A Lion in the Desert

My name is John and I’m a roping snowbird who has made his way south for some winter-time roping.  I, like many, come out of the north to take advantage of the Arizona warmth, bask in the sun, and revel in the many roping festivities.  Thirsting for a unique experience I was intrigued by an ad I saw about the World Champion Roper, Leo Camarillo, and his training camp in Maricopa.  Curious to see what he was all about I ventured in and here’s what I saw.

Leo Camarillo, “The Lion” is definitely not for the faint of heart.  All work and no play, he gives 100 percent of his effort and expects nothing less in return.  Weather a seasoned competitor or a recreational novice he schools each student with military seriousness, discipline and high expectation.  He’s gruff, direct, brutally honest, and relentless.  When you enter the gates of his territory be prepared to work and check your ego at the door, for he will devour it whole. 

I’m currently a #5 heeler on a recent winning streak.  With a little extra change in my pocket I enlisted in “The Lion’s Camp” (Maricopa, AZ) just to see what I might be missing,  I’d heard a lot of hype about this “World Champion” and I was hoping for a few pointers to increase my speed, polish my delivery, and lock in my consistency. 

He approached me unassumingly, introduced himself and got right to business.  Uninterested in my current number rating, anything I’ve won, or why I was even there, he immediately began putting me through the motions of a beginner, a novice to the whole idea of “team” roping.  He pressed me into his 10-step building blocks which seemed elementary, impossibly slow and frankly a waste of my time.  I’ve been roping and competing for many years, and my own style is so second-nature to me I don’t need to methodically think about each move anymore.  I just need to think about speed. 

Though his 10 steps seemed tedious and futile, I complied with his commands.  The more I cooperated the more foreign things began to feel.  I was getting tripped up, feeling awkward and more set back, as he persisted.  He drilled me over and over and over, and yes, slowly my new skills began to come together.  I could sense his subtle acceptance was starting to emerge.  Though few and far from praise, his discrete approvals were rewarding, and I was soon determined to master his challenge. 

Putting it all in motion was another can of frustrating worms.  Not only did I have to manage all 10 of my thumbs, I was paced at little more than a crawl and I could not control my spastic reactions, nor my horse‘s. 

The cattle I rope today are fast. Give me speed and I can catch, no problem.  But under the Lion’s eye at a snail’s pace I could not catch a cold.  I was getting annoyed.  I was there for speed pointers, not his control nonsense.  And I certainly did not need his condescending criticism.  The more tangled I got, the more quiet he got.  Could he see I needed help?  Certainly.  But his lacking verbal direction was replaced with what felt like searing observation.  As I fumbled along occasionally he’d throw me a helpful bone of advice which remarkably made all the difference, but why would he hold out for so long, watching me struggle when he could plainly see what I needed to fix? (my horsemanship, my approach, my timing, angle, delivery, etc.)

By the time the sun was setting I realized “the Lion’s” style of less-is-more.  His whole competitive-career has succeeded on his mindfulness.   

Beyond all his verbal and physical instruction what he developed most in me was my ability to think (for myself) about what I‘m doing or not doing.  Surprisingly, I was transforming.  My new and improved roping was beginning to thrive, almost instantly.  I was riding my horse more quietly and communicatively.  I was utilizing my new understanding of “team” dynamics in each run.  Though everything in my roping had been simplified my wiring had become so much more complex.  I began seeing and taking shots I never imagined and my overall ability felt invincible--clearer, stronger, smoother, sharper, reflexively quick.  I was getting pretty slick.  I could trust my shot.  After a full day of the Roping Lion’s boot camp my body was tired but my drive was exhilarated, eager for another go, fully equipped and ready for war.  My one full day with the Lion in the desert has inspired a lifetime of progress and continual growth to come.

Best of luck to all roping enthusiasts, especially those who choose to ignore the roar of the lion.  

Yours truly,

John

Team Roping Clinic-School - Castle Rock, Colorado

Team Roping Clinic
to be held at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Castle Rock, Co on August 17 and 18, from 5:30pm to 10pm.  This is a special two night clinic featuring Hall of Fame, NFR, NSPR & Timed Events Champion Leo Camarillo. 

Contact Daryl Navarro at 303 995 9779 for registration and additional details. 

