National Circuit Finals Steer Roping Ready to Go
The best steer ropers in the country are returning to Torrington, Wyo., for the National Circuit Finals Steer Roping (NCFSR), April 28-29. Free to the public and held in an indoor arena, fans will witness one of rodeo’s original events with the best in the sport competing.
“It’s the real cowboy event, that was what they did on the ranches for doctoring cattle,” said Blair Newman, co-chairman of the National Circuit Finals Steer Roping Committee with Larry Schaneman. “Bulldogging wasn’t something they did, those were events that were made up. But, saddle bronc and steer roping are the classic events that really represent ranch life.”
The NCFSR features 220 runs spread across two days. April 28 will have four full go-rounds from noon until about 5 p.m., then action will resume April 29 at noon with two full go-rounds followed by the semifinals and the finals.
“We’re going to have 35 of the top steer ropers in the nation here, and that’s quite an event,” Newman said.
While the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping in November takes the top 15 in the world, the NCFSR has the top 35 cowboys across the 12 circuits that cover the entire country.
“They’re going to see the best in the world, that’s for sure,” said reigning NCFSR champion Chris Glover. “It’s gotten so good now and pays so much money that Trevor Brazile’s qualified a few times and this is Tuf Cooper’s first one, and they aren’t going to California (April 28-29), they are going to Torrington to rope steers. That’s a pretty good deal when you got the best in the event going to it.”
Glover won $6,121 at last year’s NCFSR, and he’s heading back for another round.
“It was the greatest, with the best ropers in the world, that’s what it’s all about right there,” Glover said. “Those guys in Torrington did one heck of a job, they produced a class act, they treated us like we’re kings.”
Glover’s been competing in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association for 27 years and will be competing against Brazile, a 23-time world champion. Six of Brazile’s 23 world titles stem from steer roping. Brazile will be in Torrington along with his brother-in-law, Cooper, the 2017 All-Around World Champion.
“It’s a privilege to get to go there and it’s an awesome event,” Glover said. “Those guys do a heck of a job, they’re darn good people.”
Admission is free for the public and concession stands will be open at 7078 Fairgrounds Road, Torrington, Wyo., 82240.
“We have some of the best facilities in the state,” Newman said. “It’s all inside and the weather is nice in there.”
NCFSR Records
• Fastest time: 8.6 seconds, Jess Tierney, fifth round, 2017
• Fastest average on four head: 50.8 seconds, Vin Fisher, 2010
• Fastest average on six head: 71.6 seconds, Rocky Patterson, 2017
• Fastest average on seven head: 87.4 seconds, Chance Kelton, 2014
• Fastest average on eight head: Chance Kelton, 117.9 seconds, 2012
Courtesy of PRCA