TRAIL BLAZER

Born and raised in Gustine—a name synonymous with agriculture and cowboy culture—Eric is not just a roper himself, but the orchestrator of this event, ensuring every detail is managed with precision. Eric's roots are deeply embedded in the soil of Gustine, where his family history spans from dairy farming to the successful feedlot currently run by his father. "My grandparents were in the dairy business, then we moved on to running a feedlot," Eric recounts, his voice rich with the history of a man who has lived his life close to the earth. His father, a well-known leather worker and saddle maker, continues to influence and inspire Eric's deep respect for the family trade.

From a young age, Eric honed his craft in horseshoeing, starting in sixth grade and transforming it into a career that not only funded his education but later his livestock business. "I would work all day horseshoeing and then come home at night and work my cattle business," Eric shares, reflecting on the relentless drive that propelled him forward without any handouts or loans.

The journey into the world of rodeo production was an organic one for Eric, born from his love for the sport and its community. "It started with just a few practice steers with a buddy," he chuckles, recalling the humble beginnings that evolved into managing hundreds of steers for numerous events. "Before I knew it, I had a fullblown operation. It’s the grind of it I like, the daily challenge, and the community."

Family is the cornerstone of Eric's life. With his wife, Andee, and their three young children— Cassidee, 8, Axel, 6, and Hazel, 1—Eric is committed to instilling in them the values of hard work, community, and the richness of their western heritage. "It’s like a traveling circus," he says with a grin, "but it's a circus I want my kids to grow up in, knowing the ropes and the value of hard work."

On any given day, especially during an event like the one at Bolado Park, Eric can be found orchestrating several pens of cattle as well as a herd of cowboys all looking to rope a few and have a chance at the pot. His days are long and demanding, often beginning before dawn and ending well after sunset. "You’ve got to hustle," he asserts, a statement that defines both his work ethic and his approach to life. "There’s a lot of moving parts—sorting cattle, coordinating with buyers and sellers, and ensuring everything runs smoothly."

Eric stresses the importance of knowing his cattle well, which is crucial for the success of his events and business. "You gotta know the steers and the situations you’re gonna send them to," Eric explains. "I'm out there all the time with them, sorting and just constantly being around them. You gotta watch them, you gotta know what animal's gonna work where."

Andee, his partner in both life and business, manages the financial side of their operations. Her role is critical, ensuring the financial health of their ventures and supporting Eric in all his endeavors. "She’s the backbone of this operation," Eric states proudly. "With her by my side, we’re not just preserving a way of life; we're pushing it to thrive."

Eric’s advice to young entrepreneurs is reflective of his own experiences: "Don’t be scared to fail. Failure is part of the journey. Learn from it, let it drive you. Surround yourself with the right people, and keep pushing forward no matter what."

Looking to the future, Eric is committed to expanding his reach within the rodeo and roping community, continually seeking opportunities to host events that not only challenge competitors but also celebrate the community and its traditions. "Every event is a chance to honor our past and to pave the way for the future of roping," he explains, his eyes scanning the arena with a practiced gaze.

As our interview concludes, Eric's attention swiftly returns to the event at hand, a testament to his dedication and passion for the cowboy lifestyle. In the dynamic world of team roping and rodeo, Eric Cozzitorto stands as a beacon of dedication, community, and an unyielding love for the traditions that define the American West.

On a lively Sunday, June 2, the Lydon Arena in Healdsburg, California, was the scene for an enthralling roping competition as part of the Lydon Rope & BBQ. The event attracted forty skilled teams for the #5 roping and thirty for the #6 and #7 events, each competing under ideal conditions that led to impressive performances.

EVENT: #5 ROPING, 3 FOR $25, 40 TEAMS

AVERAGE:

1st: Don Boydston & Jim Bennett39.5 seconds, $225/Man

2nd: Jacki Rasmussen & Kim Collins41.3 seconds, $175

3rd: Riley Slaight & Bill Harrison43.1 seconds, $125

4th: Cindy Cowdron & Jay Clay44.7 seconds, $75

1ST GO: Steve Lydon & Jacob Slaight10.0 seconds, $50/Man

EVENT: #6 ROPING, 3 FOR $25, 35 TEAMS

AVERAGE:

1st: Mark Luccette & Jay Clay29.9 seconds, $225/Man

2nd: Steve Lydon & Jacob Slaight37.6 seconds, $150

3rd: Doug Packett & Jim Bennett39.0 seconds, $100

1ST GO: Jack Rasmussen & Kin Collins9.7 seconds, $50/Man

EVENT: #7 HANDICAP DRAW, 3 FOR $25, 30 TEAMS

AVERAGE:

1st: Steve Lydon & Bill Harrison32.5 seconds, $200/Man

2nd: Jack Rasmussen & Jay Clay18.0 seconds, $140

3rd: Kylyn Watkins & Jacob Slaight7.5 seconds, $85

1ST GO: Kylyn Watkins & Jacob Slaight7.5 seconds, $50/Man

On a splendid Friday, June 14, 2024, Central Park Arena in Middletown, California, was abuzz with the Annual Middletown Days, showcasing a series of great roping events. Middletown was marked by warm, pleasant weather, perfect for outdoor sports and community gatherings, contributing to the vibrant atmosphere at the roping events.

