On the 45th anniversary, former BFI contenders invited back
Team roping fans with the Bob Feist Invitational on their must-watch bucket list have one more reason to catch the 2022 edition this spring. The day before the 45th anniversary of Bob Feist’s original Open roping – Wrangler BFI XLV presented by Yeti on April 2 – organizers are adding a new roping called BFI Legends.
It’s an Open roping just like the BFI – this one’s a five-steer using a rope barrier – but all headers and heelers must be at least 40 years old and can’t have qualified for the NFR anytime in the past five years. With a first-place paycheck of a guaranteed $40,000, you’re guaranteed to see the likes of Walt Woodard, Tyler Magnus, Tee Woolman, Rich Skelton and Speed Williams battling it out – especially since an additional $10,000 bonus goes to any team (like Speed and Rich) who win this year and have also won the BFI in the past.
After watching the best who have ever backed in a box, fans can attend the annual BFI welcome reception and auction that night starting at 5 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Edmond. Early teams entered in the 45th “Feist” on Saturday, April 2, include the still-hot world champs Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogeuira, along with powerhouses Dustin Egusquiza/Travis Graves, Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, new team Chad Masters and Cory Petska, plus young guns like Nicky Northcott and Grady Quamm.
Kicking off Wrangler BFI Week on Thursday, March 31 are the Hooey Jr BFI 10.5 and Jr. Open ropings, then the 15.5 roping is followed by BFI Legends on Friday. That night, doors open for the cowboy auction and welcome reception at 5 p.m. at the Edmond Hilton Garden Inn. Saturday, April 2, all eyes are on Feist XLV. Then Sunday, April 3, expect the over-21, $10,000-added 12.5 Oilfield Classic. The 11.5 Businessman’s Roping, formerly produced by Perry DiLoreto, is scheduled first thing Monday, April 4, including a four-steer consolation round, and is followed by the 10.5 with an over-40, $10,000-added 9.5 incentive. Finally on Tuesday, April 5, the week wraps up with the Charlie 1 Horse All Girl team roping with 9.5 and Youth Incentives, and breakaway.
Every roping except the actual BFI during Wrangler BFI Week presented by Yeti, March 31 – April 5, is free of charge. BFI tickets are available in person at the Lazy E box office, by phone at 405-282-RIDE, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Visit www.BFIWeek.com for more information. Reservations with special roper rates are available at Edmond’s Hilton Garden Inn.
by Julie Mankin
By BFI