Space is limited and the class is already filling up.  Hurry to reserve your spot.  Special pricing is in effect until August 16. 

$150 gets you entered into 2 classes (both nights included).  Take advantage of this special pricing.  Thanks to additional sponsorship, you can attend both nights for less than the price of a single roping clinic, that's better than a 50% discount.

Camarillo Roping Student Excels at National High School Finals Rodeo

Jerold Camarillo has been working with roper Colton Farquer for a number of years.  2011 proved to be a year of accomplishment for Jerold's student as he won the California District 5 title for Champion Tie Down Roper, and Reserve Champion Team Roping Header, as well as All Around Cowboy netting 4 end of year saddles inclusive of his Boys Cutting Championship.  Colton went on to finish Reserve Champion Tie Down Roper at the California State High School Finals Rodeo, made the National Team, and then went on to perform well in Gillette, Wyoming at the National High School Finals Rodeo, winning 3rd in the Short Go with a 9.49 tie down run, and finishing 8th overall amongst 131 tie down ropers from Canada, USA, and Australia.  Currently Jerold has 5 other young ropers under training, all of which are placing consistently in junior rodeos in California.  He has a limited number of spots available starting September 1.  Call for details 209 606 8482.

Spring Has Sprung!

Spring Has Sprung


Back in the day, this time of year meant going home (to California) and tackling a new phase of competition. Coming off my winter run I was anxious to get back and geared for the “Grand Prix“ (of roping), California’s “rodeo” kick off, and one of the most major ropings of the year, The Chowchilla Stampede. 

I had survived the winter as a foreigner, treading anti-team-roping ground (Denver, San Antonia, Fort Worth, Houston, El Paso) battling predominantly calf ropers and bulldoggers. These places were late bloomers to the team roping event. In those days team roping was merely a gleam in my eye that they didn‘t want to see. If I wanted to compete in the winter rodeos I had to play the home field’s game, and that was it, so come spring I was craving my own.

Of course there was the winter sum-up in Arizona where I could get my team roping game on. When it comes to winter-time roping there’s no better place in the world than Arizona, so I’d spend the latter part of winter with my team in the desert working Yuma, Tuscon, Scottsdale; and be waiting on Phoenix, (the final showdown), AKA “Jaycees’ Rodeo of Rodeos when that Arizona heat (dubbed “Air-is-on-ya”) would start closing in, like the stage curtain prompting our exit. We’d give our one last hurrah and compliantly head north.

Happy to escape the heat we’d finally cross into California and take a long breath of cool. Its notorious Spring rain would wash away the desert dust, while its lush blankets of green, blooming flowers, and beautiful women soothed our dry eyes and refreshed our attitudes. That first cross back never stopped being new, and we’d unanimously agree it was how the world should be. Life was getting good.

Though roping in Arizona I was in my element, I still always felt like a visitor roping on the away field. (A lion in the crocodile swamp). Once back on my California-turf, the land that I loved, the land that I owned in my heart, I became a determined captain kick-ass. The bell for round two would sound in my head as anticipation boiled in my blood. With home field advantage I was eager to show my rivals how it’s done, and I welcomed them into my house of pain.

“The meek shall not inherit the turf.” Bum Phillips

When we’d first pull in to Chowchilla it would be all soggy-wet and raining. You could see pieces of the event coming together, but it was like the lull before the storm. Waiting on the stampede to start, for me was empowering (like being the first kid to class on the first day of school). I could settle in and get a good lay of the event before it cluttered with competitors. This enhanced my confidence and affirmed my motto, “The meek shall not inherit the turf.” I was excited to be a part of the annual cattle drive moving 200 Mexican steers straight through the little town of “Cow-chilla“, and the first sight of those Mexican freshies was like coming home to mom’s cooking. I couldn’t help but lick my chops and think, moms’ putting on the steaks. I’d be so anxious to go off on them virgin Corrientes my hands would twitch. I knew full well, by the end of the year they’d develop into old, worn out pigs pulling on the end of my rope. At that moment they were hot, and I could not wait to sink my teeth.

