You’ve heard of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities. Hunter Koch’s 2024 ProRodeo season was the Tale of Two Horses: Crypto and Casino.
Their names conjure images of money, and they both carried Koch to plenty of it this season, carrying the Texas team roper to his fourth Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualification on a wave of more than $110,000 in earnings.
The two sorrels share the work ethic required for any roper to endure a long season on the road, but beyond that the similarities are few.
Casino has been-there and done-that at 17 years old; Crypto is just 6, still futurity eligible and actually made his first rodeo runs this season.
Crypto, Canteburys Cherrey, is a son of Cantebury Cat, one of the $86 million earning progeny of the legendary High Brow Cat. His dam is the Dual Rey daughter Cherrey.
“J.D. McGuire bought him from a sale as a 3-year-old,” Koch said.
Along with McGuire, TyDaniel Haller and Koch did all the training on Crypto from that point.
Meanwhile, Smart Little Cab—aka Casino—was bred by Jess Ranch in Ione, California. He is by Oaklena who is by Little Lena Doc and out of Taxis Little Cab by Tuf N Busy. Casino’s roping story begins in Wyoming with the Flag Ranch, who purchased him as a 5-year-old. The ranch’s Dale Bennett started and trained the gelding before Casino was sent to PRCA World Champion Jhett Johnson for seasoning.
“Jhett had him as a colt, and then he sold to (another PRCA World Champ) Paul (Eaves),” Koch explained.
Eaves bought Casino in 2016, and he was voted third in the AQHA/PRCA Heel Horse of the Year voting in 2019.
“Paul made the Finals on him and then sold him to Madison (Bumgarner),” Koch noted.
Bumgarner is the three-time World Series winning Major League Baseball pitcher who was outed for his love of team roping after winning big at Rancho Rio in Wickenburg, Arizona, during the off-season while riding Casino. He is also a friend of Koch’s, and when his team roping took a backseat to baseball, he offered the gelding to Koch.
“He texted me and gave me the opportunity to buy him, and I took it,” Koch said. That was three years ago. “I’d been around him since Paul had him and seen the success he had. I didn’t even try him.”
“I picked him up at Salinas and drove to Spanish Fork and was 4.5 on him there in our first run together,” Koch continued.
Calling him the old veteran, Casino has been the steady partner Koch thought he would from day one.
“We placed a lot this year at those one-headers,” Koch said. “A lot of 3’s, 4’s and 5’s…we were 3.9 at Filer (Idaho). Just lots of checks.”
The biggest check of the year is not included in their PRCA totals: that’s the $100,000 win at The American in March behind 2023 partner Luke Brown.
“He’s a lot smaller and really good in those short setups because of his size and because he’s short strided and tighter,” Koch said.
The young gun, Crypto, got the call for the larger, outdoor rodeos this year and picked up wins at two of the toughest setups, La Fiesta de los Vaqueros in Tucson and Prescott Frontier Days, both in Arizona.
“He’s big—about 15.1 hands—and strong and can really run,” Koch said. “He’s a great team player and has tremendous athletic ability.”
Though his rodeo career is in its infancy, Crypto has already had success at the futurities including a win in the #12.5 All Age Riata with McGuire as a four year old.
“He was fifth in Fort Worth last year and placed at Houston and the Gold Buckle,” Koch noted.
During the ARHFA World Championship Futurity Heeling Finals on Oct. 18, 2024, Koch rode Crypto to a reserve finish, adding $25,000 to his LTE.
The transition between rodeos and jackpots has been seamless for the gelding. HIs first ProRodeo was the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo in late January with his first win coming just a month later at Tucson.
“He did good in Fort Worth and then got the win in Tucson,” Koch said. “He just went right to it every time.”
“I ride him the same,” Koch continued. “I don’t really do anything different [showing] than jackpotting or rodeoing.”
In fact, Crypto was named the Horse of the Clay Logan Open earlier in 2024.
“He’s been pretty easy,” Koch said. “He’s got a great mind and a winning attitude.”
Definitely traits that Crypto shares with his elder trailer mate, Casino.
“Casino is pretty similar to Crypto…he’s willing to help me,” Koch said. “He gives me every opportunity to win. He just tries hard to get into a position to catch, and he never hinders me from what I’m trying to do. He’s never in my way.”
Personality-wise, the pair are as opposite as their ages.
“He’s the grumpy old man,” Koch laughed off Casino. “He’s super gentle and easy to be around, but he’s not too lovey-dovey.”
“Crypto’s like a pet dog; he’s everybody’s friend,” Koch continued.
For his fourth NFR, Koch is planning to go with the veteran, who carried him to a career-best $162,542 a year ago, including a go-round win and reserve finish in the average.
“I’ve got a run on him that I like,” Koch noted of the quick setup inside the Thomas & Mack, home of the NFR.
“He’s a really good horse, I think one of the best for a long time,” Koch said.
Still, Crypto will be in Vegas and ready to go if the 17-year old needs a break during the grueling ten days.
“I’ll dang sure have Crypto ready,” Koch said.
No matter which mount gets the call, Koch is excited to be back in Vegas again, this time roping with Cody Snow and starting the rodeo ranked 14th.
“I’m grateful every time I qualify,” Koch said.
