This issue marks a turning point for our staff. On page 67, you’ll find the very first print issue of The Breakaway Roping Journal. We’re thrilled to bring this element to our audience, in response to the explosion of the breakaway roping market. We know that so many of our readers are team ropers with daughters, granddaughters, wives and sisters who also love to swing a rope, or who themselves also are breakaway ropers, and it’s our sincere hope that you’ll share this magazine with them. Of course, Jackie Crawford graces our first BRJ cover, as her masterful feat in Arlington, Texas, at the first ever National Finals of Breakaway Roping this past December helped enhance the storyline of the sport.
Thanks to so many thriving industry partners, though, the inclusion of The Breakaway Roping Journal in this issue doesn’t cut down on the team roping content we’re delivering, either. On page 60, the feature on Winston Hansma—the NCHA Hall of Famer who is now hooked on team roping—is so near and dear to my heart. Winston and his wife, Danny Motes (and of course, Danny’s son, Ryan, with his wife, Courtney) have taken our team in so often over the years, making our photo shoots and video shoots possible at their place in Weatherford, Texas. They’ve become family, and writing about family is something I so love to do.
This issue should also hit your mailbox about the time you’re starting to gear up for the 32nd annual Cinch USTRC National Finals. We’ll be there—complete with daily videos from the event—and we’re excited to bring you all the sights and sounds and stories from this storied event. Find the preview for what to do around town on page 64.
A special shoutout to Junior Nogueira. He graciously agreed to allow us to use the photos of his heartbreaking run at the 2019 RFD-TV’s The American to illustrate how throwing with your heel horse on the gain can cause disastrous consequences—as in, roping your horse’s front leg in addition to the steer’s back feet. Julie Mankin did a masterful job explaining that on page 56.
As always, thank you for your dedication to this magazine and this industry. We’re so glad you’re here.
