Current NewsengabLibrary RSS Component v1.0Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:58:57 UTCBen Clements
“The USTRC is proud to have Priefert Manufacturing on board in 2012 as the title sponsor of the Open Tour and US Open Championships,” said USTRC President Kirk Bray. “Priefert has been a treasured corporate partner of the USTRC for 15 years and during that time they have invested heavily in moving the sport of team roping forward through their innovative product development. With Priefert as a partner USTRC’s goal is to elevate the Open program to new heights, starting with some exciting changes in 2012.”

For several years now, the US Open has only allowed the top 60 headers and heelers along with those ropers that have attended a minimum of eight Sanctioned events to enter. In 2012 the qualification will change for that entry. It will be open to any current USTRC member that is classified as at least a #7 Header and #8 Heeler and attended at least one Sanctioned USTRC event or one approved Affiliate USTRC event. The entry fees will change to $2000 per roper and will feature the roping talents of the best team ropers in the world. The roping will remain a six head average, with five full go rounds, and the top 20 teams will compete in the short round. One outstanding deal for Open ropers that will change is that the Priefert US Open at the Cinch National Finals of Team Roping will be a 100% payback roping. That is right, 100% of the money will be paid back in the US Open, so ropers will be roping for all of their money with nothing coming out for the stock or production. The USTRC will also pay for the entire prizeline, so it will essentially be more than 100% coming back to the ropers.

"This is really exciting and I am glad the USTRC is doing something like this," said 2011 PRCA World Champion Header Turtle Powell. "I like the increase in fees and taking the qualification out of entering. Sometimes we just cannot get to enough ropings, but the US Open is certainly a roping that an Open roper wants to enter."

The USTRC and Preifert will also keep the Priefert US Open Tour in place as well. Points will be available only to teams that qualify to the short rounds of the listed qualifying ropings and will be awarded through tenth place. These points will only be available to headers with a TRIAD Classification of #7 and above and to heelers with a TRIAD Classification of #8 and above. The seven USTRC Regional Finals and the National Finals Preliminary will count for double the points and the Priefert US Open will count triple the points.

"I also like the fact that the USTRC is keeping the tour in place," added Powell. "It is great for Open ropers that don't rodeo full time and it is great for those that choose to chase it. I really think this is a win-win situation for everyone."

The year end bonus of $10,000 to the high point header and heeler and $5,000 to the reserve high point header and heeler will be awarded after the Priefert US Open at the Cinch National Finals of Team Roping. This money will be awarded by the USTRC.

Another new twist to the Open Program is that USTRC is joining forces with some of the major Open team roping events across the country to allow them to award points and count toward the Priefert US Open Tour. Events like the Windy Ryon Memorial Team Roping, SandHills Classic, the BFI, the Wild Fire Open to the World, and the Mike Cervi Memorial Team Roping are on board with the new Priefert Open Tour program.

"Being sanctioned as a USTRC Affiliate for the past few years has really simplified our entry process, plus the applied earnings have been a big hit with our All-Girl contestants. We look forward to the opportunity to award tour points to our Open Ropers in 2012," said Windy Ryon Team Roping Chairman Kent Lynch.

The SandHills Classic also mirrored the excitement of being able to award Priefert US Open Tour Points at their event.

"I am so glad we can count the points at our event," said Nancy McCain, chairman of the SandHills Team and Match Roping Committee. "We have been affiliated for many years now and I am so excited to be able to finally offer tour points to our contestants. I think they will be really pleased."

The BFI produced by Ullman Peterson Events is also going to affiliate their event this year and is also pleased to be a part of the Priefert US Open Tour.

"I really like the concept of bringing all the major Open Ropings across the country together. It really is a good deal for Open ropers and for the industry," said Daren Peterson of Ullman Peterson Events. "We are extremely excited to be a part of the program and also like the fact that we will be able to award Priefert US Open Tour points to the top ten finishers in the average of the BFI."

