Looking back on the past year, I’m amazed by what the NTR achieved. The fact that the National Nine champions won $100,000 at the 2015 NTR Finals for an entry fee of only $200 was something that has never before been done in team roping. More than that, is the fact the National Nine Finale’s total payout exceeded $210,000, while the inaugural NTR National Finals had a total payout of over $500,000!

In the past 10 years, team roping as a whole has seen big payoffs, but it typically costs a couple of thousand dollars, or more, per entry. The NTR accomplishes big payoffs with fees of only a couple of hundred dollars per entry. Ropers are beginning to understand there might be a better way to win big payouts without having to risk so much money in entry fees.

And understanding that for a chance to win $100,000, a $200 entry fee is probably the ropers’ best bet.

Now in the second year, the NTR momentum is set. We are about 60 days away from awarding $100,000 for first place in the National Eight Finale. The fact that an amateur team can win that much money is amazing. Look at the 2015 PRCA team roping standings: prior to the NFR in Las Vegas, only two ropers had won more than $100,000—and that was 11 months of winnings for the ropers.

As of press time (December 2015), NTR memberships have topped 4,000 and the NTR schedule has expanded to include over 50 NTR events in Idaho, Nevada, North and South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Arizona and Colorado.

This year’s NTR National Finals will include two of the largestpaying #8 and #9 ropings of the year. Additionally, total payoff is expected to exceed $1,000,000!

I keep getting questioned about what lies ahead after the 2016 NTR National Finals. I’ve been working on an idea for the #12 ropings that will include 15 qualifiers, at which 10 teams will advance to the National 12 Finale. This means there will only be, at most, 150 total teams entered in the 12 Finale with an estimated payout of $100,000 for 1st and total payout at the Finale to exceed $300,000!

For more details on the National 12, turn to page four. I hope to have the first of these qualifiers in Arizona in February and March.

Here’s hoping everyone had a great Christmas and I look forward to seeing you this winter in Arizona.