The Devon Tower cuts through the sky, slicing an opening in the Oklahoma City landscape and creating another touch of expansion to downtown. This city has changed a lot since I first stayed 32 years ago. It’s changed in the six years since I left The Oklahoman newspaper, too. The Ford Center became the Oklahoma[...]

I’ve been working feverishly to prepare for the 2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and all that goes into it. Truly, it is an awesome experience, and I’m blessed by it. But before we get carried away on the happenings in Las Vegas, we have some important business to tend to in Guthrie, Okla., with the[...]

Ask any of the other 14 steer ropers in this field, and they’ll tell you just how valuable Wickett is to the sport of Steer Roping. As the event representative, the other ropers lean on Wickett’s experience and understanding of what it takes to improve all aspects of the sport. In addition, the 2011 campaign[...]

The transition is complete: Chance Kelton is an elite steer roper. This weekend marks his third straight qualification to the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping and equals the number of qualifications he had in all those years as one of the best headers in team roping. Of course, Kelton still competes in multiple events,[...]

This isn’t the first time Tierney has competed in the Lazy E Arena. He’s been a player in the Timed Event Championship, which takes place in March. This is, however, Tierney’s first qualification to the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping. The son of World Champion Paul Tierney, Jess has proven he’s more than just[...]

It’s hard for many in the game to realize that this is just the second time in his 15-year career that Mike Chase has earned the right to play on the biggest stage in this event, the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping. The McAlester, Okla., cowboy just missed the mark a season ago, finishing[...]

The Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping takes place in Ziegelgruber’s back yard. The 11-year pro lives just minutes away from the storied Lazy E Arena, the longtime host of this championship, yet this is the first year the Oklahoma cowboy has competed in it. If anyone realizes how tough it is to qualify for[...]

Scheck’s traveling partner is Rocky Patterson, the reigning World Champion Steer Roper who also won the 2009 Gold Buckle. Scheck, himself, is the reigning Average Champion from the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping. That’s a prestigious place for the cowboy who has just qualified for his third trip to the finale. That 10-round victory[...]

It’s taken the Tulsa-born cowboy 26 years to make it to the grandest stage in his event, the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping, but Williams has finally earned a spot in this weekend’s field. If you don’t think this is a special trip from Skiatook, Okla., to the fabulous Lazy E Arena, then you[...]

When you’re born in the Osage Country of Oklahoma, steer roping is just part of who you are. That’s Chet Herren in a nutshell, born in Pawhuska, Okla., 32 years ago and still working the rangeland. This weekend marks the sixth time in Herren’s career he has qualified for the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer[...]