The San Antonio Rose Palace was swarming with cowboys- cowboys with names
like Cody Buffalo, Bubba Buckaloo, and Turtle Powell were all kicking up dust
as they warmed up their horses. A cool breeze enveloped the arena.
The bleachers were packed with enthusiastic fans all cheering- ready to take
part in one of the most prestigious roping events in the U.S. hosted by country
superstar and avid team roper, George Strait.
March 24 and 25 marked the silver anniversary of the George Strait Team
Roping Classic (GSTRC). “The time has gone by so fast,” commented Strait
whose team roping classic- which started as a competition for friends and
family- has, in its 25 years, become one of the county’s premier open roping
events.
GSTRC brings the most accomplished ropers from all over the country to San
Antonio. However, not only does it attract the big names, as an open
roping event, teams of all levels may compete alongside each other for a chance
at the big winnings. This year teams competed for a chance at prize
money which topped $500,000, two Chevy Silverado Trucks donated by Cavender
Chevrolet of Boerne, TX, two Strait X-treme 3-horse trailers by Bruton, Twister
saddles and Gist Belt Buckles.
“Longevity and quality are what Cavender Chevrolet and George Strait stand
for,” said Tommy Pipes, General Sales Manager at Cavender Chevrolet, regarding
their sponsorship of the GSTRC. “We are like-minded. Cavender
satisfies its customers and George satisfies his fans.”
Header Nick Sartain of Yukon, OK and heeler Jhett Johnson of Casper, WY
walked away first-time winners of the GSTRC with a combined three round score
of 16.84. “We had a good smooth run on a good steer,” said Sartain
speaking of their third go. “We don’t rope together regularly,” he
said, “only when you can enter with multiple partners.” Sartain also
competed with Kolyn Vanahn and Johnson roped with Turtle Powell.
Johnson, who missed the fall rodeo season due to an appendectomy, expressed
that winning the GSTRC for the first time is, “A terrific feeling. It’s
an amazing boost for my spring rodeo season.”
Brothers Jay (22) and Randon (25) Adams of Logandale, NV came in a close
second with a score of 16.98. The Adams brothers really enjoy competing
together. “It’s good to win with your brother.” Randon said. “Our dad
raised us roping together. It was a dream of his.”
“Win, lose, or draw, at the end of the day you still have your brother,”
Jay remarked, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
This year, during the final round, ropers had a chance at additional prize
money in the “Red Wrapped Challenge” - a $5,000 per round progressive contest
sponsored by Attorney Wayne Wright. $20,000 total was up for grabs if ropers
were lucky enough to rope one of the randomly selected steers with red wrapped
horns. Cesar de la Cruz and Derek Begay took home $10,000 and set a
new GSTRC record with a ride of 3.31 seconds in their second go.
Sponsors who helped make the 2007 George Strait Team
Roping Classic a success include: Cavender Chevrolet of Boerne, TX, Bruton
Trailers, Attorney Wayne Wright, Bill Miller Bar-B-Q, Tractor Supply Company,
Brake Check, Gist Buckles, Classic Ropes, Capital Farm Credit, Wrangler, Justin
Boots, and Cactus Ropes.
