Cooper avoids injury to win roping event

Brett Hoffman

Tuf Cooper won the coveted match calf roping tournament at the Windy Ryon Memorial Roping.

But completing the required 10 runs at the popular Fort Worth show turned out to be a challenge for the 2008 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier.

During his first match, Cooper dodged what could have been a serious injury. After his horse bolted from the box, the small rope that pops away from the calf’s neck and trips the barrier wrapped around the left stirrup of the saddle and jerked off the stirrup.

The rope also momentarily attached to the bottom of Cooper’s leg, but he somehow escaped taking a really hard jerk that could have caused a crippling injury. Cooper at first limped in the arena but soon regained strength and went on and won two matches.

“I had my guardian angels over me, and the Lord blessed me,” said Cooper, 19, who last year qualified for his first National Finals.

Cooper won his first match against former National Finals qualifier Jeff Chapman, 40.03 to 41.99, after each roper completed four runs. During his final-round match, Cooper edged defending Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world all-around champion Trevor Brazile 117.91-167.36, after each cowboy made six runs.

Cooper earned $5,000 for winning the final match on May 23. Brazile pocketed $2,000 for second.

Though the earnings do not count in the PRCA world standings, the money certainly will help the two cowboys pay entry fees and road costs.

Cooper is on pace to return to the National Finals. In the PRCA June 1 world standings, he ranks fourth in tie-down roping with $39,749.

Cooper, who lives in Decatur, is the youngest son of the 1980s legendary roper Roy Cooper. He’s also a grandson of early 1960s NFR calf roping qualifier Clifton Smith of Childress and a grandson of longtime roper Tuffy Cooper who lives in the Hobbs, N.M. area.

Beaver in the money — Three-time world all-round champion Joe Beaver of Huntsville earned $2,040 after finishing third in team roping heading last weekend in Fort Smith, Ark., at the traditional Old Fort Days Rodeo. Beaver, who also competed in the tie-down roping, received the rodeo’s all-around award.

Mesquite rodeo returns — The weekly Mesquite Championship Rodeo reopens this weekend under a new ownership group after being closed during the past month for arena renovations. The rodeo will be sanctioned by the PRCA and the stock will be provided by Stace Smith of Athens, who also is part owner of the rodeo. Camelot Sports, the new ownership group, has made significant improvements such as installing two color jumbo video boards. For more information, visit www.mesquiterodeo.com.

Brazile on the move — Trevor Brazile of Decatur won all three events at last weekend’s PRCA show in Silver City, N.M. Brazile’s wins in team roping, tie-down roping and steer roping paid $7,310, enough to help him regain the lead in the all-around standings. Brazile has all-around earnings of $77,873, $905 ahead of second ranked Curtis Cassidy. Brazile also leads the steer roping world title race.

A freak accident — Professional Bull Riders star McKennon Wimberly could be sidelined for several months from the Built Ford Tough Series after hooking a spur on a step last month in Des Moines, Iowa. The accident happened when Wimberly jumped out of the way of stock contractor Chad Berger. Wimberly, 20, who lives in Cool, underwent surgery to insert a rod in his lower left leg. He’s the son of late 1980s National Finals qualifier Joe Wimberly.