09/07/2021
2021 Madonna Inn/Twisselman WSTR Roping Article by Cathie...
Hello Ropers!
First of all I want to THANK everyone who came to our WSTR Qualifier at Madonna Inn on August 13-15, 2021. As all of you who were there already know, it was a fantasticroping with an outstanding turnout! This is because of all of our loyal team ropers and their families and crew that we’ve had for probably over 30+ years.
I’m so excited to say that we had over 1400 teams and took in a total of $389,000.00 with a cash payout of right at $315,000.00 plus awards & prizes valued at over $11,000.00. That puts us to around a $400,000.00 roping. AMAZING! Right? We thought so.
As usual, a heartfelt appreciation goes out to all of our wonderful crew and sponsors. Every year (except for last year cuz of COVID) we are so fortunate to have this special crew that comes all the way from Texas, New Mexico & Arizona. They’ve been there for us…and all of you, through thick & thin, no matter what……
We love them all so much that I want to name all of them and thank them personally! Linda Davis, Colleen Enk, Vicky Mounyo, Kelsi (Mounyo) Bramwell & Elena Clark. They’re our announcers and office crew. Linda & Colleen are the fastest talkers I’ve
ever heard. LOL. And Vicky, Kelsi & Elena are so pleasant and efficient that I don’t have to do anything. Everyone LOVES all of you guys!!! As usual, they did a splendid job taking care of all our ropers and friends with a cheerful laugh, giggle & smile. Next is Troy Shelley, Aaron Shelly & Ray Siggins. We’ve been working with Troy since the beginning of the USTRC days. It’s true what they say… “you DO get better with age”!
We’ve known Ray for years, but this is the first time he’s been able to make it out here and it was so great to see him. Ray brought with him, a newer chute crew for us this year, and even though we missed seeing all of our “older” crew, Ray’s crew was equally as great as our previous years helpers!!! Ray personally watched every single run and made sure that all of the cattle were even & sorted off anything that wasn’t. Of course, to have a good roping with an even playing field, this is a MUST & needs to happen. Besides Troy & Ray making sure everything ran smoothly, Aaron Shelley along with a “newcomer” flagger but long time friend to us, Johnny “Mac” Robertson did all the
flagging and as usual, our flaggers did a spectacular job. As you all know, steers aren’t always perfect. That’s why we take great pride in making sure that we monitor each and every run and pull out the steers that don’t keep the competition the same for all
ropers. To us, it’s important to be “roper friendly” & give each roper the benefit of the doubt and if need be, a “new” run. When ropers put up these amounts of money for entry fees at a ropings, I feel like they appreciate it when we try to make sure their value is always there.
For the first time ever, we didn’t own our own cattle. Because of the past years circumstances with COVID, the weather, etc., we weren’t able to purchase new cattle.
But ANOTHER really good friend, Steve Simon came to our rescue and supplied us with 3 truck loads of PERFECT cattle for this years Event. He sent a stronger, faster bunch for the higher number ropers, a medium running bunch for the middle numbered ropers and a slower bunch for the lower numbered ropers. Steve was there for us in a pinch and we appreciate that VERY much!!! I don’t think we could’ve gone anywhere else and gotten a more perfect set of cattle…from a nicer guy!
As for our sponsors….along with the usual sponsorship that the WSTR already has for every roping, we had a few that ALWAYS step up to the plate and make things even more special for us and everyone else at our ropings. Gist Silversmith’s has been
making our “custom” buckles ever since we’ve been putting on ropings in the late 1970’s. Years ago, Gary Gist personally designed & made us our original Madonna Inn Buckles that are 2nd to none! Every year from then on they have not disappointed! It really all started when my dad, Alex Madonna had Gary design a very special buckle for my mom with the Madonna Inn Stagecoach on it. It was beautiful…as you can all
imagine. Then when I asked Gary if he could do the same for our ropings, he said “not a problem”. From then on, we’ve had nothing but beautiful, hand crafted, unique buckles with the Madonna Inn Stagecoach on them. Of course, I have to give credit to Gary’s son Chad too. Since Chad has grown up and been working with his dad, the quality and service has never changed. They’re wonderful!!! So THANK YOU to all of
you at Gist Silversmiths!
