Tickets are on sale now for the 46th annual Bob Feist Invitational roping coming to Guthrie, Oklahoma’s Lazy E Arena on April 1 for the fourth straight year. 

The world’s richest Open roping, featuring the 125 best professional teams over six rounds, occurs on a Saturday smack in the middle of Wrangler BFI Week, presented by Yeti. In 2023, the extravaganza has been extended to seven full days – March 29 through April 4.

“We paid out $2.88 million in cash last year at Wrangler BFI Week, and look for some record-breaking payouts in Oklahoma now with the addition of three ropings,” said Daren Peterson, who owns the BFI with his wife, Kami Peterson, and Corky and Kristi Ullman. 

On Tuesday, April 4, the producers have added brand-new 9.5-Over-40, 8.5 and 7 ropings. In the 9.5, you can be 40 anytime in 2023, and it’s capped at 5.5 heelers. The 8.5 and 7 ropings are pick-or-draw, capped at 4.5 and 4 ropers, respectively, and are progressive after two with age minimums of at 21. 

Find schedule details and entry forms for those and the Charlie 1 Horse All-Girl Team Roping and Breakaway, Hooey Jr. BFI Championships, BFI Legends for past BFI ropers over 40, 15.5, 12.5, 11.5 Businessman’s and 10.5-Over-40 ropings at www.bfiweek.com. Entries will be taken on-site with a $100 per team late fee, or postmark by March 1. 

And on March 31, in the Equinety Arena (the warm-up arena by the stalls) BFI greats will be giving a free clinic, new this year, to all Jr. BFI contestants. The clinic presented by Smarty is from 10 a.m. to noon (Jr. BFI contestants can also show their back numbers the next morning for free admission into the BFI). 

That night, plan to attend the legendary BFI cowboy auction and free welcome dinner with entertainment, now at the infamous Chicken Shack on Rt. 66 in Arcadia, south of the Lazy E Arena. Doors open at 5 and the first team sells at 6 p.m. 

Finally, during “The Feist” on April 1 fans can enjoy a brand-new Beer Garden in the Lazy E, featuring world champion calf roper Shane Hanchey’s popular Cajun food truck. Bo’s Boil N Geaux was named after Taylor Hanchey’s NFR barrel horse and offers creole goodies like crawfish, sausage, chicken and shrimp; etouffee and gumbo.  

Also, a new Kids’ Corral and Smarty Arena will host jackpots for kiddos that day, including the Future Champions Dummy Roping at 10 a.m. Finally, a Saturday-night BFI after-party is in the works upstairs in the Cantina over the boxes, open to the public and featuring up-and-coming cowboy recording artist Tyler Halverson. The next day, the 12.5 again has $10,000 added, and ropers can enjoy Happy Hour and a cornhole tournament powered by Texas Ranch Sales. 

BFI tickets are available in person at the Lazy E box office, by phone at 405-282-RIDE, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. A special BFI rate is available at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Guthrie by calling (405) 293-9595. Visit www.BFIWeek.com for more information. 

About Ullman-Peterson Events

The Phoenix-based production company helmed by Daren Peterson and Corky Ullman has owned and produced the Bob Feist Invitational since 2012 and purchased the Reno Rodeo Invitational team ropings in 2015. Founded by notable rodeo announcer and publisher Bob Feist in 1977, the BFI is the richest team roping event for professionals and one of the most prestigious, due to its limited roster and long head-start for steers. The high-stakes amateur, female and youth roping events surrounding the BFI comprise Wrangler BFI Week presented by Yeti – one of the most lucrative Western sporting events of its kind.

WCRA (World Champions Rodeo Alliance) and the Lazy E Arena have announced a breakthrough collaboration on the World Championship Junior Rodeo (WCJR). The two properties will join forces to host the World Championship event in Guthrie, Oklahoma the week of July 24, 2023.

The 2023 WCRA Division Youth (DY) event will award a guaranteed payout of $200,000 and is open to any youth athlete ages 19 and under (as of the first day of competition) in the world competing in 11 disciplines which include – Bareback Riding, Women’s Breakaway Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping (Heading and Heeling), Tie-Down Roping, Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, Goat Tying, and Bull Riding.

In February 2022, WCRA announced that roughstock disciplines (Bareback, Saddle Bronc and Bull Riding) in the Junior class were open for nominations along with Ladies Goat Tying and Ladies Pole Bending in all classifications.

“This partnership marks the beginning of a colossal step to growing the sport of rodeo among youth athletes nationwide and allowing them to qualify for a true world championship event,” said WCRA President Bobby Mote. “Being a 4x World Champion Bareback Rider, having the opportunity to grow opportunities for youth roughstock athletes is special and I couldn’t be prouder to help foster and cultivate the upcoming stars of rodeo.”

