The Arena

Make the Most of

2 DAYS IN WICKENBURG

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL TEAM ROPING TOUR | FALL/WINTER 2016

MORE ROPINGS, BIGGER PAYOUTS

THE NEXT

Welcome to the Team Roping Capital of the World!

ON THE COVER: Each year more than 27,000 teams back in the box at Rancho Rio Arena from late October through early May.

The Arena is published by Yost Events Inc. For National Team Roping membership information call 520.251.1495. Material may not be reproduced without permission from the Publisher.

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TH E N E XT

IN THIS ISSUE

DARYN SELLS/SELLS PHOTOGRAPHY

4 $100,000 NATIONAL 12

The NTR’s National 12 roping format explained.

6 THE NEXT NAVAJO WOLF Rance Nez is proof that hard work pays.

8 “CORPORATE” CLINICS

Meet Rancho Rio’s resident clinician, PRCA Team Roper Jordan Olson.

10 TOUR RE-CAP

Results from the 2016 Western Frontier Finale in Rapid City, S.D.

16 NTR TOUR TALENT

Jeff & Rhonda Gollehon have a true passion for team roping.

28 WELCOME TO

WICKENBURG

Where there’s more than just team roping! (If that matters.)

32 SNOWBIRDS Herb Snow will do anything to stay out of the cold—Even fight off Rattlesnakes.

FALL 2016 • VOL. 2 • ISSUE 5 National Team Roping Office: 520-251-1495 MST www.nationalteamroping.com NTR Founder NTR Office Manager Event Coordinator Editor & Art Director Contributing Writer

Ty Yost Teddi Hammock Jody Driver Kari deCastro Jennifer Pollmiller

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TOUR TALENT

T X E N E TH

Rance Nez gains confidence after winning the RAM truck at Mormon Lake, Ariz.

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or three consecutive years the National Team Roping Tour has hosted a Labor Day roping in Mormon Lake, Ariz. This past September saw a surge of ropers as more than 2,200 teams competed over three days for $176,510 in cash and prizes. However, the biggest draw was the #10 Truck Roping where 905 teams battled it out. When all was said and done Rance Nez became the proud new owner of a RAM 3500.

“It doesn’t feel real,” said Nez, who had just celebrated his 15th birthday a month after the big win. “I still can’t drive it, but I’m counting down the days.”

Nez is from the small Arizona town of Rough Rock, located in the northeast corner of the state with a population of roughly 500. Roping has been part of his life since day one. Nez grew up watching his dad (Wilbert), uncles and other relatives compete at jackpots and Indian Rodeos. When he was old enough, he took the dummy roping world by storm. In 2013, he won the 10-12 age division at the elite World Championship Dummy Roping in Las Vegas, held each year during the WNFR. Once he was able to swing a rope horseback there was no stopping him.

“He’s always the first one up saddling the horses and the last one out there unsaddling,” said his mom, Toni Sells-Nez. “He’s humble and he works hard.”

It’s no surprise that Nez is inspired by the Navajo Nation’s wolf pack of Erich Rogers, Aaron Tsinigine and Derrick Begay, all of whom he knows personally.

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“I know Rance through the Indian Rodeos,” Begay said.

“His family has a huge background in rodeo and they are very supportive. I’ve watched him growing up and it’s exciting to see him winning now. We talk once in a while. I think he has the right tools and he’s on the right path. The easiest way to get good is to love doing it and he does.”

A week after winning the truck in Mormon Lake, Nez was entered at the Navajo Nation Fair Rodeo which consists of two go rounds and a short round, followed by a shoot-out with the top four teams. Both Nez and Begay made it to the shoot-out round, roping against more than 100 teams. Nez and his partner were first out and had a clean five-second run. Begay and his dad were last out, but his dad missed.

“Even if he had caught we still wouldn’t have been fast enough to beat them,” Begay said. “That’s one of the biggest Indian Rodeos of the year.”

Nez won the shoot-out and ended up finishing third in the average and has been roping with a new certainty.

“I think he was surprised at how well he roped at the fair,” said Toni. “I think winning the truck has given him more confidence.”

While Nez has already qualified to rope in the Junior Breakaway at the Indian National Finals Rodeo he has loftier goals in mind.

“This is my first year to qualify,” Nez explained. “I hope to qualify in the team roping next year. That’s my next big goal.”

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Rance Nez spends every spare minute honing his roping skills at his family’s Horseshoe Arena in Rough Rock, Ariz.

DARYN SELLS/SELLS PHOTOGRAPHY

“I THINK HE HAS THE RIGHT TOOLS AND HE’S ON THE RIGHT PATH. THE EASIEST WAY TO GET GOOD IS TO LOVE DOING IT AND HE DOES.” - Derrick Begay

Ultimately, he aspires to rope alongside Rogers, Tsinigine and Begay in the professional rodeo circuits, still winning a truck was one huge task checked off the to-do list.

