Repurposed ropes STORY AND PHOTOS BY LINDSAY REED
Cowboy transforms team roping gear into works of art DAVE VAUGHT, OF CASSVILLE, MAY WELL HAVE BEEN BORN with the desire to team rope in his blood. He began competing in the rodeo sport at the age of 10 and made his living team roping for around 11 years. “I have roped my whole life,” said Dave. “My dad and uncle got me started. Roping has always been a big part of my life.” Dave won his first saddle at a team roping competition
MARCH 2013
in 1973. He took home high school championship honors the following year and attended the national junior team roping competition in Aurora, Colorado, in 1975. During his professional roping career, Dave took home numerous awards, won multiple saddles and even competed at the International Finals Rodeo (IFR) five times. In 1989, he brought home Horse of the Year honors from the Professional Rodeo
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