Haven Meged ropes his calf during Friday’s fifth performance of Rooftop Rodeo. He stopped the clock in 7.6 seconds and tied fellow tie-down roper John Douch, who is wearing purple and had just pushed Meged’s calf to help the Montana cowboy.
(PHOTO BY PHILLIP KITTS)

 

ESTES PARK, Colo. – This time of year is a mad scramble for rodeo contestants.

Take John Douch and Haven Meged. Between them, they have 11 qualifications to the National Finals Rodeo and more than $3 million in earnings. Meged is fifth in the world standings, and Douch is sixth. They’re almost tied together.

At least they were Friday night during the fifth performance of Rooftop Rodeo. Both tie-down ropers stopped the clock in 7.6 seconds to share the lead in Estes Park.

“Being the first roper, I knew I had a good calf, and I’m glad Haven yelled that I was out (clean on the barrier line), because I thought I broke the barrier,” said Douch, 29, a four-time NFR qualifier from Huntsville, Texas. “After that, you just want to go through the motion and finish my run.”

It worked out well for athletic Texan, just as it did for Meged.

“I was just trying to go as fast as John,” said Meged, the 2019 world champion and seven-time NFR qualifier from Miles City, Montana. “When somebody sets a base like that, it kind of builds on you and makes you want to step up and rope. I missed my slack. It wasn’t the prettiest, but it worked out.”

The sport’s biggest stars tend to make sour grapes into fine wine. Both men have won nearly $100,000 through this week, and they have a big chance to cross that six-figure account by Monday morning. Both will compete in Wyoming on Saturday, then will battle for the Calgary Stampede title Sunday afternoon.

Until then, they’re in position to cash in at Estes Park.

“That’s a great rodeo,” Meged said. “We’re just trying to stack checks, get to the National Finals Rodeo and have a chance at the gold buckle.”

That’s the most cherished prize in rodeo, the culmination of a year’s worth of success. Meged earned his seven seasons ago, the same year he won the college tie-down roping championship and the PRCA Rookie of the Year title. Douch is still looking for his first.

“This is a good rodeo,” Douch said. “They have real good calves, and hopefully we can win first. If not, hopefully we can get a decent check.”