WILD WEST CHAMPIONSHIPS CONDUCTING TEXAS 10-HEADER OPEN TEAM ROPING

GROESBECK, Texas – Like golf, team roping has a handicapping system that allows ropers of all levels an opportunity to compete.

It’s the perfect scenario for the Wild West Championships, set for Friday, May 23-Monday, May 26, at the Limestone County Fairgrounds in Groesbeck. That means newcomers game will compete on the same playing field as the world’s best, just not in the same contest.

There will be six handicapped ropings throughout the weekend in Groesbeck, but one of the highlight event will be the Texas 10-Header Open Team Roping, which features the very best in the game. It will take place Sunday, May 25, following the All Girls Team Roping.

“I talked with the USTRC and was able to get the team roping affiliated,” organizer Bobby Joe Hill said, referring to the United States Team Roping Championship organization, which conducts a national championship each fall in Oklahoma City. “I think that’s going to make it a lot better event this year.”

In fact, the Wild West Championships will pay the entry fees to the Priefert U.S. Open at the USTRC Finals for the winning team, which also will be awarded big money and championship buckles.

“All of our event winners will get paid shootouts to the USTRC Finals,” Hill said. “With our Texas 10-Header, the entry fee is $1,500 a man, and they can only enter one time. It should bring out the very best to come to this event.”

The Priefert U.S. Open features numerous world champions and regular qualifiers to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. A chance to qualify for paid entry fees to that USTRC finale, combined with a large purse, will be a huge incentive for the greatest ropers in the business.

Of course, that’s what they’ve come to expect out of the Wild West Championships.