Danny Dietz Memorial Classic Celebrates 15 Years

In 2008, Danny Quinlan happened to meet the wife of 2nd Class (SEAL) Danny Dietz at an event where she spoke about her husband.

Just three years earlier, while performing Operation Red Wings on June 28, 2005, the reconnaissance mission in Hindu Kush, Afghanistan, came under attack. Three of the four men's lives were lost that day, including Dietz.

In a combined effort, Danny Quinlan and Patsy Dietz created a partnership to bring together team roping and the SEAL community to honor the ultimate sacrifice made. "The Classic" was born in 2009, and the Danny Dietz 501c3 was made an official non-profit in 2015.

In the years since its inception, the Danny Dietz Memorial Classic and the Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Foundation have raised close to a million dollars for the people who sacrifice so much for the freedoms and safety we all enjoy.

The event has grown to add multiple days' worth of action, live music, guest speakers, live and silent auctions and a PRCA Rough Stock Challenge.

The 2024 edition of "The Classic" was won by Clint Summer and Jake Long who posted a total time on five runs of 32.03 seconds. Hot on their heels were Tyler Tryan and Denton Dunning, who were a mere seven-tenths behind at 32.74 seconds on five.

Long is no stranger to the winner's circle at the Danny Dietz Classic. He has taken home the winning paycheck five different times. Summers was experiencing his first title at the event. For their efforts and exceptional roping, Summers and Long will share in the winning purse of $21,560.

Average

Short Round fast time

LAURA MOTLEY LAMBERT

Laura Lambert resides in Wiggins, Colo. With her husband, Ricky and two sons, Brayden and Boedy. She attended the University of Northern Colorado while studying economics. She is an accomplished rodeo athlete and barrel horse trainer. Over the years, Laura has been active in journalism in a variety of roles. While continuing to cover western sports and country music, she is currently enjoying expanding her reach into multiple sports including MLB, NFL, PGA and LPGA. You can reach her at lauralambertmedia@gmail.com