CALF_News_Oct_Nov_2018

Invitational Steer Roping  The Invitational Steer Roping was one of the toughest events of the weekend. Only .14 seconds separated the winner, John Bland, from second in the average, Roger Branch. However, by placing well in two rounds, Roger won just a little more money overall than John. First in the aver- age paid John Bland $10,910 for his total time of 52.61 seconds on 4 steers. Ladies’ Breakaway Roping  Along with the Open Team Roping and Invitational Calf Roping, the Ladies’ Invitational Breakaway Roping was a Qualifier on the road to RFD-TV’s The American Rodeo. Contestants were offered the option of entering a separate side pot based on the total time on the ladies’ first two calves for the Qualifier and 37 of the 75 ladies chose to enter. Alex Flautt was not one of those who chose to enter the Qualifier side pot, but she was the top Breakaway roper of the weekend. It only took Alex 3.86 seconds though and she was named the 2018 Spicer Gripp Memorial Invitational Ladies’ Breakaway Roping Champion. Alex took home a cash total of $11,150 from Hereford, Texas. Invitational Calf Roping  Saturday was a big day at the Gripp. The cookers at the Bob Beville Memo- rial Cook Off kept the early morning air filled with enticing smells as the Invita- tional Calf Roping contestants warmed up in the arena. After the each of the 49 guys roped three calves the top 12 were invited to the short go on Sunday. The Invitational Calf Roping attracts the most proficient athletes in the industry. Tyler Milligan never missed a beat all weekend. His total time of 39.56 sec- onds on four steers put the $9,500 check for first in the average in his pocket and a Montana Silversmith buckle on his belt. Richard Newton ended up second in the average and received $7,125 for his total time of 42.39 seconds. Pro-Am Team Roping  Spectators got a sneak peek at some of the Open team ropers Saturday afternoon when they paired up with amateurs in the 2018 Spicer Gripp Memorial Pro-Am Team Roping sponsored by Texas Feed Fat. Seventy- nine teams competed in the largest Pro-Am in Gripp history. After two full rounds and a short go the top team in the Pro-Am with an amateur header was Jena Foster and Kory Koontz. The winning Pro-Am team with an ama- teur heeler was Jake Barnes and Nicky Northcott. Both Jena and Nicky received magnificent and extremely sought after Coats Saddles for their wins while pro- fessional ropers, Kory and Jake received checks for $1,000. Open Team Roping  Fifty-four teams showed up to com- pete for the coveted Montana Silver- smith buckles and Championship title. Both former Spicer Gripp Team Roping Champions Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira never deviated from their initial plan – rope five and catch in the short go. After they roped the sixth and final steer of the roping, the team had a total time of 49.06 seconds fast enough for the win of the 2018 Spicer Gripp Open Team Roping. They each received $20,400 to go with their buckles. Second in the average of the Open Team Roping and checks in the amount of 15,875 each went to Cory Clark and Carson Johnson for their total time of 52.19 seconds. The Secret to Success  Just toddlers when the Spicer Gripp Memorial was established in 1994, the first generation to grow up Gripp has now stepped up and taken on the responsibility of managing the event’s website. Most only have childhood memories of Spicer’s kindness, but they are positive examples of his influence on their parents. Some have benefitted from the Foundation’s scholarship program and chose to give back, volunteering with the Spicer Gripp Memorial Foundation and carrying Spicer’s legacy forward to their own children. Head over to www. SpicerGripp.com for the round results of each roping and check out the amazing job these guys and girls are doing.  BELOW: Jena Foster and Kory Koontz, Pro-Am Team Roping 41 CALF News • October | November 2018 • www.calfnews.net Tyler Milligan, Invitational Calf Roping