News   Tuf Cooper Named Overal Rookie of the Year 11/17/2008   News Release Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Like his father Roy had done a generation earlier, Tuf Cooper made a dazzling debut in professional rodeo in 2008, not only becoming the first tie-down roping rookie since 1996 to qualify for the Wrangler Nationals Finals Rodeo, but earning $90,604 to win the Overall Rookie of the Year Award, presented by American Cowboy Coffee and Montana Silversmiths. "This is awesome," Cooper said. "Ever since I was little I knew I wanted to rope, make the Finals and win a rookie award. It was pretty hard to do. Adam Gray had a pretty big lead to overcome. It was tough." At the start of June, Cooper was in 30th place in the Crusher Rental PRCA World Standings about $20,000 back of Gray, but he strung together big wins at the Farm City Pro Rodeo in Hermiston, the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo in San Juan Capistrano and the River City Roundup in Omaha, Neb., the third round of the Ariat Playoffs, to launch himself into the top level of the sport. It was a substantial accomplishment in a rookie class that proved to be so accomplished and talented. Many have close ties to ProRodeo stars and some are the offspring of rodeo royalty, growing up in the sport and around its legends. Joining Cooper, who was also the tie-down roping rookie of the year, were Trell Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla., (all-around); Jared Smith, Ranger, Texas (bareback riding); Zack Cobb, Pampa, Texas (steer wrestling); Joel Bach, Millsap, Texas (team roping-heading); Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah, (team roping-heeling); Kaleb Asay, Powell, Wyo., (saddle bronc riding); Douglas Duncan, Huntsville, Texas (bull riding) and Tim Abbott, Midland, Texas, (steer roping). "I grew up junior rodeoing with a few of these guys," Cooper said, "and I think it's awesome there is so much young talent out here this year, and not just in first place in the rookies. There are some really good guys who didn't get as far this year, but have just as much talent." The honorees will be recognized on Rookie Night at the 50th anniversary of the Wrangler NFR on Dec. 9 in Las Vegas. Representatives from American Cowboy Coffee, Montana Silversmiths and the PRCA will be on hand to present the awards to a proud group. “It’s an honor to be with that kind of talent,” Richard said. “This year is probably one of the most-talented groups of kids we have had in a while. Most every timed-event guy had a chance to make the Finals, and Tuf (Cooper), he made the Finals, so that tells you what kind of kind talent there is.” Cooper claimed the overall rookie title by a margin of $13,084 over runner-up Duncan ($77,520). Both contestants make their Wrangler NFR debut Dec. 4-13 in Las Vegas. Cooper is the son of Shari Rivera and Roy “Super Looper” Cooper, an eight-time world champion and member of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. Roy was overall rookie of the year in 1976 and went on to win the tie-down roping world championship that year. Trell Etbauer is the son of Robert and Sue Etbauer. Robert was the world champion saddle bronc rider in 1990 and 1991, and Trell’s uncle is five-time world champion saddle bronc rider Billy Etbauer. Trell’s uncle Dan will be a pick up man at the Wrangler NFR this year and Robert, Billy and Dan all qualified for the Wrangler NFR in the saddle bronc riding from 1994 to1997. Trell finished the year with earnings of $42,965 competing in the steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding and tie-down roping. He also won the 2008 Linderman Award, along with rookie all-around honors. Bareback riding rookie star Smith finished the year with $27,081. He picked up paychecks at several top rodeos, including