For Immediate Release, April 29, 2024
The Cinch National Finals of Team Roping continues to boast the highest team count in the roping industry while paying out nearly $3.3 million in cash plus an additional quarter million in prizes to nearly 5500 teams from all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, and South America.
Albuquerque, New Mexico - The United States Team Roping Championships (USTRC) held its prestigious finals event, The Cinch National Finals of Team Roping, in Fort Worth, Texas from April 21st through Sunday April 28th. For 35 years, team roping families have gathered to compete for the coveted title of "US Finals" Champion Header and Heeler and this year's annual event saw lifelong friends, brothers, sisters, moms and dads, and new acquaintances roping together for a chance at great payouts, Gist Buckles, Scott Thomas Saddles, Resistol Hats, Horse Power Boots, Yeti Coolers and Succeed Equine supplements that came with every first place Shoot-Out check.
In total, there were 18 different divisions, from the Open to the #7 and three divisions of breakaway roping. On the days where both disciplines were going full steam, an impressive four competition arenas would be running simultaneously. All arenas were live streamed on USTRC.com and Roping.com viewed by thousands across the country.
Johnny Johnson, President of the USTRC attributes the success of this finals event to the team of individuals who make the USTRC happen all year-round.
"We are so fortunate to have so many talented people who contribute to the success of this event," Johnson said. "Yes, this finals was an awesome experience, from the production to the great trade show." He continued, "But we wouldn't be here without all of the USTRC producers who put on the qualifying ropings all over the country. Those producers and their local team ropers are the backbone of this association, and we couldn't do it without them."
The USTRC's Finals moved from the fall to the spring and from OKC to Fort Worth, five years ago. The event has remained a must attend event and a testament to its loyal following by the USTRC ropers who enjoy a high quality production, relatively low entry fees and large payouts that everyone in the family can participate in. The #10 Shootout was the highest paying division at $349,500 with the #11 Shootout and #9 Shootout close behind paying $342,160 and $326,000 respectively.
To accommodate the huge number of teams, as done in the past, three arenas were used in the progressive after one competition.
"We've clocked it," Jett Sharp, Event Manager said, "If you catch your first one in the John Justin, coil up and ride into the outside Pavilion, catch that one, then rope your third one in the Will Rogers Coliseum, it takes a tick over twelve minutes. It's fast, fun, and as a roper you get to ride your adrenaline rush all the way through and not sit and wait for hours to run the next steer."
All but one night, even with the large turnout, the ropings concluded close to 5:30 pm which allowed competitors and families to enjoy the great food and atmosphere that is one-of-a-kind in "Cowtown."
Getting back to the facility, it takes a special place to not only house the 1500 horses that fill the stalls, but also the 1100 Corrientes that are needed to pull off such a roping.
"Our cattle guys have absolutely stepped up to the plate." Johnson remarked. "There is absolutely nothing harder than trying to have three arenas going at the same time with the same caliber of steers in each. The first arena is naturally going to get more runs on the cattle, a few less in pen two and a much smaller percentage of runs in arena three. That means our cattle crews have to constantly be on their toes working hard for the ropers to make sure the steers are not only fair, but also match the division and ropers that day. These professionals did as good of a job as we have ever seen and I'm awfully proud of all of them for working so hard for the team ropers."
It takes an army to put on an event like the Cinch NFTR and there is a lot of behind the scenes, behind closed doors people who no one sees or knows about who glue it all together.
From the office staff to the chute crews in the three arenas, the stall and parking staff. Announcers and timers, flaggers, and the helpers in the tunnels keeping the ropers in order. The TV and streaming production team. All of the marketing and writing staff. Over 100 employees were on-site.
The Cinch National Finals of Team Roping continues to be one of the crown jewels of the team roping world. All of the post event data with everyone who placed, how much they won, pictures of the winners, and stories from the Winner's Circle can all be found on USTRC.com and viewed at Roping.com, including the winners who were interviewed by DruStew at the Priefert Sports Desk.