“Winning a truck was one of my goals, it’s a dream come true,” Nez said. “It’s a nice truck and I’m glad it’s a RAM. I want to thank the NTR. It was a great roping.”

Nez’s grandpa, Ray Sells, is one of his biggest supporters and sponsors. When his parents aren’t able to leave town Ray takes Nez and his younger brother, Trey, along with several cousins to the rodeos. Quiet and soft-spoken, Nez is quick to thank all of his family including his parents and grandparents, brother, sister (Tylah), aunts, uncles and cousins for their encouragement and support.

While he’s been competing in Junior rodeos, Indian Rodeos and local jackpots for a while now, Nez is excited to embark on some new territory. As a Freshman at Rough Rock High School he’ll be heading for Doyle Lee at the Arizona high school rodeos.

Nez ropes both ends, but prefers to head, admitting it’s where he’s the strongest. Adding to his list of goals, he hopes to secure a rodeo scholarship in order to attend college. Currently, math his favorite subject. In the meantime, if you’re looking for the next Navajo Wolf, there’s a good chance he’s home, honing his skills at the family’s Horseshoe Arena on the Sells Ranch in Rough Rock, Ariz.

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“CORPORATE” CLINICS

PRCA Team Roper Jordan Olson to host twice-weekly clinics at Rancho Rio Arena in Wickenburg.

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or more than 20 years Jordan Olson has competed in jackpots and rodeos all across the country. With estimated cumulative earnings of more than $700,000 he’s pretty handy with a rope. In 2014 he qualified for the first American rodeo with his brother, Logan. He’s placed at the Bob Feist Invitational, the Hork Dog Classic and is a multi-time circuit finals qualifier in the Badlands and Turquoise circuits both heading and heeling. Olson was raised on his family’s Quarter Horse ranch in Flandreau, S.D., where he returns each summer to help with their breeding program. A self-proclaimed weekend warrior, team roping is an escape from his more “corporate” job as an insurance sales agent. He currently resides in Surprise, Ariz., with his wife, Shanna, and their 8-year-old daughter, Mataya. Olson will be offering twice-weekly clinics on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Rancho Rio Arena in Wickenburg. Clinics will start in mid-November and continue through early spring. For more information or to book a spot call 623.670.8763.

How long have you been in Arizona: I’ve been down here for about 15 years. I normally stay here in the summers, but the last two or three years I’ve gone back to the family ranch and rodeo up here for several months.

Do you compete in any other events: I have tried other events with zero to minimal success. I consider myself just a team roper, but I do rope both ends. I grew up strictly a header and when I moved to Arizona I started heeling. I’ve qualified for both the Badlands and Turquoise circuit finals roping both ends.

Have you held clinics before: I have. We hosted some clinics at Rancho Rio last winter as well. We started out one day a week for just a couple of months. We filled every one of them so we’re adding an additional day this year and going longer. It was fun to see some of those ropers work hard and then turn around and do well at the jackpots.

Which PRCA circuit do you prefer: It really just depends on what I have going on. When I picked the Turquoise circuit I was staying close to home because of work. I had to be at an office all the time.

The last two years I’ve gone back to the Badlands Circuit to get out of the heat and help my folks with the horses. The Badlands is about the only circuit where you can hit the minimum number of rodeos in a two- to three-month stretch. Plus, I’ve been able to rope What can ropers expect to learn this winter: Our main objective is really to try and help folks find consistency in their with my brother, Logan, and that’s always fun. roping. We work a lot with the horses. Obviously the roping is a focus, but the horses, the horse power and position is huge. We do What is your most memorable win team roping: Well we didn’t a lot of Smarty work aiming for correct position and learning to do win, but my most memorable experience would be a competing at the first American in 2014 and getting to rope in AT&T Stadium. things right before adding speed. We have a lot of fun too!

Logan and I qualified through the USTRC roping in Scottsdale, Ariz., and went on to the semi-finals in Mesquite, Texas. There were Who coined the nickname: Ty Yost started calling me Corporate when I first got into the insurance business. I had an office ten qualifiers and they took the top ten, so we roped against 100 downtown and I wore a tie and khakis which was completely out teams there. Then, they took the top five teams to Dallas to compete of the norm for me. Ben Clements and Ferron Lucero would come with the top guys in the world. It was just such a cool experience. stay down here and picked up on it and started announcing it at the ropings. Now, everywhere I go someone is calling me Corporate.

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Jordan Olson qualified for the inaugural American Rodeo in 2014, heeling for his brother, Logan.

ANDY WATSON PRCAPHOTOS.COM

Any other siblings: Yes, we have a sister, Whitney Olson. She trains barrel horses and runs barrels. She lives in South Dakota and spends a little time in the winter at Logan’s in Stephenville, Texas, and quite a bit of time at my place. She usually has half a dozen futurity horses each year.

