Airmen rope competition at rodeo world finals

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  • By Staff Sgt. Chris Powell
  • Defense Media Activity
Six Airmen participated in the 10th annual 2010 Professional Armed Forces Rodeo Association World Finals at the Somervell County Expo Center here Nov. 20-21.

The Airmen competed against more than 40 servicemembers, retirees and dependents in 12 events.

Master Sgt. Travis Beck won the Men's All-Around and placed first in calf roping, chute dogging and steer wrestling, while Lt. Col. Val Baker won the Women's All-Around competition.

"It's a great association and gives military personnel a chance to come together and play amongst ourselves for fun and excitement," said Sergeant Beck, who has been a PAFRA member since 2002.

For Colonel Baker, it's her second straight year to win the Women's All-Around. She won it last year despite only being a PAFRA member for a few months.

"We do this for fun; we're not out here to make a living," Colonel Baker said. "I don't care so much about winning, as long as I catch. I want to catch everything that I throw my rope on."

Senior Airman Korey Stusse placed fourth in bareback riding and ninth in bull riding, Senior Airman R.J. Eppers placed fifth in chute dogging and 10th in bull riding, while Master Sgt. Devin Fisher placed ninth in the team roping healing event and 11th in the team roping heading event. Retired Master Sgt. Rob Shilaikis placed second in the healing event and sixth in the heading event.

"I'll continue to rope as long as I can. Now, I can't see myself not doing it," Sergeant Fisher said. "It's an addiction. If you go to a local rodeo, you'll see 65- and 70-year-olds still doing it. It's a sport that we love, and we embrace it."

The PAFRA World Finals is the only actual PAFRA event during the year. The competitors obtain their points throughout the season by participating in rodeos throughout the world, Colonel Baker said. They must notify the PAFRA circuit director prior to the rodeo in which they want to compete, and after the event, submit an after-rodeo report to verify their results. The 15 members with the highest score at the end of the season are eligible to compete in the world finals in their respective event.

"We also have a clause for deployed servicemembers," said Colonel Baker, who is also the PAFRA secretary. "If they're deployed, they get 10 points for every month their deployed for every event they declared."

It's also the first year the finals featured only PAFRA competitors. In world finals before, civilians would participate to round out the competition.

"It's a really big milestone for us. We've always had to reach out into the community to get enough contestants," Colonel Baker said.

Aside from the competition of the rodeo, Colonel Baker said it gives her and her servicemembers other benefits that transfer into being better people.

"People who have animals and compete in rodeo have more responsibility, and you can see that transfer into their level of work and their work ethic," Colonel Baker said. "They'll finish the job, pick up the piece of trash on the ground when no one's looking and do those things just because they have that work ethic."

PAFRA officials are looking to increase their members this year. Every servicemember, retiree, military dependent, Defense Department civilian or veteran, who was honorably discharged, is eligible to join PAFRA.

To join or learn more, visit the PAFRA website at www.pafra2000.com.