Wickenburg, Ariz. – National Team Roping (NTR) hosted its sixth annual National Finals March 2-7, 2020, at Rancho Rio in Wickenburg, Arizona, continuing its tradition as one of the highest-paying divisional ropings in the industry. The six-day Finals consisted of 18 individual ropings over seven divisions plus a Rising Stars Dummy Roping Championship. Ropers from across the nation competed for more than half a million in cash and prizes including trophy Scott Thomas saddles, custom Gist Silversmith buckles and a new RAM truck.
The 2020 edition boasted #11.5, #10.5, #9.5 and #8.5 National Finale divisions along with #10.5 and #8.5 VIP Championships—for VIP members 21 and over—plus the #13.5, #12.5, #7, Legends Over 50 and All-Girl Championships and an Open to the World #8.5 Truck Roping. Winners in the four National Finales took home fully tooled trophy saddles and extra fancy trophy buckles in addition to large cash payouts. First through fifth place in the #7 Championships also took home custom trophy saddles.
The highest paying division of Finale VI was the National 10.5 Finale which paid $20,640 to average winners Lynn Proctor, Caldwell, Idaho, and Dick Churchill, Queen Creek, Arizona. Churchill topped the National 11.5 Finale in 2019 heading for rising talent, Michael Calmelat. For his 2020 Finale Championship Churchill switched ends and was heeling behind Proctor. The draw team of Lisa Garnhart, Casper, Wyoming, and Brent Coon, Sheridan, Wyoming, picked up $20,300 in the National 9.5 Finale—the second highest paying division of the week.
“We were picking up kids from school here in Wickenburg and got here late,” explained Garnhart. “We just threw our names in the draw and I was lucky enough to get this guy.”
In the RAM #8.5 Open to the World Truck Roping it came down to a rope-off between average champions Jorge Martinez, Laveen, Arizona, and Beau Beard, Tuba City, Arizona. After four additional steers, roped in a unique blind match, Martinez—who just started roping three years ago—was the winner of the RAM 3500. With a new son born on Valentine’s Day Beard was thrilled with the big payout. Together they split $10,000 cash and took home fancy trophy buckles.
“I’ll sleep good tonight,” Martinez laughed during his post-win interview. “I’ve never won anything like this before.”
The NTR National Finals is also home to The Horse Sale at Rancho Rio, which draws spectators and buyers from all over the U.S. and Canada. The sixth annual event saw record sales of more than $1.3 million. Lot #8, Palo Duro Playboy, was the high seller at a record setting $150,000. “Gunslinger” is sired by Palo Duro Cat by High Brow Cat out of the Freckles Playboy mare Tasmanian Playgirl. The 2012 buckskin gelding was consigned to the sale by Mozaun McKibben, Whitesboro, Texas, and purchased by Steve Gilbert, Toquerville, Utah. The overall sale average was $30,965 with the top 10 average coming in at $64,700. For additional sale results visit ranchorioaz.com.
The NTR National Finals VII and seventh annual Horse Sale will take place in Wickenburg, Ariz., in March 2021. For complete results visit nationalteamroping.com.
