Leap Of Faith Lands In Second Place Patti, Jon Cusker Near First Payday As Crowd-Pleasing Team Ropers
Cowboys gave the crowd at the General Store Wrangler Prorodeo Classic plenty to cheer about, but the loudest ovation at the Arena on Saturday night was reserved for a woman.
When Patti Cusker was announced as a header in team roping, a portion of the crowd of 6,690 roared its approval. There was another roar when Patti and Jon Cusker turned in a time of 10.4 seconds, the fastest of the night and good for second place after two days of the three-day rodeo.
“Yeah, I heard it,” Patti said sheepishly. “I try to block that out and concentrate on what I need to do. If I worry about that, I don’t get done what I need to do. When I’m in there it’s that steer, my horse and me.”
If the time holds up in the top four through today’s final performance, which begins at 2:30 p.m., the Missoula couple will cash their first check from a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event.
“I’m not out there to prove anything as a woman roping,” she said. “I’m out there because I enjoy roping.”
Although she competed one year in college, Patti Cusker never roped seriously until after she was married. Jon didn’t start roping until they started dating, and he decided he wanted to lasso Patti.
“She was on the rodeo team and I wanted to impress her,” he said.
Nineteen years after they were married, they finally decided to buy their PRCA permit. This is their first rodeo as PRCA members.
“We plan to go some this year,” Patti said. “The kids are a little older and it’s easier, but we’re not going to go racing down the road.”
They have entered their hometown rodeo in Missoula, where they own a construction business, but their only winnings came from jackpot, or open, ropings.
“It’s just a hobby for us,” Patti said. “Some people bowl, some people play softball, we rope.”
According to Patti, there have been disagreements, but never fights that seem to turn roping partnerships, likened to marriages, into a Peyton Place.
“That’s their livelihood, we do it for fun,” Patti said. “We get competitive, sure. We do it so we can be together. Sometimes we will disagree with what needs to be done, but as far as fight, no.”
There is pressure, however, especially on Jon.
“You heard it tonight,” he said. “What would have happened if I missed that loop? The announcer always makes a big deal out of it. There’s a lot of pressure roping with a woman.”
The only other new leader to emerge from Saturday’s performance was Utah saddle bronc rider Brian Billings. He scored an 84 on Crash Landing, the highest score in bronc riding in the six-year history of the rodeo.
Bob Krick of Cheyenne, Wyo., moved into second in bareback riding with a 79 on Payday Skoal.
The steer wrestlers were quick, but not quick enough to break into the top four. Tad Else of Dillon, Mont., and Jerry Gentry of Heppner, Ore., were timed in 4.8 seconds. The leaders, starting at a 3.2, competed in slack, the session after Friday’s performance to accommodate the overflow of entries.
Charlie Brown of Wasco, Ore., roped and tied his calf in 10.7 seconds for second place.
Only three bull riders stayed aboard for 8 seconds, led by Brock Mortensen of Mackay, Idaho, who moved into second with an 80 on Wango Tango.
Billings’ ride was impressive because Crash Landing hesitated leaving the chute and then crashed into the fence, two things that can often disrupt the timing and hurt the score.
“He banged around a little bit but he got in the air and still gave me time to ride him,” Billings, 25, said. “He’s a pretty nice colt. They’re kind of wild, but they’re fun. He’s still a dumb colt, trying to figure it out. Give him another year and he’ll be an all-star.”
Billings went into the ride with no knowledge of the young horse, but he expected good things considering he was part of the Big Bend Rodeo Co. string.
“I knew he was a Don Hutsell colt,” he said, referring to the Ritzville stock contractor. “I’ve been on a lot of his horses. I figured he’d be all right. Donny don’t haul much junk.”
, DataTimes