Tying the major Open ropings across the country is a great deal and certainly adds a benefit to Open contestants as a whole. The Wildfire Open to the World also mirrored the excitement of being involved.

"Team roping production is all about customer service, so any time we can offer the ropers more we are in favor of it," said Billy Pipes. "The Wildfire Open along with the George Strait and the BFI are the top three stand-alone open ropings in the nation. We are excited about the opportunity to affiliate our Wildfire Open with the USTRC which offers the ropers the added bonus of using our event to help them qualify for the USTRC National Finals!"

George Aros, producer of the Mike Cervi Memorial Team Roping, also agrees that the new Open Program is a good deal for everyone.

"I really think the USTRC is on the right track in making these improvements to the Open," said Aros. "We are glad to be a part and excited to play a part in helping the industry as a whole come closer together."

“The changes we have made to the Open program will make it easier for ropers to qualify to the Priefert US Open Championships, which should attract more of the best teams in the industry and thus have a phenominal payout with 100% guaranteed payback,” stated Bray. “Bringing all of the major open events together is a concept I think the open ropers and fans will like. It will further showcase the sports greatest talent and make for an exciting finish to the Priefert Open Tour race.”

Priefert Manufacturing is also very enthusiastic about supporting this new Open program.

"We are really excited and completely behind the innovative way of bringing the Open ropers and the sport of team roping together," said Eric Dunn with Priefert Manufacturing. "This is really the first time that all of these events have been united and I am excited about being able to crown the Priefert US Open Champions at then end of the year. It is going to be neat because it puts all of the top events together to give you a champion at the end of the year. I think this will really be a good deal for everyone involved."

The New Open Program is something that everyone is excited about and should be a real benefit to contestants and producers alike. It will also be a benefit to those team roping enthusiast that like to watch the best of the best compete against the best of the best.
]]>Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:58:57 UTC
There is an incorrect ad coming out in the February issue of Super Looper that has the dates for the Louisiana Championships as March 16-18. THAT IS INCORRECT. THE CORRECT DATES ARE MARCH 9-11,2012. The facility double booked on the original dates and so therefore the LOUISIANA CHAMPIONSHIPS HAS MOVED TO MARCH 9-11, 2012 AND WILL BE AT THE IKE HAMILTON EXPO CENTER IN WEST MONROE, LOUISIANA.
]]>Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:58:57 UTC Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:58:57 UTC by Ben Clements


The USTRC is always trying to make things better for team ropers and for the sport of team roping. One tough aspect of the game is the USTRC schedule. Not every roping works for every roper, but USTRC tries hard to put events in strategic locations so ropers can attend and benefit. This year the USTRC has made some changes that will hopefully be in everyone's best interest.

First of all, due to facility scheduling conflicts the Bayou Championships in Kinder, Louisiana has made a move to January 6-8. The Arizona Championships in San Carlos, Arizona has been moved to a warmer climate in Casa Grande and will now be called The Valley of the Sun Championships and produced by Kenny Zamora. The event will still be held on February 3-5.

This year the Hawaii Championships will change producers and locations. The event will still be held over Presidents Day weekend, but will be produced by Brian Anderson and will be held on the Big Island of Hawaii just outside of Waimea at the Anderson Indoor Arena.

The East Texas Championships will take place in Athens, Texas on February 17-19, but will change to a Format 2 event. This will allow ropers a third entry and create more partner opportunities.

It’s no secret that California has been a tough market over the past few years. USTRC remains committed to having a West Coast presence, but in 2012 plans to scale back the number of smaller events in hopes of hosting a couple of larger events instead. This year the events in California will be the Northern California Classic on March 24-25 and the West Coast Regional Finals on June 22-24. Both events will be in Paso Robles and should allow ropers the opportunity to attend two great ropings. The California Championships in City of Industry, Salinas Championships in Salinas, the Wine Country Classic in Paso Robles, and the Laughlin Team Roping Finals in Fort Mohave, Arizona will all consolidate into two great events. The Colorado River Classic will change dates to March 17-18 but will still be at the Mojave Crossing Events Center in Fort Mohave, Arizona, and will be a roping for ropers in the Arizona, Nevada, California, Utah and Western New Mexico area.

