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You Asked...!
Our Panel of Experts
Welcome to the “You Asked” column! Aimed at providing you with answers to all your team roping questions, The American Roper has assembled an impressive panel of roping experts available to you at any time! Check out the brief bios below to learn more about these noteworthy individuals.
TO SUBMIT A QUESTION TO THE PANEL
Click here to use our Feedback form to submit your question to one of our panelists. Be sure to include your name and specify which panelist(s) your question is for. Questions and answers will be published here in the “You Asked” column.
TO SUBMIT A QUESTION TO THE PANEL
Click here to use our Feedback form to submit your question to one of our panelists. Be sure to include your name and specify which panelist(s) your question is for. Questions and answers will be published here in the “You Asked” column.
Question from CJ Rudd, West Bluffdale, UT
Question:
I turned the corner to heel my steer and tipped the horn and stopped my swing and the flagger gave me a no time. He said, “It’s the same as hitting the ground and that’s a no time”. Is this true?
Philip Murrah's Response:
You still had a legal loop. If you tip the horn or hook the horn with your loop and it dose not pull out of your hand, you still have a legal loop. However, if you hook the horn and your loop is pulled out, or jerked out of your hand, you can not rebuild or use that loop for another attempt at a heel catch. If you hang your loop on the steer’s horn, and pull the loop out of your hand, and you rope the steer by a leg or two feet, this is not considered a thrown loop, this is considered a no time. Hope this answered your question.Thanks for the question CJ; WRANGLER will be sending you a certificate for a pair of Jeans. The opinions expressed are those of Philip Murrah, and not necessarily standardized by any organization.
I turned the corner to heel my steer and tipped the horn and stopped my swing and the flagger gave me a no time. He said, “It’s the same as hitting the ground and that’s a no time”. Is this true?
Philip Murrah's Response:
You still had a legal loop. If you tip the horn or hook the horn with your loop and it dose not pull out of your hand, you still have a legal loop. However, if you hook the horn and your loop is pulled out, or jerked out of your hand, you can not rebuild or use that loop for another attempt at a heel catch. If you hang your loop on the steer’s horn, and pull the loop out of your hand, and you rope the steer by a leg or two feet, this is not considered a thrown loop, this is considered a no time. Hope this answered your question.Thanks for the question CJ; WRANGLER will be sending you a certificate for a pair of Jeans. The opinions expressed are those of Philip Murrah, and not necessarily standardized by any organization.
What is your opinion on preventative drugs like Adequan or Legend?
Response from Dr. Currie:
Adequan and Legend are therapeutic drugs. They are very effective treating synovitis, which is an early sign of arthritis that may go unrecognized. So in performance horses, their use is helpful.
Adequan and Legend are therapeutic drugs. They are very effective treating synovitis, which is an early sign of arthritis that may go unrecognized. So in performance horses, their use is helpful.
Joe Beaver
Joe Beaver
With eight titles to his name, Joe Beaver continues to be at the top of his game. Born in Victoria, Texas, he became a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association (PRCA) in 1985, the same year he won his first World Championship. Joe has close to $3 million in career earnings and can boast 22 WNFR qualifications. Joe can also be found in the broadcast booth, calling the action at the 2005 and 2007 Wrangler NFR broadcast on ESPN and ESPN2. When he's not on the road, Joe resides with his wife, Jenna and son, Brody in Huntsville, Texas.
Titles Won: 8 - (1995-96, 2000 World Champion All-Around Cowboy; 1985, 1987-88, 1992-93 World Champion Tie-Down roper).
Professional Highlights from 2008:
• Won the all-around title at the Greeley (Colo.) Independence Stampede
• Won the team roping at the Wild Rogue Pro Rodeo (Central Point, Ore.) with Justin Davis
• Won the all-around title at the Sisters (Ore.) Rodeo
Recent Career Highlights
• PRCA all-time career earnings leader with $2,872,454 (through 2007)
• Inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2002
• 2007 - Missed entire season following hip surgery in Dec. 2006
• 2006 – Won all-around title at the Wrangler NFR after winning $127,915 during the 10-day competition. He placed in five rounds in team roping (with Cole Bigbee), winning Rounds 9 and 10 with times of 4.4 and 3.9 seconds, respectively. In tie-down roping, he placed in seven of the 10 rounds, winning Round 1 with a time of 7.7 seconds; won all-around crowns at the Last Chance Bonanza (Brookings, S.D.), Southwestern International Livestock Show & Rodeo (El Paso, Texas), Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up and San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo; won team roping titles (with Marty Becker) at the Ellensburg (Wash.) Rodeo, IPE & Stampede (Armstrong, British Columbia) and Hamel (Minn.) Rodeo and Bull Ridin,’ and was co-champion at the Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up; won tie-down roping title at the Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up
With eight titles to his name, Joe Beaver continues to be at the top of his game. Born in Victoria, Texas, he became a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association (PRCA) in 1985, the same year he won his first World Championship. Joe has close to $3 million in career earnings and can boast 22 WNFR qualifications. Joe can also be found in the broadcast booth, calling the action at the 2005 and 2007 Wrangler NFR broadcast on ESPN and ESPN2. When he's not on the road, Joe resides with his wife, Jenna and son, Brody in Huntsville, Texas.
