Throwback Thursday: The House That Joe Built
Throwback Thursday: The House That Joe Built
A lot has changed since Joe Beaver made his first trip to the Thomas & Mack Center in 1985. That year marked the first time the National Finals Rodeo was being held in Las Vegas, and Beaver was also making his rookie debut in the "Super Bowl of rodeo."
LAS VEGAS -- A lot has changed since Joe Beaver made his first trip to the Thomas & Mack Center in 1985. That year marked the first time the National Finals Rodeo was being held in Las Vegas, and Beaver was also making his rookie debut in the "Super Bowl of rodeo."
But by the time Beaver left town with the Rookie of the Year award and world title in calf roping, the two-year-old arena was simply known as the "House That Joe Built."
Following his breakthrough win more than 30 years ago, Beaver has won another seven world championships and witnessed both the sport and city grow at a rate that's recognizable every time he comes to Vegas.
The bright city lights that were once unseen in the night sky when cowboys like Beaver hit Henderson, NV -- 30 miles from Vegas -- are easily visible today. The atmosphere inside the arena has also experienced a dramatic shift. When the NFR debuted at Thomas & Mack, plaza tickets could be secured for $15, and ProRodeo was just hoping the event would work in Las Vegas. Who knew we would be where we are today?
A round win in 1985 payed around $7,800, which is no comparison to the current round paycheck of $27,000.
Beaver also recalls how different life on the road was in 1985. For example, there was no Whataburger or McDonald's every 15 miles to stop at for a quick meal on the long drive into town.
"We had to find a truck stop to microwave some food or a 24-hour diner," Beaver said. "We got creative."
In those days, it was three guys hauling in a capri-camper and a four-horse bumper pull trailer all over the country. In 1985, Beaver traveled with Roy Cooper and Clay Tom Cooper after all three made the NFR together.
One specific detail that Beaver mentioned from his adventures on the road was that they had trouble finding hay for their horses. It's something you don't think about now, because every feed store has hay available. Beaver's horse at the time was named "Pat," who would go on to win Horse of the Year in 1987.
Beaver's dad, however, offered some reassurance by saying, "Well, Joe, your style has worked this long, see how it goes for a year."
When Beaver won the world in the calf roping, he quickly noticed other competitors started changing to his style of roping.
"A lot has changed since I first made it," Beaver said, "but the one thing that has stayed the same, is that it is just as hard to win in that arena today as it was 31 years ago."
By Whitney Thurmond
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But by the time Beaver left town with the Rookie of the Year award and world title in calf roping, the two-year-old arena was simply known as the "House That Joe Built."
Following his breakthrough win more than 30 years ago, Beaver has won another seven world championships and witnessed both the sport and city grow at a rate that's recognizable every time he comes to Vegas.
The bright city lights that were once unseen in the night sky when cowboys like Beaver hit Henderson, NV -- 30 miles from Vegas -- are easily visible today. The atmosphere inside the arena has also experienced a dramatic shift. When the NFR debuted at Thomas & Mack, plaza tickets could be secured for $15, and ProRodeo was just hoping the event would work in Las Vegas. Who knew we would be where we are today?
A round win in 1985 payed around $7,800, which is no comparison to the current round paycheck of $27,000.
Beaver also recalls how different life on the road was in 1985. For example, there was no Whataburger or McDonald's every 15 miles to stop at for a quick meal on the long drive into town.
"We had to find a truck stop to microwave some food or a 24-hour diner," Beaver said. "We got creative."
In those days, it was three guys hauling in a capri-camper and a four-horse bumper pull trailer all over the country. In 1985, Beaver traveled with Roy Cooper and Clay Tom Cooper after all three made the NFR together.
One specific detail that Beaver mentioned from his adventures on the road was that they had trouble finding hay for their horses. It's something you don't think about now, because every feed store has hay available. Beaver's horse at the time was named "Pat," who would go on to win Horse of the Year in 1987.
"We would find hay on the side of the road, literally," Beaver said.During his rookie season, the only thing more unique than Beaver's fashion choice of wearing polo pullovers, which were then banned after that year, was his roping style. The calves back in 1985 ran so hard and were so big, that Beaver was often told his reaching and slack-handling style would not ever work.
Beaver's dad, however, offered some reassurance by saying, "Well, Joe, your style has worked this long, see how it goes for a year."
When Beaver won the world in the calf roping, he quickly noticed other competitors started changing to his style of roping.
"A lot has changed since I first made it," Beaver said, "but the one thing that has stayed the same, is that it is just as hard to win in that arena today as it was 31 years ago."
By Whitney Thurmond