For the team roping at the Cinch Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, PRCA team roping director Kaleb Driggers had one goal with the cattle: set up the ropers to shine.
The pen was put together by the two-time PRCA world champion header who worked with contractor Kole Latham to deliver a strong, even set of native steers.
“They’re Kole Latham’s again, since we’re having a little trouble getting Mexicans,” Driggers said. “We’re roping natives, but they’re really good. They come from Florida.”
The cattle had been through multiple rodeos before landing in Sioux Falls.
“We roped ’em at Deadwood, he took ’em to a couple of circuit rodeos and maybe Royal Crown,” Driggers explained. “They’re really good.”
Latham brought 38 head to the Governor’s Cup.
“We cut 10 of the softer ones off, going with 28,” Driggers said. “We ran them down several times and then just roped them once. So tonight’s pen, they’re pretty much the same on speed throughout tonight and tomorrow night.”
While both rounds were built for consistency, there is a slight difference in size and style.
“Tonight’s just a little smaller set,” Driggers noted. “Tomorrow’s got some big horn steers in there and stuff, so I look forward to it being really good.”
As for the conditions competitors can expect in the arena?
“It should be super fast,” Driggers said. “I was really pleased with the steers. Even the ones we ended up sending back home were amazing steers. Everything takes the handle great. It should be really good.”
