Three Star Memorial Roping — More Than Just a Jackpot

The Three Star Memorial Roping event concluded at the Tri-State Expo in Amarillo, Texas. It's a popular event, known for its walking-fresh calves and long-score. However, it's much more than just a jackpot.

The Three Star Memorial is a non-profit organization that memorializes three people who are greatly missed: Todd Fincher, Jody Hart, and C.M. Kuhlman. For over 20 years, the Three Star Memorial has been actively aiding the West Texas A&M University Rodeo Program through different organizations. In 2014, the Three Star Memorial became its independent non-profit organization.

The mission of the Three Star Memorial is “giving students the opportunity to excel in and out of the arena while obtaining their college education! Encouraging students from the youth up to the collegian level to be a part of the rodeo community, let their light shine, and to make a difference in the world.”

The Three Star Memorial kicked off Saturday with the open breakaway roping consisting of three full rounds and a short round. After coming back to the short-round second high call and winning second in the short round, Alex Loiselle got the win with 15.54 seconds on four.

“I love the walking fresh calves and the long start, Loiselle said. There are only so many ropings that you can go to that are like that now.”

Loiselle and her husband, Logan, welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Blake Renee, last year.

“I didn’t get to go last year because I was pregnant, and it was about the time I stopped roping. I hated that I missed it last year. I haven’t gotten to go to a whole bunch of ropings since I had Blake, so it was one of my first ropings back. It was fun to get to go to that and one of my favorite ropings, then get the win.”

Loiselle says having her baby girl, Blake, with her to experience the win at one of her favorite ropings makes it even more special.

“It is so much fun; all of our friends are able to see her, and she loves to socialize.”

Loiselle went to college on a rodeo scholarship and knows the importance of hard work. She admires all that goes into putting on the Three Star Memorial and how it benefits the West Texas A&M Rodeo Team.

“What I love about this roping is they have their students there working. You don’t always see kids helping out as much anymore. I think it is cool they have them there working. To be a part of the rodeo team, you have to work hard in and out of the arena. I really like that aspect.”

Full Breakaway Results:

Round 1:

1. Kendall Pierson, 3.34 seconds
2. Carly Christian, 3.69
3. Brandi McDowell, 3.71
4. Kendyll Miller, 3.73
5. Cheyanne McCartney, 3.90
6. Rylee George, 3.93
7. Martha Angelone, 3.95
8. Nicole Hadley, 3.96

Round 2:

1. Nakona Danley, 3.04 seconds
2. Kerstin Freeman, 3.25
3. Emilee Charlesworth, 3.30
4. Tia Wallace, 3.38
5. Tauna Alcorn, 3.53
6. Samantha Fulton, 3.54
7. Cheyenne McCartney, 3.56
8. Kallie Montaluo, 3.65

Round 3:

1. Alex Loiselle, 3.31 seconds
2. Beau Peterson, 3.44
3. Rylee George, 3.77
4. Biven Chapman/Shelby Meged, 3.91
5. Shayla Smith, 3.92
6. Brandi McDowell, 3.97
7. Kaylee Etbauer, 4.16

Short Round:

1. Martha Angelone, 3.09 seconds
2. Alex Loiselle, 3.69

Aggerate Results:

1. Alex Loiselle, 15.54 seconds on four
2. Martha Angelone, 16.32
3. Tauna Alcorn, 17.74
4. Kinlie Brennise, 18.29
5. Tia Wallace, 18.31
6. Emilee Charlesworth, 26.54
7. Evann Segura, 29.22

The open tie-down roping followed the breakaway, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The open tie-down roping is three rounds and a top 12 short round. Round one went to Garrett Jacobs with a 9.75-second run. Reid Zapalac’s 9.39-second run captured the win in round 2, and Beau Cooper was the fastest in round 3 with a 9.47-second run. After placing in Round 3, Trevor Hale came back high-call to the short round and capitalized by placing second in the short round and winning the aggregate with 40.51 seconds on four.

Full Open Tie-Down Results:

Round 1:

1. Garrett Jacobs, 9.75 seconds
2. Kincade Henry, 10.04
3. Quade Hiatt, 10.22
4. Haven Meged, 10.44

Round 2:

1. Reid Zapalac, 9.39 seconds
2. Cade Wallis, 9.64
3. Austin Hines/ Cash Enderli, 9.71

Round 3:

1. Beau Cooper, 9.47 seconds
2. Kyan Wilhite, 10.02
3. Trevor Hale, 10.15
4. Brushton Minton, 10.50

Short Round:

1. Sam Lewis, 9.65 seconds
2. Trevor Hale 9.81

Aggerate:

1. Trevor Hale, 40.51 seconds on four
2. Brushton Minton 41.94
3. Kyan Wilhide 43.91
4. Sam Lewis 44.52
5. Haven Meged 44.64
6. Kincade Henry 44.89

The Three Star Memorial gives away four individual scholarships every year to West Texas A&M University rodeo team members. These scholarships are based on student merit in and out of the arena, as well as their goals and aspirations to continue their education at West Texas A&M University.

For more information about the scholarships, see past scholarship winners, or to download a scholarship application, please visit their website: threestarmemorial.org/scholarships.html.

The Kuhlman, Hart, and Fincher families, along with many friends and family, joined forces to ensure the success of the Three Star Memorial Program. The program reflects the loss of three amazing boys and promotes their legacy to live forever in the Lord’s home.

“They will forever be in our hearts,” says the Three Star Memorial website. “We pray that they watch over us as our angels to lead us in the direction that we are destined.”

On Sunday, the Three Star Memorial hosted multiple junior ropings. Full Results and information about next year’s roping can be found on their website: threestarmemorial.org