Another amazing sponsor and friend to Rowly & I for more years than I can remember are Dustin Noblitt, Denis Carroll & Barry Berg of Cactus Ropes, Cactus Gear, Stetson, Resistol Hats & Clothing. They have always made sure that they send EXTRA prizes for all our events too. And this year we were SO excited to be able to present the prettiest, most efficient and different “pulling” Breast Collars to our 2nd place winners.
I’m not sure if everyone realized exactly what they were getting with these breast collars, but I’m sure when they try & use them they’ll see that they are the best kind of breast collar on the market. Of course, that’s MY opinion…lol. I love this type of
breast collar and have been using them for around 10 years. I like the way they lay at the same angle of the shoulder into the neck. It’s basically just like what they’recalled… “pulling collars”. They’re designed more like the actual pulling collar that all
the farmers and ranchers used to use on their work horses back in the 1800’s. They’re designed to help the horse “pull” and not have so much friction against their shoulders. Again, that’s MY opinion.
My family…..of course, Rowly, Caleb, Teale & Tara are always there for not only me, but every single roper and THEIR family as well. I can’t express enough how fortunate & blessed I am to have them as my family! Then there’s my mom (who’s 93 years old)
and my youngest sister and her family…Connie, Clint, Audrey & Dalton. If it wasn’t for these guys we wouldn’t have a place to put on a roping…not to mention the Madonna Inn’s Restaurant, Hotel & Gift Shops. It all started years ago when I was about 16 or 17 I think when my dad got together with Cotton Rosser and decided to build this arena and put on RCA Rodeos. That was the beginning of ALL of our families love of the sport of rodeo & team roping. My dad loved it and made sure that we all had the
opportunity to learn & participate in these sports (as did he). Of course everyone in not only MY family, but Rowly’s family as well have become avid Team Ropers and lovers of the sport! This HAS to be a true testament to how Team Roping is such a great 2021 Madonna Inn/Twisselman WSTR Roping “family” sport that ANYONE at ANY AGE can learn how to do and participate in. My
dad’s been gone for over 17 years now, yet his love of the sport, animals, his family and friends have lived on throughout the years. The ONLY person in my family that never roped was my mom…but that’s cuz she didn’t have the opportunity to grow up
around horses and livestock. She was born and raised in Long Beach, CA. & was a “city girl”. She’d never been around anything like this until she met my dad when she was around 21 years old and they got married. Yet, my mom, from then on has gone
to EVERY roping, clinic &/or event that had anything to do with horses and cattle and still does today! In true fashion, mom was at this roping this past August, sitting on the hill watching and visiting with old friends and had the time of her life.
And Connie…..she’s worked her tail off to make sure that EVERYTHING at the Arena and the Inn was as good as possible for not only my family & I, but all of the ropers as well. She made sure the electrical & sound system, lights and arena were all in ship shape and even had the Inn’s staff on hand 24/7 if we needed anything. And the people that work in the Room Reservations were on top of everything! It’s not easy having rooms for everyone when they want them cuz there’s always changes, yet they seemed to make it work. And it’s not as if the Madonna Inn isn’t busy…..they’re ALWAYS busy! A lot of rooms still need at least a 1 year in advance reservation. Along with the Room staffers is Amanda (who has been at the Inn & my family for more years than I know) & Cheri (in the Gift Shops) that’s like a little sister to me. Whenever I need anything shipped or received (for anything), they’re there!!! I know this might not seem like a lot, but it really is to me. Organization is KEY to being successful and I wouldn’t have a chance of getting everything done right if not for all these people. My other sister Karen and her family, Tim (Rowly’s brother), Tristan, Sterling & Lexie are also
always here for us. If we ever need any help equipment wise or anything, they’re there! My brother John & his family…the same! When it comes right down to it…again….I’m most fortunate & Blessed to have the family I do and am very thankful!!!
