10
ll-Around
SEPTEMBER 2011
The Gripp! Story Courtesy of Stephanie Wolf Photos Courtesy of Lone Wolf Photography
“N
ever doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead wrote those words many moons ago, but they are still true now- if not more so. Seventeen years ago several people channeled their determination and began producing an annual roping in honor of their friend and mentor, Spicer Gripp. The proceeds from the roping are donated in the form of scholarship money to West Texas A&M University in nearby Canyon, Texas. Seventy-two scholarships have been provided to young men and women since 1994. This year the Spicer Gripp Foundation contributed another $25,000 to the university. The Spicer Gripp Memorial Youth Foundation steps up to the plate and “continues to provide when the state legislature does not.” Spicer Gripp’s legacy lives on through the efforts of his dedicated friends and the young people who receive the funds to further their education. Three of those friends were recognized at the Sponsor’s Reception and Dinner Thursday evening prior to the start of the roping. These people go above and beyond the typical donation of time and effort during the organization and promotion of the Spicer Gripp Memorial Roping. None of them do so seeking an award. The “Top Hand” award went to Delbert Davis. A man of few words, Delbert merely said, “We done all this for my buddy.” The Hereford Chamber of Commerce presented Bob Schulte with the “Bull Chip” award. Finally, the first annual Give your Soule award was presented to Vicki Wilson. Choked with emotion, Vicki humbly stated, “Spicer was the love of my life.” Not a lot of people, but they are changing the world one scholarship at a time. Hopefully, those scholarship recipients will invest their own hearts and minds in their own communities with the same passion as those dedicated individuals involved in the Spicer Gripp Memorial Roping. Friday morning started bright and early with the Senior Steer Roping. Someone somewhere once told me that you won’t grow old if you never stop saddling your own horse. I am thinking these guys are still saddling their own horses. This year there were twenty-seven contestants privileged enough to have the life experience allowing them to compete in the Senior Steer Roping.
Four places were paid in each of the three rounds and again in the short go. The short go was the very last event held on Sunday afternoon. Something comes to mind about saving the best for last. When the dust settled, first in the average and a check for $1,165 went to Mike Thompson for his total time of 66.88 seconds. C.A. Lauer, who also competed in the Open Steer Roping, was second in the average. C.A. tied four steers in 72.52 seconds and put a check for $874 in his pocket. Scott Welch placed third in the average. A check in the amount of $582 was presented to Scott for tying his four steers in 74.16 seconds. Finally, with a total time of 74.25 seconds, Cecil Wilson earned fourth in the average and $291. The Ladies Open Team Roping event was added to the Memorial Roping line up in 2009. Since then it has tripled in size and attracts several of the top female ropers in the country. This year’s ladies roping paid out a record $22,750. Riding the same horse that Trevor Brazile rode at the 2010 National Finals Rodeo, Lari Dee Guy took first in the average with Annette Hinkle. The two split $4,778 for first in the average, $910 for fast time in the short go, and $456 for third in the second round. Annette had a phenomenal day. In addition to the cash collected while roping with Lari Dee, she split $2,388 for third in the average with Jackie Hobbs. Jackie and Annette also split $342 for third in the first round and $910 for first in the second round. Jackie Hobbs was another multi team winner. Besides Annette, Jackie paired up with Barrie Smith. Jackie and Barrie split $1,562 for fifth in the average, $342 for fourth in the first round, and $682 for second in the second round. Although the team of Crickett Lemon and Patti Scott did not snag any of the round money, their consistent times earned them second in the average and a check for $3,980 which they split. Amber Carter and Shay Dee Langston split $2,388 for third in the average as well as $228 for fourth in the short go. There is now a waiting list of contestants for the Open Calf Roping, Steer Roping, and Team Roping at the Spicer Gripp Memorial Roping. It is just that good. The roster of contestants this year was a who’s who of the roping world. The BJM Invitational Steer Roping had 60 contestants, half of which are among the PRCA’s top 50 in the standings including thirteen of the top fifteen. The show started at 7 a.m. Those smart enough to get there that early beat the heat and got a great show.
Jerome Schneeberger was the average winner of the open calf roping that earned him $11,000
Josh Morris and Jody Pinkert had a 6 head average time of 47.89 seconds to win them the average worth $30,150 in cash.
J.P. Wickitt was awarded the Average title in the open steer roping with a four head total of 54.23 seconds.
Reigning world champion, Trevor Brazile was second to last to rope in the first round. Until then the lead had changed hands a couple of times. As Trevor backed into the box it seemed as if he was saying “remember me – I am The World Champion.” Then he proceeded to show the crowd why he was The World Champion by tying his first steer in 10.10 seconds and collecting the first of many checks for the weekend worth $4,364. Each round of the Open Steer Roping paid $4,364 for first, $3,273 for second, $2,182 for third, and $1,091 for fourth. J.P. Wickett’s time of 12.15 seconds was enough to win second in the first round of the Open Steer Roping. JoJo Lemond was third in the first round with a time of 12.38, and J Paul Williams was fourth. His time was 12.50 seconds. Scott Snedecor and Cody Garnett split first and second in the second round of the open steer roping. They both tied a steer in 12.11 seconds. Rocky Patterson roped and tied his second round steer in 12.34 seconds earning him the third place check. Chance Kelton was a close fourth with a time of 12.49 seconds. Although Rocky placed a very respectable third in the second round, he just didn’t feel that it was the best he had to offer. So with one check in his pocket, Rocky came back in the third round and tied his steer in 10.10 seconds, equal to Trevor’s smoking first round run. The flag dropped at 11.11 seconds for JP Wickitt placing him second in the round. Chance Kelton moved up a notch in round three. His time of 12.88 was good enough for a solid third in the round. JD Yates completed the placings with a time of 13.66 seconds. The top twelve came back on Sunday for the short go where
ropers had the opportunity to not only earn average checks but one of four checks for fast time in the short round. Shandon Stalls waited until the very last round to step into the winner’s circle. Shandon earned $2,182 for his short round time of 11.61 seconds and another $4,363 for tying four steers in 57.53 seconds and placing third in the average. Cody Lee was another roper that waited until the short round to collect a check. His time of 12.97 seconds earned Cody Lee second in the short round and $1,637. Cody Garnett collected two more checks after the short go as well. The first $1,091 was for his time of 13.28 seconds and third in the round. The second was a check in the amount of $2,181 for fourth in the average and a cumulative time of 58.49 seconds. Chance Kelton did not place in the short go, but he was satisfied with his average check in the amount of $6,544 for second in the average. Chance tied four steers in 56.59 seconds. J.P. Wickitt didn’t safety up much in the short go. He was awarded $546 for his very decent time of 13.93 seconds, but his total time of 54.23 seconds on four head put the big smile on Wickett’s face and the $8,726 check in his pocket. Moss Grain & Cattle co sponsored the calf roping with Quality Distillers Grain. Forty-one calf ropers vied for a piece of the $45,750 payout this year, and spectators were given the finest show next to the National Finals. As in the steer roping, about half of the calf ropers were among the PRCA’s the top 50. Again four places were paid in each of the three rounds as well as the short go. Jerome Schneeberger was the big winner of the day. Jerome earned four