Do you ride horses your family has raised: Yes and no. Most of Logan’s horses and everything my sister rides comes from the ranch. The last five or six years the breeding has been more head horse and barrel horse oriented, so I tend to buy young ones and train them myself. At one point we had around 100 head but over the years we’ve really focused on quality over quantity and have narrowed it down to about five broodmares.

What kind of insurance do you handle: I work under Western Ag Insurance Agency and we do everything. I started doing health insurance and did that for about eight years. The last three years I’ve added property and casualty as well.

What’s one thing people don’t know about you: My wife, Shanna, and I have known each other since high school. We’ve been dating or married for 20 years.

What else do you do for fun: I’ve always enjoyed riding good horses. There’s just something about the way they move and you know they have that potential to be great. But other than that, I like to golf. It’s a lot like roping—it’s a mind game. One day you’re really good and the next day you can’t hit the ball. My daughter, Mataya, is quite the softball player and right now I’m helping coach her team.

The best horse you’ve ridden: Easily my black gelding Cats Smokin Doc. I called him Short Stop. I had quit going to rodeos when I got into the insurance business and I bought this horse as a Arizona or Texas: I’ve spent time in both and I would say Arizona. project. In a matter of six months he was by far the best horse I’d ever Everyone is so supportive of each other. There are great people in had. Brock Hanson needed a circuit partner and asked if I’d heel Texas, too, but they are all there trying to make a living with a rope for him. I won second at the Hork Dog and placed at the BFI and and it’s competitive. In Arizona, most people are there because it’s qualified for the American on him. I’d say I won close to $300,000 their second home. Roping isn’t necessarily their primary source of on that horse. A lot of other guys rode him too. Unfortunately, he got income so they are just doing it for the enjoyment. There are people from all over the U.S. and Canada who are all there because of their struck by lightning lasting year. passion for team roping?

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TOUR STOP RE-CAP

SEPTEMBER 9-11, 2016 RAPID CITY, S.D.

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he Western Frontier Finale spans three days in mid-September and serves as the wrap-up to the National Team Roping’s summer tour stops. This year’s Finale paid out $202,730 in cash and $12,420 in prizes over nine divisions. The Big Western National Nine Qualifier was the highest paying roping of the weekend with $13,440 going to the champion team of Lynn Stadheim and Chuck Graham.

IONSHIPS 7 CHAMEPEA SL AN D B R UC N & B R IAN JOH NSO

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8 CHAMPIONSHIPS BAR NEY HISE R & TIM JON ES

The Team of Barney Hiser and Tim Jones, both of New Castle, Wyo., left the Western Frontier Finale $6,000 richer, along with new trophy saddles and Gist buckles as proof of their success in the Eight Championships.

“We have roped together on and off for a while, but the last two years we’ve roped together a bit more regular,” Hiser said.

“We try and practice together but it doesn’t always work out that way. This year we only got to rope together two or three times before Rapid City.”

Even without a lot of roping practice, Hiser spends plenty of time around cattle as a South Dakota and Wyoming State Brand Inspector and rancher. The saddle he won in Rapid City was the first of his team roping career.

Jones attended the Western Frontier Finale with his daughter, Kaprina, and son, Kacy.

“We like the NTR events, because we can make it a family affair,” Jones said. “My son is usually a header but he recently switched over to heeling, so that has been really fun to watch.”

Jones competes on a 14-year-old gelding he dubbed Traveling Soldier, which he has owned since the horse was just three.

“I like riding him because he is just so solid and quick. Plus, my daughter can always jump on him and rope if she needs a horse too.”

Jones spends his days working in the woods, cutting timber, as well as tending to his own small ranching operation.

Jones will continue to practice as often as possible, weather permitting, to prepare for the NTR National Finals in March.

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5 STEER STEVE MCDANIEL & DAN NELSON Steve McDaniel has spent a lifetime team roping.

“It’s the only hobby I’ve got,” said the rancher from Midland, S.D. McDaniel and Nelson roped five steers in 48.29 seconds to earn $7,000 and Gist buckles in Rapid City.

From nearby Creighton, S.D., Nelson is also a rancher by trade.

“I rode bucking horses and roped calves back when I was going to rodeos,” said Nelson, who is now a number six header and heeler “I used to head at the rodeos, but it’s a lot easier to get good headers, so now I heel a little more.

McDaniel was riding a mare he calls Sweet Pea. The horse had been laid off for the last two years when he picked her up out of the pen and brought her to town.

“My son, Tucker, won about $2,000 on her yesterday,” he laughed.

“I guess she’s still got it.”

NSHIPS 9 CHAMPIODA N BALLE K

CHASE OLIVE R &

NTR Rising Stars Dummy Ropers in Rapid City.