Titles Won: 8 - (1995-96, 2000 World Champion All-Around Cowboy; 1985, 1987-88, 1992-93 World Champion Tie-Down roper).
Professional Highlights from 2008:
• Won the all-around title at the Greeley (Colo.) Independence Stampede
• Won the team roping at the Wild Rogue Pro Rodeo (Central Point, Ore.) with Justin Davis
• Won the all-around title at the Sisters (Ore.) Rodeo
Recent Career Highlights
• PRCA all-time career earnings leader with $2,872,454 (through 2007)
• Inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2002
• 2007 - Missed entire season following hip surgery in Dec. 2006
• 2006 – Won all-around title at the Wrangler NFR after winning $127,915 during the 10-day competition. He placed in five rounds in team roping (with Cole Bigbee), winning Rounds 9 and 10 with times of 4.4 and 3.9 seconds, respectively. In tie-down roping, he placed in seven of the 10 rounds, winning Round 1 with a time of 7.7 seconds; won all-around crowns at the Last Chance Bonanza (Brookings, S.D.), Southwestern International Livestock Show & Rodeo (El Paso, Texas), Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up and San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo; won team roping titles (with Marty Becker) at the Ellensburg (Wash.) Rodeo, IPE & Stampede (Armstrong, British Columbia) and Hamel (Minn.) Rodeo and Bull Ridin,’ and was co-champion at the Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up; won tie-down roping title at the Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up
Dr. Andrew Currie, DVM
Andrew “Doc” Currie graduated University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School after completing undergraduate studies at both Rutgers University and Colorado State University. Shortly after vet school Doc moved to Kentucky to intern with one of the pioneers in orthopedic surgery, Dr. D. L. Proctor. Currently licensed to practice veterinary medicine in both Texas and Kentucky, Doc is has served on the board of directors for the American Association of Equine Practitioners and is a member of American Veterinary Medical Association, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, PRCA, AQHA, and the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Doc was honored in 1988 as the Texas Veterinary Medical Association’s Equine Practitioner of Year.
An avid lifelong team roper, Doc has also been heavily involved in cutting and calf roping and has owned several world champion and reserve world champion horses. Well known for his expertise and experience with highly-competitive rodeo and performance horses, Doc works closely with roping clients such as Ricky Canton, Joe Beaver, Fred Whitfield and Jimmy Powers.
A native of Philadelphia, Doc migrated to Texas to have the opportunity to rope. He now resides in Hempstead, Texas just outside of Houston, where he and his wife Sandy have run Currie Equine Clinic for over 30 years.
An avid lifelong team roper, Doc has also been heavily involved in cutting and calf roping and has owned several world champion and reserve world champion horses. Well known for his expertise and experience with highly-competitive rodeo and performance horses, Doc works closely with roping clients such as Ricky Canton, Joe Beaver, Fred Whitfield and Jimmy Powers.
A native of Philadelphia, Doc migrated to Texas to have the opportunity to rope. He now resides in Hempstead, Texas just outside of Houston, where he and his wife Sandy have run Currie Equine Clinic for over 30 years.
Troy Kerr
Troy Kerr currently resides in Boone, Colorado, about 20 mile east of Pueblo. The 45-year old farrier has lived there most of his life where he and his wife of 25 years raise and train Quarter horses. Troy is the inventor of the “TK Slider” - a specially shaped sliding plate that allows the horses back leg to function better, improving soundness and performance.
Troy can boast a long list of certifications, including a certified farrier with the American Farriers Association(CF), certified with ELPO (equine lameness prevention organization), CNBF Certified Natural Balance Farrier, and CLS Certified Lameness Specialist. Troy’s Web site is www.kactuskranch.com.
Troy can boast a long list of certifications, including a certified farrier with the American Farriers Association(CF), certified with ELPO (equine lameness prevention organization), CNBF Certified Natural Balance Farrier, and CLS Certified Lameness Specialist. Troy’s Web site is www.kactuskranch.com.
Doyle Gellerman
Doyle Gellerman has been teaching roping schools every year since 1977. He is a World Champion in team roping, setting the NFR record in 1995 with Brit Bockius. Doyle lists his 1979 PRCA Championship and his 1981 World Championship as two major career highlights, and has close to $1 million dollars in earnings. Doyle currently resides in Nampa, Idaho where he loves to fish, spend time with his horses, and when he isn't roping, he likes to work around his house. He is married and has one daughter and a granddaughter.
