Dear Roper,

This isn’t the first letter I’ve used to remind you that November is one of our “in between” issues. An issue that we send to the printer before the ProRodeo run wraps up at the end of September—just a week before, really. 

This issue’s print schedule lends itself to timeless stories—like that of Earl Higgins on the cover of this issue. Mr. Higgins has won more in Global Handicaps competition than any other, and at 87, he’s not showing any signs of slowing down. 

Another timeless story is that of Bob and Sug—and their riders, Riley and Brady Minor. Both horses have multiple AQHA/PRCA Horse of the Year honors to their name, and both took the max amount of runs they could handle this year to get the Minor brothers back to the Finals after a few years of struggle. Kendra Santos tells that story on page 60, and—because the Minors toiled away all year long placing on nearly every steer that let them—we can tell their stories with confidence because they had the Finals made by the time this issue went to press. 

Another sure bet? That winters in Arizona are a must on any team roper’s bucket list. And page 58 begins a review of must-attend jackpots all winter in the Grand Canyon State. 

Of course that’s not all, so enjoy the pages in-between, too. If you’re reading this in early November, you’ll see us a little bit of everywhere—from the AQHA World Show to the Gold Buckle World Finals, then on to Arizona and then…of course, Las Vegas.

So say hi to the girls packing the heavy cameras around with backpacks and water bottles. That’s how you’ll know it’s one of us. 

See you there, 

—TRJ—