Bob Feist Invitational Cowboys rope in $122,000 at BFI
Chris Francis and Cade Passig
A couple of lifelong friends from New Mexico corralled the biggest win of their lives at the 41st edition of the Bob Feist Invitational in Reno. The BFI presented by Yeti annually kicks off Wrangler BFI Week in conjunction with the Reno Rodeo, dubbed the “wildest, richest rodeo in the West.”
Chris Francis, 40, and Cade Passig, 24, of
Las Vegas, NM, roped six steers in 43.34 sec- onds for first place, padding their pockets with $122,000 cash, tens of thousands of dollars in prizes and bragging rights for winning the old- est, richest and most prestigious invitational team roping in the sport. Known for its 18-foot head start for extra-strong steers, the BFI is a challenge even for the professionals. “This roping has been around so long and
all the greats have won this,” said Passig. “And some of the best cowboys in the world haven’t won it. It’s the most mentally trying event of the year.” Cade’s dad, Shotgun Passig, had been a
former partner of Francis’ and when Cade was a toddler, Francis moved in and lived with the family. Today, both men work for Mathews Land and Cattle Company, which sponsored their entry in the event. To win, the pair withstood pressure from the likes of world rodeo standings leaders Clay Smith and Paul Eaves, who finished third, and world champion Junior Nogueira and Kaleb Driggers, who fell to fourth. “The final round was probably the tough-
est I’ve ever seen here,” said second-place header Bubba Buckaloo, who with his partner Tyler Worley earned $93,000 cash. “This is the best roping of the year. Everybody wants to come to the BFI.”
Pascoe & Simons win Reno Million
A retired NFL tight end and a cattle con- tractor – both recreational team ropers – raked in $95,220 with their ropes at the 22nd edition of the #11 Reno (Nevada) Million. Californians Bear Pascoe of Morro Bay and Steve Simons of Sanger roped four steers in 34.21 seconds to win the event and $47,610 total per man. They needed only a 10-second run to clinch the win, but finished in 8.8 sec- onds.
“I was just trying to not break out and go
get him caught,” said Pascoe. “I knew Steve would rope him on the first or second jump. “I haven’t been to this roping since I was
16 years old,” Pascoe said. “Corky (Ullman) and Daren (Peterson) have done a great job. The cattle were outstanding.” The Reno Million was founded in 1996 by local real estate developer Perry Di Loreto and is now owned by Ullman-Peterson Events. It was designed to give equally matched am- ateur ropers across the country a chance at six-figure payouts. Traditionally, the roping was top-loaded
Steve Simons & Bear Pascoe
and promoted first-place payouts of $100,000. This year, or- ganizers used a format closer to official pay- off formats at World Series of Team Roping events, distrib- uting the same money without
celebrates
a large gap between first and the other places. This year’s Reno Million drew 120 teams,
each of whom paid a $5,500 entry fee and were screened to ensure their roper classification numbers didn’t exceed 11.5. It’s been a good week for 32-year-old Pascoe – the #6 header also placed Tuesday in a tie for fifth in steer wrestling at the adjoin- ing $600,000 Reno Rodeo after wrestling two steers in 9.6 seconds.
“Throwing the hell out of a steer in steer
wrestling is like scoring a touchdown,” Pascoe said. “But getting a good start and spinning one and your man sets him down? That’s pret- ty good, too.” Pascoe, who spent five seasons playing
for the New York Giants, caught four passes in their 21-17 victory over the Patriots in the 2011 Super Bowl. But he continued to rope during every off-season. Pascoe said continuing to work out helps him mentally as much as phys- ically. He gives credit to his dad for imparting lots of good advice on the mental game over the years. In fact, Simons, a 5-Elite heeler, likens the entire Pascoe clan (Bear has twin siblings) to Louis Lamour’s fictional Sacketts. The baby of the family, Bear has no plans to stop roping or wrestling steers.
“I entered the team roping at a handful
of PRCA rodeos and didn’t have much luck,” Pascoe said. “They were a bit much for this green horse. But I’d like to revisit that. I’d love to be a multiple-event guy. One of my goals is to be invited to the Timed Event Champion- ships of the World.”
Custom-made bronze trophies craft- ed by Montana Silversmiths were awarded for the best head and heel horse. Texan John Coltharp’s mount won the Heel Horse award, while Lucy Bishop’s earned the the Head Horse. For more, visit
www.bfiweek.com. w
July 2018 SouthWest Horse Trader 7
Passig
Jerry Mohme Photography
Olie’s Images
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