Tyler Bach has watched his dad Allen win more than most kids ever will–but no gold buckle or major jackpot win has ever compared the two feet he saw his dad rope December 10. Looking at his dad from aboard his facing head horse, Tyler watched as they came tight on the short round steer at the #15 2017 World Series of Team Roping Finale, worth $158,000.
“This was definitely a blessing—this was definitely all God,” Tyler, a 23-year-old father of one (soon to be two) who works for his dad, said. “It was an experience I’ve never had.”
Allen rodeoed with his older son, Joel, but Tyler has always stayed home to take care of the animals and spend time with his wife Rachel and young son Colby.
“He hasn’t had the opportunities Joel has had,” Allen said. “Joel and I almost made the NFR (opens in a new tab). So this, this is really special.”
They roped four steers in 28.12 seconds and won the roping from third callback.
While Al rode his trusted 14-year-old gelding, Prince, who came from Bucky Campbell, Tyler opted for his “mule” that he believes he ropes the best on. Tyler’s Batman, 13, came from Missouri’s Adam Rose (opens in a new tab), and wasn’t anyone’s first pick for Tyler to ride for the big bucks, except Tyler himself.
The Bachs had been in Wickenburg, Arizona, before they came to Las Vegas (opens in a new tab), and didn’t win a dime—and barely made it out of the first round at those big jackpots. When they got to Las Vegas, Tyler decided to swap to Batman, and the money started rolling in first at the Mathews Land and Cattle #15 Qualifier in the South Point parking lot the day before the #15 Finale. There, they were 28.5 on four and won third for $11,925.
“My brother has a really good head horse, and they were wanting me to ride him,” Tyler said. “But I’m hard headed. I was not going to. I just went with my instinct and brought the mule.”
While Al didn’t rule out rodeoing again, Tyler said he plans to stick to the World Series ropings so he can stay home with his growing family. He and Rachel are expecting another boy this month.
“Why go rodeo when you can rope for this money?” Tyler said.
Bach, who has won the George Strait and the Bob Feist Invitational (opens in a new tab) as well as four world titles and two WNFR average titles, said this win with his son ranks above all else.
“This is the best one, I can tell you that,” Allen said. “I can’t imagine anyone can win more than $80,000 in one day. I won the BFI (opens in a new tab) in 1979 and it paid $10,000. From 1979 until now, just think about that—how far the sport has come with good business and good promoting.”Tyler and Allen split first place payoff of $158,000 plus a large WSTR Finale (opens in a new tab) Prize package. Ropers of the #15 WSTR (opens in a new tab) Finale roped for an overall payout of $850,000 and will be the only event of the week not to pay out over 1-million dollars. The 2017 WSTR Finale kicked into gear today and will continue to showcase the sport of team roping with the largest event of the year!
