Texans Antonio Siller and Clemente Sanchez roped four steers in 45.33 seconds to win the Ariat WSTR #7.5 Finale, worth $184,000.
"I've been here nine times," 56-year-old Elmendorf, Texas, resident Siller told Dru Stewart. "We were pretty close to winning the last three or four years in a row, but this is my first time to win first place. I am very proud that I kept trying. I took a year off last year because of a surgery, but I came back stronger, I feel better, and I am very happy it finally happened for me."
"I've been here four times," 42-year-old San Antonio, Texas, resident Sanchez told Stewart. "Yesterday, I won the #7.5 Super Qualifier outside and a little bit in the consolation in the #8.5 Finale."
"A few years back, we had an opportunity to win and my horse fell," he continued. "Antonio has been joking with me that I owed him one."
"We're like brothers," Siller added of his heeler.
In the first three rounds, the custom pool contractor and automotive transport ran their steers in 8.39, 12.78, and 14.58 – the second two runs with a leg- to come back 11th high callback to the short round.
In the catching game that is the #7.5 roping, the Bexar County team made quick work of their last steer, making a 7.78-second run to seal the deal on a big day.
"Whenever you get the opportunity, you've got to close that door right then and there," Sanchez said of that last run."
"It was because of the handle," Siller joked.
HORSES
For Siller, it was a 7-year-old palomino he calls Rocky who got the call for the #7.5 Finale.
"This horse is the one I feel most comfortable on," Siller said of the palomino. "My helper keeps him legged up really nice for me. I have a friend that sends me steers and whatever I need; We are all like a team, we all help each other out."
On the heel side, it was 15-year-old Matrix who he was borrowing from his son to take home the win.
"My horse is my boy's," Sanchez said of the sorrel heel horse. "He was a gift from my father-in-law."
After the short round had its share of no-times and legs, it was Siller and Sanchez taking the victory lap in front of their family and friends.
"My son was going to graduate this weekend, and he decided to come here instead," Siller said of who was in the stands supporting him. "He told me, you better not miss, because I', going to not walk the stage because of you."
