News: Cole Patterson ready to defend his NCFSR title in Torrington
Cole Patterson has fond memories of the Steer Roping National Circuit Trials.
Patterson made his NCFSR debut last time out and palm-walked and earned an NCFSR $10,786 record.
Patterson, who went on to win his first PRCA World Steer Roping Championship in 2021, is optimistic about his return to Torrington.
This is one of the most significant events we can attend as ropers, said Patterson, 26. So they put on a big show for us, and we managed to tie up some great steers. It’s also a friendly enough setup for ropers. I’ve been then before, but indeed it’s one I’ve wanted to return to.
The 2022 National Circuit Steer Roping Tests take place on Saturday and Sunday, and it starts at noon (MT) every day. Cowboys from Day 1 will compete in four rounds, and Sunday’s challengers will race two more games. After completing all six rounds, the top eight cowboys will advance to an eight-man semifinal.
The top four challengers from the semifinals will proceed to a four-person unforeseen death test. Patterson won the unexpected death trials last time with an alternate time of 10.0.
I grew up playing every night with my dad, and having these road tests means it’s essential for me to come and then see these guys, said Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, a special guest at the homecoming event. From NCFSR. This is an important event for this state and this megacity. We are delighted to have this event.
One of the businesses I have is steering rope, it’s one of those alphabets (events) at the rodeo, and I’ve always felt explosive that there’s a heritage then, and we need to save that heritage. Cole Patterson will ride 17-year-old Tigger this weekend. Tigger is the two-time reigning Purina Horse of the Time.
I just got him in shape and took him to his first rodeo last week since the (National Steer Roping Trials in November), Patterson said. I left it all downtime, so it’s fresh and ready to go.
Former world champion Rocky Patterson, Cole’s father, is competing in the NCFSR again. Rocky is the only two-time NCFSR champion, winning in 2012 and 2019.
Four-time world champion Scott Snedecor won $10,095 at the 2020 NCFSR and is ready for another race at Torrington. Snedecor rides 13-year-old Goose.
I can’t wait to get back then, said Snedecor. I enjoy the commission, and it is good to go out again. I like the qualifying rounds, where you get to do what you can for six games. Also, you get the unforeseen death deal, and that’s delicious for the helmspersons; we don’t get to do that very often.
Steer roper Slade Wood, who finished sixth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings a while back; he’s eager to see what he can do in the NCFSR. Wood will be riding Dynamo, 19. This shakes me, said Wood, 19. There are a lot of plutocrats and many steers on the rope, and I want to rope in this format. This should be fun.