Fort Worth, Texas, and Casper, Wyo., along with finishing second in the average at the Reno (Nev.) Rodeo behind two-time and reigning World Champion Bobby Mote. Smith won the second round at Reno, scoring 89 points aboard Big Bend Rodeo’s Shady Lady. Cobb locked up the steer wrestling rookie title with a strong performance at the inaugural Heartland ProRodeo Series Championships, held Oct. 3-11 in Waco, Texas. Cobb won the challenge round and tied for first place in the final round of four. He finished the season with $34,533. Team Roping Header Rookie of the Year Joel Bach is the son of Allen and Peggy Bach. Allen Bach is a four-time World Champion Heeler and has qualified for his 27th Wrangler NFR this year. Joel Bach, who led the rookie standings most of the year, began the season roping with Wrangler NFR veteran Cody Cowden and later roped with fellow rookie Paul Eaves. He finished the season with $38,816. Richard claimed Team Roping Heeler Rookie of the Year honors by winning $41,160. Among his partners, he roped with two 2006 Wrangler NFR qualifiers, Nick Sartain and Jay Adams. Sartain and Richard won the average at the Reno (Nev.) Rodeo in June with a time of 17.6 seconds on three head an   Read Article Special Collectors Set-50th NFR 11/11/2008   This is the last DVD set ProRodeo Films will be offering Supplies are very limited so order early Once they sell out we will not re-duplicate • Each set of 6 DVDs = $39.95 • 6 DVD set includes 10 Rounds of televised competition • 6 DVD set includes Bonus Video of 1959 NFR • US orders only • All US orders ship by US Mail (sorry, no rush orders). • First ship date - January 31, 2009   Order Here Tuf Featured in Dallas Morning News Sports Coverage of Texas Stampede 11/7/2008   Teen fits right in with best rodeo cowboys 08:24 PM CST on Thursday, November 6, 2008 By ED KNOCKE / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News The first thing Tuf Cooper did after turning 18 on Jan. 31 was to get his Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association permit. "I couldn't wait to get on the pro tour," said the son of eight-time world champion Roy "Super Looper" Cooper. "I've been working for this my whole life." Growing up in a rodeo family – his older brothers Clint and Clif are also PRCA tie-down ropers and his uncle is perennial Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier Stran Smith – he has had a large number of role models. He's definitely on the way to adding to the roping family's legacy. He's coming into the Tom Thumb Texas Stampede Friday at American Airlines Center ranked fifth in the world tie-down roping standings with $89,315 in earnings. The three-day event is the championship of the PRCA's Ariat Playoffs. For Cooper, it's an opportunity to improve his standings going into the NFR next month. Cooper has rapidly become one of the best ropers. In addition to the accolades he has received on the pro tour, the home-schooled senior from Decatur also won the Texas High School team roping championship with Jake Cobb. He is renewing memories of the great roping performances by his Hall of Fame father, who in three decades broke every roping record. "Ever since 2004, I knew what my goals were," Cooper said. "I wanted to turn 18 and make the NFR in the first year that I could." Having accomplished that, he also will haul in the rookie of the year award. He leads Adam Gray by nearly $30,000. Some 32 years ago, Roy Cooper qualified for the NFR and won the rookie of the year title, but at age 21. "My dad is my best teacher, and he is a role model," Cooper said. Karen Herbst, owner of two horses Tuf is using, said, "I love to pick a winner, and he surely is that. He's just so dedicated. He eats and sleeps rodeo." Cooper's first great moment on the pro tour came in April when he won