World Champions will be crowned in all disciplines from both the Junior Leaderboard (ages 19 and under) and the Youth Leaderboard (age 13-15).

Junior World Champions will earn $2,000 each while Youth athletes will be battling it out for the $1,000 World Champion Cash Bonus. The All-Around World Championship cash bonus (Junior= $4,000 Youth= $2,000) and Discipline World Champion Cash Bonus will be awarded based on total points earned from the combined classifications leaderboards.

According to Mote, historically all DY nominations were $25 and the same points were offered whether you won your local jackpot or the legendary IFYR (International Finals Youth Rodeo). Now, youth athletes will have a chance to nominate those local jackpots at a lower price point of $15.00 and receive a lower point scale at DY5.

“What is unique about this partnership is that we have taken the best of two innovative rodeo properties that are designed to provide new opportunities for rodeo athletes and created an even better junior rodeo platform for youth of all ages,” said Dan Wall, Lazy E Arena General Manager. “There are multiple ways to qualify to the 2023 Semi-Finals Rounds and even more ways to win money at this event.”

DY Athletes will have three opportunities to earn a position to the 2023 Championship event with no entry fees:

• Athletes can qualify by nominating their rodeo efforts and earning points for the WCRA DY23 leaderboard positions using the VRQ (Virtual Rodeo Qualifier). Athletes have until June 25, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. to nominate and earn points. The top 16 on the leaderboard in each discipline will qualify for the event with no entry fees.
• Generic Qualification from a DY Qualifier Series event.
• Open Entry (entries will open will be announced at a later date)

Since launching in May of 2018, the WCRA and its partners have awarded more than $12,100,000 in new money to rodeo athletes. All rodeo athletes interested in learning more about the WCRA DY, the VRQ, or event format and payout details should be directed to dy.rodeo or download the WCRA DY app HERE.

-WCRA-

About WCRA DY (World Champions Rodeo Alliance Division Youth):

WCRA DY is a culmination of a leaderboard race of rodeo events worldwide. Athletes can qualify for the July 2023 $200,000 World Championship Event at the Lazy E Arena by nominating their rodeo efforts and earning points for the WCRA DY leaderboard positions using the VRQ (Virtual Rodeo Qualifier). Athletes can nominate their rodeo efforts starting on May 2, 2022 and have until Sunday, June 25, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. to nominate and earn points. The top 16 on the leaderboard will qualify for the event with no entry fees.

About Lazy E Arena:

The Fabulous Lazy E Arena – just southeast of Guthrie and northeast of Edmond/Oklahoma City – was established in December 1984, just in time for the ’84 National Finals Steer Roping Finals. Originator of the E, E.K. Gaylord II had a vision that both the National Finals Steer Roping Finals and the National Finals Rodeo would happen the same time, in the same area, creating the most epic days rodeo had seen. While the plan only worked for one year, as the NFR moved to Vegas in ’85, the legacy and standards E.K. set from the beginning still carry on today. From giving PBR its start to the Timed Event Championship of the World, the Lazy E has hosted world champions, world championships and personalities galore. In 2005, Gaylord sold the property to a partnership from Nevada, and in October 2013 the property was sold to the McKinney Family from Midland, Texas. The ownership group has long recognized not only the tremendous facility, but also the importance of the Lazy E’s place in Rodeo and Oklahoma history. The Family has committed to maintaining the Lazy E as the World’s premier western entertainment facility. Many updates and renovations are taking place at the Arena which will only enhance the lure of the Lazy E to the general population

Aggregate Results

1. Clay Clayman, 111.2 on 12 head, worth $20,000

2. Dawson Price, 131.9 on 12 head, worth $5,000

3. Denton Good, 207.4 seconds on 12 head, worth $2,000

Round 3 Results

1. Dawson Price, 34.2 seconds on four head, worth $750

2. Clay Clayman, 35.2 seconds on four head, worth $250

Round 2 Results

1. Clay Clayman, 35.6 seconds on four head, worth $750

2. Dawson Price, 37.5 seconds on four head, worth $250

Round 1 Results

1. Clay Clayman, 40.4 seconds on four head, worth $750

2. Cayden Harmon, 52.3 seconds on four head, worth $250

(zolpidem online)

