The stories. It all comes back to the stories.
For the last month, Tuf Cooper has heard them from countless individuals. Some people he’s known for years. Others he’s meeting for the first time.
Grief and loss have the power to bring on tears of sadness. Lately, that emotion has been followed by a story and a smile. The two feelings blend, at times transitioning without hesitation.
When Hall of Fame roper Roy Cooper passed away unexpectedly on April 29, his family felt the outpouring of love and support from the rodeo community. Tuf, who won Rodeo Austin in late March, knew April would be a little slower. He made his runs in San Angelo then took part in the Atoka (Okla.) Pro Rodeo in late April.
Three days removed from that competition, everything changed. Roy passed away in a house fire at his Decatur, Texas home. He was 69-years old.
On Monday, May 26, thousands gathered at the Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth for a celebration of Roy’s life. Three days after that, and one month to the day from the loss of his father, Tuf returned to competition, taking part in Thursday’s first performance at the inaugural Music City Rodeo in Nashville.
He knew people would want to stop him and chat. They are conversations that continue to bring him a smile.
“I’m glad I inherited the very best fans in rodeo and that’s my dad‘s fans,” Tuf said. “Some of them came and found me after the rodeo or before. Those conversations have been really cool, on how my dad has impacted their lives in a positive way.”
And now, Tuf’s added his own story to the moment, one where he honored his father’s legacy by doing what the Cooper family does best – win.
Tuf’s run of 7.2 seconds in the first go of tie-down roping set a lofty benchmark that wouldn’t be caught. Nine cowboys finished their runs in under eight seconds, with Joel Harris (7.4) and Andrew Burks (7.6) coming close to catching Tuf. The $6,345 paycheck will keep Tuf firmly entrenched in the top 15 of the PRCA World Standings as he’s already collected more than $50,000 this season. The outcome vaulted him from 11th to fourth overnight.
For a PRORODEO competitor with a résumé most would envy, Tuf described the result as one of the most meaningful in his career – which says something for a cowboy who owns five World Championships.
“(My mindset was) to have a wonderful new rodeo experience and in a town that’s way overdue for having a PRORODEO. To enjoy every second of something new. New experiences are always a healthy thing for you in life, so it was nice to take a trip with my family, go to Nashville, and experience an incredible rodeo,” Tuf said. “Everything was pretty awesome as far as the experience. The mindset is always on competition. But I felt like this trip, it was a little deeper.”
Other results from the Music City Rodeo
Sam Petersen held off a strong field of bareback riders to win the title. He rode Brookman Rodeo’s Lunatic Heaven for 88 points, a half-point better than Rocker Steiner, to secure a $8,284 check.
Steer wrestler Rowdy Parrott was a tenth of a second better than three other competitors allowing him to win the event. His time of 3.7 seconds secured a $5,217 payday.
The team roping duo of Cody Snow and Hunter Koch were also a tenth of a second ahead of two other pairs en route to their win. Snow and Koch finished in 3.8 seconds, giving them each $6,588 in earnings.
Sage Newman’s 87-point effort Penthouse Pro Rodeo’s Bad Habits was a half-point better than three other riders, allowing him to claim top honors in saddle bronc. The win was worth $8,347.
Barrel racer Makenzie Mayes blazed her way to a run of 12.94 seconds, making her the only competitor to finish in under 13. She secured an $8,016 check for the win.
Wacey Schalla’s ride on Saturday against Korkow Rodeo’s Wasted Nights helped him pull ahead of Stetson Wright in the final performance. Schalla finished at 88 points, besting Wright by one, to secure $8,319.
Wright won the all-around title $6,378 in earnings between saddle bronc and bull riding.
File photo courtesy of Roseanna Sales/For PRCA