A few others I can’t leave off this “long” list of people that helped make our roping be the success that it was is Mitchell & McKenzie Thompson. They both used to work for
us on the ranch but last year had to go back to Texas for job opportunities but have still been in contact and had a major impact on our cattle & horse operations. They came back specifically to help us take care of all the stalling needs of all you ropers…(a thankless job). Doing stalls (pens) is always a nightmare but such a necessity. First they put up and took down all the pens and tried to accommodate every single ropers
wants and needs. They did a fantastic job! Hopefully everyone who dealt with them had a good experience and realize how difficult it is to make this work. I know that we didn’t have enough pens for everyone but Connie made it possible that anyone who
wanted to could set up their own pens on the grass field by the Hiway…something we haven’t been able to do for a long time. Only problem was, we didn’t know this until the end of the first day of the roping and we’d already told a few that they couldn’t set up there. It wasn’t our intention to be inconvenient or harsh with anyone and we hope that all is forgiven and that everything worked out. McKenzie and Mitchell DID go around & try to let everyone know who they’d talked to before that it was okay to set
up their own pens. Anyway…….great job McKenzie & Mitchell!!!
Next…and even though they may not see this article cuz they’re
always so busy working, I want to thank Bob, Linda & Rick Rohrer of Rohrer Hay & Feed Sales for all the great alfalfa hay that they brought us. I know it seems trivial to be talking about feed, but it’s a BIG deal to us that we always have premium quality hay for all our animals…even our steers…and especially since these weren’t even our steers. They were Steve Simon’s and we always want to make sure we take care of everyone else’s animals as if they were our own…maybe even more. Bottom line, the hay was
excellent!
There were two very important Vendors at our roping also……one, so very muchneeded and appreciated was Bonnie & Claud Loftus & their family with “Little Jimmy’s” Food Truck. We’ve know Claude & Bonnie since before they were born…literally and Bonnie has done our ropings and horse sales WAY BACK in the years but got so busy with their own food businesses that they couldn’t come back until just this year. We’re SO thankful for them being here and supplying everyone with as good a food & quality as anyone ever could. Their food is impeccable & SO TASTY! It’s also just so wonderful to be able to work with more family….(yes…they’re related too). We have a BIG family and even a bigger circle of friends.
The 2nd vendor that always comes to our event is Jimmy Pfeffer of Ropes Galore Tack Trailer. Jimmy’s always there to help everyone out with any of their wants and needs as far as tack goes for you and your horse. He has oodles and oodles of gorgeous quality tack, roping dummy’s (by Cactus) and of course CACTUS Ropes “galore”!!! Jimmy too (although like family) is not related, but he seems like it. We’ve known Jimmy since Caleb was in diapers and Jimmy’s predecessor, Judy and Ozzie Gillum were the owner’s of Ropes Galore in Oakdale, CA. They were Caleb’s 1st sponsors as a wee kid and we’re all most grateful for that. Since then, Jimmy bought them out and they moved to Arizona but Jimmy has kept up their great traditions and support of Team Roping throughout thick & thin, good and bad. Still today, you can see dozens of kids roping Jimmy’s dummies and using his ropes. Ropes Galore has always been family orientated and there for all the kids in the same fashion today as when Judy & Ozzie were doing it. Thank you, Jimmy!
One more company or should I say SPONSOR that doesn’t seem to get the recognition they deserve is C and N Tractors of Paso Robles, CA. For years, the people at C and N tractor have been there for us when we needed a tractor to drag our arena…a VERY
important part of our operation in keeping our arena in tip top shape. In case you’re not familiar with C and N Tractors, they’re the dealer for the KUBOTA tractors. No matter where you’re from, if you need a GREAT tractor and a GREAT deal, call the guys at C and N Tractors! Like us, they’re very family orientated and always there to help! Besides being such amazing people….their products are “top of the line” in the
Equipment business. So a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to C and N Tractors!!! We really appreciate your support and help in everything we do!!!