EVENT: #4 ROPING, 3 FOR $25, 75 TEAMS

AVERAGE:

1st: Mark Lucchetti & Fred Niesen29.5 seconds, $300/Man

2nd: Betty Bronson & Brian White41.1 seconds, $250

3rd: Jenny Tensley & Brian White44.5 seconds, $200

4th: Aaron Brousseau & Cash Wolley49.8 seconds, $150

5th: Steve Lydon & Fred Niesen17.1 on 2, $100

1ST GO: Mark Lucchetti & Fred Niesen8.2 seconds, $75/Man

Steve Lydon & Fred Niesen - 8.4 seconds, $50

EVENT: #6 ROPING, 3 FOR $25, 75 TEAMS

AVERAGE:

1st: J.D. Machado & T.C. Hammons30.2 seconds, $300/Man

2nd: Cash Wolley & Dusty Bravos - 31.1 seconds, $250

3rd: Kolby Thornton & Dusty Bravos32.3 seconds, $200

4th: Jack Rasmussen & Ronnie Garcia35.0 seconds, $150

5th: Johnny Jones & T.C. Hammons41.8 seconds, $100

1ST GO: Jacki Rasmussen & Dusty Bravos - 7.4 seconds, $75/Man

Kolby Thornton & J.D. Machado - 9.0 seconds, $50

EVENT: #7 HANDICAP DRAW, 3 FOR $25, 50 TEAMS

AVERAGE:

1st: Jenny Tinsley & Jay Clay24.8 seconds, $250/Man

2nd: Don Boydston & Ronnie Garcia30.7 seconds, $200

3rd: Kolby Thornton & T.C. Hammons32.8 seconds, $150

4th: J.D. Machado & Brian White42.5 seconds, $100

1ST GO: Steve Lydon & Lindy Lee7.5 seconds, $100/Man

Well hello again from California, San Luis Obispo, Madonna Inn & Rowly & Cathie Twisselman. We just had our 2024 WSTR Qualifier at Madonna Inn & it did not disappoint. Last year we had a great roping with 1890 teams & were so excited to almost get to 1900 teams. This year we did even better! We had finally broke the 2000 team mark with 2086 teams. We were up 196 teams from last year. That’s just AMAZING!!! And we want to thank each & every person....roper, roper’s wives & ropers kids for all making the trek to California where we have great weather & the Best Roping in the West! Of course there were friends & more relatives that were also here. Together, we had yet another fantastic roping!

It all started around Sunday, August 4, 2024 when lots of ropers started showing up & camping at the Madonna Inn Arena WAY early cuz of our AMAZING California Coast weather. I don’t care what anyone says,...you CANNOT beat our weather on the Central California Coast. We had people come from as far away as Texas, Arizona, New Mexico & Oregon & even Hawaii. And there could've been more from other states as well, but I get to running around like a chicken with my head cut off & sometimes miss things.

Anyway, needless to say, we had another GREAT roping! We paid out over $422,000.00 in Prize Money & gave away another $16,500.00 in Awards from Gist Engravers, Cactus “Pulling” Breast Collars & Best Ever Pads & Splint Boots with a total payout for winnings & awards totaling over $438,000.00 Not bad for a 4 day roping.

Oh yah, I forgot to mention that this year (2024) we decided to have a 4 day roping instead of a 3 day roping like we usually do because last year with 196 teams less, we were starting at 9am in the morning & not finishing up that days ropings until 1:30am to 3:30 am. Yes, they were long days but everyone was still very happy! But because we didn’t want our roping to be a marathon, we decided to add 1 more day to our calendar. It proved to be a great improvement because we all actually got to eat dinner every nite. This is the first time we’ve had a 4 day roping since the good ‘ol days of Indio & City of Industry when we were still putting on USTRC ropings.

So thank you to everyone who showed up and roped! It’s all of you that make this such a successful roping. There are many moving parts to putting on a successful roping, besides ALL of you who showed up to rope. First of all, none of this would be possible if it weren’t for Connie & Clint Pearce & my mom Phyllis Madonna. It’s because of them that we have this amazing facility to use. Then there’s C and N Tractors of Paso Robles who loans us a tractor every year! They drop it off & then pick it up.

