BFI to Pay Back 100 Percent
PHOENIX, Arizona – Is this an April Fool’s Joke? Not hardly. For the first time in history, the Bob Feist Invitational on April 1 will pay back 100 percent of the pot to ropers.
Over the 46 years of the world’s most prestigious and lucrative Open roping, it has traditionally paid back 97 percent, compared to the 80 percent typical of most jackpot team ropings.
“It was always our intent to pay back 100 percent,” said Daren Peterson of Ullman Peterson Events, whose Wrangler BFI on April Fool’s Day will showcase the world’s 125 best teams over five full rounds and a finals. “The 97 percent we’ve paid for years has been unheard of, but Bob Feist wanted this roping to be for the ropers while giving fans an unbelievable show, and we’re continuing that.”
Last year, Jake Clay and Billie Jack Saebens bested 125 other teams from third-high callback to hit the $150,000 jackpot after roping six steers in 47.11 seconds.
This year, the BFI will again be preceded by the annual Cowboy Auction and Dinner, this time at the Chicken Shack in Arcadia, Oklahoma, on Friday night, March 31. Doors open at 5 p.m. and a ticket to the BFI will get you in free.
The BFI anchors Wrangler BFI Week, which last year paid out $2.92 million in cash and prizes and airs on WranglerNetwork.com. It kicks off this year on March 29 with the Charlie 1 Horse All-Girl ropings, and of course the BFI on April 1. Throughout the seven days are also the Hooey Jr. BFI Championships and high-stakes 15.5, 12.5, 11.5 Businessman’s, and 10.5-Over-40 ropings. BFI Week concludes April 4 with the new 9.5-Over-40, 8.5 and 7 ropings.
Tickets for the BFI can be purchased on site at the Lazy E Arena, by phone at 405-282-RIDE or online at www.ticketmaster.com. A special roper rate is available at the Hampton Inn and Suites of Guthrie, by calling (405) 293-9595. Entries for the BFI must be postmarked by March 1. Entries for all other ropings can be mailed by March 1 or taken on-site with a $100 per team late fee. Visit www.bfiweek.com for schedule details and entry forms.