The Short Score: Circuit Roundup

11/12/24 • 14 min

Circuit finals season is in full swing as November 2024 marches on. Eight circuit finals are in the books, and the stories continue to intrigue and inspire, from overcoming accidents to going neck-and-neck with family in the standings.

On this episode of The Short Score, we introduce two circuit stories we've enjoyed so far: Jared Fillmore's Wilderness Circuit Finals win and Braden Pirrung's Badlands Circuit year-end title.

Episode presented by Purina

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MORE FROM THE SCORE

On this episode of The Short Score, we introduce two circuit stories we've enjoyed so far: Jared Fillmore's Wilderness Circuit Finals win and Braden Pirrung's Badlands Circuit year-end title.

Episode presented by Purina

MORE FROM THE SCORE

Previous Episode

The Kirchenschlagers are AQHA World Champions

Tate Kirchenschlager won the 2024 AQHA Senior Heading World Championship on the stallion Starlight Oak 017, while his cousin Dakota Kirchenschlager won the Senior Heeling on DT Hickorys Playtime.

Both men helped each other to win the title in Oklahoma City Nov. 3, with Dakota, 33, winning in a rope-off against Cade Rice and Roll Your Nickles, in which Tate headed for both men aboard Starlight Oak 017, too.

For the Senior Heading, Tate, 32, won owner Inderman Schaffner LLC $23,967.33 for the 2017 stallion by Starlights Gypsy out of Lenas Oakling.

The Senior Heeling title paid Dakota and owner DT Horses $26,154.82 for the 2017 mare by Hickory Holly Time out of Play Like Clay.

Episode presented by Fast Back Ropes

Fast Back Ropes is thrilled to unveil its latest innovation in roping technology: the Hombre. After rigorous testing by Fast Back endorsees over the past year, the Hombre is set to redefine performance expectations in team roping.

A four-strand crafted with a core, the Hombre stands out with its vibrant orange color, ensuring exceptional visibility in any arena. Its smaller diameter and rough exterior are meticulously designed to enhance grip, making it ideal for swift and precise maneuvers around the saddle horn.

“The Hombre represents a significant advancement in our team rope lineup,” said Coy Upchurch, General Manager at Fast Back Ropes. “It offers a relaxed feel combined with superior functionality that ropers of all levels will appreciate. Our endorsees have given it high praise during testing.”

Available in both head and heel variations, the Hombre head rope spans 31 feet and is offered in XX-Soft, X-Soft, Soft, and MS lays. Meanwhile, the 35-foot heel rope options include Soft, MS, Medium, and HM lays. This versatility ensures that every roper can find a Hombre rope suited to their specific needs.

“The Hombre is designed to meet the demands of competitive ropers who seek precision and reliability,” added Upchurch. “We’re excited to bring this game-changing rope to market and anticipate it will make waves in the roping community.”

The Hombre will be available for purchase at retail locations starting September 1st, marking a new era in team roping technology. For more information about the Hombre and Fast Back Ropes’ complete product offerings, visit fastbackropes.com.

Next Episode

There's Only One J.D. Yates

It's not every day The Team Roping Journal's videos break the internet, but when we catch J.D. Yates stacking coils over his saddle horn heeling to save a placing at the 2024 AQHA World Show, we sort of can't help ourselves.

But–more importantly—Yates won the AQHA Junior Heading World Title on Tearney Ranch's Sue C Royalty. The 2020 mare by One Time Royalty out of Sue C Lena marked a 229.0, worth $25,298.85 for the win against 76 other 5-and-under horses in the Level 3 Championships

In this episode of The Score, we catch up with Yates the day after his win from the practice pen to get his hot take on the state of the rope horse training industry and where we go from here.