WESTERN FRONTIER INVITATIONAL RANDY BAKER & SHAWN SMALL

Randy Baker was born and raised in the Badlands and is a familiar face at National Team Roping tour stops.

“We drew really good steers,” Baker said of his $10,440 Western Frontier Invitational win with Shawn Small. “We don’t really get to practice together, but it just works for us.”

Small is from Busby, Mont., located on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation.

“I’ve been team roping for about 13 years,” he said.

Last year Small wintered in Morristown, just outside of Wickenburg.

“My dad owns a construction company and I work for him.

It allows me to go rope for the winter.”

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ALL GIRL CHAMPIONSHIPS DENISE NELSON & AMANDA KOOIKER South Dakota native, Denise Nelson, has been roping for more than 25 years.

“I have two kids, Kaylee and Jade, who both rope,” she said.

Along with her husband, Tim, the Nelsons run a cow/calf operation in Midland, S.D. “I grew up on a ranch,” Nelson explained. “My dad raised horses but I never roped until I married my husband. I got really tired of pushing steers.”

Amanda Kooiker was raised on a family dairy so it’s no suprise she now works as a Regional Calf and Heifer Specialist for Purina.

“I came up through 4-H and FFA and I’ve always had a passion for the dairy industry,” Kooiker said. “I help producers, mostly dairy, with young animal management and nutrition.”

Originally from Wisconsin, Kooiker now lives in Adrian, Minn., with her husband Kirk, who also ropes.

Kooiker has already qualified for both the National Nine and National Eight Finales and plans to be in Wickenburg in March roping for the $100,000.

IPS SHRR PION CHAM 8 UC Y E BE RRY & JADE BE BR

Bruce Berry of Interior, S.D., is no stranger to the winner’s circle at the NTR’s Western Frontier Finale where he recently took his second-consecutive win in the 8 Championships. This year, however, the win was a little more special, because it was with his son, Jade.

The two finished the three-day weekend with a total of $11,300 in earnings.

“There is definitely a bit more pressure roping with Jade, because of course you want to do well with your son. This summer was pretty good to us though, and we had a lot of fun,” Berry said.

Berry works on a ranch in the Badlands, which runs cattle as well as raising hay and wheat. Usually, work keeps him pretty busy during the winter months, but last year he was able to fly into Arizona and borrow a horse for the Finals.

“It’s a pretty large operation and we are always calving about the time of the finals but we always try to make it. And we have an arena at the house so we do get to practice some.

That’s just something we make time for.”

This year, with Jade being able to go the finals as well, Berry hopes his son will haul the horses down in advance, so when he flies down he can still ride his main mount, a 16-year old horse named Blue.

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BIG WESTERN 9 LYNN STADHEIM & CHUCK GRAHAM

Western Frontier FinalE Sept 9-11, 2016 - Rapid City, S.D. FRIDAY, SEPT. 9

Nine Championships 1st / 26.12 on 3 / Chase Oliver & Dan Ballek / $3,260 2nd / 27.61 on 3 / Doug Krantz & Logan Parr / $2,180 3rd / 28.87 on 3 / Kole Latham & Ty Ollerich / $1,680

Legends Only Championships 1st / 28.21 on 3 / Jeff Jasper & Bryce Sigman / $2,440 2nd / 29.73 on 3 / Duane Kirk & Dan Harris / $1,840 3rd / 30.38 on 3 / Bryan Bickel & Tye Curuchet / $1,220 4th / 30.87 on 3 / Todd Rothleutner & Doug Harris / $600

10 Western Frontier Invitational 1st / 31.77 on 4 / Randy Baker & Shawn Small / $10,440 & Buckles 2nd / 32.28 on 4 / Joe Miller & Brock Oliver / $7,830 3rd / 34.69 on 4 / Kirk Kooiker & Amanda Kooiker / $5,220 SATURDAY, SEPT. 10

All Girl Championships 1st / 34.54 on 3 / Denise Nelson & Amanda Kooiker / $1,920 2nd / 35.37 on 3 / Tabitha Harris & Bailey Peterson / $1,440 3rd / 39.35 on 3 / Aimee Janvrin & Bailey Peterson / $960

Lynn Stadheim and Chuck Graham were the biggest winners of the Western Frontier Finale taking home $13,400.

A large animal veterinarian from Belle Fourche, S.D., Stadheim didn’t rope at the NTR National Finals in 2016.

“I plan on going this year,” he said. “This is the first time I’ve qualified and wouldn’t miss it.”

The morning of the Big Western his good horse, Hummer, bucked him off in the warm-up pen.

“I have no idea what got into him, he is just a big pet.”

Graham is from Baker, Mont., where he owns his own steel frame construction company, Graham Welding Service. He and his wife, Tina, raise and train Quarter Horses as well.

“I start everything and she starts them on the barrel pattern.

