United States Team Roping Championships USTRC National Finals 2018
America’s Cowboy Sport since 1990
The United States Team Roping Championships, USTRC, will converge for their National Finals Team Roping (NFTR) event at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on Sunday, October 21st; on through Saturday, October 27th.
The USTRC, which has been promoting fairness in competitive Team Roping since 1990, currently boasts over 85 yearly, sanctioned events; and 300 affiliate events – nationwide.
United States Team Roping Championships USTRC National Finals 2018
There’s an anticipated total payout within the $5 Million dollar range; with 4 – 5,000 teams competing. The #10 Division, as in most cases and areas of the country, will have the most entries.
2018 has been a “rebuilding year”, states Karl Stressman, President of the USTRC. He continued, “We’ve done some things that have put us in a good position…we’re going to continue to escalate the [USTRC] brand”.
And indeed, they have made some additions and changes to their format that should do just that:
Sunday, October 21: Kicking off the 2018 NFTR, will be the #16 Case IH Tractor Roping. This will be an enter one-time event, with $1,000 entry fees. The winners of the average will each receive a Case IH Tractor
The 2018 NFTR will be the first year to feature “RAM Exclusives” (age-capped at 25 yrs and over) roping for the #12, #11, #10, #9, and #8 Divisions. Stressman believes that this will “level the playing field” for the bulk of their members. These age-capped divisions will be awarding a whopping $10,000 RAM Truck certificate to the winning headers and heelers in each division In addition, Bob’s Custom Saddles and Gist Buckles will be awarded to the top ten headers and heelers in each division.
NEW to 2018 for The Cinch Ladies Championships – Thursday, October 25: They will feature a #10 Division, with a #8 Incentive, and capped at a 6 Elite – both ends. The 2018 awards will include Bob’s Custom saddles, a full Cinch Ladies’ wardrobe, and a $1,000 cash bonus – all in addition to the prize money. (Over $55,000 was awarded in 2017; $18,040 of which Rylea Rae Fabrizio and Lorraine Moreno ended up winning.)
NEW to the Junior Looper Open (Monday, October 22) and #10 (Wednesday, October 24) Divisions: They are now a part of the Jr. NFR Program; with $50,000 up for grabs in both divisions. There will be five positions up for grabs at the NFTR in Oklahoma City, to be added to the 10 Year-End Qualifiers going to the Jr. NFR in Las Vegas – December 6-15.
Born and raised on a cattle ranch on the Flathead Indian Reservation in northwest Montana, Eileen graduated from University of Montana - Western with a Business Degree. She is the mother of two grown children - Sydnee, and Billy Quade; and grandmother of two, Lillian and Rocky Rex. Eileen draws from personal, life experiences; as she has held many positions over the years including heavy equipment operator, member of a survey crew for Independence Mining, veterinary technician, Bud Girl for Anheuser-Busch, PR Director for the Idaho Cowboys Association, feed manager for Midland Bull Test Station in Columbus, Montana, National Event Coordinator for Montana Silversmiths, security guard for the Muskogee Creek Nation One Fire Casino, Marketing Director for the Tulsa RV Ranch, and freelance writer for various publications - including a weekly column for three years in the "Elko Daily Free Press" in Elko, Nevada. She enjoys training barrel horses and singing - and has sung the National Anthem for rodeos such as the Reno Rodeo in Reno, Nevada, the College National Finals, and the New Year's Eve Bull Bash in Salt Lake City, Utah.