> Philip Murrah
Philip Murrah
Philip Murrah is most recognized and considered by many as the No. 1 team roping flagger in the industry. He also is the 'Rating Analyzer' for the United States Team Roping Championship (USTRC). Philip is the author of the well-known “Ask the Flagger” column, which is published in many roping and rodeo publications nationwide, including Ropers Sports News, Northwest Ropers News, The All-around, The Arizona Jackpot, The Dally Times, Cowboy Times, The Roping Pen, and the ACTRA News.
> Matt Sherwood
Matt Sherwood
Arizona native Matt Sherwood is probably best known as the 2006 PRCA World Champion Header, having won multiple notable events in 2006 with heeler Walt Woodard and finishing the year as the regular-season leader with $93,075. Big wins in 2006 included the ProRodeo Tour Summer Finale (Omaha, Neb.), the average title at the Caldwell (Idaho) Night Rodeo, the War Bonnet Roundup Rodeo (Idaho Falls, Idaho), the Big Sky Pro Rodeo Roundup (Great Falls, Mont.), the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour Round and average title at the San Antonio (Texas) Stock Show and Rodeo, and the Dixie National Rodeo (Jackson, Miss.).
Matt finished 5th in the 2006 Wrangler NFR, taking home $59,177. In 2007, Matt narrowly missed the Wrangler National Finals, ending up 17th in the standings. Matt will rope with Randon Adams in the 2008 season.
Prior to roping full-time, Matt owned a flooring and tile company in Queen Creek, Ariz., before selling it to hit the rodeo trail in 2006. Married to wife Kim, they have seven children — four girls and two three boys. Matt’s hobbies include playing basketball and roping with his kids, and can claim Costco pepperoni pizza as his favorite food.
Matt finished 5th in the 2006 Wrangler NFR, taking home $59,177. In 2007, Matt narrowly missed the Wrangler National Finals, ending up 17th in the standings. Matt will rope with Randon Adams in the 2008 season.
Prior to roping full-time, Matt owned a flooring and tile company in Queen Creek, Ariz., before selling it to hit the rodeo trail in 2006. Married to wife Kim, they have seven children — four girls and two three boys. Matt’s hobbies include playing basketball and roping with his kids, and can claim Costco pepperoni pizza as his favorite food.
> Denny Watkins
Denny Watkins
In his 30 years experience in team roping, California native Denny Watkins has qualified for the NFR an impressive 19 times. Denny’s bragging rights include being a two-time NFR Champion, Dodge Circuit National Finals Champion and BFI Champion, to name a few!
Denny is very active in teaching roping clinics and sharing his love and passion for the sport with others.
Married to wife Cathy for 30 years, they have 1 son who recently had a baby girl, so Denny can now add grandpa to his list of titles. When he’s not roping, you can find Denny on the golf course!
Denny is very active in teaching roping clinics and sharing his love and passion for the sport with others.
Married to wife Cathy for 30 years, they have 1 son who recently had a baby girl, so Denny can now add grandpa to his list of titles. When he’s not roping, you can find Denny on the golf course!
Fred Whitfield
This 7-time World Champion calf roper and 1-time All Around World Champion has over $2.6 million in lifetime earnings. He’s qualified for the NFR 17 times and was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2003, and inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, in 2004. In 1991, Fred won his first Calf Roping World Championship, broke the NFR average record on 10 head of calves with a 91.7 seconds and became the first African American to win a calf roping world title and the second in the history of the PRCA to win a PRCA world title. Married to Cassie, Fred has two daughters and lives in Hockley, Texas.
World Titles: 8 (TD 1991, 1995-96, 1999-2000, 2002, 2005; AA: 1999)
Professional 2008 Highlights
World Titles: 8 (TD 1991, 1995-96, 1999-2000, 2002, 2005; AA: 1999)
Professional 2008 Highlights
- Co-champion at the Days of ’47 Rodeo (Salt Lake City, Utah).
- Won the Coleman (Texas) PRCA Rodeo.
- Won the Johnson County Sheriff’s Rodeo (Cleburne, Texas).
- Won the Gladewater (Texas) Round-up Rodeo.
- Won the Cowboy Capital Pro Rodeo (Bandera, Texas).
- Won Guadalupe County PRCA Rodeo (Seguin, Texas).
- Won the Harris County Fair and Rodeo (Houston).
- Won the Mountain Valley Stampede (Heber City, Utah).
- Won the Kit Carson County Fair and Rodeo (Burlington, Colo.).
- Won the $100,000 round at the Calgary Stampede.
- Returned to competition in June following shoulder surgery in January.