I’m usually roping on them before they go to the futurities so they have another job.”

While Graham primarily rodeos on their horses he couldn’t be happier he made the trip to Rapid City.

“I think I’ve been to 34 rodoes this summer and this is maybe my second jackpot, but it was worth it.”

Big Western National Nine Qualifier 1st / 38.87 on 4 / Lynn Stadheim & Chuck Graham / $13,440 2nd / 42.56 on 4 / Julie Ballek & Sergio Mireles / $9,000 3rd / 43.29 on 4 / Ben Persson & Levi Beck / $7,000

5 Steer Championships 1st / 48.29 on 5 / Steve McDaniel & Dan Nelson / $7,000 & Buckles 2nd / 51.50 on 5 / David Lien & Bill Rundback / $4,300 3rd / 52.22 on 5 / Jess Hall & Hunter Karlson / $3,000 SUNDAY, SEPT. 11

Big Western National Eight Qualifier 1st / 36.80 on 4 / Bruce Berry & Jade Berry / $11,300 2nd / 42.12 on 4 / Don Ramsour & Tim Jones / $7,500 3rd / 42.16 on 4 / Julie Ballek & Steve Mcdaniel / $6,000

Eight Championships 1st / 25.15 on 3 / Barney Hiser & Tim Jones / $6,000 & Saddles & Buckles 2nd / 26.66 on 3 / Jamey Brunsch & Josh Whetham / $4,000 & Buckles 3rd / 27.25 on 3 / Tanner Radway & Colton Mcdaniel / $3,000 & Buckles

Seven Championships 1st / 33.40 on 3 / Bruce Easland & Brian Johnson / $2,500 & Saddles & Buckles 2nd / 34.28 on 3 / David Tescher & Michelle Antone / $1,800 & Buckles 3rd / 34.53 on 3 / Tanner Radway & Jesse Hostutler / $1,500 & Buckles

LEGENDS ONLYSIGMAN

JEFF JASPER & BRYCE

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TOUR TALENT

SADDLE

UP

JEFF AND RHONDA GOLLEHON KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO BUILD A CUSTOM SADDLE, BUT IT DOESN’T ALWAYS REPLACE THE FEELING OF WINNING ONE.

BY KARI DECASTRO

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ontanans Jeff and Rhonda Gollehon have invested a vast majority of their lives into good horses, quality custom saddles and the sport of team roping. From the confines of their more than 100-year-old saddle shop in Great Falls to extended rides aboard the wellbred colts they start each year, they are continuously building on their legacy. Whether it’s hands-on manufacturing of their Lil Blue Heeler roping dummy or passing down the Western lifestyle to their kids and grandkids, they truly embody the American dream.

Jeff’s grandfather, Oscar Gollehon, homesteaded in Fairfield, Mont., (40 miles west of Great Falls) where Jeff and Rhonda still reside today. His own father, Tom, now 81, was an electrician by trade, but horses have always been his true passion.

“My dad was an avid horseman,” Jeff explained. “As kids we had an arena with lights, and that was pretty unheard of in the ’70s.”

In addition to teaching him occasional electrical skills, Tom also taught Jeff to rope.

“He was a calf roper first, but as team roping started to take off my dad produced a few jackpots here and there. I started working the chutes and stripping cattle and as I got a little older I graduated to flagging. I competed in junior rodeos and up through high school, but after Rhonda and I got married we both took about a 10-year hiatus before we were able to get back to team roping.”

It was in that same well-lit arena that Rhonda, too, was first introduced to the sport.

“We’d go out there and I’d climb on a horse and they started 16

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teaching me a few things,” she recalled. “I didn’t rope much though until after we had kids and they were a little older. I really didn’t start competing until about 10 years ago.”

Born in California, Rhonda’s parents moved to Montana when she was only 2 years old when they purchased an outfitting business outside of Missoula.

“They didn’t keep that business long,” she explained. “They sold it and bought a small farm and ranch where they ran (at its prime) some 2,000 sheep. My parents didn’t rope, but we always had a few horses around. Each year we would take a long pack trip so I learned to ride as a kid.”

Rhonda and Jeff attended different small schools near Fairfield, and didn’t meet until they were in high school.

“We started dating our senior year,” Jeff said. “We graduated school in June and were married by October. It will be 36 years this year.”

THE ART OF SADDLE MAKING That first summer out of high school Jeff worked for Rhonda’s dad on the sheep farm, but he had other plans in mind—determined to build a career around a skill he’d been honing since childhood.

“My dad always had handmade saddles, and as a kid I’d get to go watch them being built. I fell in love with the artistry of it and the smell of the leather shops. I remember one Christmas my dad was given a leather kit that ended up under the bed and forgotten.

