Dear Ropes,
I’m sure you all are wondering who won all that cash and wonderful prizes at the AATRC 2005 Finals. This an exciting weekend for amateur ropers started off with the #10 preliminaries. This is where Bruce Barnett began his ropers dream weekend! Bruce took home over $12,000 in cash and prizes for the weekend! This was so remarkable because his wins were all scattered throughout two different ropings (heading and heeling). You might say Bruce defined “Roping Consistantly!” With these wins Mr Barnett gathered up enough points to win the high point roper of the year $2000 bonus. Remember this high point prize, because we will continue with it into 2006. Heeling for Bruce in the #10 prelims was Mark Davis. These guys roped 3 steers in a time of 24.05 and won $4000, 2 Saddles, 2 Rope Bags and 2 Blankets. Next, was the #10 Shootout. Here we come to another young man that brought to life his ropers dream. From the Razorback state of Arkansas, Justin Pruitt, age 15, won over $14,000 in cash and prizes for the weekend and it all started with his #10 Shootout win. Heading for Justin was Todd Southerland. Their 4 steers totaled a 37.47 and $12,000! Of course it didn’t stop there they also took home 2 buckles, 2 breast collars, 2 blankets, 2 knives and last but not least 2 fully tooled ostriches seated saddles custom made by Running P Saddles with the Fear Not stamp! In the #8 preliminaries Bert Hamilton and Levi Turner rope 3 steers in a fast total of 27.57. This purse was $4800 and 2 sharp looking Trophy Saddles (with cowhide seats), 2 Rope bags and 2 Blankets.
Now once a year we hold a specialty roping for only the top 10 placing ropers of each roping. It is called the Sponsors Challenge and is considered the best of the best! Winning this roping was Sid Pittman and Dameon White with a 25.66 on 3. Winning 2 Saddles and $2200.
Last but not least the #8 Shootout ended our spectacular ropers weekend with 2 great guys winning it … Steve Trim and Breck West roped 4 steers in 42.43 seconds which allowed them to hold up the big check of $10,000 and take home 2 Trophy Ostrich seated Saddles, 2 Buckles, 2 Breastcollars and 2 Blankets! Don’t you know Christmas was good this year! Running in behind them for 2nd was an 8 yr old boy and 65 year old man! What a combination!!! Brady Norman and Dean Spurlock rope 4 steers totaling 45.06 and took split $8,000. So if a little kid and a veteran can take home a check any body is liable to win! Get ready for this years bigger and better AATRC teamropings. You might be the next Amateur World Champion!
On another important note I want to inform you guys of three camps we are having at the Fear Not Arena in Springer, Ok. First is May 4-6, we are hosting mens retreat and team roping school. This is an awesome chance for you guys to get together and receive NFR instruction and have some great food and fellowship! There will be a cost for each man to cover food, stalls, lodging and instructors. This is not profit so the cost will be as low as we can get it. Mark this weekend on your calendar and contact us because it will be limited to 12 header and 12 heelers. Also tentatively we have scheduled a girls camp that consists of breakaway, goat tying, barrels, poles (and team roping if we get enough enrolled). The dates are June 23rd -25th. Then on June 27th -29th we will have a boys camp with several events. Look for more info on the website and newsletters. Remember we always give a scholarship away to the girls and boys camp. It will be a 200 word essay on a certain topic. So don’t let $ stand in the way get those kids writing!
As we end let me leave you with a thought for the month. As for most of us life is not always a 6 second run in the short round. It is not always a $10,000 payday or a new roping horse that will take you to the NFR for a small cost $500. No, life sometimes has a little fumble of the dally, a ride home from the roping broke or maybe a sick horse that is not insured! So what do we do when these days come for I promise you, you will have a bad day sooner or later! In 2 Corinthians 4:17 Paul, a man that suffered A LOT, wrote these words: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. (Here is the important part) So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen, For what is seen is TEMPORARY, but what is unseen is eternal.” This means this life that we see is not what it is all about it will waste away one day. It is all about us and those we love being in eternity in heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ. So let me encourage you to fix your thoughts heavenward daily so when those hard days come, you will not look to the situation but to Jesus and what is eternal! Situations are defined on how you handle them!

Allow Jesus to be your handler!!
Be Blessed,

Kelly