the Clark County Fair and Rodeo in Logandale, Nev., beating cowboys he had watched over the years. He won seven more rodeos. By the time he won the River City Roundup in Omaha in September, he was performing at the level of a seasoned pro. He won the eight-man semifinal round in 8.5 seconds and came back to win the finals in 8.2, one-tenth of a second over Mike Johnson, a 22-time NFR qualifier. Cooper said he and his brothers practice every day they are not on the road"Being the youngest," he said, "I get to learn from all their mistakes." Ed Knocke is a Bedford free-lance writer. TOM THUMB TEXAS STAMPEDE When: Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Where: American Airlines Center Who: The top 10 in seven events from the cumulative tour standings following three stops of the ProRodeo Tour Playoffs. Tickets: $20 to $105; American Airlines Center Box Office; 877-210-5425; TicketMaster at 214-373-8000. www.texasstampede.org.   Read article Tuf & Boo Featured in 11/08 Spin to Win 10/28/2008     Read article Rodeo's Rising Stars -Tuf Featured on Cover of Western Horseman 10/17/2008   Tuf and 12 other Young Athletes on the Brink of Greatness are featured in the November 2008 issue of Westnern Horseman. Watch below for link to article.   Read Article Tuf and Clint Win at New Waverly, TX 10/12/2008   Tie Down Roping results Round 1 1. Ricky Canton 8.63 2. Shane Hanchey 8.98 3. Cody Ohl 9.12 4. Quincy Kueckelhan 9.25 5. Jeff Chapman 9.31 6. Houston Hutton 9.46 Round 2 1. Tuf Cooper 8.92 2. Clint Cooper 8.93 3. Bubba Paschal 9.02 4. Joe Beaver 9.03 5. Chris Rowland 9.09 6. Shane Hanchey 9.12 Short Round 1. Adam Gray 8.81 2. Bubba Paschal 8.93 3. Jeff Chapman 9.85 4. Tuf Cooper 10.5 Average 1. Jeff Chapman 28.78 2. Bubba Paschal 28.81 3. Tuf Cooper 30.06 4. Adam Gray 30.29 5/6. Houston Hutto 31.32 5/6. Shane Hanchey 31.32 The match between Tuf and Adam Gray was an incredible exhibition between two amazing talents. Adam did win, but BOTH guys did an incredible job! 2 broken barriers cost Tuf and both boys had 2 long calves that were hard to get down Round 1: Adam 11.55 Tuf 10.57 W Round 2 Adam 11.06 W Tuf 8.95 plus 10 Round 3 Adam 9.45 W Tuf 10.0 Round 4 Adam 11.07 Tuf 9.38 W Round 5 Adam 11.58 Tuf 9.66 W Round 6 Adam 12.43 Tuf 10.34 W Round 7 Adam 9.50 W Tuf 10.47 Round 8 Adam 9.59 W Tuf 24.41 Round 9 Adam 11.70 Tuf 11.18 W Round 10 Adam 18.53 (2 loops) Tuf 11.40 plus 10 Final: Adam: 116.46 on ten W Tuf: 136.36 on ten Each young man won 5 rounds. Take out the 2 broken barriers and Tuf would have won overall by one tenth (.1) of a second. He rode Heismann on all 10 head too not moving to Boo until the short go. See videos of Tuf's first 5 calves and his short go calf (13th) at link below. Will add Clint's 2nd round run soon.   See Video's Match Roping Between Tuf and Adam Gray is On! 10/10/2008   Tuf and Adam both had to see how they finished at the Heartland Rodeo in Waco and now their match roping at New Waverly, Texas at 5pm tomorrow night Sat 10/11/08 is a go for sure! This is one you don't want to miss! Includes 40 other top tie down ropers.   Further Details Tuf Enough! Tuf and Boo on Cover of 10/10/08 Pro Rodeo Sport News 10/9/2008   See link below for the cover and article on Tuf's win at Omaha with pictures of Tuf and Boo!   Read Article Clint & Tuf Place At Rosenburg Texas 10/6/2008   Counts for 2009 season Tie-down roping: 1. Clint Cooper, 7.3 seconds 2/3. (tie) Ryan Jarrett and Trevor Brazile, 7.6, 4. Shane Hanchey, 7.7 5/6. (tie) Tuf Cooper and Tim Pharr, 7.8   Read Article Clint Places at New Braunfels 10/6/2008   Counts toward 2008 standings but is a 2009 Heartland Rodeo Tie-down roping: 1. Jim Bob Crow, 9.6 seconds 2. Jesse Salazar, 9.8 3. Skooter Bell, 10.1 4/5. (tie) Clint Cooper and Cody Waldrop, 10.3 6. Jim Smith, 11.8   Tuf Cooper Omaha Winning Run's Posted to YouTube.com 10/2/2008   Tuf's semi final and final runs at Omaha are now posted on YouTube along w/a few other videos we have had time to post. More to come of all three boys.   