That summer I pulled it out and made every project in there— checkbook covers, key fobs, that sort of thing. I made myself a belt and I thought that was the coolest thing ever. So I knew at

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HORSEPOWER Jeff and Rhonda Gollehon enjoy riding colts as much as they enjoy team roping. In fact, they always have one or two around.

“I prefer Jeff starts them and once the buck is out I’ll ride them,” admits Rhonda.

Her current standout head horse Go Taz Man, came from Lanell Ashley of Ashley Quarter Horses (as do most of their colts).

Jeff started the buckskin gelding as a 2-yearold and heeled on him before their daughter Whitney used him with immense success as a college breakaway horse. When Jeff took him back he started heading on him and on the Gollehon’s 30th wedding anniversary Jeff gave the horse to his wife. Rhonda has been heading on him for the last six years.

“Honestly, Taz is one of those once in a lifetime horses,” she said. “He’s goodlooking and so talented. He can do anything you ask. He’s just an amazing horse.”

PHOTO BY OLIE’S IMAGES

I REALLY DO BELIEVE IF WE WORK HARD AND TAKE SOMETHING SERIOUSLY GOD REWARDS US FOR OUR EFFORTS.” - Rhonda Gollehon about 10 or 11 that I had an affinity for it. I took leather work in high school and started shopping around for a trade school.”

Jeff found a two-year program at Spokane Falls Community College in Spokane, Wash., where he learned the ins and outs of custom saddle making from Jesse Smith. (Smith headed up the program in Spokane for 21 years before retiring to Colorado where he continues to build custom saddles and teaches his trade under Jesse Smith Saddlery.)

After completing the program, the young couple returned to their hometown, where Jeff was able to go right to work.

“When I got out of saddle-making school I came home and worked for Jesse Bleeker, the same gentleman who had built my dad’s saddles, and that was really cool. He was a mason and brick layer by trade and a self-taught saddle maker. He didn’t do anything real fancy, mostly ranch-type saddles for the cowboys in this country, but he was a great artist. I worked for him for about a year where I refined my skills.”

From there Jeff took a saddle making job at Grizzly Saddlery.

Located in Great Falls, Mont., the shop was originally established in 1897 as Victor Ario Saddlery, which was in business building up to 500 custom saddles a year until 1957. Its saddle makers then purchased the company and formed H Bar 0 Saddlery, which continued until 1978 when they sold out. The new owner, Clyde Roe, renamed it Grizzly Saddlery, and Jeff built saddles for them for nine years before he and Rhonda purchased the company in 1991. While they did relocate soon after taking ownership, the Gollehon’s kept the name and are proud to carry on a more-than-century-old saddle-making tradition. In

fact, they still use a lot of the original Ario equipment and are happy to give visitors a tour.

Today, the Gollehon’s have both the saddle shop and a complete tack store. Rhonda handles the retail side while Jeff continues to build saddles along with assistant saddle maker, Sterling Campbell. Jeff’s mom, Carol, built chaps in the store for 20 years. Now, Sterling’s mom, Leanna, comes in once or twice a week to do the same.

“We do a little bit of everything—saddles, chaps and belts, just about anything from leather,” Jeff said. “We do ranch saddles for cowboys who use them as a full-time tool as well as team roping and barrel racing saddles. Because of our location we also do a lot of trail riding, packing and hunting saddles as well.”

Once they were settled back in Fairfield, and before they purchased the shop, the Gollehons had two daughters.

Whitney and Allison both grew up learning to rope and ride, competing in junior and high school rodeos. Whitney went on to compete in college rodeo at the University of Montana Western in Dillon and then the University of Montana in Missoula. In 2008 she qualified for the College National Finals in breakaway roping and barrel racing, finishing third in the world in the breakaway. At the time she was riding a saddle her dad had built for her high school graduation—a saddle he says is still his favorite project to date. Whitney is now an accountant for Three Rivers telephone company in Fairfield and married to PRCA team roper and tie-down roper, Sam Levine. Whitney also still competes as a WPRA barrel racer and occassional team roper.

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The Gollehons younger daughter, Allison, is a part-time nurse in Great Falls where she lives with her husband Dakota Wergin and their two kids, Addilee, 4, and Koy, 2.

“We get to see all of the kids, all the time,” Rhonda said. “It’s such a blessing to have them all so close.”

WINNING WAYS While it’s true that Jeff Gollehon has been honing his skills as a custom saddle maker for more than 36 years, if you swing open his tack room door, you’ll still see a National Team Roping trophy saddle front and center.

“I remember growing up, there was a kid named Spike, and he was the most talented athlete I’d ever seen,” Jeff recalled. “He team roped, bull dogged and roped calves. I roped calves, team roped and rode broncs. When it came down to the all-around he always won. After high school I started a family and was saving money so I thought I’d never get a chance to win a saddle. I started roping again in 2000 and went to Ty Yost’s Fuddruckers All Amateurs in 2002. I think there were about 900 teams, and it lasted all day. I ended up winning a saddle and about $2,000—it was the highlight of my roping career.”

