Team Roper qualifies for State Finals for 10th Year

Robert Staley, 31 of Cottonwood has been participating in the sport of rodeo since he was 14 years old. He had neighbors that participated in team roping, so it was natural for him to follow. During the summer, Staley attends between one to three rodeos a weekend, with August being the busiest time for the sport. He practices with his roping partners Kyle Davis and Spencer Mitchel who are both headers during the week when time is available. In the fall and spring months, it is cool enough to practice on a daily basis.

As the California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association Finals approaches, Staley has once again qualified for the finals. This will be his 10th consecutive year qualifying. He is not sure who he will partner up with yet as it depends on the placement of contestants. The first 15 qualified cowboys will compete in the team roping, which is the same with all of the events in rodeo. Staley is currently ranked 10th in the event as a heeler.

Staley has been riding horses for 20 years and never gets tired of it. Staley enjoys the camaraderie of the sport with other competitors and looks forward to weekend competitions. Staley's parents are supportive of his choice to spend his time on the rodeo trail. When they get a chance to, they spend time watching him compete, along with his wife Mandy.

Staley participated in Junior Rodeo for two years prior to competing for all four years of high school with the California High School Rodeo Association District One. All four years of high school rodeo, he was able to compete at the state finals, then qualified for the Silver State International Rodeo his senior year.

Staley was the rookie of the year for the California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association in 1998. He also placed third last year in the team roping at the finals with roping partner Kyle Davis. Staley goes to about 15 rodeos a year. He has also been participating in Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeos for nine years.

Staley works for Four Star Rodeo helping with things around the ranch, feeding, rounding up livestock, branding, taking stock to rodeos and other necessary jobs. He has been married to wife Mandy for three years. They have a two-year-old daughter, named Jayda and are expecting a new addition to the family at any time. Staley's wife Mandy also participates in the sport of rodeo, barrel racing and breakaway roping.

As for the future of the sport for Staley, he never intends to give up the sport.

"The sport of rodeo is addictive. Nobody ever quits, they just don't go to as many rodeos. It is a great sport, a lot of fun and it is a family sport," said Staley.