Ranch fire sparks generosity among Walt Arnold's friends
But in June, Arnold's friends took up a collection and replaced the buckle that commemorated his 1969 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association title.
Arnold received the buckle at a party to celebrate his July induction into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colo.
"It was a big surprise," Arnold said. "I'm thankful that I had so many friends who were concerned."
Arnold, 70, said he lost his world championship trophy saddle, numerous photos and about 120 buckles when his house burned 25 years ago.
"I've got a lot of buckles, but the world championship buckle was really special, because I won that one only once," he said.
Arnold qualified for the National Finals Steer Roping 19 times (1965-67, 1969-72, 1974-82, 1984-86), a number surpassed only by Guy Allen and Arnold Felts. Arnold won the NFSR average title in 1965 and 1978, and he competed in team roping at the National Finals Rodeo in 1966 and 1968.
The class of 2009 also included six-time saddle bronc world champion Dan Mortensen of Billings, Mont.; the late all-around cowboy Leonard Ward of Talent, Ore.; bull rider Ted Nuce of Stephenville; the late Erv Korkow (stock contractor) of Canning, S.D. and all-around hand Ace Berry (lifetime achievement) of Oakdale, Calif.
Asking for commitment
When Greg Rhodes has heart-to-heart talks with his rodeo competitors on why they aspire to become involved in the sport, the Western Texas College coach issues a big challenge.
It's all about choosing to compete in rodeos as a hobby or to ride and rope for trophy belt buckles, he said.
"The majority of them don't want to just rodeo," he added. "They want to accomplish something in the sport."
That way of thinking carried over at the College National Finals Rodeo in June, when Western Texas College lassoed the men's team title.
After competing for six days in Casper, Wyo., Western Texas clinched the title by earning 820 points, 210 more than second-place Southeastern Oklahoma State.
Western Texas bronc rider Jake Wright tied for first in the men's all-around race and Bryan Martinat of Western Texas clinched the 2009 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association saddle bronc riding title.
With Rhodes, Western Texas' 12-year coach, it's all about setting goals.
"No. 1, I ask them what level they want to compete at," Rhodes said. "I realize not everyone would want to compete at the very highest level. Once that's determined, then you work with them to get to where they want to be."
During the past year, Rhodes formed a team of six men who dominated the NIRA Southwest Region and the College National Finals. The other team members were Luke Creasy, Jared Smith, Cody Burney and Sam Knight.
A lucrative duo
Texas team ropers Caleb Mitchell and Ryan Motes had been roping together for only two weeks. But by the way they performed at the renowned Bob Feist Invitational Team Roping Classic held in June in Reno, Nev., it looked as if they had partnered for a much longer time.
Mitchell and Motes each earned almost $75,000 after winning the coveted title with a six-run time of 45.49 seconds.
Motes, 28, is the son of 1977 world champion team roper David Motes, who won his BFI title in 1981 when Ryan was 11 months old.
E-mail Brett Hoffman at brett@myrodeoinsider.com.
Notice about comments:
TheEagle.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. TheEagle.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not theeagle.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
Full terms and conditions can be read here.
