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Kaleb Driggers Wins Big at the Mike Cervi Memorial Pro Classic
by Kristen Spinning

In a packed grandstand, over 2,000 fans collectively held their breath for an eternal 8.36 seconds during the last run of the Mike Cervi Jr. Memorial Pro Classic. That 8 seconds would be worth close to $23,000, and all eyes were on the young man in the header’s box. On February 22, at the Casa Grande Rodeo Grounds in Arizona the Cervi Roping couldn’t have asked for a better day. The sun shown bright, the ground was excellent, an enthusiastic crowd gathered and 140 teams were ready to run down their slice of an over $80,000 pie. The day got underway with the First Annual Cervi Pro-Am. A superstar line-up of pro ropers partnered up with ten amateur headers and ten amateur heelers to  put on a pretty impressive show. After three full rounds, the team of Mark Etter and Dakota Kirchenschlager turned in the fastest time for the Amateur Heading.  For his efforts,  Dakota had his Cervi entry fees paid. Amateur heeler Lorne Miller and his partner Chad Masters had a 37.19 after 3 to win the average in the Pro-Am Heeling. Chad also had his Cervi entry fees paid. Round and average winners took home a handsome Gist buckle, and all the amateurs received a Wrangler denim event jacket Cervi Cap and pass to hang out out with the pros in the VIP tent all day. Proceeds from the event were added to the Cervi Roping pot and to the Justin Crisis Fund.

The action quickly moved on to the headline event. In the first of four progressive rounds, the hard running Mexican steers kept guys scrambling to run them down. Clean runs were mostly in the 7 and 8 second range with a handful of 6s. Collectively, teams had an 80% catch rate over that first go. Broken barriers, gut wrentching misses, and slipped legs continued to whittle down the top contenders through the second go. After 2, it was pretty clear that a 14 or better would set up a team for a shot at the money, and anything more would send them home empty handed.

In the 3rd and 4th rounds, those strong steers eased up just a bit, and with the pressure mounting, times started drilling down. Announcers Sanna Boan and Reed Flake kept things moving right along from the booth, and Bob Fiest kept the crowd updated on the scores and stats for each round. Reed, who also supplied the cattle, had just come off a bad pelvis split only three weeks earlier. He got bolted back together and was in fine shape to play for the day.

Not quite 12  seconds separated the final 20 teams top to bottom going into the short round. The ropers knew they had to go for broke to move up in the standings. With big money on the line, the first 3 teams out of the box, where quickly out of the competition. Then next few teams fired strong, and positions shifted with every throw. Turtle Powel and Russell Cardoza Jr  turned in a 5.98, their best time of the day and fastest for the round. It was enough to bump them up into the money.

It was down to the last 3 when  22 year old  Kaleb Driggers, and his partner Jade Corkill, considered by his peers to be the best heeler in the world, grabbed the fist spot with a 6.22 second run. Next to go was Riley Minor and Monty Joe Petska, a former Cervi Champion. They needed a 6.66 to take the lead, but when the flag dropped, the clock showed a 6.67, tying it up.

Kaleb, who was riding arguably the best head horse in the field, returned to the box with his partner, reigning World Champion heeler Jhett Johnson. Showing consistency and unbelievable horsemanship, the pair hadn’t been longer than 6 all day.

They were holding an impressive 24.74 on 4. They could win it with a leisurely 10 seconds, but a miss fire could knock them out completely.  The shoot opened, and the crowd tensed as the young header held his mount at the back of the box for what seemed like forever. The steer got a half a length of daylight  past the gate, and Kaleb launched out of the box. The steer faded slightly to the left. Kaleb ran him down at the ¾ pole, setting him up beautifully for Jhett to slip up behind and lay out a perfect loop to snatch him clean on the first hop. They closed the deal with an 8.36. 

The pair won $11,484 a man, Running P saddles, and Gist buckles. Additionally, when they are ready for a well-deserved break, they will be treated to a white tail deer hunt courtesy of Driftwood Performance Horses.  Jhett commented, “ I’ve roped in the Cervi a number of times, but can’t say as I ever placed. This is a real thrill.”  Kaleb showed real coolness under fire at his first Cervi roping, “We already had done the hard part all day by making some good runs early on. I could give the steer more than I needed to, and my horse would run him down. I knew my partner would heel him fast, so I decided I could back off and just do my job.” 

