DUNCAN —
A younger generation made its presence known this weekend, as Ultimate Calf Roping came to the Stephens County Fair & Expo Center.
While people of varying ages participated in the sport, which kicked off Saturday morning, several teenagers showed they could rope with more experienced cowboys and cowgirls.
Travis Taylor, Deven Riggins and Sam Ward were among the younger participants in the event. Each has been roping for years, getting involved in the sport because of their families. All have been around horses and calf roping their entire lives.
Taylor started roping when he was 7 years old, and at 16, the Decatur, Texas native maintains a busy competition schedule. He was enjoying himself this weekend.
“It’s pretty good,” Taylor said, of the action at the Fair & Expo Center. “I like when there aren’t as many ropers. It doesn’t take as long.”
In all, there were about 200 ropers divided among six events.
Deven Riggins is following in her mother’s footsteps. Riggins is a 17-year-old from Weatherford, Texas, who’s a big fan of calf roping and the Ultimate series.
“It’s good. I like it,” Riggins said. “We go to a lot of them.”
She takes part in roping events nearly every weekend, and it isn’t just a hobby. In Riggins’ family, working with cattle is a way of life.
Riggins said participating in events, such as Duncan’s competition, gives her an opportunity do something with her family.
“I’ve always roped,” Riggins said. “I’ve grown up around it. I’ve grown up around horses. “I get to spend a lot of time with my family. It’s definitely a family-oriented sport.”
Taylor and Ward also related the event to their families.
Ward, who at 14 is the youngest of the three siblings, has only been roping for about four years, but moving to a competitive level came naturally. “I’ve done it since I was 10,” the Coalgate resident said.
Ward noted there is a lot to enjoy about calf roping and attending various events.
He participates almost every weekend, which has helped him tune his roping skills.
“(I like) the excitement of having the calf on the rope,” Ward said.
For each of the young ropers, the Ultimate Calf Roping in Duncan is a necessary stop in the roping circuit. They said the Stephens County Fair & Expo Center was among the nicest facilities they’ve seen or in which they’ve participated.
“It’s way nicer than mine (the facility) in Decatur,” Taylor said.
Ward said the Duncan event is his favorite, in part due to the people and the venue itself.
“It’s a really nice facility,” Ward said.
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Related Photos
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Deven Riggins, from Weatherford, Texas, prepares for calf roping at the Stephens County Fair & Expo Center. Derrick Miller
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Colgate cowboy Sam Ward participates in calf roping Saturday. Derrick Miller
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