From Fastback Ropes

Winning the USTRC Open Championship title is a sweet victory for professional ropers and the stuff of dreams for most. Clay Tryan has enjoyed this victory now for the second year in a row - in addition to his recent BFI victory this June.

Clay Tryan and Kory Koontz making the short round winning run. Photo by Brenda Allen.

Clay Tryan started the '08 USTRC Finals with a first and second place win in the Open Preliminary on Saturday, October 25th. Placing first with Cory Petska, the team won with a time of 35.47 on five steers and pocketed $16,600. A mere half-second separated his second place win with Kory Koontz with a time of 35.9 which netted the team $11,100.

"My horse worked so well both days that he made it easy for me," said Clay. "I had practiced hard for a couple of weeks and felt pretty sharp."

On Sunday Clay and PRCA partner, Kory Koontz, roped flawlessly during the Roper US Open where an extremely tough short round included four five-second runs. With a two-second lead, high-teamers, Tryan and Koontz had a comfortable 8.8-seconds to take the lead. With breath held, a packed crowd watched as the duo made a snappy 7.16-second run to win the roping and a paycheck of $90,600.

"I've been very fortunate this year winning both the BFI and the US Open," states Tryan. "It's really an honor to win this roping twice."