Michael Otero, Lacinda Rose Victorious in Tulsa
Michael Otero, Lacinda Rose Victorious in Tulsa
Michael Otero and Lacinda Rose capture the championship at Mike and Sherrylynn Johnson's World's Richest Calf Roping and Invitational Barrel Race.
For the past 22 years, husband-and-wife National Finals Rodeo qualifiers Mike and SherryLynn Johnson have hosted their annual roping and barrel race between Christmas and New Year's Eve, and every year the event just seems to get larger and larger. The 2016 edition of the Mike Johnson World's Richest Calf Roping was no different. Several NFR qualifiers in calf roping and barrel racing were invited to showcase their talents in the Expo Square Ford Truck Arena in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Dec. 28-29, while the future of rodeo displayed the talent that will be entering the pro-ranks in a few years.
Michael Otero from Krum, Texas, roped his two calves in 16.52 seconds to win the Mike Johnson World's Richest Calf Roping, while Willard, Missouri, barrel racer Lacinda Rose was the champion of SherryLynn Johnson's Invitational Barrel Race with her total two-round time of 31.5 seconds.
Otero has been attending Mike's roping on and off for the past five years and won the average at the roping in 2011. Winning the title this year was a goal that he has had on his bucket list since the first year he attended the coveted roping.
"I love the exciting format and the chance at a big payout. I've always looked up to Mike and think that his roping is a great event for calf ropers, both young and old," Otero said.
Otero tied his first calf in a blistering 8.10 seconds and his second calf in 8.42 seconds, and his consistent roping paid off, winning him the championship and a total of $13,800.
Otero thinks that Mike's roping is a great event for young and upcoming ropers to attend, and he has learned over the years to not let the pressure of roping with some of the best affect his performance.
"My advice for the younger ropers is to not let the excitement of being at Mike's roping take their focus away from their roping," Otero said. "In my experience, it is easy to get excited seeing the top ropers there, so instead of getting nervous, stay on track and focused on roping sharp every round and making the final round."
Otero has been in the top 20 the last few years in the PRCA world standings and is hoping to make a trip to Las Vegas in the future.
Rose didn't know what to expect going to SherryLynn's Invitational Barrel Race but knew that it was a great race with a great payout and tough competition.
"This was my first time going to SherryLynn's race. I have always heard such great thing about the race and knew that I wanted to go this year and try it out," explained Rose.
Rose rode to the championship on RR Meradas Real Deal "Real Deal," who is by Lover Boy Merada and out of Zan Roan Jax Jo by Zan Gold Jackson.
"He is a product of my father-in-law's breeding program," Rose said. "My husband trained him to rope on, and I trained him on the barrels. He is just as good to head on as he is to run barrels. He is very honest and runs exactly how you pilot him. He is also really consistent with a lot of heart and has been a huge blessing to my family."
Rose placed fifth in the first round with a 15.9.
"Our first run was a good, solid run, but I knew that he had more to give," Rose said. "Knowing that 'Real Deal' gets faster and stronger each run, I felt pretty good about running that night."
Rose was on point and ran a 15.6 to win the short round and the average.
"I loved the race," she said. "I enjoyed the great round, the payout and competing against some very nice horses and seeing old friends. I definitely want to go back."
By Hope Sickler
Michael Otero from Krum, Texas, roped his two calves in 16.52 seconds to win the Mike Johnson World's Richest Calf Roping, while Willard, Missouri, barrel racer Lacinda Rose was the champion of SherryLynn Johnson's Invitational Barrel Race with her total two-round time of 31.5 seconds.
Otero has been attending Mike's roping on and off for the past five years and won the average at the roping in 2011. Winning the title this year was a goal that he has had on his bucket list since the first year he attended the coveted roping.
"I love the exciting format and the chance at a big payout. I've always looked up to Mike and think that his roping is a great event for calf ropers, both young and old," Otero said.
Otero tied his first calf in a blistering 8.10 seconds and his second calf in 8.42 seconds, and his consistent roping paid off, winning him the championship and a total of $13,800.
Otero thinks that Mike's roping is a great event for young and upcoming ropers to attend, and he has learned over the years to not let the pressure of roping with some of the best affect his performance.
"My advice for the younger ropers is to not let the excitement of being at Mike's roping take their focus away from their roping," Otero said. "In my experience, it is easy to get excited seeing the top ropers there, so instead of getting nervous, stay on track and focused on roping sharp every round and making the final round."
Otero has been in the top 20 the last few years in the PRCA world standings and is hoping to make a trip to Las Vegas in the future.
Rose didn't know what to expect going to SherryLynn's Invitational Barrel Race but knew that it was a great race with a great payout and tough competition.
"This was my first time going to SherryLynn's race. I have always heard such great thing about the race and knew that I wanted to go this year and try it out," explained Rose.
Rose rode to the championship on RR Meradas Real Deal "Real Deal," who is by Lover Boy Merada and out of Zan Roan Jax Jo by Zan Gold Jackson.
"He is a product of my father-in-law's breeding program," Rose said. "My husband trained him to rope on, and I trained him on the barrels. He is just as good to head on as he is to run barrels. He is very honest and runs exactly how you pilot him. He is also really consistent with a lot of heart and has been a huge blessing to my family."
Rose placed fifth in the first round with a 15.9.
"Our first run was a good, solid run, but I knew that he had more to give," Rose said. "Knowing that 'Real Deal' gets faster and stronger each run, I felt pretty good about running that night."
Rose was on point and ran a 15.6 to win the short round and the average.
"I loved the race," she said. "I enjoyed the great round, the payout and competing against some very nice horses and seeing old friends. I definitely want to go back."
By Hope Sickler