Kaleb also split the 2nd and 3rd   spots with partner Jade Corkill , for a combined payday of close to $20,000. The pair were on fire the day before too, winning the Cervi Pre-Roping with 26.12 on 4 for another $3,710. Kaleb, who hails from Albany, GA, took PRCA Rookie of the Year honors in 2009. Now with a Cervi win notched in his belt, and his combined winnings over the 2 days in Casa Grande, he is off to a great start in 2012.

Thanks to its dedicated sponsors, the roping paid a whopping 118% of entry fees over 6 holes and 2 short-go fast times.  It also wrote a check for over $13,000 to the Justin Crisis Fund, brining the total that the roping has raised for the charity to over $140k. Besides the money, the ropers really appreciate how well the event is organized.  Monty Joe Petska, who split 2nd & 3rd  to take home $8,500 commented, “It’s been a great day. George Aros and his crew do an excellent job of putting it on, the money’s great, it’s an awesome roping.” In addition to cash, teams won a terrific assortment of prizes including Justin Full Quill Ostrich Boots, Gordy Alderson bits, Resistol hats from Hatco, Mojo Horns, Renew Gold grain, Bio Vigor supplements breast collars from Ricotti Saddle Co, and gift certificates from Arizona Feed.  The event also ushered in a new level of hospitality in roping competition. A VIP tent, sponsored by the Hal Earnhardt and the Earnhardt Automotive group out of Phoenix, was set up across from the office where ropers and their families were treated to free burritos, chips & salsa and cold beverages throughout the day.

The 30th Annual Cervi  Roping was the centerpiece to the Casa Grande Cowboy & Indian Days for the second year. The West Pinal County Sheriff’s Posse originally organized this 9 day extravaganza of Roping, Barrel Racing and Rodeo events when working with Cervi producer George Aros to move the famed roping to Casa Grande in 2011. “The first Cowboy Days was a huge success, so this year we added even more to it, including a parade, an All-Indian Rodeo and even a golf tournament,” commented Posse member Dick Powell. The Cervi and Cowboy Days enjoy the enthusiastic support of the City of Casa Grande. City officials, including City Manager Larry Rains were in the grandstands.  In welcoming all the participants to Cowboy Days, Mayor Bob Jackson said,  “It’s truly a time when Casa Grande gets back to its western heritage.  This event draws not only Casa Grande residents, but many from outlying communities, as well as visitors from all over.” Many of those participants and visitors came from Canada. During the week, The Maple Leaf Classic hosted 450 Canadian teams along with both local and snowbird fans.  There was a roping for just about anyone at every level. Thursday’s All Girls Day brought together 100 teams of the best lady ropers as well as offered some exciting barrel racing action. Including the Ivan Muxlow Memorial at the front end, Aros produced over 1,400 teams in Casa Grande for the week, making it truly the epicenter of roping action.

With the success of this year’s events and the amount of money up for grabs,  it is no doubt that Cowboy Days will continue to grow. Even more ropers, from the top ranked cowboys to the fun loving amateurs will descend on Casa Grande once again next February.

Proudly Sponsored in 2012 by the following: Arizona Feeds Bar G Feedyard - Jonny Trotter BioVigor Daily 72 Brooks Mayberry Insurance Cactus Ropes Cervi Enterprises Dodge Ram Rodeo Dynamite Horse Supply E.C. Cattle Company Ed Hitchcock--Lobo Ranch Corrientes Equibrand & Classic Ropes - Ken Bray Fast Back Ropes Fertizona Freedom RV - Devon Murphy Gist Silversmiths Gordy Alderson Bits & Spurs Hal Earnhardt Hatco Resistol-Stetson Justin Boot Company Mojo Horns & Diamond Bar Arena Post Feed & Supply Potter Ranch - Driftwood Horses Pro Equing & Heel-O-Matic Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo LLC Rene Noriega Equistride Sports Therapy Renew Gold - The Phoenix Co. Ricotti Saddle Comapny Rocking A Cattle & Driftwood Horses Running P Saddles Rodeo Videos Viking Cattle Company Wrangler

Mike Cervi Jr. Memorial Pro Classic

February 22, 2012 - 140 Teams

Thanks to our generous sponsores the Cervi roping paid out 118% of fees!

Average Places

Short -Go Fast Time

Pro-Am Heading

Pro-Am Heeling

Money Raised for the Justin Crisis Fund: $13,047

See all the results from Casa Crande Cowboy Days Ropings

Mel and Wendy Potter • Breeding Mgr. (520) 906-9133
email potterranch@gmail.com

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