Jeff admits he’s currently building himself a new team roping saddle, that he hopes to have done before winter.

“I figure I should retire that one with a little life left in it. I’ll never get rid of it though. There’s just something special about that first saddle you win.”

However, Jeff is not the only one who has a saddle story to tell. This past July the couple, who rope together often, came back high call at the 2016 NTR Fuddruckers All Amateur roping.

Rhonda broke out to win what would have been her first, and only, award saddle.

“We were pulling out and stopped to talk to Ty (Yost) and I told him we’d be back in a month, and that I was going to win that saddle,” she explained. “I was partly joking but as we got closer to home I told Jeff I was actually pretty serious about it. I got my tablet out and decided to write it down.”

That made it real, and Rhonda took action.

“I started working at it twice as hard in the practice pen,” she explained. “My girls are always telling me I need to get in shape, so I started lifting weights and lost about 10 pounds before we went back to Billings in August (for the Montana Bowl). I ended up coming back with Dan Ballek and we finished ninth to win $800 and saddles.”

Not only did she reach the goal she set for herself, the win meant something even bigger for Rhonda.

“I think to win my first saddle as a middle-aged woman, it’s just extra rewarding,” she said. “So often those thoughts of selfdoubt fill your mind, that you can’t do it, or you’re not good enough or whatever it may be. So to set that goal and accomplish it was just such a huge reward. I really do believe if we work hard and take something seriously God rewards us for our efforts.”

While they agree Montana is a wonderful place to call home, the Gollehon’s only complaint is that the mere five months of decent roping weather just isn’t enough. Like so many team ropers they plan a vacation south each winter. Because they can only leave the store for about two weeks at a time, Jeff and Rhonda time it to be in Arizona during the NTR National Finals in March.

“We go down there a week early and get some practice in and then rope in the Finals,” Rhonda said. “We’ve tried and tried, but we have yet to qualify for the $100,000 ropings.”

With her recent luck, all we can say is, Rhonda, you better write that one on your tablet!

ABOVE: Jeff, Whitney, Allison and Rhonda Gollehon in the practice pen.

FAR LEFT: Grizzly Saddlery dates back to the old Victor Ario Saddlery founded in 1897 in Great Falls, Mont.

LEFT: The Whitney Roper is one of Jeff Gollehon’s favorite saddles. He made the first prototype when his daughter, Whitney, graduated from high school.

PHOTOS COURTESY JEFF GOLLEHON

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LIL BLUE HEELER In addition to Grizzly Saddlery, the Gollehons own and operate their own manufacturing company where they make the Lil Blue Heeler roping dummy.

Born out of a desire to teach his daughters timing when they were learning to rope, Jeff invented the dummy based on a toy he had as a kid.

“I had a little wooden roping machine that was built by Walt Woodard,” he explained. “It was called the Happy Hopper, and that’s what I learned to heel on. When my own kids were really learning to rope I was looking for something to teach them on. It was either a tiny table top dummy or machines you could rope on a horse. I couldn’t find what I was looking for so I thought I’d just start making something out of plastic parts. I had a kid working for me at the time who was a welder and metal fabricator. He started doing the metal and I did the plastic and electric and we transformed our idea into a little machine that was originally designed to be roped indoors because of our cold climate.”

Jeff and his partner, Larry Lorang, built a few prototypes and as people started seeing them, they wanted them.

“Some wouldn’t work and some fell apart, but we slowly kept building the company,” said Jeff. “It has grown exponentially. National Roper’s picked us up three years ago and we always try and have a booth at the WNFR in Las Vegas.”

More than 10 years later, Jeff and Rhonda, along with Larry and his wife, Lacy, manufacture the Lil Blue Heeler right in their own backyards. From start to finish they are 100% made in the USA. “It’s all handmade,” said Jeff. “We assemble them ourselves, test every one, box, staple and ship them right from here. We do it all in evenings and on weekends in between training rope horses, training colts and running our saddle business.”

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Jefff Gollehon and his daught er, e Allis Alli on W Wergin, roping at Yost Arena in Billings , Mont.

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AROUND THE NATION

ARIZONA • CALIFORNIA • COLORADO IDAHO • MONTANA • NEVADA NORTH DAKOTA • SOUTH DAKOTA TEXAS • WYOMING

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TOUR STOP

WICKENBU HORSES, HATS, HISTORY & HOSPITALITY PHOTOS BY STACY MCKNIGHT

A

s team roping has flourished throughout Arizona’s communities none have felt that impact more than Wickenburg. Located at the junction of Highway 93 and Highway 60 it’s a common thoroughfare to Las Vegas.