The South Texas Championships in Bryan, Texas will remain a Format Two event, but change to a three day schedule. The new Brazos County Expo Complex can easily handle a big event in three days, plus ropers will now save one day of travel expenses. Another March event making a change is the Florida Championships. It will move from Green Cove Springs, Florida to the southern part of Florida. The event will be held this year just south of Tampa in Sarasota.

Some additions to the schedule this year will surely be a benefit to ropers. This year there will be an event in Lincoln, Nebraska. The event will be the Eastern Nebraska Championships and will take place March 16-18. It will be a Jeff Smith Production and should be a great addition for ropers in the Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas. Another roping that will make its way onto the USTRC Schedule will be the Front Range Championships in Pueblo, Colorado. The event will be April 13-15, and will be produced by Jeff Smith, Ike Cox and Rope the Rockies. Another addition to the Schedule will be the Kansas Fall Championships in Wichita, Kansas. The location and the dates were a make up event in 2011, but will be added to the schedule for 2012. The event will be September 7-9. Another event that will be added is the Southern Oklahoma Classic. The event will be held in Ada, Oklahoma on October 5-7 and will be produced by Rope the Ozarks.

Another date revision and producer change will be the South Dakota Championships. The event will change dates to April 27-29 and will be produced by Larry and Deanna Steele of Steele Productions. The roping will remain in Rapid City.

The Mississippi Championships will make a change to May 4-6, but will stay in Jackson, Mississippi. This will help to grow the event and move it away from some other events that have been conflictive in the past.

The Cowboy Capital Classic in Stephenville, Texas will move a week later and will be held at Lonestar Arena on May 18-20. This will move the roping off of Mother's Day and will keep us ropers out of trouble with our Moms and Wives.

The West Texas Championships in San Angelo, Texas will change to a three-day format and make things easier for all ropers. The roping will be June 8-10. Likewise, the Southwest Regional Finals in Clovis, New Mexico will also transition to a three-day Regional Format. The roping will take place August 3-5.

As you can see, there is lots of moving and changing, but it is all in the best interest of the team roping world and to be more accommodating to team ropers across the country. Keep in mind the Cinch USTRC National Finals of Team Roping will be here before we know it. The dates will be October 20-28, and it will be held in Oklahoma City Oklahoma. You won't want to miss that one so get it on the calendar. Remember you can always see the complete USTRC Schedule and any other changes on the USTRC website. See you at a great USTRC event near you!


]]>Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:58:57 UTC USTRC Reaches Agreement with WSTR beginning January 2nd



Starting January 2nd, 2012, World Series of Team Roping will begin using USTRC’s TRIAD Classification system at their events. One of several great benefits team ropers gain from this agreement is USTRC memberships will be accepted at WSTR events. This will simplify things for ropers and help unite the sport. To squash any rumors, USTRC and WSTR have not merged and one organization has not purchased the other. Simply, USTRC and WSTR have reached an agreement that greatly benefits team ropers as a whole. USTRC memberships will not be sold on-site at WSTR events so if you plan on using your USTRC membership, be sure you purchase your USTRC membership before you arrive. Please note that WSTR memberships are not valid at USTRC events. Another benefit from the agreement that goes into effect January 2nd, 2012 is USTRC members who compete at WSTR events will also be able to count up to $3,000 of winnings from a single placing at a WSTR event as USTRC Flex Earnings which they can use to qualify them for USTRC Regional and National Shoot-Outs. Like all Flex Earnings, earnings won at a WSTR event that are unused at the end of the roping season will expire.]]>Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:58:57 UTC Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:58:57 UTC