On our way to rope our high team (in the pre-roping), rain pouring straight down on us in mud up to our knees, we’d ride past the water truck in the arena parking lot and chuckle at the ridiculous necessity. But, come our final round (at the end of the week), thanks to the apt work of Springtime sun and wind, we’d have to pull up for the water truck, who’d become the busiest, most needed necessity on the grounds.

My memories of Springtime and California (particularly Chowchilla which I won 8 times earning the perpetual trophy that I never received, eh-hmm) represent cleansing and rejuvenation. I could shed winter’s restraint like an old coat and spring into real rodeo-fever. There was something refreshing and magical about this time of year in rodeo that always sweetened my crave. It’s hard to say whether it was a winning “Springtime” start that brought a good attitude or a good attitude that brought a winning “Springtime” start. In any case the two were synonymous and proved advantageous in all aspects of my competition

Unfortunately, like a smoldering bonfire the Chowchilla Stampede has been reduced to a lower numbered, weekend roping, awarding insignificant titles. Where patrons once roped in what seemed like miles of countryside over a 35-foot score they’re now confined to an itty, bitty sheep barn with an even-to-the-box score. Though its legendary cowboys of back-in-the-day faithfully return every year to compete in its “Gold Card”, its sad to see something so significant has died. Like, that Springtime flower wilted so the professional cowboys of today have all rode away.

That’s all I know…

Rope Smart,

The Lion

Excuses: There are 200 ropers loading trailers with excuses.

Today, in Elk Grove, CA Jerold Camarillo helped squelch a few "excuses".  Jerold isn't as young as you might have remembered, and theoretically some people enter the "washed up" group at a certain advanced age.  Jerold has once again dodged this ideal today, winning the number 12 roping and taking home $3200.  Wow!  Many "so called ropers" have retired but a few are still out there slogging it out in the rain and wind and winning.  A few of the elite actually train the ropers that are winning.  Today Jerold roped with a high school student turning a steer in 8, won the number 12 roping, witnessed another trainee "Chris Perry" win the number 13, and another local roper Pat finish above average.  Understandably its tough to decide to rope with a pro.  The lessons cost can quickly accumulate.  But, and there is skill and luck involved, when it turns your direction its often worth $3000 plus.  Horse ducking off, one leg instead of two, charging in the box?  Maybe its time to give Leo or Jerold a call?  You can dismiss them as older and a bit out of style, but only for a nanosecond.  Because just as you think there is logic in dismissing the talent of these boys, you'll likely get your shorts handed to you in a baggy.  Today a "old" team roper, Jerold Camarillo, drove off with $3200.  Aren't you just begging to ask "how did you do that?".  Its not just the fact that the Camarillos have achieved Hall of Fame status, but that they are still winning at 60 plus.   You owe it to yourself to call and talk to these guys.  I mean, who gets up on a Saturday morning, goes out and wins $3200 and is a member of the over 60's club?  Call the Camarillos if you want to win.   Win at 20, 30, 60?  Yes.  Win at any age any day?  The Camarillos won again today (no suprise here) and a Camarillos did it not at 30 years old but at 60  plus.  And you are still trying to teach yourself to rope?  Duh!  I cannot over emphasize the beneifit of even a few lessons.  Just rope, or WIN.  It's your choice and the Camarillo's can help.  Call today!

OFF TRACK

Back in the 40s and 50s dunk shots became common in the sport of basketball. Unlike today, a 7 ft tall center was freakish and could dominate the floor (hence the reason goal tending became illegal and dunk shots were band in college basketball from 1967-1976). To combat dominating giants, shorter and/or slower guys developed their long-distance shot and soon 3-point shots came into play.

As a spectator I enjoy every aspect of the game of basketball. The thrill of a fast break, a perfectly timed and placed pass, the mighty slam dunk, the elegant swish of a three point drop, the mental challenge of a free throw, the spontaneous juke…you name it, all of which compose the game.

The capability of NBA’s 3-point shooters is close to 50% these days. Impending mastery of 3-point shots prompts the NBA league to increase the challenge by periodically expanding its 3-point arc. Imagine if all shooters resorted to half court buckets. What kind of game would it be? Exciting? Maybe, for a minute, but nowhere near the capacity of challenge intended the sport. Player fundamentals would be reduced to a rocket-launch from back court, leaving ball tending/working the court a lost art. The sport would not hold the same capacity of challenge because of its narrowed focus of offense. Therefore, the league continues to preserve balance instigating all aspects of the game.