Aptly coined The Team Roping Capital of the World, there’s more than six roping arenas in a 35 mile radius. You can truly

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rope to your heart’s desire. However, Wickenburg has much more to offer than just team roping. It’s a great place to catch a little R&R in the sunny weather, relax with good friends and enjoy some of Arizona’s infamous Western hospitality. Here’s a list of top attractions to keep you busy if you’ve got 48 hours (or more) to kill in Wickenburg.

GOLF It’s a lot like roping and Wickenburg has three courses to keep you second-guessing your skill level. Dust off your clubs and visit Los Caballeros Golf Club, Wickenburg Country Club or Wickenburg Ranch Golf Club.

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VULTURE PEAK & RIDING TRAILS Vulture Peak Trail, seven miles south of Wickenburg, is a short but steep, two-mile trail, not for the faint of heart. If exploring on four wheels or horseback is more your style, there are numerous trails in the area. Enjoy classic Sonoran Desert landscapes, including dense stands of saguaro, ocotillo, cholla, and other cactus varieties. But, fair warning, watch for Rattlers on this route!

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URG WAY 3

DESERT CABALLEROS WESTERN MUSEUM Wickenburg is rich in Western history. Step back in time at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum which boasts a unique brand exhibit and a miniature of Wickenburg during the Gold Rush days. For a list of current exhibits and more information visit westernmuseum.org.

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WINE & DINE estt end Grab a morning Cup O’ Joe at the Pie Cabinet on the west anchero. o of town. By lunch you’ll be ready for margaritas at El Ranchero. d by Meet your roping pards for dinner at the Bar 7, followed ve, drinks at the Mecca. And, if you don’t mind a short drive, Nichols West in Congress is a local favorite.

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G RG UR BU NB EN KE W WIICCK W Y AY WA

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JUST RELAX If it’s a lazy Sunday you have in mind, catch a movie at the old Saguaro Theatre and then take a Sunday drive through the desert with s s.

BC Jeep Tours or Happy Trails ATV Rentals.

More of a thrill seeker? Then you might consider a sunrise hot air balloon ride. We’ve heard it’s spectacular!

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ROPE

Yes, there’s more to do in Wickenburg than rope, but that doesn’t mean you should skip the best part! There are SIX roping arenas within 35 miles, so take your pick: Wickenburg Rodeo Grounds, Simpson Ranch Arena, Downtown Arena, McFarland’s Arena, Western Trails Ranch and Rancho Rio. We’ll see you in the roping pen.

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Howdy pard’ner! You are now in –

TEAM ROPING CAPITAL OF ARIZONA

VISITWICKENBURG.COM

altitude 2,100 feet

population 10,000

SNOWBIRDS

HERB SNOW

H

BY JENNIFER POLLMILLER | PHOTO BY OLIE’S IMAGES

Virginia, Illinois

erb Snow and his wife, Linda, have been traveling south for the winter for so long, Snow claims they’ve moved past the title of Snowbirds and now consider themselves “Blizzard Buzzards.”

Snow, originally from Virginia, Illinois, spends the majority of the year farming corn and soy beans, and occasionally feeding cattle. When the work at the farm is done, he, Linda and their miniature Schnauzer, Simon, pack up a few household items, clothes and two horses to head to Wickenburg, Ariz., where they rent a fully-furnished house from December through March.

While there’s a common misconception floating around, the snowbird life comes with a few hardships of its own—the 1,600-mile drive being one of them. And, last year while in Arizona, Snow survived a rattlesnake bite. But, in the end, the trials and tribulations are well worth it.

“We love going down there—obviously getting out of the cold is great—and we’ve made a lot of new friends,” Snow said. “You get the chance to compete at your own level and go to plenty of ropings. Yost puts on good ropings, he always has good cattle and tries to be fair.”

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The population of Virginia, Illinois, was 1,611 at the 2010 census. It’s located in Cass County.

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Snow has a few goals for the coming season, including qualifying for the National Nine Finale to compete at what would be his third-consecutive NTR National Finals.

“I’d love to rope at the Finals again, of course that’s where the money is at. Most of all I just want to stay competitive and not get beat up too bad,” Snow joked.

While Linda, does not rope herself, she enjoys escaping winter as much as the rest of the snowbirds.

“We’ve been going down there long enough that she has a lot of good friends in the area and she is just as happy to sit in the sun and read a book while we rope.”

Snow is a number 4 heeler who often gets a hard time for being from Illinois. He’d like to remind everyone that Ronald Reagan and Abraham Lincoln came from Illinois too. After all, it’s the snowbirds who have really made Arizona the Team Roping Capital of the World.

“There aren’t many places to rope in Illinois, especially in the winter because we have to haul to indoor arenas and good places to ride,” Snow said.

This year’s NTR National Finals are March 6 through 12, 2017, at Rancho Rio, which will be the last stop for Snow before returning to Illinois for the summer.

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