In a battle of talent, World Champion Haven Meged matched up against five-time National Finals qualifier, Ty Harris for a six head match tie-down roping. Hosted by the Colorado High School Rodeo Association, celebrity cowboys and cowgirls join the high school competitors at their state finals in Craig, Colorado over Memorial Day weekend.
The two talented cowboys had not "matched" since 2021 and the setting in Colorado provided the perfect opportunity. Used as a fund-raiser for the association, the athletes are guaranteed checks, so really the match was for bragging rights.
Meged was dealing with some aches and pains from breaking in and roping some pretty big calves in the days prior to the match. He expressed that he really wasn't feeling himself, but was certainly happy to be there and ready to rope.
Harris said that he had prepared and was ready for the competition.
The calves brought for the celebrity roping were on the "bigger" side for sure and certainly strong. Both ropers knew they would have their hands full.
In the first two rounds, both tie-down talents stayed close to each other, just making solid runs and making sure their calves stayed tied. Round three is where things started to change.
Unfortunately, and certainly out-of-character, Harris missed his third calf. Keeping his head about him, he went on to two-loop the calf and get a qualified time to at least stay in the roping. Meged didn't blink, he just kept being solid.
To everyone's surprise, Round No. 4 brought the same result. Harris missed his first loop. Meged just tied one down.
Apparently that lit a fire in Harris because knowing that he was likely out of the roping, he came back and tied his next two calves in seven and eight seconds respectively. A feat that certainly showed the talent he possess. Meged just kept being solid and getting times.
Over the course of six head, Meged handily took the championship for the match and the check for $5,500 back to Texas. While Harris didn't perform the way he wanted to or expected, he still cashed in on $5,000 to make his trip worth while.
Getting to meet and talk to World Champions and NFR qualifiers is a highlight for the junior high and high school competitors but more so, the performance of both ropers provided inspiration. It's great to see the best of the best have their stellar days, but it is also good for the youth of rodeo to witness the best have a bad day and come back from it.