Just like in basketball, team ropers are constantly pushing the envelope with their long-shot creativity and ability. Certainly successful long-shots will always be spectacular. They were back in the day of HP Evetts, and they still are today. And certainly half-court (team roping) shots are appropriate and appreciated in confined setups like the Thomas and Mac, but it’s not the reality-roping for Salinas, Cheyenne, Pendleton, etc., or the open range. Unfortunately, about the only exposure to team roping our world gets is the televised National Finals. New-generation ropers watch the shark fest in the T & M tank and take on it’s “furious-roping” idea believing it’s the way. They feed on “how-to” articles written by their heroes about knock’n barriers and cut’n corners, even utilizing the force of one’s horse coming off the back of the box to send your loop. Rarely do their heroes promote or share advice on how to be versatile, solid, or consistent, much less the importance of “safety.“ Because most ropers today are arena competitors, not actual “cowboys”, they want speed and limit their (and their horse’s) development to short, quick runs with total disregard for proper mechanics and team dynamics.

The team roping we see today is not what the event was originated to be, but speaking about its authenticity is like speaking a foreign language. Today’s arena is a different time and place. Creativity and phenomenal skill aside, I’m talking about today’s competition A.D.D. and lack of event integrity. As the NBA’s 3-point arc boundary continues to expand, honorable adjustments in the roping arena are nonexistent. It seems cattle get smaller, horse & roper athletes get bigger and better, yet barriers remain short, and money gets shelled out in the wrong direction.

I commend NFR team roping producers for recognizing the need for enforcing the challenge of one loop, but what a roping we’d see if the NFR were to restore the “team” principle in the T & M and revive the game. I propose they lengthen that score a ways, pull a heeler barrier the same as the header’s, oblige competitors to utilize those expensive, 4-legged team members to their maximum potential, and then NFR-boys, let’s rope! Match the best headers & heelers in the world against cattle that finally have some kind of advantage. Give them talented boys an opponent other than themselves. Would it happen?

Most likely not, because only today’s real roper cowboy would understand and appreciate the significance of meeting such challenges, and only he would applaud and call it, “A hell of a run.”

That’s all I know…
Rope Smart!
The Lion
Leo Camarillo Horse & Cattle LLC

What Happens In Vegas Stays In Vegas

As a competitor it’s pretty exciting to be in Vegas, to go to Vegas, even to anticipate going to Vegas, yet, ten days of Vegas for most cowboys stokes a pretty good yearning for the reality of home. Home becomes an escape.

Much of what I saw in this year’s NFR team roping was amazing, and for those who did amazing things, going home is necessary for their reality (how well they actually did) to digest. Those who suffered what was obviously not the roping that got them there, are anxious to get back to their “reality”, the reality-roping that put them in the top 15 in the first place.

Definitely, I admire the competitive spirit of 2010 NFR team ropers, and I want to applaud Trevor Brazile for coming a thin thread away from proving that a guy can reach and catch all 10 steers on the end of his rope. If only one strand more had snagged on, he would have done it!

Though this year’s average Thomas-&-Mac run was somewhere around 6.5 seconds, we saw many 4s and 5s, and nine of the 15 teams stuck one in 3 (seconds). In fact, 3 seconds at the T & M has become common.

Analyzing the great debate, “Which is the wiser way to compete at the Finals? Go for day money or go for the average?” of course, depends on personal agenda. Regardless weather a guy’s there for business, the experience, his grandpa…etc., one must assume all ropers would like to win enough to put their entire rodeo season in the black ($30,000.00 finals money is about the mark). Because ten of this year’s 15 teams met the quota just in day money, it seems a guy could ignore the 10-head pressure, just rope for “day money“, and enjoy himself. Ah, but what happens pressure-wise if by the 3rd or 4th go he hasn’t placed?

Granted, today’s kids don’t have the survival stresses of yesteryear, so winning and money might not pump the same pressures it did back in the day; but if money and winning does matters, the anxiety of slimming chances can be crippling.

