Young Phenom Invited to Become Real Ironman

August 15, 2024, Guthrie, Oklahoma – Fresh off winning the all-around championship at the National High School Finals Rodeo in July, teenage rodeo star Ketch Kelton of Mayer, Arizona, has accepted his first invitation to compete at the world’s most prestigious professional timed-event competition in 2025 inside the Lazy E Arena. 

The Timed Event Championship of the World – where each cowboy competes in five different timed events and the eventual winner is dubbed rodeo’s “Ironman” – will be held in Guthrie, Oklahoma, Feb. 27 through March 1, with tickets going on sale November 7. Kelton will join a field that already includes champs like World Champion Team Roper and native Oklahoman Clay Smith and reigning and three-time champ Paul David Tierney, among others.

“I wasn’t expecting an invitation this soon,” said Kelton, 18. “It’s cool to have this opportunity at this young an age.”

The teenager is also the back-to-back champion of the Jr Ironman, or youth version of the Timed Event pinnacle. Kelton won that event in 2023 by breaking the aggregate record in heading, heeling, tie-down roping and steer wrestling to earn $20,000. He clinched the title again this spring to take home another $21,750. 

Ketch Kelton at the CTEC as a child versus winning the JR Ironman in 2023. Images courtesy Lazy E and the Kelton family by James Phifer.
Ketch Kelton at the CTEC as a child versus winning the JR Ironman in 2023. Images courtesy Lazy E and the Kelton family by James Phifer.

Incidentally, the 2025 Jr Ironman contestants are also starting to be announced. Invitations were extended to top finishers from both the National Little Britches Rodeo Association Finals and the Cinch World Championship Junior Rodeo, including Colin Fox, Damian Padilla, Jake Holmes, Kreece Dearing, Jake Shelton, Wyatt Williams, Luke Tippman, Jesse Vesperman, Leo Loucks and Micah Kearney.

Kelton’s feats as a Jr Ironman prompted Lazy E’s general manager, Dan Wall, to personally invite him to take part in the pro competition along with 12 other contestants announced thus far. But Ketch also virtually grew up at the Timed Event Championships, considering his father, Chance Kelton, competed there 14 times and finished as runner-up a few of those years.

“There’s been a lot of preparation and coaching behind this,” Chance said after Ketch won his first Jr Ironman title. “He’s prepared his whole life. We’re Timed Event Championship guys, this is what we do.”

The younger Kelton said the best mental strategy at the grueling event is taking it one run at a time. The Timed Event Championships differs from the Jr Ironman in that it adds steer roping, which Kelton said will be his favorite discipline in 2025. 

“It’s the funnest event, ever,” he said. “There’s just something about it that makes it so much fun. It takes more finesse than anything else.”

While he hasn’t competed as much in that event, Chance is a former National Finals Steer Roping qualifier who still ties steers at the house. As for the Timed Event Championships schedule, it prompts adrenaline and the need to hurry and get different horses ready. But that will be like what happened at the NHSFR, where young Kelton recently made the short round in heading, tie-down roping, steer wrestling and reined cow horse. In recent years, he’s been mistake-free on major stages in final rounds.

“I guess I take a final run like just another run,” he said. “You can’t think about it too much. It comes from all the jackpotting I’ve done. I grew up in the jackpotting capital of the world.”

Kelton is classified as an 8 header and 9 heeler, incidentally, in team roping’s Global system. It appears the newest rookie at the Timed Event Championships may be just as competitive next spring as the veterans. 

The current field that has been announced to-date includes Paul David Tierney, Nelson Wyatt, Cody Doescher, Jess Tierney, Erich Rogers, Dylan Hancock, Thomas Smith, Marcus Theriot, Blane Cox, Russell Cardoza, Clay Smith, JoJo Lemond, and Ketch Kelton

For more information, visit lazye.com.

ABOUT LAZY E ARENA:
The Lazy E Arena – just northeast of Oklahoma City – was established in December 1984, just in time for the ’84 National Finals Steer Roping Finals. Founder Ed Gaylord had a vision that both the National Finals Steer Roping Finals and the National Finals Rodeo would happen at the same time, in the same area. While the plan only worked for one year, as the NFR moved to Vegas in ’85, the legacy and standards he 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. They’ve committed to maintaining the Lazy E as the world’s premier Western entertainment facility.

Buy Your Special Someone a Weekend Getaway at the Lazy E Arena

Love is in the air, and what better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than by treating your special someone to an unforgettable experience filled with adrenaline, excitement, and world-class competition? This February 29 – March 2, 2024, mark your calendars for the 40th Cinch Timed Event Championship at the fabulous Lazy E Arena. Get ready to witness 25 of the best all-around cowboys go head-to-head in a thrilling display of skill and determination as they vie for the prestigious title and a chance to claim the $100,000 check, Montana Silversmiths buckle, and the ultimate bragging rights.

Purchase 2024 Cinch Timed Event Championship Tickets!

At the Cinch Timed Event Championship, expect nothing short of heart-pounding action as these athletes showcase their talents in heading, heeling, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, and steer roping.. Whether you’re a seasoned rodeo fan or experiencing the thrill for the first time, the atmosphere at the Lazy E Arena promises to be electrifying, making it the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your loved one.

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But the excitement doesn’t stop there! In addition to the main event, attendees can also purchase tickets for the 47th Bob Feist Invitational on March 30, 2024. This event brings together the best 125 open teams in the world for a day of intense competition and jaw-dropping action. With adrenaline-fueled moments at every turn, the Bob Feist Invitational is bound to be an unforgettable experience for the entire family.

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Beyond the rodeo arena, there will be plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained throughout the day. From delicious food vendors serving up mouthwatering treats to interactive exhibits and shopping opportunities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at these action-packed events.

Purchase 2024 Wrangler BFI The Feist Tickets!

So, this Valentine’s Day, skip the traditional gifts and surprise your loved one with tickets to the Cinch Timed Event Championship and the Bob Feist Invitational. Share in the excitement, cheer on your favorite competitors, and create lasting memories together at the Lazy E Arena. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget!

Don’t miss out on the thrill of a lifetime. Get your tickets now and make this Valentine’s Day one to remember at the heart of the action!