Watch The Videos TUF COOPER PROVED OVER THE WEEKEND THAT HE IS READY TO TAKE ON THE NATION'S TOP COWBOYS AT THE UPCOMING WRANGLER NATIONAL FINALS RODEO. 9/30/2008   Coverage in Wise County Messenger   Read Star Telegram Coverage of Tuf's Win in Omaha 9/30/2008   No other place in the country can say they have two of the top-five tie-down ropers in the world. No other family can say it, either.   Read Article Cooper Simply Too Tuf at River City Roundup! 9/28/2008   Tuf and Boo put on a roping clinic at Omaha Saturday night winning the Semi Finals and the finals with times of 8.5 and 8.2 seconds respectively.   Read Article On ProRodeo.com Competition is Tight At Omaha 9/26/2008   Tuf was 10.3 for 6th and no pay check in round 1 last night. 10 men caught and only 4 times under 10 seconds. Article in Omaha paper about all the "family" participants in the playoffs below.   Family Coverage Weekend Results 9/22/2008   Tuf placed as follows in these season ending rodeos over the weekend: First Round Albuquerque, N.M 8th with an 8.0 second time; 7th in the average on two with 16.9 seconds. Second Round El Paso, TX split the round for first three ways with Hunter Herrin and Cody Ohl with a 7.4 secnd run again on Boo. Tuf heads to Omaha this week for more Ariat Tour Playoffs Thurs-Sat night.   Omaha Playoff info Tuf Places in Round 1 at Albuquerque, NM 9/16/2008   Tuf placed 8th in Round 1 on Boo at Albuquerque, NM. He and Clint rope their 2nd calves Thursday night 9/18/08.   Keep up on early results Tuf and Boo featured in the 9/12/08 Pro Rodeo Sport News 9/15/2008   Kendra Santos wrote a very good article describing the uniqueness of the PRCA rodeo at San Juan Capistrano, CA that Tuf won the tie down roping event.   View Article Here Clint Made the Short Go at Pendleton 9/13/2008   Clint entered Pendleton as the 12th qualifier. He roped a 9.5 on Vegas which fell one short of a check. after Pendleton BUT WILL BE UPDATED FURTHER TONIGHT FOR ABILENE RODEO AND ANY OTHERS LAST WK THAT AFFECT TDR 1. Josh Peek $133,732.00 2. Trevor Brazile $98,214.00 3. Mike Johnson $83,929.00 4. Hunter Herrin $82,940.00 5. Tuf Cooper $71,814.00 7. Jeff Chapman $70,583.00 down 1 spot 9. Jerrad Hofstett $69,411.00 down 2 spots 6. Tyson Durfey $71,241.00 up 2 spots 10. Stran Smith $67,897.00 down 1 spot 8. Clint Robinson $69,436.00 up 2 spots 13. Justin Maass $61,264.00 down 2 spots 11. Cody Ohl $63,665.00 up 1 spot 12. Ryan Jarrett $61,761.00 up 1 spot 15. Doug Pharr $57,285.00 down 1 spot 17. Adam Gray $56,354.00 down 2 spots 16. Matt Shiozawa $56,549.00 14. Fred Whitfield $60,665.00 up 3 spots 18. Blair Burk $54,903.00 20. Scott Kormos $53,377.00 down 1 spot 21. Casey Branquin $52,110.00 down 1 spot 22. Joseph Parsons $52,097.00 down 1 spot 19. Randall Carlis $53,486.00 up 3 spots 23. Cimarron Board $48,554.00 24. Cade Swor $45,984.00 25. Nate Baldwin $43,921.00   Cooper Clan: Roping Dynasty 9/11/2008   Nice article on Roy and the boys in the East Oregonian (i.e. Pendleton, OR)   East Oregonian Article Super Looper II 9/9/2008   Nice article on Tuf on ESPN   ESPN Roy Wins Round I at Pendleton Roundup 9/9/2008   Roy won the first round of Pendleton with an 11.1 time on Roan Ranger (aka Die Hard Romance). 11 was a lucky # for the Coopers today as Mike Arnold (driver/road manager for the Cooper boys) was 11.3 on Vegas, Tuf was 11.2 on a new horse being tried--Big Brown and Clint was 11.6 on Vegas.   