Vegas Stars: Youth Roping Champions Emerge

For the past 21 years, Chris Neal has been producing ropings for the youth of America. Starting in 2002 in Ada, Okla. with the Rising Stars roping, Neal found a passion for producing ropings that were a step above everything else offered.

“It took me a few years to realize that my passion was for producing ropings. I love the National Anthem, the music, the dark house, the smoke, the opening – I love it all,” Neal said.

The theme for every production Neal does now is to prepare the kids to be able to back into the box in an atmosphere that is loud and exciting and still be able to concentrate and perform to the best of their ability. Neal goes out of his way to make the atmosphere electrifying and bring excitement to every part. The music is loud, the short round announcements are smoke filled and fun.

Every year in December, Neal brings his crew to Las Vegas to produce the Vegas Stars roping at the Core Arena in downtown. The Plaza Hotel and Casino plays host and offers contestants stalls, a nice arena, and even a family friendly NFR Watch Party each night.

Neal saw a total of 701 entries encompassing 375 unique contestants this year in the ropings over the course of eight days. An astounding $268,524 was awarded to the contestants.

The contests start out with the prestigious Rope for the Crown breakaway roping that has $25,000 added. Ladies are given a “last chance” to qualify for the actual “RFTC” in a preliminary roping with $3,500 added. The top five in the average from the last chance roping go on to join the top 70 already qualified for the roping. Together, the top 75 ladies compete for the Crown of the best of the best.

In the last chance qualifier, newly crowned World Champion Shelby Boisjoli Meged won round one with a 2.2 second run. Sage Webster backed in the box on a mission in round two and roped her calf in an astounding 1.74 second run. Round three was split between MaryBeth Beam and Mackenzie Floyed who smoked runs of 1.99. The five lucky ladies that qualified to move on were Kelsie Domer, Beth Hitcock, JJ Hampton, Riley Romero, and MaryBeth Beam.

Moving on to the actual Rope for the Crown roping, the ladies brought their best game to the arena. Danielle Fladeland took top honors in round one with a 1.88 followed by NFR qualifier Danielle Lowman winning rounds two and three with a 1.91 and an astonishing 1.56 respectively. When the lights came down on the roping, it was Tiada Gray with a total time of 9.55 on four head who earned the title.

The Junior division of the Rope for the Crown has two age groups – 19 and under and 15 and under. There were several ways to qualify to get to run at the $20,000 added money including being in the top five of a last chance roping, being in the top 16 from the WCRA Division Youth standings and winning one of several qualifying ropings. In total, 25 young ladies from each age group were able to compete. In the younger division, it was Florida’s own Harley Pryor who took top honors and a new saddle home from Vegas. Familiar name in the results, MaryBeth Beam won the 19 and Under title.

Continuing on the quest to prepare the youth, Neal finishes off the week with younger aged breakaways and a complete set of aged events for tie down ropers. A highlight of the week for contestants, the production crew, and fans alike was the 19 and Under Breakaway

Roping. This is one of the toughest, most competitive ropings held and an 11-year-old girl from Florida was the champion. She roped tough and consistent and topped the entire field of 96 entries.

Neal and his entire crew look forward to being back in Las Vegas next year for even bigger and better ropings and payouts. Neal has considered making the Las Vegas stars the Championship Finale of the tour of the “stars” events he produces throughout the year. If you would like to follow the action, the stars will be found at the following events:

Future Stars, Memorial Day Weekend, Glenrose, TX
Oklahoma’s Richest, October 2024, Guthrie, OK
Rising Stars, Thanksgiving Weekend, Guthrie, OK
Vegas Stars, December 2024, Las Vegas, NV

Here are your champions:

12 & Under Breakaway

Average – Cain Martin, 13.32/4
Short-Go – Bentley Becker, 2.43
Round 3 – Kaden Wyatt, 2.34
Round 2 – Bentley Becker, 2.58
Round 1 – Griffin Preissinger, 2.23

15 & Under Breakaway

Average – Quealy Probst, 14.64
Short-Go – Riley Edens, 2.04

19 & Under Breakaway

Average – Avery Savoie, 7.18
Short-Go – Avery Savoie, 2.47

19 & Under Tie Down

Average – Luke Coleman, 37.3/4
Short-Go – Paden Evans, 8.9
Round 3 – Paden Evans and Jhett Akins, 9.0
Round 2 – Luke Coleman, 8.8
Round 1 – Luke Coleman, 7.9

15 & Under Tie Down

Average – Boedy Lambert, 47.0/4
Short Go – Cy Webb, 9.7
Round 3 – Myles Nixon, 9.5
Round 2 – Layden Wynn, 11.0
Round 1 – Bill Cody Odell, 9.7

12 & Under Tie Down

Average – Rueger Swindle, 53.5/4
Short-Go – Stockton Cribbs, 10.7
Round 3 – Rueger Swindle, 11.5
Round 2 – Stockton Cribbs and Kaden Wyatt, 13.9
Round 1 – Kaden Wyatt, 12.7

Open Tie Down

Average – Joel Harris, 27.9/3
Short-Go – Colten Wallis, 7.8
Round 3 – Colten Wallis, 7.8
Round 2 –
Round 1 – Braden Harris, 9.1