WSTR News

Empty Saddles

Christopher David Lilly - 1983- 2026

Oct 9, 2026

Chris grew up playing football, baseball and team roping. He attended New Mexico State University and was on the NMSU Rodeo Team. After college he joined the Troy Shelley Roping Production team traveling the country roping and helping with the production of USTRC and World Series Team Roping.

Team Roping Journal News

Winningest Women of the World Series of Team Roping

Oct 1, 2026

Five women have each won more than $340,000 at the Ariat World Series of Team Roping, and one has passed half a million.

Team Roping Journal News

Sunday Money: Lynn Dale Toon and Perry Smith Win the Riata Championships Rope Horse Rewards #8.5

Sep 28, 2026

Smithville, Oklahoma, ropers Lynn Dale Toon and Perry Smith had roped together since February without cashing a check.

Team Roping Journal News

Stage Time: Mike Bush and Justin Harrell Win the Riata Championships Rope Horse Rewards #9.5

Sep 27, 2026

Five years after four surgeries and 20 rounds of chemo, Mike Bush teamed up with Justin Harrell to rope four head in 35.58 seconds for…

Team Roping Journal News

Good Draw: JR Caldwell and Rodney Teichert Win the Riata Championships Rope Horse Rewards #10.5  

Sep 27, 2026

JR Caldwell and Rodney Teichert won the #12.5 muley roping together in Cheyenne, then ran it back at the Riata Championships with four…

Team Roping Journal News

She Wanted to Make a Living with Her Rope: The Chelsey Bushnell Story 

Sep 21, 2026

Chelsey Bushnell grew up dreaming of making the Finals and building a life with a rope in her hand—years later, the California cowgirl…

Team Roping Journal News

Ariat World Series of Team Roping’s Title Fights Streaming Live Sept. 18-20 on Roping.com

Sep 15, 2026

Round 7 of the WSTR special fees qualifiers moves to Sweetwater, Texas, and every check won punches a ticket to the Ariat WSTR Finale.

Empty Saddles

Colby Lee Crago - 1980-2026

Sep 10, 2026

Family was the most important thing to Colby. He loved his girls so much. As they got older, competing in team roping became less important to Colby. He wanted to coach his girls, and take them to area rodeos to compete. He was their number one fan for sure. Nothing could make him more proud than his daughters. Colby was a wonderful husband and father. So many memories were made with him. His smile will never be forgotten, and his loving spirit will be missed forever.

Empty Saddles

Jamie Glenn Earp - 1973-2026

Sep 10, 2026

When the work was finished, Jamie loved to rope. Team roping was far more than a hobby; it was a way of life he proudly passed on to his children and grandchildren. Fiercely competitive, some of his proudest moments came from winning alongside his sons and supporting his daughter and son-in-law in their rodeo company. He took great pride in the arena and facilities he built at home, but he was perhaps happiest in his barn or outside with a good horse nearby, surrounded by family and friends. Jamie leaves behind a life built with hardworking hands, a generous heart, plenty of stories worth retelling, and a family who loved him beyond measure. Despite tremendous sorrow, we know Jamie’s work here is finished, and that the love he gave, the laughter he created, and the memories he made will never be forgotten.

Empty Saddles

Tucker James Earp - 2004-2026

Sep 10, 2026

From the beginning, Tucker had his own big personality. He was mischievous, rowdy, and always ready to make somebody laugh. There was rarely a dull moment when Tucker was around, and those who knew him best probably have a story, or several, to prove it. Underneath that rowdy exterior, though, was an incredibly soft heart. Tucker loved deeply, cared fiercely for his people, and would do anything for those he loved. Tucker rodeoed throughout his childhood and high school years, spending countless hours in the arena, on the road, and doing what he loved alongside his dad, siblings and closest friends. He carried his love for the sport into college, competing for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) on a full ride rodeo scholarship.

Empty Saddles

Douglas Bailey - 1953- 2026

Sep 10, 2026

Doug loved spending time team roping. A love that became a family sport that he was able to share with his daughter Callie, his brother Jack, his nephew Cody and his son Colten Bailey. Doug competed in several rodeo associations, IPRA – International Pro Rodeo Association, CSRA – Central States Rodeo Association and the Senior Pro Rodeo Association in which he won Team Roping Champion Heeler. Doug’s success in the arena is noted by the buckles, saddles and other items he has collected through the years. However, Doug’s true passion was training and selling horses. He had a gift for understanding the nature of horses and was a part of the natural horsemanship movement.

Empty Saddles

Powhatan Carter - 1949-2026

Sep 10, 2026

He continued to rope and put on team roping series with Flash Roping Productions. Pow was the happiest horseback riding out on the ranch to work cattle. Always ready to help his friends and neighbors with brandings and fall gathering, Pow was just a call away. He loved being Dad and later “PowPow” to his grandchildren. Pow was always the biggest fan and yelled loudly at every football and basketball game, track meet, rodeo, horse show, school event, or anything else his family might be involved in. Win or lose, there was always ice cream or some sweet concoction following all family activities.