RAM READY

Ram Hughes Wins Fourth Trophy Truck at Cowboy Christmas

Ram Hughes won his first trophy truck in Spanish Fork, Utah, when he was just 13 years old. He has since won four more trucks and he still isn’t old enough to drive them. The 15-year-old from the small rural town of New Castle, Utah, most recently took home a new Ram 3500 dually at the National Team Roping Cowboy Christmas #9.5 Ram Truck Roping in Rapid City, South Dakota, over the 4th of July, followed by another in late September as the one-day high point roper at the Elitist Roping in McAlester, Oklahoma.

“I just set a goal to win the most trucks,” Hughes, who has roped at more than 20 truck ropings, said. “I don’t feel like I’ve reached my goal yet. There are still a lot more trucks to be won.”

Hughes and two-time WNFR qualifier Buddy Hawkins II have discussed the matter via Instagram and decided they are about tied. The two are conspiring against six-time WNFR qualifier Junior Noguiera to disqualify motorcycles from the “contest.” The Brazilian roping sensation has won seven vehicles and 57 motorcycles along with an unrecorded number of horse trailers. Hughes just matched reigning World Champion header Clay Smith who has also won five trucks.

Hughes has literally put in the miles. In 2019 he roped at the NTR Cowboy Christmas Truck Roping at Mormon Lake, Arizona, on a Thursday, a quick layover in Gallup, New Mexico, and he was horseback again on Saturday morning for the NTR Cowboy Christmas Truck Roping in Rapid City. He earned a couple of paychecks that trip but headed back to Utah in the original trophy truck.

“We drive the first one that he won all of the time,” Laura Hughes, his mom and biggest supporter, said. “It’s always hooked up to the trailer. I dropped him off at school today in an old ranch truck though. We like to keep them honest.”

The oldest of nine kids—seven brothers and one sister—Hughes jokes that he’s trying to win one for each sibling. The joke may be on him though, now that he’s more than halfway there. Next in line is Rio, 13, and he’s just starting to swing his loop in the truck ropings too.

Both Laura and her husband, Ramzi, come from rodeo and ranching backgrounds and they continue that lifestyle today with cattle operations across the country from Utah and Idaho to Nevada and Arizona.

Hughes was a little disappointed when he missed the USTRC’s new Ram Truck Roping in early September, but they were busy ranching— working cattle with Laura’s family in her home state of Florida.

Hughes has transferred his honestly acquired work ethic to the arena and beyond. A sophomore at Enterprise High School he also competes in the Utah High School Rodeo Association in the team roping and calf roping and is learning to ride saddle broncs. With the little time he has left he competes on his high school wrestling team.

“He’s talked about selling one of his truck to buy a garbage truck and start a business,” Laura said. “He’s always thinking about the future. Not all kids are like that.”

Every time Hughes wins a trophy truck his parents let him drive it down Main Street, past the post office, the singular church and the gas station. It will only be a few short months before he can make the trip solo. Hopefully, it will be in yet another brand-new Ram.

“You keep having them,” Hughes said. “We’ll keep coming.”

More than 930 teams were vying for $45,260 in cash plus a new Ram truck in the #9.5 Ram Truck Roping at the NTR’s Cowboy Christmas in Rapid City over the 4th of July. Ram Hughes, New Castle, Utah, finished first in the average with Chad Reber (pictured) worth $9,440 and seventh in the average with Jason Jeffries for another $2,760 to secure the high point title and earn his fourth trophy truck.

Hughes started the day on a mare he calls “Nancy.” While the 18-year-old veteran is solid in the field she can be tricky in the box and they had broken out once or twice. Once Hughes knew he had a real chance at the truck he decided to switch to an appy pony he knew would get the job done. Hughes had ridden “Tuff” to numerous wins before turning him over to his younger brother. Rio had in fact already been roping on him throughout the day.

At eighth call back Jeffries broke out and though Hughes had a little trouble with his dally they still finished with a respectable 40.25 on 4 head and it kept them seventh in the average. Hughes rode right back in the box to rope at seventh call with his hometown buddy, and only pick partner of the day, Reber. The Utah cowboys laid down a clean run, finishing with time of 34.44 on four head.

Their time held through six more teams to top the average.

“I just set a goal to win the most trucks. I don’t feel like I’ve reached my goal yet. There are still a lot more trucks to be won.” - Ram Hughes

#9.5 RAM TRUCK ROPING

RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA

JULY 4, 2020
Ram Truck Winner - Ram Hughes
1st in Ave - 34.44 on 4, Chad Reber & Ram Hughes $9,440
2nd in Ave - 34.87 on 4, Trenton Keplin & Emit Valnes $5,900
3rd in Ave - 37.54 on 4, Matt Lopez & Albert Nez $4,720
4th in Ave - 37.86 on 4, Colton Mcdaniel & Troupe Coors $3,940
5th in Ave - 38.87 on 4, Dalton Maglike & Dillon Alvarez $3,540
6th in Ave - 40.17 on 4, Cody Stahly & Teigen Marmon $3,160
7th in Ave - 40.25 on 4, Jason Jeffries & Ram Hughes $2,760
8th in Ave - 40.38 on 4, Jeff Jasper & Jaden Long $2,360
9th in Ave - 40.77 on 4, Russ Cook & Cesar Saenz $1,960
10th in Ave - 41.06 on 4, Edwin Ledezma & Jory VanBochove $1,580
11th in Ave - 41.62 on 4, Tyler Christensen & Jaden Long $1,200
12th in Ave - 41.73 on 4, Peyton Call & Jory VanBochove $1,200
13th in Ave - 42.09 on 4, Brook Jamison & Wyett Magilke $1,000
14th in Ave - 42.34 on 4, Tate Johnson & Cory Fosher $1,000
15th in Ave - 42.49 on 4, J R Grieves & Pete Haukaas $1,000
Fast Time Shortgo
1st not placing in Ave - 8.03, Raymond Kerr & Jaime Ortiz $500