LaCresha's Lens Focuses On...page 146...Team Roping

There I something about the energy of a team roping.  There is also something about team roping that can be as exciting as watching paint dry.  The photos in today's blog are from a USTRC Team Roping in Franklin, TN.  As I look at these photos the pungent odor of horses and cattle come back to me.  When you walk into the arena it engulfs you and takes over your senses.  There is this endless row of horses tied to the panels from a few yards as you enter the back of the arena, that leads all the way to the front.  Some are tied on each side so it turns into an aisle way with two walls of horses.  It would have been a dream of my coming true to be around that many horses when I was a kid.
For the most part these horses get along, occasionally these beasts find a neighbor who is not their favorite. 
This photo also brings back fond memories of when my friend Nicki is in town.  I love spending time with her, I met her when I worked at the arena in Memphis and we clicked immediately.  We consider one another sisters, and any time she ropes within driving distance I try to be there to watch and support her.
The USTRC brings in a lot of roper's from all over the east of the Mississippi and Texas.  I am impressed each year at how the Florida ropers will drive up, even from the southern most region of the state to attend this roping.  What they call the "Short-Go" ends up being the most anticipated part of the day, as it is the winners of their division who go on to compete.  Some of these ropers are really good and make their living by traveling around the country competing.  A lot of these competitors know one another as they see each other just about every weekend. 
While I have never team roped, I have been around my share of team ropings and ropers.  They are usually blue collar workers and tend to be just all around good people.  I'm glad I have gotten to know the few ropers I have encountered over the years from when I was in high school to the present.