter rodeos to give them a healthy position in the top 20 of the PRCA. This year the RAM Circuit Finals winnings also counted towards the standings for the first time ever. This gave many contestants a big boost towards maybe a first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The return of many of the ERA contestants has also put some of the seasoned names back on the PRCA standing list. All in all it looks like rodeo is alive and well across the country.
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The new growing numbers in all of the Junior rodeo contestants is also a sign of rodeo’s popularity. Many more girls are taking part in the timed events which is a good sign. The roughstock events are growing in popularity and I think the main reason being is the affordability choice compared to timed events. If one is considering entering timed events today it is a big commitment and expense with the equipment and skill needed to be competitive. I think the day will come when more and more contestants may mount on another’s horse just to avoid the expense of owning horses and equipment to get them up and down the road.
In the future I think a good living will be made by people providing horses for timed events. It is already fairly popular in the PRCA in the Steer Wrestling event and Tie Down Roping. I think you are going to see more of it in the Team Roping and Barrel Racing as time goes on. It is a great way for a past contender to stay in the business and train horses in the off-season. Many Junior and High School’ers cannot afford to get into the timed events because of the expense, so this may introduce many new opportunities to some of our youth.
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Mule Days is coming up at the end of May, so make your plans now to attend this great event in Bishop, California, on Memorial Weekend. Many wild events on some of the best mules in the world. Bob Tallman, Steve Kenyon and I will be on hand to announce the exciting event. Come join us in the Eastern Sierras and enjoy some of the most beautiful country in the world. This year will be special with all the snow in the mountains.
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We have lost some very great people in the western world and rodeo family this past six weeks. I have gone to way too many funerals and celebrations of life recently, and give my sincere condolences to all of the families and friends of the recently departed. It is sad to say that there are almost too many to mention. RIP, good people.
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Start making your plans to attend this year’s BFI in Reno, Nevada. Call now to book your rooms at the Silver Legacy, 1-800-687-7733 and ask for the special rate for the BFI. A full week of roping sponsored by Wrangler. Please see ads on pages 24-25 in this issue for details.