The Ariat World Series of Team Roping Gold Buckle Beer Open to the World Finale was first introduced in Las Vegas in 2019. With last year's COVID-19 cancellation the 2021 edition marked the second-ever opportunity for the top open ropers in the world to compete at the South Point Hotel and Casino for a piece of the estimated $13 million in total prize money that the WSTR Finale will pay out in its 15th season.
Two of the game's most well-known talents, Riley Minor, Ellensburg, Washington and Cory Petska, Marana, Arizona came into the short round high call and laid down a smooth 6.31-second run to turn in a total time of 31.76 on five head. More than two seconds ahead of second place it was plenty quick to secure the average and pocket $77,000 of the $267,000 total Gold Buckle Beer Open cash payout.
Minor and Petska both narrowly missed qualifying for the 2021 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo with the top 15 PRCA team ropers. However, their regular season partners—Riley's brother Brady Minor and Derrick Begay respectively—would both qualify and team up to rope at the Thomas & Mack. Coincidentally, less than 24 hours before the Dec. 4 Gold Buckle Beer Open, Brady and Begay took the win in round two.
"It was really awkward watching him from the stands," Riley admitted. "It felt like half of me was out there. Ever since we started roping together, we've never stopped."
Flashback to late summer—the Minor brothers looked to be on their way to their 11th Wrangler NFR berth together in the last 12 years. But Riley's Sept. 17 fall on the grass in the second round at the Pendleton Round-Up left the rest of their regular season a little up in the air. Despite two breaks in his ankle and an injured shoulder, Riley would get right back in the saddle and compete at Salinas. However, some tough luck there knocked him out of top 15 for good.
"The day after the [rodeo] season ended [Cory] called me and asked if I wanted to rope in this Open," Riley said. "I was still on crutches, but that was the plan all along—to win this roping."
Following surgery, Riley had only been back on his horse for about 10 days before the Gold Buckle Beer Open.
"I wish I could have had another couple of weeks," he said. "It's sore and I'm just weak. I can't ride my horse as good as I'd like to, but I told myself today just get out of the barrier and turn them. Cory throws fast. My horse is good. If I do my job, we'll go win something."
Riley was riding his two-time PRCA Purina Head Horse of the Year RK Tuff Trinket—better known as Bob.
"He kind of tried going on a couple, I was worried I was going to break out," Riley said. "But I got by him. I kind of had a talk with him before the short round."
A 15-time NFR qualifier, Petska was on MP Driftinorphanannie. "Annie" for short, the 15-hand mare is owned by Petska's father-in-law Mel Potter and out of the Potter Ranch stallion Lone Drifter.
"She's pretty big, but she moves like a little horse," Petska said. "I've been riding her 12 or 13 years. She's more of a jackpot set-up type of horse. She scores amazing and has head horse speed. You're never behind. Any great horse makes your job easier at the end of the day."
"Of course, we would both love to be in the Thomas & Mack," Petska added. "But this is a pretty good second place. To be back in Vegas again and roping for this much money is pretty cool."
Gold Buckle Beer Open Finale Results
Average
Time Header Heeler Amount
1 31.76 Riley S Minor Cory Petska $77,000
2 33.92 James Arviso Cooper Freeman $55,000
3 34.27 Garrett Rogers Chris Young $42,000
4 36.14 Cutter Machado John Chaves $31,000
5 37.66 Cash Fretwell Jesse Hines $16,000
