ROPER BRINGS HOME 2 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Over the weekend in Lexington, VA Adam Roper competed in the National Regional barrel racing Championships held at the Virginia Horse Center. He had successful rides on Clayton Bryant’s horses, bringing home two National titles. There were to be 2 goes, one being on Friday and one being on Saturday. Each go would consist of 840 horses from all over the East Coast, all competing to win the coveted and prestigious National Regional Championships. Out of both goes there were only 15 horses to be taken out of each division to get back into the final go round. On Friday, the 1st day Adam had an okay run on Promises to Dash, “AKA” Squirrel and placed 12th, which automatically got him back into the finals. He, also, had a nice run on Clayton’s 4 year old mare, Diamonds and Fame, AKA “Prissy,” getting her back into the finals as well. Adam stated, “I was happy to get the two horses back on Friday, which took a lot of pressure off of me. I played it safe and was careful not to hit any barrels. “ On Saturday, Roper still competed in order to give the horses another practice run before the finals on Sunday. Squirrel had a pretty good run on Saturday and placed 4th out of the 840 horses.

On finals day, Adam drew number 19 to run and ran a 15.0 on the 4 year old mare, Prissy. That run held 1st place until the 70th competitor when he was bumped back. However, Adam still had one more chance to win on Squirrel. Adam was number 111 to run and he was ready. He came in and clocked a 14.550, which was the fastest time of the whole weekend. In the finals he put almost 3 and ½ tenths on the field, as the closest time to him was a 14.857. The crowd was on their feet and excited as the closest time to him the entire weekend was a 14.792.. Squirrel not only walked away with the 1-D National title, he also set up Prissy for the 2nd Division National title, as her time was a ½ second off. Also, the payback was scheduled to be for 15 horses and riders. However, Squirrels time was so fast there were only 6 horses in the 1st division, so not only did he win 1st place money he also won a part of the 7th through 15th place money. All total, Adam Roper and Clayton Bryant won $6500.00, 2 Textan trophy saddles, 2 belt buckles, a cover on the National Barrel Horse News with a large article, and of course the glory of winning not just one National Title but 2..
Congratulations to our Appomattox barrel horses.