Aggregate Results

1. Erich Rogers, 311.3 on 25 head, worth $100,000
2. Clayton Hass, 327.6 on 25 head, worth $25,000
3. Russell Cardoza, 335.2 on 25 head, worth $15,00
4. Taylor Santos, 341.3 on 25 head, worth $10,000
5. Paul David Tierney, 363.9 on 25 head, worth $7,500
6. Haven Meged, 374.8 on 25 head, worth $5,000
7. Roger Nonella, 391.0 on 25 head, worth $4,500
8. Lane Karney, 401.3 on 25 head, worth $3,000

Round 5 Results

1. Marcus Theriot, 50.9 on five head, worth $3,000
2. Clayton Hass, 55.6 on five head, worth $2,000
3. Paul David Tierney, 60.6 on five head, worth $1,000

Round 4 Results

1. Taylor Santos, 52.1 on five head, worth $3,000
2. Erich Rogers, 55.5 on five head, worth $2,000
3. Marcus Theriot, 56.3 on five head, worth $1,000

Round 3 Results

1. Paul David Tierney, 51.4 on five head, worth $2,500
2. Taylor Santos, 51.4 on five head, worth $2,500

3. Seth Hall, 54.9 on five head, worth $1,000

Round 2 Results

1. Cody Doescher, 51.3 on five head, worth $3,000
2. Erich Rogers, 52.8 on five head, worth $2,000
3. Clayton Hass, 54.9 on five head, worth $1,000

Round 1 Results

1. Clayton Hass, 58.4 on five head, $3,000
2. Russell Cardoza, 58.8 on five head, $2,000
3. Paul David Tierney, 59.5 on five head, $1,000

Cinch Timed Event Championship Roster Update…. Cody Doescher replaces Jordan Ketscher.

The 2022 CTEC will be Doescher’s 9th year to compete for the Ironman title and is coming in with $9,500 CTEC Career Earnings under his belt. Doescher primarily competes in steer wrestling, steer roping, and team roping heeling in the PRCA.

2021 Contestant Bio

Cody Doescher, who regularly competes in the heeling, steer wrestling and steer roping in PRCA competition, will rope at his eighth Cinch Timed Event Championship after recovering from a torn ACL and lateral meniscus at the 2020 edition of event.

“That was in the bull dogging in the second round,” Doescher said. “I came back and team roped in the fourth and fifth rounds after tearing it, and I was supposed to have surgery at the end of March to fix it. Because of COVID they pushed it back to May 5, and it’s great now—I’ve been bull dogging even.”

Doescher and wife Courtney had a son, Holten Roan, Dec. 12, 2020, and Doescher makes a living outside the arena guiding water fowl hunts for Sand Creek Outfitters and working the sale ring as a bid spotter at sale barns across Oklahoma.

This year Doescher will heel for Cale Markham at the ProRodeos, and he’ll focus on steer roping, rather than the steer wrestling, for the first time in his career .

“Dr. Tandy Freeman said my knee might not take the bull dogging day in and day out, and I like the independence of the steer roping,” Doescher said of the specialty he originally honed for CTEC competition.

Doescher will tap AQHA Horseman Steve Orth for help in the heading and heeling, and Doescher’s great mare Ginger will be helping on the back side.

Envisioned and built by owner E.K. Gaylord II, the entities that make up the Lazy E Ranch and Arena are an incredible part of the equine breeding and western sports industries in Oklahoma and across the nation. The Gaylord family had a dedication to the horse industry, as well as the Western way of life and wished to preserve and promote it. The Lazy E Ranch and Arena has provided the vehicle to do so for the past 32 years in a way that few can match.

The 1,000 acre property opened its gates in the fall of 1984 and has evolved into one of the most progressive equine breeding and sales preparation facilities in the nation. Since its inception, the Lazy E Ranch and Arena has been involved in both the Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred racing industries at the very highest levels.

Known primarily for its stallion power, over the years, Lazy E Ranch and Arena has been home to many leading stallions of the Quarter Horse breed like Easy Jet, Special Effort, Pie In The Sky, Takin On The Cash, Holland Ease, Zan Parr Jack. One of the most famous, Corona Cartel, Quarter Horse racing’s Leading Living Sire, has stood his entire career at Lazy E Ranch and Arena. He has sired earners for $54,000,000 and 158 Stakes Winners. Among the current Lazy E stallion lineup are perennial leading sires of money earners, PYC Paint Your Wagon, Valiant Hero and Tres Seis – all Top 10 Leading Living Quarter Horse Sires of the world. It has also stood such illustrious Thoroughbred stallions as Slewacide, Hawkins Special and Coup De Kas. Lazy E Ranch and Arena has stood such illustrious performance stallions as Mr San Peppy, Zan Parr Jack and Popular Resortfigure, as well as Leading Paint Horse Sire Texas Hero.