Tuf Advances to Ariat Tour Rodeo in Omaha, NB 9/7/2008   Tuf moves on as 9th man going into the Ariat Tour finals at Omaha 9/25-9/27/08 Tie down ropers in the semi finals at Puyallup: Contestant 2 hd ave top 8 Josh Peek 15.3 1 Trevor Brazile 15.7 2 Stran Smith 15.8 3 Mike Johnson 16.1 4 Jeff Chapman 16.9 5 Fred Whitfield 17 6 Caddo Lewallen 17.1 7 Seth Childers 17.7 8 I don't have their times but advancing to the finals were 1st Josh Peek 2nd Jeff Chapman 3rd Seth Childers 4th Fred Whitfield Finals 1st Jeff Chapman 10.5 seconds 2nd Josh Peek 11.0 seconds. 12 men going to Omaha and their offical total points after Puyallup Rank Name City/State Points 1 Trevor Brazile Decatur, TX 155.25 2 Mike Johnson Henryetta, OK 134.75 3 Josh Peek Pueblo, CO 120 4 Stran Smith Childress, TX 104.75 5 Jerrad Hofstetter Portales, NM 90.75 6 Hunter Herrin Apache, OK 80.75 7 Seth Childers Cameron, TX 80.5 8 Fred Whitfield Hockley, TX 79.16 9 Tuf Cooper Decatur, TX 78 10 Jeff Chapman Athens, TX 76.5 11 Doug Pharr Victoria, TX 73.5 11 Ryan Jarrett Summerville, GA 73.5   Tour Standings Clif and Tuf Win in the Northwest 9/2/2008   Tuf won 5th in the first round and Clif won 5th in the second round at Walla Walla Washington. Clif won 3rd in the first round at Kennewick WA and Tuf won 4th in the second round at Ellensburg, WA. Tuf moves on to tour playoffs at Puyallup, WA starting Friday 9/5/08. Clif has come home to start his sophomore year at Weatherford, TX junior college and Clint is home for a few days with his wife and baby Casen before meeting up with Tuf and Roy at Pendleton, OR   Tuf in the NW 9/2/2008   Tuf was 8.8 for 8th in round 1 at Lewiston, WA on Tuesday 9/2/08 and is sitting 2nd in round 1 at Pullyap Ariat Playoffs with a 7.7 on Friday afternoon. He'll rope his 2nd round calf Friday night 9/5/08.   Tuf Cooper to Match Rope Adam Gray 8/29/2008   Tuf will match rope Adam Gray October 11, 2008 at the B&R Arena in New Waverly Texas, 5pm. Tuf and Adam have been in the race for the PRCA Rookie of the year and both will most likely be competing at the NFR in December. Its a match you won't want to miss! Watch this website for the flyer with further details!   Tuf and Clif Advance at Walla Walla 8/27/2008   Tuf riding Typsy tied for 5th in the first round with a 8.7. Clif riding Warrior tied for 5th in the second round with a time of 8.3. Both boys advance with the top 30 to the progressive round with Tuf sitting second in the 2 head average (17.3) and Clif sitting fourth with 17.8 on two head.   See Results Tuf Wins at Elite San Juan Capistrano PRCA Rodeo 8/26/2008   Tuf edged out his Uncle Trevor Brazile to win the one head round at the elite Ranch Mission Viejo Rodeo in San Juan Cap, CA Sunday 8/24/08. Tuf was riding Boo and tied his calf in 8.0 to take the title. See the video of his victory lap on link below. Tuf is winning round 2 at Colorado State Fair in Pueblo with a 7.3 on Heisman. Clint won 2nd in round 1 yest am on Cowboy Cool.   Victory Lap Video Tuf and Clint Place at Colorado State Fair PRCA Rodeo 8/26/2008   Tuf won the 2nd round with a 7.3 and Clint won second in the first round with an 8.0.   Results Weekend Winnings 8/18/2008   Friday 8/15 Clint split 5th with Cash Myers at Burley, ID with a 9.9 Saturday 8/16, Tuf split first with the "Hunters" at Gooding ID PRCA rodeo with a 8.6--Hunter Herrin and Wyatt Hunter. Tuf was 13.6 and 9.5 on his first and 2nd calves at Caldwell leaving him in 10th on Tour Points and proceeding on to Puyallup Oregon 9/5-9/7 for more of the Ariat playoffs.   Wrangler Pro Rodeo-Ariat Playoffs Tuf At Caldwell Tour Playoffs 8/13/2008   Tuf was 13.6 on a running calf in Round 1 Monday night at Caldwell, ID and 9.5 on his calf in Round 2 Tuesday night. As of Wednesday night he is splitting 3-5 in Round 2 with Trevor Brazile and Mike Johnson. Tuf is sitting 7th in the average on two head with a 23.1. 18 more ropers rope in round 2 Thurs-Fri night before the top 8 in the average return to the semi finals and finals on Saturday night 8/16.   </