They’re amazing!!!

And if it weren't for Craig at Get Away RV we wouldn’t have the nice office trailer that we always have. Did I hear FOOD? We also had Bonnie’s Food Truck back again run by the amazing family’s of the Pascoe’s & Arnolds. All young girls that did all the cooking, cleaning & serving. Their parents never do anything.....haha...just kidding! They all work, ride & rope.

I can’t forget to mention our “new” chute crew...at both ends....Danny Leslie brought his crew that helps him when he has his own ropings such as “The Average Joe” Roping, an Open Roping that Danny puts on & makes the arena the same size as the Thomas & Mack Arena in Vegas. These guys were also amazing! They worked constant & hard & were very efficient.

Then there was Vicky & Kelsi Mounyo in the office. They ALWAYS keep everything simple, easy & correct. When they’re in the office I don’t worry! Linda Davis & Elly Leslie were in the Timing/ Announcing booth & as usual were fast & efficient.

Once again, Steve Simon supplied us with over 300 head of great Corriente steers. Yes, they were fast but as they got sorted, we pulled out steers to fit everyone’s particular roping & handicap. I don’t think I heard one complaint about the cattle cuz they were so good. But of course it goes without saying that to have good even cattle for each individual roping, you have to be diligent about sorting them as the days go on. This was taken care of by Troy & Aaron Shelley. They had someone watching EVERY SINGLE RUN to make sure that everyone got an even & fair chance in each roping.

Our flaggers too watch to make sure all the cattle are even. If by chance, a steer got pulled from the roping because they were bad, the flaggers always gave another steer to the team that had the steer that was pulled or cut. We don’t mind this because it’s our goal to give every possible chance to each & every team.

Our flaggers were Aaron Shelley, Jared Gonzales & Chase Massengill. And once again, I never heard one complaint. These guys are professionals & it shows! They do their best to make sure everything is going good & flagging is consistent.

Stalls.....Once again, McKenzie & Mitchell Thomson were in charge of the stalls. That goes for putting them up & taking them down. The stall portion of our roping is always a challenge but thanks to McKenzie & Mitchell, that’s one thing I don’t have to worry about. McKenzie bends over backwards for everyone that needs pens & makes sure that they’re all happy. ...not an easy task sometimes. But this too is something that I don’t have to worry about because they’re so good at what they do too!

There’s another group of people that I’d like to thank and that’s the Cal Poly Rodeo Team & their Coach, Ben Londo. Ben brought about 10 kids from Cal Poly to help put up and take down all the panels. This is such a great help but sometimes people don’t get mentioned that should. I wasn’t there when they put them up so I don’t know all their names, but I DO want to thank each and every one of the people that helped us in putting up all the panels for the stalls. We had a total of 150 pens and could’ve used a lot more but that’s all the panels we had. Ropers are also welcome to put up their own pens with panels at their trailers in the front pasture of the Madonna Inn at no charge. Our pasture was completely full.

Last but not least, I want to thank Ryan “Fitzi” Fitzpatrick. Ryan loaned us not only his flatbed trailer to haul extra panels from home, but he also let us use his Skid Steer which makes putting up panel corrals sooo much easier. We also used it for hauling hay & feeding horses & cattle. There’s so much that goes on behind the scenes and it’s almost impossible to explain everything that goes on to everyone...but I try.

Oh, one more thing....I want to thank the WSTR organization for giving us the chance to put on such a fine roping. It all started with Denny Gentry years ago, but when he sold the WSTR, he was confident that the people that bought it and run it would do as good a job as he did. Denny was right! To me, Denny Gentry, the USTRC & WSTR organizations are the very BEST in the world when it comes to producing the best & biggest ropings in the world. And soon, in December, many team ropers will be making the trek to Las Vegas to compete for Millions of Dollars at the South Point in their WSTR Finale. Good Luck to all!

So, thanks again to everyone for coming to our roping this year, all the past years and all the future years to come. You can plan on this roping again next year. The dates for 2025 are going to be August 7, 8, 9 & 10, 2025. Make plans right now for next year & if you want to stay at the Madonna Inn, I’d suggest that you make your room reservation ASAP.

Well, that’s all folks! Thanks again for coming to our roping & making it the success that it was!!! See you all soon!!! God Bless, be safe & have fun!!! Cathie Twisselman.

P.S.

I don’t have the pictures from the 11.5 Add-On Roping or the 8.5 WS Qualifier. Don’t know what happened to them but if anyone happens to have the Winner’s Pictures from these 2 ropings, please send them to me & I’ll post them. Again, thanks for coming to our roping!!!