Because of its far reaching influence, the Ranch has always been sought out by foreign breeders to assist with their expansion in developing the Quarter Horse breed in their respective countries. Lazy E Ranch and Arena is proud of its involvement in Canada, Mexico, South and Central America and Australia. Because of its international involvement, Lazy E Ranch and Arena proudly oversees mares and foals of owners from all over the world, in addition to caring for many major domestic Leading Breeders. The reason? Three millionaires and numerous stakes winners have been raised in the lush paddocks of Lazy E Ranch and Arena, as well several AQHA High Point Performance Horses and AQHA Honor Roll Champions.

The statistics describing the ranch activity are impressive: the ranch employs 60 people the ranch will breed around 1200 mares and foal out another 350 annually while standing 14 individual stallions. Approximately 2,000 horses will pass through its gates each year. Around 500 horses are in permanent residence at any given time. Semen to be shipped to a majority of the states in the U.S. and also to Canada and Mexico. Today, Lazy E Ranch and Arena stallions have frozen semen in use on three different continents. Lazy E Ranch and Arena is annually the largest consignor of Quarter Horses at public auction with as many as 1,000 horses per year being represented by Lazy E Ranch and Arena as agent throughout the United States.

Lazy E Ranch and Arena is proud to have clients with which they have been associated since its inception and value these breeders and their long association with Lazy E. In many cases, Lazy E Ranch and Arena is raising the fourth, fifth or sixth generation of an equine family for its owner.

On a portion of the Lazy E Ranch 1,100 acres sits a 70,000 square foot indoor, climate controlled, multi-purpose facility – the fabulous Lazy E Arena. The world’s largest indoor arena was constructed in 1984, to host the National Finals Steer Roping. The Lazy E Arena has been home to top athletes and world championship events. One of the most popular events in Lazy E Arena’s storied history is Bullnanza, developed in 1988 to showcase the top bull riders in professional rodeo. The best bull riders were paired with the rankest bulls. From those fantastic beginnings, the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) was born. Today the Arena boasts over 40 unique events a year from motorsports and horse shows, to team roping and barrel racing. Some of the premier events include the National Little Britches Rodeo Finals, USTRC Shootout Championships, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association Range Roundup and the Western Dressage Association World Show. Held each March, the Lazy E Arena’s marquee owned and produced event, is the Cinch Timed Event Championship of the World. During the ironman of pro rodeo’s 30 year history, the very best all-around hands have competed in each of the five timed-event disciplines, and it’s a true test of each cowboy’s grit and determination. With new events like the JR Ironman Championship, a spin-off of the Timed Event for high-school rodeo athletes, the Lazy E Arena will secure its place as a premier event facility for the next 30 years.

Lazy E Ranch and Arena is currently owned Gary and Micah McKinney of Reliance Ranches, who proudly continue the Gaylord family legacy of horse industry involvement and promoting the western way of life.

On March 9, Chisum Allen had his rig packed by 2:00 p.m. and was collecting horses on his way to The Lazy E, just a short three hours after getting the call that he’d be taking Sam Morgan’s place in the JR Ironman. He’ll be there in time to break in the cattle, having lined up his horsepower and partners in record time.

“I have a calf horse and a heel horse, and then, Korbin [Rice], the kid that’s going to head for me, I’m going to ride his head horse.”

Handily, the Cisco College freshman will also be borrowing a bulldogging horse from his rodeo coach, Don Eddleman, and has a bit of a crew to lean on at the event, in addition to his parents, Rusty and Carmen, who will be in the stands cheering, despite the short notice.

“Colton Greene, he’s actually my team roping partner now, in college, and we Region Rodeoed together in Texas. And then, Hayden Powell, he’s going to college in Cisco with me. I’ve been [to the event] and I’ve helped Lane Karney, and Taylor, a lot of my roping success has to do with Taylor [Santos.] We’ve been close and, when I was living in Cisco, I always caught myself in Stephenville with him. It’s kind of nice to have guys that know what they’re doing over there [and] they’ll be right there with me.”

Allen is a competitive and accomplished in calf roper, steer wrestler and team roper, and a 2021 Jr. NFR qualifier, a three-time Jr. American qualifier, a three-time Texas state High School Rodeo Finals qualifier, and an AQHA Reserve Champion tie-down roper, to name just a few of his accolades. He’s hot off a weekend competing in Fort Worth at the Jr. American, which didn’t go the way he hoped, but he knows now it was part of the plan. (Valium)

“My sister texted me and was like, ‘Hey, keep your head up. The Lord is going to reward your hard work.’ That was actually yesterday evening. Then, I got the phone call this morning that they want me up there.”