DICK CHURCHILL & MICHAEL EUGENIO CALMELAT
For nearly three decades Dick Churchill travelled the U.S. selling alarm systems.
“I got tired of never being home,” said the Nebraska native who now resides in Queen Creek. “I moved out to Arizona about six years ago and I’m here year-round now.”
Since semi-retiring 10 years ago, the former salesman spends most of his time training rope horses.
“I’ve got too many horses now-a-days,” said the National 11 Champion Header. “I can’t ride as many as I used to. I usually have three or four around, sometimes more than that. Right before Vegas people bring me horses to tune up so I’ll have 10 or 12. I don’t get to jackpot much then. This was the first time I had roped at the NTR Finals.”
With 50 years between them Churchill has known Little Michael Calmelat for most of the young cowboy’s life and has roped with him from time to time.
“Michael and I had won a little bit before,” he explained. “You know, I might have won with him everywhere I’ve roped with him. His dad asked me if I would head for him in the 11 and I said absolutely.”
At just 10-years-old Calmelat was hot off his first World Championship at the Junior NFR Open Team Roping in Las Vegas when he partnered with Churchill in Wickenburg in March to take home the trophy saddles, buckles and $16,320 in cash.
Calmelat has been a regular at NTR ropings since winning his first NTR check worth $170 in 2015 placing fifth in the #6 roping at Casa Grande Cowboy Days (formerly The Louie & The Duke) as a 6-year-old. He was a fierce contender in the NTR Rising Stars dummy ropings before winning saddles, buckles and a trailer which he won at the Mormon Lake Cowboy Christmas roping in 2017 when he was 8. The year prior he topped a #8 Saddle Roping at Mormon Lake and in a Facebook post following the event the hashtag #ropelikeMC was coined and you'll still see it used on his fan page today. Yes, fan page!
He’s a special deal,” Churchill said of his Finale partner. “I’ve never seen anyone his age rope like that. I don’t think there’s ever been one that good at that age.”
When he’s not competing, he’s a regular 10-year-old boy roping the dummy and hanging out with his buddies, including Churchill’s son Casey who is the same age. If you watch Calmelat at the jackpots he’s always relaxed, smiling and truly enjoying every minute of the experience. But when he backs in the box and the chute gate cracks it’s all business. If you’re heading for Calmelat you better nod and #ropelikeMC.
