The third day of the 2021 World Cup Finals kicked off at 9am on 10/26/21. The turnout of ropers was even more than that of the first and second day. A lot of guys wanted their chance at winning one of the awesome prizes being given away.
The day began with the 12.5 40 & Over Specialty Roping. Congratulations to the top 3 teams took home $20,200:
1st : Darwin McGowen & Gary Rodarmel, $8,080
2nd: Cameron Southard & Joe Kane, $6,060
3rd: Rick Montera & Earl Thomas, $4,040
4th: Richard Nolen & Brandon Gee, $2,020
Fast Time: Richard Nolen & Mark Collins, $400
This team was willing to take the chances they needed to in order to win. Rodarmel complimented his partner by saying, “Darwin got it on him and handled him like he always does. Made my job easy.” They were impressed with the steers and the barrier as well.
In these Specialty Ropings, the ropers had a chance to win a brand new John Deere Gator. They could do so by being the High Point Roper of the roping. Being the High Point Roper means placing in the top 20 and accumulating points. The first place team gets 20 points each, the second place team gets 19 points, and so on. The more times and the higher the ropers place in the top 20, the better their chances are at being the High Point Roper.
The first lucky High Point Roper was Earl Thomas. He racked up a total of 49 points in the 12.5 40 & Over Specialty Roping.
Coleman Proctor asked Thomas the importance of getting points with every partner in a High Point Roping like this, and Thomas put it this way: “Just catch. I had every cow turn for me today.” There you have it, folks. You have to catch to get points!
Immediately following the 12.5 Specialty was the 11.5 40 & Over Specialty Roping. This roping put $23,040 back in these ropers pockets:
1st: Garry Thomas & Donnie Ward, $10,210
2nd: Ronnie Cunningham & Tooter Silver, $7,290
3rd: GR Carter Jr & Randy Harmon, $5,540
Fast Time: Richard Nolen & Eddie Cole, $400
Thomas and Ward showed their appreciation and gratitude for the setup and the great payout from Jeff Smith & 3 Point Productions during this roping. “It’s a good setup. All these ropings always are,” Thomas said.
Ward was hot in this roping. Not only did he win first place with Thomas, but he also won the High Point Roper spot for the 11.5 Specialty Roping. He had four call backs in the top 10 during the short round. “It was good. I thought they had it set up pretty good,” Ward said appreciating the setup yet again.
The 11.5 Specialty was followed by the 10.5 40 & Over Specialty Roping. This roping paid out $25,840 to the ropers in the top three teams:
1st: Aaron Brisbane & Eric Hoelting, $11,680
2nd: Garry Thomas & Richard Hughes, $8,140
3rd: Curtis Buckler & Trenton Tucker, $6,020
Fast Time: Curtis Buckler & Hank Morgan, $400
This duo worked together to take home first place. They complimented each other well in order to get what they needed to win. “I just told myself make sure to kick over and catch him. Don’t screw it up, so I guess I got lucky enough he drug him in my loop,” joked Hoelting.
Richard Hughes was the High Point Roper of the 10.5 Specialty with a total of 35 points, winning second and fifth place. His key to success is short and simple. “Catch the next one.”
Moving from Specialty Ropings, the 11.5 Preliminary was up next. This roping had quite the payout, putting $40,140 in these ropers pockets.
1st: Chase Quimby & Jagger Boone Baxstrom, $15,240
2nd: Ethan McDowell & Dace Morris, $10,670
3rd: Suzie Johnson & Slade Watson, $8,130
4th: Levi Rita & Wyatt Rita, $6,100
Fast Time: Bryan Leeper & Trenton Tucker, $400
Quimby and Baxstrom were feeling the pressure through their runs, but they overcame and pulled out a win. Their tactics proved to be successful in their run. “Swing over him and catch him; it’s all I could think of,” said Quimby with a grin.
The 11.5 Shootout wrapped up Day 3 of the World Cup Finals. This roping paid back a total of $24,530 to the top two teams:
1st: Jacob Bertram & Cale Morris, $14,020
2nd: Mike Robson & Troupe Coors, $10,510
Fast Time: Aaron Brisbane & Robert Lippe, $800
These two gave it their best shot and it paid off. Morris said he thought, “it’s really good. I think the cattle are good. I think the barriers are good, and they run them pretty quick.” Another successful day of roping at the Lazy E Arena with Jeff Smith & 3 Point Productions.
We want to thank Purina Animal Nutrition for being the Official Feed Sponsor of the 2021 World Cup Finals. Purina has over 125 years of expertise, research and experience in feeding some of the most competitive horses in the rodeo world.
These athletes had a great day of roping and still have plenty ahead of them at the Lazy E Arena for the World Cup Finals. Watch the event live by checking back to our Facebook Page each day for the updated link. To learn more about the finals, check out the details here.