Before I preach game theory, lets consider two basic methods of roping: fast and furious. Furious roping is (Thomas & Mac style), “going for time”, day-money gunfire with the clock as a primary focus. Ropers come (across the line) swinging and throws are designated by variables (i.e. when the steer moves, or his horns reach a certain point out the gate, etc.) that determine allotted time frames. After (if) the loop goes on, then the run falls into place.

Fast roping (old fashioned roping) is efficient roping, utilizing solid fundamentals with the primary focus of catching. Opposite furious roping, fast roping sets the run up first implements team components, and throws are designated by positions that ideally seal the deal.

Fast roping sounds too tedious and meticulous for today’s blink-of-an-eye action, but I guarantee when focused on setting things right, high percentage shots appear, and speed, luck, and phenomenal unfolds (just like we witnessed with team Brown & Lucero, the only team to catch all 10 steers) along with consistency. Average winners, Brown & Lucero, proved in rounds 2 and 8, it’s not impossible to speed-strive and catch all 10 steers, but it takes discipline. You’ve got to think about your roping--your run, (not the style of the day) and rope appropriately (steer for steer, rather than round for round). In round two, Brown & Lucero knocked it back and hammered one in 3 (seconds) for a first place check of $17,512.00, but in round 9 got out late and had to follow a steer around for 12 seconds to win $44,909.00. At this year’s NFR their game was about catching, and their only competitors were themselves.

Arguably, five other teams were in it to catch, however, the majority of the 14 teams that went out of the average, played for speed. Two teams impressively caught 9 of their 10 steers (Brazile & Smith and B. Tryan & Long). Three teams caught 8. And while each of the 14 placed in at least one round, Brazile & Smith placed in a total of 8 out of 10 rounds, seating one of the top 3 slots in 5 of those 8 rounds. As day-money leaders they won close to $84,000 and were given a 2nd place check for the average. Though, Daniel and Twissleman didn’t win a single round they roped nine out of 10 steers too, seating consistently 2nd or 3rd in four rounds, taking one 4th place (round 8), earning a total of about $54,000 in day-money.

Not far behind Brazile & Smith in day money, were fierce gun-slingers, Brady Tryan and his heeler Jake Long. Though they missed two of their 10 steers, they won rounds 4 (3.5 sec.) and 7 (3.9 sec.), placed 2nd in rounds 3 and 6, picked up additional checks in rounds 8 and 10, earning the second highest round-money total of around $70,000. I can’t argue with those figures.

Certainly, this year’s day-money strategist chalked up the chips with each round. However they and their many opponents faced and suffered considerable risk. By the 3rd round 5 teams were already out of the average; by the 5th round 11 teams were out, leaving 8 guys a guaranteed minimal payoff of over $21,000.00 just by tangling up 5 more steers. In the 6th round another team went down increasing the Average payoff to almost $29,000.00, and by the end of the 7th round 14 teams were out leaving Brown & Lucero almost FORTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS just for doing what they do everyday on 3 remaining steers. As an “Average” winner, and one who’s always searching for that path of guaranteed money, it’s a no-brainer for me…“Come on man!”

Admittedly, we all enjoy today’s high speed in the roping arena. It’s impressive, exciting, and keeps the show alive, but when we’re talking a 10 header, roping for speed with disregard for catching glares a lack of event-integrity. But who cares, right? I think I’m the only one. I also believe average payoffs should pay those and only those who went the distance, ate the whole elephant, caught all their steers. Where else in rodeo do they pay average money to a team that didn’t catch all steers? When only one finals team catches all 10 steers, that’s a mighty feat, and that team should be rewarded with mighty recognition and a mighty check. “Average money should go to Average winners. not competitors who came close.

Until the producers set a new bar (highlighting average compensation) we won’t see significant “average” competition. Voiding all integrity, NFR producers encourage speed and the gamble for “day money” (why hell, we’re in Las Vegas, that’s what they do), leaving “average” winning it’s nickel’s worth of consideration. .
The sad thing is all those talented ropers we just watched will probably go on and to their credit probably add another finals feather to their hat, only to come back and cast their fate away again with their day-money loops. The average is merely an aftermath. For most competitors, there it will sit, the surest way to win, hidden in the shadows of discipline.


That’s all I know…
Rope Smart!
The Lion