Oh…..there’s a few more people I’d like to thank because if it hadn’t been for him and them, we’d never be having such great ropings as we do today. That’s DENNY GENTRY, his wife Connie & John English. I know that Denny has stepped down from
the WSTR as of last year, but I want you all to know how much he’s influenced not only OUR lives, but the lives of all of you Team Ropers and horse enthusiasts. We met Denny about 35+ years ago (late 1970’s) when he brought USTRC to California. I think we were one of the 1st people to put on a sanctioned USTRC Ropings. Denny made the expectations and quality of Team Roping what it is today. You had to have 1st rate
quality roping steers and run an organized, on-time event. Such things were NOT that heard of in those days. Most ropings at the time, didn’t always have good, even cattle, a first rate arena with “good ground” or an efficient crew and office staff that started on time. Yes, there were always good announcers but when Denny started the USTRC, you had to have GREAT announcers that were fast, efficient in their times and timing and didn’t make mistakes. Of course, no one’s perfect….we all make mistakes, but
Denny’s high expectations & quality control made us ALL better!!! We started having a lot better ropings and ran a much tighter ship. The result of this was more ropers, happier ropers, happier producers and more. Denny’s USTRC eventually sold and then he started the WSTR. The WSTR is of the same utmost high quality, but he figured out how to make ropings even pay higher than they did before. We no longer were just a bunch of small time team ropers going to small time weekly jackpots. Although there
IS still a place for the weekly, lower cost jackpots everywhere. The one thing that Denny DID create though that still stuck is the efficiency of the runnings of ropings. Nowadays, I think just EVERY roping…big or small runs like the quick, efficient, quality
ropings that Denny introduced us all too.
I could go on and on about all the things that Denny Gentry did for Team Roping but that would be in a whole nuther article. I want to tell you that behind every great man is a great woman…(of course I like this part…I’m a woman) LOL. But all kidding aside, Denny’s wife Connie is an amazement in her own right. Most people (I don’t think) really know and appreciate all of the stuff that Connie Gentry does. She’s the person behind the curtain like in The Wizard of Oz. She makes sure everything is running in the background and keeps track of everything too. I’d like to say she’s the “grease” for the “wheel” and hopefully that doesn’t offend her. I just know that grease is a necessity, right? Well that’s how I feel about Connie….she’s a very welcome and
appreciated necessity. Another person that’s been with Denny for years…that still is, is John English. He’s the guy I call when we want to schedule a roping, need help with a roping or just plain anything! He’s always been here for Rowly & I from the beginning
and is still here today. As a matter of fact, he’s the person I’m gonna call to schedule our 2022 Roping at the Madonna Inn. We’re scheduling early this year just cuz we don’t want to cross or overlap anyone else’s events. So tentatively, here’s our NEW
DATE for our WSTR at Madonna Inn. It’s gonna be August 12, 13 & 14, 2022! Please put it on your calendars now and if you want a room at Madonna Inn, I suggest that you book as early as possible……even now! I know it seems too early to do this,
but the way things have been going for the past couple of years with COVID, etc., people are planning way ahead cuz they’re so sick & tired of doing nothing. COVID & our Government…….do I dare touch on these subjects? I’ll probably be in trouble if I do but I DO want to wish each and every one of you HEALTH and
HAPPINESS to your whole family! One thing I know is that the number 1 thing in all of our lives is our health. There’s nothing else that matters more, in my opinion. And no matter what your thoughts are on COVID, or what you experiences have been with
COVID, I wish you the best of luck and many prayers!!!
THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYONE who came and participated in our 2021 Madonna Inn WSTR this year. It was SO GOOD to see everyone and I for one had the best time just seeing & visiting with old & new friends. I hope you all can say the same.
HAPPY TRAILS AND GOD BLESS!!!
**Note**
To see ALL of the actual results of all our ropings, go to the WSTR (World Series Team Roping) page. Vicky has posted everything there along with even MORE pictures!
And........sorry if this is too long for a lot of you. It's just that I haven't written a follow-up article on our ropings in several years and I found that I had A LOT to say. Just hope you enjoyed it...
Thanks again!!!
Cathie Twisselman
Oh......double click on the pictures to get the FULL sized version.
There are 4 pages of pictures.
